Chapter 20

Scarlett POV

As soon as I entered the medical examination room, the doctor barely glanced at me before perfunctorily declaring "everything is normal" and immediately ushering me out.

Returning to the reception area in a daze, they were still there.

Thinking about what happened before entering, I felt a headache coming on.

The moment Sandra saw me, her eyes first widened, then narrowed dangerously, her delicate features twisting with anger.

"Alexander, you came with her, didn't you?"

At that moment, Alexander stepped forward, placing his hand on my lower back, his gaze on me suddenly tender and profound.

A shiver ran down my spine - he was definitely doing this on purpose!

"Are you feeling better?" he asked, his voice low yet audible to others.

My cheeks burned, finding myself unable to retreat or contradict him.

"Alexander, you're clearly engaged to Lillian—"

Sandra's voice rose with indignation, but George swiftly grabbed her hand, cutting her off.

His jaw was tense, muscles at his temple twitching, revealing his inner turmoil.

"Sandra, let's go," he said.

"George, can't you see?" Sandra protested, her eyes darting between Alexander and me.

"He's betraying Lillian!"

"Enough!" George's voice dropped even lower, carrying a coldness I'd never heard before.

"Go back. I'll handle this," he said with an tone that brook no argument, even when speaking to a senator's daughter.

As he forcibly guided Sandra away, he glanced back at me, his expression unreadable. But I knew he was more disappointed in me than ever.

"Mr. Gray, your behavior just now will make people suspicious about our relationship!" I said with irritation.

Alexander's lips curved into that familiar annoying smile.

"Aren't you worried about Sandra suspecting something between you and George? Besides, what's wrong with me accompanying my aunt-to-be to the hospital for a checkup?"

My cheeks flushed hot. "My relationship with Mr. Harber is innocent," I retorted. "But ours is not."

"You're quite accurate in your assessment of our situation."

Alexander replied, his eyes deliberately scanning me slowly. "I have vivid memories of what happened between us."

"You are really too presumptuous.”

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "I see the future Mrs. Gray is becoming quite imperious." His eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze sweeping over my lower body.

"Were you hurt last time?"

"No," I answered immediately, adding, "I'm fine."

Looking around, I continued in a hushed voice: "Your private life is so chaotic, who knows if you've..."

I couldn't bring myself to finish the sentence about potentially contracting an STD.

Hearing my words, Alexander merely laughed.

"This isn't the place. Let's talk in the car." Then he pulled me away.

"Alexander, are you insane? This is a public place!"

I immediately scolded in a low voice once I saw the privacy partition close behind the driver.

Alexander's expression turned serious. "Don't you know the old fox has people watching you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Richard," Alexander explained sarcastically.

"He never makes a losing deal. You think he'd leave his beautiful fiancée here without surveillance? He doesn't trust anyone, especially you. If you don't want Richard to know you've been sleeping with another man, don't leave medical records at the hospital."

Thinking of the doctor who had just examined me, was it because of Alexander?

Alexander smirked, his cigarette-holding hand suddenly reaching toward me, his long fingers tracing my neck.

"Next time you need something, contact Noah directly."

I stared at him, somewhat doubtful. But learning I'd been under surveillance gave me goosebumps; Richard's controlling nature was worse than I'd imagined.

Alexander noticed my expression and leaned closer. "What? Already touched by my gesture?"

"Mr. Gray, I think our relationship—"

"Horizon Capital Group has agreed to cooperate," he impatiently interrupted. "Come to Velvet Mirage tonight to get the contract."

This news caught me by surprise. The deal with Horizon Capital Group could solve a significant portion of the Smith family's debt problems.

"Thank you," I said cautiously.

The thought that he could threaten Reuben by cutting off his wife's hand sent chills down my spine.

"Just 'thank you'?" Alexander's voice was low, somewhat dangerous.

I swallowed hard, understanding his implication. "So... what do you want?"

Alexander's fingers traced along my jawline, his touch gentle yet cold.

"What I want, isn't it you, dear aunt?"

Hearing this title, I shuddered, remembering Richard and his methods used on me... even my fingers trembled.

I quickly distanced myself from Alexander, straightening my back.

"Mr. Gray, since you remember I'm your uncle's fiancée, please maintain your distance from me in the future. I don't want to cause unnecessary trouble."

Alexander looked at me for a moment, then signaled Luke to open my door. "As you wish."

As I got out, I heard Luke's resentful voice.

"Mr. Gray, you've done so much for her, and she still wants to keep her distance from you?"

"Don't worry," Alexander answered with infuriating confidence.

"She'll come begging to me."

Over the next few days, I drifted through life in a daze.

I didn't go to Velvet Mirage to collect the contract—not because I didn't need it, but because every time I thought about Alexander's conditions and the things Richard had done to me, I would shudder involuntarily.

The Smith family was no longer worth such sacrifices.

I continued working at the Harber Group, not knowing why George hadn't fired me yet, but I no longer had time to think about it.

Every night, I took the medication as Richard required, dreading his return.

This quiet routine was disrupted when George called me into his office one morning.

"Scarlett, I'd like you to accompany me to Suncrest City," he said straightforwardly.

"We're evaluating the new technology park there, and I need someone familiar with finances."

I studied his expression, looking for hidden motives. "Of course, Mr. Harber. When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow morning. We'll stay for three days." He handed me a folder. "Please review these files before departure."

His businesslike manner revealed nothing, but I couldn't shake a sense of foreboding.

At the Harber Group's new technology park in Suncrest City.

During the day, I accompanied George through endless meetings and site inspections.

My careful note-taking and relevant questions impressed the project managers.

Privately, George and I maintained our distance.

In the evening, we were invited by clients to a dinner party. The banquet was awash with glasses clinking as everyone sought opportunities for advancement.

"Miss Smith, your insights on market forecasts are impressive," an investor complimented, taking a glass from a waiter's tray and offering it to me.

"The Harber Group is fortunate to have you."

I politely accepted it. "Thank you, but the ideas were Mr. Harber's. I merely assisted in implementing them."

As more people approached to chat, I drank more than usual.

Before I risked becoming discourteous, I excused myself to use the restroom.

The hallway was quiet, providing temporary relief from the banquet's noise.

Halfway down, I thought I heard footsteps behind me. Looking back, I saw no one.

Maybe it was just another guest passing by, I didn't think much of it.

As I exited the restroom, a man in a server's uniform suddenly appeared beside me.

"Miss Smith? Mr. Harber sent me to escort you back," he said.

His accent was strange, but before I could speak, he had already grabbed my arm with surprising strength, pushing me against the wall. His other hand produced a small vial.

"Don't make a sound," he warned, forcibly pressing the vial to my lips.

I instantly sobered up, struggling violently. But the man was too strong, and in the struggle, I had already swallowed most of the liquid.

My throat felt bitter and burning, and my limbs began to feel heavy. I slowly collapsed to the ground.

Seeing me fall, the man quickly left.

In my dazed state, someone was calling my name.

"Scarlett!" It was George's voice.

"Are you alright?" George asked, seeing me lying helplessly on the ground. He reached out to help me up.

When his fingers touched my arm, I used all my strength to push him away.

"Don't touch me!"

I gasped, my body trembling with an instinctive revulsion. Something was wrong with whatever was in that vial!