Chapter 31 Unbroken resolve
Immediately, Alex made his way to the new property, grinning ear to ear as he wrapped up all the necessary details. Everything was falling into place. Key in hand, he made his way to his car, but as he reached it, something made him pause. His gaze drifted to the left, where he caught sight of the neighboring property.
He couldn’t help but smirk. “Mine’s prettier,” he muttered under his breath.
Turning his attention to the right, he took in the property on the other side. But then, his pulse skipped—a guy with curly brown hair, holding a black helmet in his hand, climbed onto a bike that looked eerily similar to the one the mystery guy from the other day had been riding.
His legs moved before his mind had the chance to catch up. He realized he had taken a few strides forward before instinct kicked in, then his eyes darted to the license plate of the bike.
“Damn it,” he cursed under his breath, coming to an abrupt stop. He stood frozen for a moment, then let out a soft laugh, shaking his head.
“Alex, are you losing it or what?” he muttered to himself, a hint of frustration creeping in. With a final shake of his head, he spun on his heels and started back toward his car, trying to shake off the weird feeling gnawing at him.
Just then, the guy revved the bike and took off, heading straight toward Alex. His heart skipped again. When the rider reached his car, he slowed, then came to a stop. He smiled at Alex, his expression friendly.
“Hey, big guy, you're the hubby of this beauty?” he called out, gesturing to the house with a grin.
Alex couldn’t help but chuckle at the guy’s tone and the unexpected question. He raised an eyebrow gazing at the house before responding with a smile of his own.
“Yeah, just got married to this beauty today,” he said, throwing in a little playful wink.
The whole exchange felt surreal, like some strange twist of fate had dropped this random guy right into the middle of his day. He wasn’t sure whether to laugh or be suspicious.
The guy beamed, parked his bike, and strode over, extending a hand with easy confidence.
“Congrats, big guy. You’ve acquired real beauty.”
Alex took the handshake, smiling, though his eyes scanned the man’s face—just to be sure. Not him. Pretty but not the same and no blue eyes. There was no resemblance except curly brown hair. The mystery guy's physique still tugged at his thoughts.
“Thank you very much. I’m Alex.”
“Nice to meet you, Alex. I’m Jimmy, and welcome to the neighborhood.” Jimmy said it warmly, but his hand lingered, fingers clasped a beat too long.
Alex noticed. Of course he did. He smiled anyway, then gently eased his hand free.
“Nice to meet you too, Jimmy.”
Jimmy chuckled, clearly amused, and turned back toward his bike.
“See you around, Alex.” He swung a leg over the seat, but even as the engine rumbled to life, his eyes stayed on Alex, openly checking him out.
“See you around too, Jimmy,” Alex replied, shaking his head with a quiet laugh as he slipped into his car.
As the bike disappeared down the street, Alex stared after it, still amused.
“What was that attitude?” he muttered aloud. “Admiration?”
He snorted softly to himself, started the car, and drove off but somehow he could feel that this was only the beginning.
The next day
The next morning, Lucas’s phone buzzed nonstop with interview invitations from different companies. Hope surged through him. Maybe this was it he thought happily as he got ready. Nathan was already congratulating him in advance.
However, it wasn’t because at every office he walked into, the story changed but the ending remained the same. The vacancy had just been filled. The position was suddenly “on hold.” The role was no longer available. Each rejection came after he arrived, résumé in hand, confidence intact.
It wasn’t a matter of qualification. Lucas knew he was more than capable.
What he didn’t know—at least not yet—was that his father had already been there before him. He had quietly and efficiently sent his men ahead, pulling strings, closing doors. Some HR managers were warned. Others were bribed. One instruction echoed everywhere: Do not hire Lucas Westman.
For an entire week, Lucas moved from company to company, city streets blurring into a cycle of waiting rooms and forced smiles. By the end of each day, his optimism thinned, but Nathan never let him give up.
“Something will break,” Nathan kept saying. “Just hold on.”
On the sixth day, after yet another rejection this time while the vacancy was still clearly open, Lucas snapped. He turned back toward the reception desk, frustration blazing in his eyes.
“Can you tell me something?” he asked tightly. “Why won’t they hire me when I meet every requirement?”
The receptionist hesitated, glancing around before leaning closer. Her voice dropped to a whisper.
“I… I overheard someone saying your father told HR not to employ you.”
Lucas froze.
“What the hell did you just say?!” he exploded, the words ripping out of him.
“Please, Mr. Lucas,” she pleaded, panic flooding her face. “Lower your voice. If they find out I told you this, I’ll lose my job.”
He inhaled sharply, calming his anger. After a long moment, he nodded, understanding dawning in his eyes. His voice softened.
“I’m sorry for raising my voice. And… Thank you for telling me.”
He offered a brief nod. “Have a nice day, miss.”
But the damage was done.
Fury burned in his chest as he walked out of the building. The truth was clear now. This wasn’t a coincidence all along. This was sabotage.
And there was only one person he could confront.
Out of sheer frustration, Lucas decided to go straight to his father.
Unexpectedly, he stormed into his father’s office, his footsteps echoing through the tiled office floor. The security didn’t stop him
His father sat in his office, calm as ever, a glass of wine in hand, as though he hadn’t just dismantled his son’s future piece by piece.
“So,” his father said coolly, eyes lifting to meet Lucas the instant he stepped in. “You finally figured it out.”
Lucas’s hands clenched. “You sabotaged every job I applied for.”
A slow smile curved his father’s lips. “I protected you, Lucas.”
“Protect me?” Lucas scoffed. “You bribed people. You threatened companies. You ruined my chances, Dad.”
His father rose to his feet, unbothered. “I gave you a choice, Lucas. You’re the one refusing to take it.”
Lucas stepped closer, anger pulsing through his veins. “
“This is about Derby, isn’t it?”
His father didn't respond, and that was all the confirmation he needed, so he told him firmly.
“I’m not marrying her, not today, not ever. You can’t force me!”