Chapter 81
Elizabeth's POV
Aiden's face darkened, but he didn't back down, his gaze fixed intently on me. "Girlfriend? Are you kidding me?"
He looked over at Alexander, his expression deliberately provocative. "I'm afraid that's just a fantasy of yours. He doesn't look like he cares about you at all."
I tightened my grip on Alexander's arm, staring daggers at Aiden. "Don't say that to me."
"Alexander, let's get away from here," I said, pressing closer to him in an intimate gesture, hoping to demonstrate the degree of our closeness.
Aiden, whatever was going through his head, dared to harass me so openly.
Fortunately, he seemed to have some reservations about Alexander and didn't try to force his way nearer.
Throughout the exchange, Alexander maintained an air of someone who couldn't be bothered to engage.
He simply led me deeper into the venue, and no matter how much Aiden might have wanted to reach out and stop us, he remained frozen in place. I glanced back at him one last time and rolled my eyes.
Just as we had shaken off Aiden, Carter suddenly appeared, calling out to Alexander. "Alexander, come with me for a moment."
Almost simultaneously, I grabbed Alexander's hand and shook my head at him.
In such an unfamiliar setting, I had no desire to be separated from Alexander, not even for a second.
Besides, calling him away at this particular moment felt too much like a deliberate attempt to split us up.
Carter noticed my resistant expression. He narrowed his eyes and smiled at me before continuing, "Ms. Spencer, rest assured, it's very safe here. No harm will come to you."
His words directly addressed my unease, and the smile on his face carried an unassailable forcefulness, as if he was certain I wouldn't dare to object.
So, I smiled back at him and replied, "Of course. With so many guests here today, the security is certainly not in question."
Carter's expression stiffened for a moment, but then his smile grew even more meaningful.
He turned back to Alexander. "Let's not have her join our conversation." His tone was that of someone addressing an outsider.
Although I felt that being separated would be disadvantageous for me, I couldn't be sure of Alexander's thoughts, so I could only stand there, frozen.
But in the next second, Alexander tightened his grip on my hand, showing no intention of letting go.
My mouth fell open as I looked at him and said, "Alexander, I don't want to be separated from you."
Since he was willing to hold my hand so firmly at a time like this, I naturally understood his meaning.
For a fleeting moment, I had the illusion that the corner of his mouth had curved slightly upward.
Following this, Carter's mouth twitched before he spoke again. "Fine. Since you two insist on being together, then come in together."
Carter didn't let the matter drop; instead, he led both Alexander and me into a room.
Behind us was the lively, bustling party; before us, a silent, still chamber.
Thankfully, Alexander's presence beside me made the atmosphere feel less oppressive.
Once inside the room, Carter gestured for us to sit. He then walked over to a nearby table and began to prepare coffee himself.
As the aroma of coffee filled the room, he turned back to look at us. "So, you two are really together." His tone was purely one of scrutiny, without the slightest attempt to hide it.
Seeing his expression, I edged a little closer to Alexander. "Of course."
I had to take the initiative at a time like this. After all, Alexander had asked me to play this part, and if I were exposed, my fate could be dire.
"Alexander?" Carter's tone was remarkably intimate, which made me seriously question if their relationship was truly that good.
Back at the company, it had felt like they were in constant competition, but now, they seemed more like a genuine family.
"Yes," Alexander replied, seemingly unfazed, his eyes resting quietly on me.
His gaze held a quality I had never seen before, and for an instant, it felt as if our relationship was truly what he claimed it to be.
Carter chuckled, a slow smile spreading across his lips. "So, your relationship is very intimate now."
His words were laced with a hint of mockery. Before I could fully register it, he continued, "I hear Ms. Spencer has been working quite diligently at the company lately. Since you're already in this kind of relationship with Alexander, why bother with all the hands-on work?"
I couldn't help but clench my fists; the implication in his words was obvious.
Although Carter wasn't physically at the company, it was clear he had eyes and ears everywhere, and he knew exactly what efforts I had been making for the business these past few days. His words were also a test.
"Of course. I want to be able to stand by Alexander's side with dignity, not be someone who just relies on him," I said quickly, hoping my answer would shut him down.
Carter paused for two seconds, then suddenly burst out laughing. "I never expected you to have such a sharp tongue."
Alexander still showed no sign of stopping me, so I pressed on. "So, can I interpret this as you've been targeting me all along?"
From the moment I stepped into this party, I hadn't felt a shred of goodwill from anyone.
It was as if everyone assumed my position beside Alexander was not one of an equal, intimate partner.
That included Carter; while he hadn't shown me direct malice, his every word was steeped in condescension.
At this thought, I met his eyes more directly, without a trace of fear or retreat.
Carter suddenly laughed again. "Don't misunderstand. I have no objections to you two. After all, I'm Alexander's uncle. Naturally, I hope he can find happiness."
"In that case, there's nothing more to be said, is there?" He had specifically called us in here, yet he hadn't discussed any real business.
Seeing his expression, I felt nothing but unease and wanted to escape this feeling as quickly as possible. "Mr. Windsor, if there's nothing else, we'll be leaving now."
This time, I took the initiative to suggest our departure, but Carter slammed his coffee cup down on the table, making a considerable noise, clearly displeased.
Seeing his reaction, I forced myself to sit upright, determined not to be affected by him.
Just then, Alexander suddenly pulled me into his arms and spoke to Carter. "This is between her and me. It has nothing to do with you."
Hearing those words, I couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion, even though I knew they might not be Alexander's true feelings.
"Are you telling me you're going to marry a woman with no background?" Carter suddenly exclaimed loudly.
Alexander replied without hesitation, "Of course. Elizabeth is the woman I've chosen. I will only marry her."
For some reason, even knowing it was all a lie, his words sent ripples through my heart.
Carter frowned, his gaze darting back and forth between the two of us. "Do you really think you can marry her?"
The scorn in his voice was completely undisguised, a heartless pronouncement of the gulf that separated Alexander and me.