chapter 125
Alexander's POV:
I leaned against the cold hospital wall, watching Fiona slip into Hannah's room.
My head throbbed with every heartbeat—not from alcohol this time, but from the weight of our family's rapidly deteriorating situation.
The sterile hallway lights cast harsh shadows that seemed to mirror my darkening prospects.
Through the half-open door, I could see Fiona approach Hannah's bed with practiced caution.
My wife lay there, bruised and bandaged, her usual perfect appearance now marred by the violence of last night's attack.
The doctors had assured me she would recover physically. What they couldn't tell me was how to salvage what remained of my business empire.
"Are you absolutely sure you don't know who did this?" Fiona asked softly, her hand resting protectively over her baby bump. "Was it... was it possibly related to Tori?"
Hannah's eyes darted nervously to the door where I stood. When she spotted me, something in her expression hardened.
"I've already told Alexander and the police—it was random," she insisted, wincing as she adjusted herself on the pillows. "Wrong place, wrong time."
I noticed her lie but didn't press further. Even if she had done something else to deserve this attack, Hannah would never admit it to my face.
She had been causing one problem after another lately, but I couldn't waste time on her deceptions anymore.
My company—my entire life's work—was on the verge of collapse. Her latest indiscretion was just another pebble in the avalanche burying us.
"We have bigger problems right now."
Fiona looked between us, confusion creasing her brow. "What do you mean?"
I closed the door before speaking, unwilling to let anyone in the hallway overhear.
"Three of our largest trading partners canceled their contracts this morning."
"That's... that's impossible," Fiona whispered.
"Our resource supply chain is completely cut off. No one will sell to us, not even at premium prices." I ran a hand through my hair, feeling years older than I had just days ago. "No one breaks business ties with Price Enterprises simultaneously unless they have protection from someone more powerful."
Hannah's face had gone deathly pale. "You think Lucas is behind this?"
"Who else commands that kind of respect in Moonhaven? Who else could make established businesses risk their own profits just to isolate us?" The bitter taste of reality coated my tongue. "Fiona, you need to reach out to him. Try to arrange a meeting."
Fiona shifted uncomfortably, one hand protectively covering her baby bump.
"I... I don't think I should be the one to call him. My position in the Grayson household is already precarious after Tori's lawsuit. Ethan barely speaks to me, and Richard looks at me like I'm contaminating their bloodline."
"Are you serious?" The words exploded from me, my patience finally snapping.
"I've clothed you, fed you, and treated you like a princess for over twenty years! You've never wanted for anything under my roof. And now, when I ask you for one thing—one simple phone call—you refuse?"
"Alexander, please—" Hannah started, but I cut her off with a sharp gesture.
"I'm not even sure if this matter is related to you being sued by Tori! "
My voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Let me make something perfectly clear, Fiona. If you won't help your family now, don't come crying to me if that Grayson boy abandons you after the baby is born."
Fiona's face paled. Her hand trembled visibly as she finally pulled out her phone. "I... I only have Jack's contact information," she admitted quietly.
She dialed the number, putting it on speaker. After three rings, Jack Green's cool, professional voice answered.
"Ms Price. "
"Jack," Fiona began, her voice steady despite her obvious discomfort. "My father—Alexander Price—would like to request a meeting with Alpha Grayson regarding some urgent business matters."
There was a long silence on the other end. I could almost picture Jack holding his hand over the phone, consulting with Lucas. Finally, his voice returned.
"Eight o'clock tonight. Golden Moon Club. Don't be late."
The call disconnected abruptly.
Fiona looked up at me, her expression a mixture of relief and apprehension. "There. It's done."
---
The Golden Moon Club's private room was impeccable.
I arrived thirty minutes early, rehearsing my approach. I would be respectful but dignified. I would acknowledge any legitimate grievances while emphasizing our family's value as allies rather than enemies.
Eight o'clock came and went.
Nine o'clock arrived with no sign of Lucas.
By ten, I had called Jack six times, receiving only brief, dismissive responses: "Alpha Lucas is delayed," and later, "Alpha Lucas is still considering whether this meeting is necessary."
At 10:17, my phone finally rang.
"Mr. Price," Jack's voice was coldly professional. "Alpha Lucas has decided against meeting tonight. He asked me to inform you that due to the actions of your wife and daughter, Ms. Eileen was nearly hospitalized with dangerously high blood pressure. He suggests you focus your attention there before seeking business discussions."
I sat up straighter, shock coursing through me. "That's impossible. Hannah hasn't even left the Moonhaven center. "
"Perhaps you should ask Mrs. Price and Ms Fiona about that yourself," Jack replied, his tone remaining detached and formal.
The call ended before I could respond.
I sat alone in that massive room, the silence crushing me like a physical weight.
Eileen—Tori's grandmother. What had Hannah done now?
Fingers trembling with rage, I dialed Hannah's number.
"Alexander?" Her voice was cautious.
"What did you do to your mother?" I demanded, my voice dropping to a dangerous growl.
"I don't know what—"
"STOP LYING!" I roared into the phone. "Lucas Grayson just canceled our meeting because apparently you and Fiona nearly sent an elderly woman to the hospital! What. Did. You. Do?"
The silence stretched for several seconds before Hannah's resistance crumbled.
"It was just some pictures... "
After hearing her full confession, I hurled the phone across the room with such force that it shattered against the wall.
I grabbed the whiskey bottle and took several long swigs directly from the neck.
When I'd first met Hannah, I'd known she was petty, small-minded, and vain. But back then, those flaws had been balanced by a certain vivaciousness that I'd found irresistible—like a thorny rose that could draw blood but remained beautiful enough to make the risk worthwhile.
Now, the disasters she kept creating were beyond my ability to contain. Everything I once found charming had transformed into something contemptible.
The Rose had lost its bloom, leaving only thorns.
I drank until the bottle was nearly empty, paid my tab, and stumbled toward the exit.
The alcohol had dulled the edges of my rage but deepened my despair.
As I pushed through the door, the world tilted sideways, and I collided with someone—the female I'd seen last time who bore an uncanny resemblance to my ex-wife.
The next morning.
I woke in an unfamiliar luxury apartment, the morning sun assaulting my eyes.
My head pounded as fragments of the previous night flashed through my mind. The meeting that never happened. Hannah's confession. The bar. And then... a female.
I shifted uncomfortably, suddenly aware of the cool air against my skin.
I looked down to find myself completely naked, beside me was equally undressed female.