Chapter 51 The Performance
Dandy.
We had to move inside to Alex's wing of the estate, they waited for me in the sitting room while I went upstairs to the guest room I was staying in to get my phone.
The weight of what just happened pressed down on my chest like a boulder and my hands wouldn't stop shaking.
If I couldn't prove my innocence, if I couldn't prove that the bracelet belongs to Lilian, Alex would think the worst of me. And then what? A swift divorce? The contract torn up? All my chances at revenge, at reclaiming what was mine, gone in an instant, and all my patience and laying low would be in vain.
I couldn't let that happen.
I took my phone and immediately went back downstairs before Xavier would think I escaped.
The sitting room felt smaller than usual with all four of us in it. Xavier stood with his arms crossed, his glare sharp enough to cut glass. The message was clear to me: you'd better not be lying to me.
Alex leaned against the armrest of a chair, unnaturally calm. Too calm infact. But if there's something I learned enough about him by now is to know that his stillness was dangerous. Whatever storm was brewing inside him, he was holding it back with iron control.
And I definitely didn't want to see what happened when that control snapped.
Nicholas sat on the opposite couch, absently petting Willow, who looked as anxious as I felt. The wolf's ears were flat against his head, his eyes darting between me and Alex like he could sense the tension crackling in the air.
I pulled out my phone with trembling fingers and scrolled to Lilian's contact and pressed dial, holding the phone to my ear.
It rang once.
"Put it on speaker." Xavier demanded coldly.
I looked up at him dumbstruck, like seriously?. "But that's an invasion of privacy."
"Do it."
The command came from Alex this time. His voice cut through the room sharply like a blade.
I flinched subconsciously.
That tone. I had heard it before. The first day we met, when he'd ordered me to sit down back down on the bed, the way he had looked at me like I was nothing more than a problem to be solved. It had sent chills down my spine then, and it did the same now.
Was he still angry at me? Did he actually believe I would sleep with a stranger? Even after I confirmed it was not me.
The thought made my stomach twist.
I swallowed hard and tapped the speaker button without another word. I had to prove my innocence Quickly.
The second ring echoed through the silent room.
Then Lilian's bright voice burst through. "Hey! Prettiest flower in the world! So sorry I didn't pick up on time, I was so busy!"
Xavier's eyebrows shot up.
Alex's shoulders relaxed, just slightly.
Nicholas shot Xavier a look that screamed I told you so.
I exhaled, some of the tension draining from my body. "Uhm, Lily, I need you to come over to the Graham estate. Please, can you do that for me?"
Even as I said it, guilt gnawed at me. She just told me how swamped she was, and here I was, still asking her to drop everything and rush over because of Xavier Quinn's petty grudge.
"What? The Graham estate?" Lilian's excitement was noticeable, but then it faltered almost immediately. "Wait, are you sure about that? Will HE allow you to have visitors?"
Alex raised an eyebrow at me, his expression almost amused. When did I say you couldn't bring a guest?
I rolled my eyes and pointedly ignored him. He seemed to have conveniently forgotten Rule 15: No visitors allowed in his home.
"Yes, especially today. Please, can you just come over? Like, right now?"
There was a pause. "Dandy, as much as I really, really, Really want to come to the Graham estate and see your pretty face, I can't. I'm totally choked up with work right now. I have a presentation too. But I promise I'll come tomorrow if the offer's still open."
My heart sank immediately.
I knew Lilian. When she had a presentation, nothing could pull her away. She was too dedicated, too professional.
But these three men standing around me wouldn't wait until tomorrow. They wanted answers now. Especially Xavier.
I glanced at Xavier's rigid posture and that nasty look on his face that wouldn't take no for an answer. And then at Alex's unreadable expression, also at Nicholas watching me like I was a fascinating experiment.
Lilian had just been promoted. Missing one presentation wouldn't destroy her career. But she just didn't understand how critical this situation was.
I had to do something immediately.
An Idea popped up.
I suddenly let tears well up in my eyes, spilling over, and I didn't bother wiping them away. My voice cracked perfectly when I spoke.
"Lily, I'm not okay. Please come over." I whispered with a trembling voice and sniffed.
The three men froze, staring at me with identical expressions of shock.
Lilian's gasp was so loud it crackled through the speaker. "Oh my God, Dandy! Did something happen? Are you okay? Did that cold devil do something to you? You know what, I'm coming right over!"
The line went dead immediately.
I lowered the phone, wiped my eyes, and looked down at the screen. A small smirk tugged at my lips.
"She didn't even ask for an address."
I felt strong Silence.
When I glanced up, all three men were staring at me like I had just performed a magic trick.
"What?" I said, meeting their stunned gazes. "She wouldn't have come if I didn't act properly."
Nicholas was the first to recover. He let out a low whistle and shook his head, grinning. "Damm. You really are a top actress. I didn't see that coming at all. If you're planning a comeback in the movie industry, I'm ready to support you. With a talent like that, you'll climb back to the top in no time."
I wasn't in the mood for compliments. I just wanted this mess sorted out before it spiraled further.
Ignoring Nicholas, I walked over to a couch on the far side of the room and sank into it, resting my head on my hand. The adrenaline was starting to fade, leaving exhaustion in its place.
A soft padding sound made me look up.
Willow had jumped down from where he had been sitting with Nicholas and trotted over to me. He nudged my leg with his nose, then curled up at my feet, resting his massive head on my knee.
I reached down and scratched behind his ears gently.
Across the room, Alex made a face, his expression at Willow clinging and probably also from the surprise at my performance.
I didn't say anything anymore. I just kept petting Willow, letting the soft texture of his fur ground me while I waited for Lilian to arrive and this awkward nightmare to finally be over.