Chapter 111

Alexander's POV

I stare at my phone screen, repeatedly checking the message I just sent to Scarlett.

Still no reply. My mood darkens by the minute.

Beside me, Edwin is completely drunk, sprawled on the sofa with a nearly empty bottle of whiskey clutched in his hand.

"Acacia, where are you? What did I do wrong that made you hide from me?" Edwin moans painfully, his voice slurred, eyes fixed vacantly on the ceiling.

This pig-like wailing gradually depletes my patience while simultaneously triggering my murderous instincts.

I've always despised men who lose themselves over women. That kind of weakness is disgusting.

Luke stands nearby, noticing my irritation, and quickly moves to pull Edwin aside.

"Sir, just pretend he's dead! You can't see or hear anything," Luke suggests quietly.

I glance up slightly, casting a look at the half-dead Edwin beside me.

"What's going on with him?" I ask, though I don't really care.

Luke's mouth twitches. "Just heartbreak troubles."

I typically have no interest in my friends' personal affairs, but Edwin has been drinking at my place for nearly a week.

If he continues like this and something happens to him here, the Ortiz family would surely cause me problems.

"Strip his clothes off and throw him in the back alley," I order.

Luke's mouth twitches again. "That's not a good idea... Last time, a man in the back alley was..." He makes a suggestive gesture.

I remain unconcerned, a playful smile curling my lips. "He needs to learn his lesson somehow."

My phone buzzes with an incoming call. It's Scarlett.

"Mr. Gray... I'm very sorry I fell asleep and didn't see your message," her voice is soft, filled with apology.

"Are you home?" I ask calmly.

"Yes."

"Are you available?"

"I am."

"Come to 'Velvet Mirage' and pick me up. I've had too much to drink," I say while leisurely sipping fruit juice through a straw.

"Alright, I'm coming right now." She agrees without hesitation, just as I expected.

Hanging up the phone, I smile slightly. The feeling of control is always pleasurable.

Suddenly, Edwin's emotions spiral out of control again. He starts wailing loudly, repeatedly calling Acacia's name.

"Luke, bring a knife over here. I'll chop him up right now!" I demand harshly.

Luke is genuinely alarmed. "Sir, that's not appropriate. Mr. Ortiz is your friend, we can't just—"

"I don't consider anyone who loses himself over a woman to be my friend," I say coldly, my gaze sharp as a blade.

Unexpectedly, Edwin crawls over to me like a man seeing one last ray of hope. "Acacia! Acacia!"

I run my tongue over my teeth, frowning, and kick him away.

Edwin clutches his stomach, kneeling on the floor. "Goddamn it, are you serious?"

The kick seems to have sobered him up considerably. Only then do I give him a proper look.

"Tell me what happened."

Edwin rubs his stomach and sighs. "Acacia... you've met her before. She's disappeared."

Disappeared... This word is quite intriguing.

I narrow my eyes, my curiosity piqued.

Just as I'm about to inquire further, the door to the private room opens slowly.

Scarlett enters and immediately notices Edwin.

She pauses, and Edwin also stops his complaining.

"You got here quickly," I smoothly pull her into my arms, completely unconcerned about the presence of others.

Scarlett clearly feels somewhat awkward, not even daring to look at Edwin across from us.

Pulling her onto my lap, my hand firmly grips her waist, feeling her warmth and softness.

"So tell me what happened. How does someone just disappear?" I ask while absently playing with the soft flesh at Scarlett's waist, inquiring about the specifics from Edwin.

I grew up with Edwin, one of the few friends I still keep in touch with. Moreover, we have business dealings. If he continued to wallow like this over a woman, how would we make money?

"Three months ago, Acacia went to Emberfall City. When she returned, she started avoiding me. Then last month, she suddenly broke off our engagement. I went to the Vaughn family several times, but they all said Acacia had gone abroad and wasn't in Silverlight City. But I checked her immigration records—she never left the country!"

I feel Scarlett's body tense slightly on my lap. Interesting. Her reaction to this news is quite pronounced.

"Getting restless already?" I whisper in her ear, my breath gently brushing against her earlobe.

Scarlett curves her lips slightly, her fingers drawing lazy circles on my chest.

This is her usual tactic to divert attention, but today seems different. Her movements appear somewhat hurried.

"Mr. Ortiz, are you referring to Miss Acacia Vaughn from the famous musical family?" She suddenly turns to Edwin, her eyes radiating clarity and innocence.

This question immediately perks Edwin up.

"Yes, yes! Do you know Acacia?" he asks eagerly, his voice filled with hope.

I understand his feelings. He's been searching everywhere for Acacia's whereabouts but hasn't found any leads. Now, hearing someone mention Acacia, he naturally feels renewed hope.

"Miss... what's your name?" Edwin asks.

"Scarlett Smith." She smiles at Edwin, about to continue when I pinch her sharply.

"I never knew you were acquainted with Miss Vaughn," I say, my fingers tilting her chin up, forcing her to look at me.

A flash of panic crosses her eyes as she explains.

"I only met Miss Vaughn once, six months ago. I don't really..." She closes her mouth, saying no more.

Good. She knows when to stop talking.

I turn to Edwin, "Alright, I'll have Luke look into this matter for you. Drink less, or your father will scold you again. Go home."

Luke immediately steps forward to help Edwin leave.

Once the door closes, my full attention returns to Scarlett.

"You don't usually talk much. You were quite chatty today." My fingers grip her chin with force, making her face me.

"I was just curious," Scarlett forces a smile. "Mr. Gray, you know curiosity is human nature. Besides, I have met Miss Vaughn before, and isn't it strange that she suddenly disappeared?"

"Really?" I smile lightly. "Put away your curiosity. Don't ask questions that aren't your business."

"Alright!" Scarlett agrees without hesitation, this compliance seems unlike her usual self.

But I like her this way, knowing when to yield.

"Who did you meet today?" I ask, observing the subtle changes in her expression.

She's hiding something from me. I can feel it.

"With you watching me so closely, Mr. Gray, are you still worried about who I might meet?" Her question has a probing quality.

"Little thing, don't try to provoke me with your words," I sneer.

"I wouldn't dare!" she quickly begs for forgiveness, but before she can finish speaking, I've already pressed her down onto the sofa.

Her eyes widen instantly, clearly nervous.

I can feel her heartbeat quicken and her body tense up.

"Don't worry, I won't do anything," I say, leaning down to kiss the tip of her nose. "At least not now."

I enjoy this sense of control, and also the glimpse of panic and undisguisable attraction in her eyes.

Just then, she seems to realize something, looking at me with surprise: "Alexander, you're not drunk at all!"

I laugh, lifting the hem of her clothes, biting her lip. "Who says? I'm drunk on your..."