Chapter 146: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-SIX: ONE MORE DOWN, UP

AIDEN

The doors to her office closed behind me; my chest was heaving as the scent of Ethan lingered in the hallway. Why did he have to smell so good?

Why was he here? I was about to scream into the phone for Leo to do a deep dive on him, to be sure he wasn't here to try and push Zara into some kind of new scam.

‘Was the kiss I gave her even enough to mark her as mine?’ I closed my eyes tightly and ran my fingers across my face.

When my eyes shot open, Zoey was looking at me as if she were eager to help me. I just smiled and nodded before walking away.

I knew that Zara had picked me. I still couldn't shake off the truth of the situation. Ethan represented the stability I couldn't give to her. The truth is that she would be able to do what she really wanted to do without someone pushing their ideas down her neck.

“Do a deep dive on the Campbell Group. Make sure I even know what time they go to bed.”

Leo hesitated before answering. “Sir, is this because they are a business partner to…”

“Have you suddenly become the boss? Do you want to take over and give me the orders instead?”

“Of course not… I will get on it right away.”

I had to be sure Ethan was not going to be a liability. I might not be able to give her the much-needed sanity that he could, but I wouldn't let him drag her down at all.

Instead of going back to the office, I went to find Alexander at the main Knight house. He was in the garden, clipping down the overgrown edges of the flowers.

He didn't look like the same man I had grown up with. Instead of a tailored black or blue suit, he was in an oversized overall with a plaid shirt sticking out from underneath. He had a big sun hat to protect his face from the sun and a face towel hanging on his neck.

“Mr Knight,” my voice was tight. I was only following his instructions.

Once, he had slammed his fist on the table and screamed at me in a boardroom when I called him “Dad” in front of everyone. “You can't show weakness,” he had said when we were alone.

He paused his shearing and looked up at me, pushing the tip of his hat up. He nodded and went back to shearing, as if I was not standing in the same space with him.

“What are you doing here? It's the middle of the workday. Shouldn't you be at work?”

I swallowed and shook my head, Zara’s “He’s nice” re-echoing in my mind. Of course, how could the great Alexander Knight be nice? It's been too many years, and not even once have I seen him nice.

“I had to come check if the words of Mrs Knight were true.”

His back was to me, but I didn't miss the moment he froze. He relaxed and turned to me, dropping the shears to the ground and then wiping his brow with the towel. He walked into the shade, and I followed.

“What is it that you have to see with your eyes?”

“The truth… You are nice now, aren't you?”

“Haven't I always been?”

I scoffed and crossed my arms over my chest. “Seriously? Would you ever say you are?” He nodded, and I was sure I had either slipped into a reverse universe or my father was sick with some incurable disease.

“Zara is the perfect match,” he said, chugging down the cold drink. He wiped his mouth clean and made a satisfied sigh.

“Don't you say she wasn't?”

“It was only because I listened to the media.”

“Shouldn't the owner of a big company know it was a bad idea to rely on what the media said without fact-checking it himself?” I stopped myself from rambling. I closed my eyes and shook off the thoughts. I was not there to talk about how fantastic she was.

“What is this? You are trying to…”

“I am not trying to do anything. Zara can handle it; just give her time,” he said, sinking into the reclined wooden chair and rocking himself forward and backwards.

“Dad…”

“Aiden, I am not trying to meddle or ruin your relationship. I know you are married for love, but still, you own a crown, and she has to be ready to wear that crown with you.”

I sighed. That was the one thing I was trying to keep her away from—having to wear this crown in addition to hers.

“The earlier you both understand this… the better for everyone.”

The visit here was a waste because I didn't convince him to back off. He had managed to convince me of the reasons why he was right.

I got a call from Damian Crawford. It didn't sound urgent, but since I was already out, it made sense for me to go and see him.

Sera and Damian were happy to welcome me in. Sera smiled and ushered me into the room. I couldn't forget the first day I came in there.

The memories of having them lingered. If I had to do it again, I would have to. Because now I can't imagine a life without her in it.

“My daughter is having some troubles at work,” Damian confessed after Sera and I had sat down.

I swallowed because, in reality, she wouldn't have to fight this battle if not for me. “I am sorry, Mr Crawford, it…”

“So I was thinking of naming her the chairwoman once and for all this weekend.”

“You want to…”

“I hope she will have your full support once I do,” he cut me off again.

I nodded frantically. It was and is still her dream to fully head the company. Even though people are going to try to go against her, it can't be the same.

Her father was giving her the protection I had no idea how to give. I sat up straight and slowly bowed.

“Thank you…”

“You don't have to thank me. Just know you have to help her.” His voice carried all the warning he was holding back from saying.

“Of course,” I nodded, because I would rather die than ever hurt her in this lifetime.

I was speeding down, trying to beat the traffic so I could pick Zara up for our date. My phone rang, and it was Leo.

“Tell me you already have everything about Ethan Campbell.”

“I have sent that to your email. Now you'd be able to know when he goes to bed, in case you are planning on robbing them…”

“Ha ha ha… very funny,” I mocked.

Leo took a deep breath, and he didn't have to say another word; I could already sense how wrong everything felt. “Speak.”

“It's Rylan, sir… It seems like he found a way out.”

I closed my eyes. The evidence provided to the police was enough to keep him locked up until our first child could construct full sentences without overthinking them.

If Zara heard about this, then it would trouble her. “Get the London authorities on the phone. I have to know why he walked."