CHAPTER SIX
ALEXIA P.O.V
"I want to know the kind of person my sister has been frolicking with… and if this were an interrogation, your limbs would be missing by now."
His voice was calm—too calm.
Those last words sent a cold shiver crawling down my spine.
He wasn't bluffing.
"We've just been chilling… somewhere quiet, away from the city. What's wrong with that?" I replied, forcing my tone to stay steady.
Silence.
Ugh. He was such a robot.
The tension in the car thickened until it became suffocating. Then—
"Who are you?" he asked.
Straight. Direct. Dangerous.
"Nobody you should be concerned about," I shot back immediately.
A slow smirk tugged at his lips. "You know… I have my ways of finding out who you are."
"Good luck with your new homework," I muttered, munching on some chips. "Why do you even care? I'm just a nobody."
"A nobody," he repeated softly, "who managed to cover her tracks for an entire year. No trace. No clue. Nothing that leads back to you."
His eyes flicked toward me, sharp and calculating.
"So, Miss Williams… I wouldn't call you a nobody. Not yet."
I tossed another chip into my mouth, unfazed—or at least pretending to be.
"Oh, looks like someone did their homework already. Since you know my name, I'm sure you know plenty about me. So why bother asking again?"
"There are still things I want to hear… from you."
"Aww… too bad. You won't be hearing anything," I said lazily.
The car suddenly came to a halt.
I froze.
We were in front of an old, abandoned structure—no, not a cabin. A warehouse.
Dark. Quiet. Isolated.
A chill slithered down my spine.
Wait… was he going to torture the truth out of me?
My palms grew damp. My heartbeat quickened.
I didn't understand it—I had never been afraid of anyone before.
But this man?
He terrified me.
Slowly, I turned to face him. His gaze locked onto mine, piercing—like he was peeling back every layer of my soul.
I forced myself to stay composed.
"What are we doing here?" I asked carefully.
"You know, Miss Williams… when I ask for something, I don't ask twice."
That smirk again.
But this time—it wasn't just unsettling.
It was evil.
I opened my mouth to respond, but something in me snapped it shut again. Instinct. Survival.
Suddenly, he leaned closer.
My breath hitched.
This is it.
Was he going to strangle me?
But instead, he reached behind me—into the back seat.
I exhaled in relief… too soon.
Because when he pulled his hand back—
There was a gun in it.
My heart slammed violently against my chest. I was seconds away from bolting out of the car—
Click.
All doors locked.
Great.
Just great.
My mind spiraled, racing through a thousand possible ways he could kill me.
I shut my eyes tightly, bracing myself.
Then—
"Wait here."
I blinked.
That's it?
He stepped out of the car and walked toward the warehouse like nothing had just happened.
I let out a shaky breath. "At least I'm not dead… yet."
Trying to calm myself, I glanced toward the back seat and noticed a duffel bag.
Curiosity won.
I reached for it and unzipped it.
Cash.
Stacks of it.
Documents.
Boring.
Then—
His phone.
I frowned. He forgot his phone? Weird.
I was just about to unlock it when—
"Picky much?"
My heart nearly jumped out of my chest as he suddenly appeared, snatching the phone from my hand.
"You wish," I snapped, recovering quickly. "I thought it was mine."
"Not your best lie," he said dryly.
"Who said it was a lie?" I shot back.
"Your phone is literally in your hand."
I glanced down.
…Oops.
"Are you going to drive," I said quickly, "or keep talking about my phone?"
Anything to change the subject.
He stared at me—long, unreadable.
Hmph. Whatever. I refused to be intimidated again.
Easier said than done.
—
The rest of the ride was painfully silent.
Heavy. Awkward. Suffocating.
Finally, we arrived at the airport.
"Thank you for the ride," I said as I stepped out.
"No need," he replied flatly—and drove off without another word.
I scoffed. "So rude."
Whatever.
Hopefully, that was the last time I'd ever see him.
—
Back in Valdoria
I inhaled deeply as the city air filled my lungs.
Home sweet home.
…No.
Work sweet work.
"Welcome home, miss. It's nice to have you back," Nadia, my secretary, greeted warmly.
"Thank you. How's the progress so far?" I asked, already slipping back into business mode.
"It's been… about the same since you left. I sent you the reports—last year's achievements, merits, and demerits."
"I've read them," I said coolly. "Progress is slow. Investment companies are withdrawing their funds, and there's growing animosity among the shareholders."
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
"Care to explain?"
Nadia straightened. "The shareholders believe you're irresponsible… and too young to manage the company. There's been ongoing disputes over who should take over, which has caused the hostility."
I let out a quiet chuckle.
"Gone for one year, and they're already trying to overthrow me."
Interesting.
"However," she continued, "some remain loyal to you despite everything."
"Noted. Continue."
"Investment companies are requesting to meet the person in charge. They say they can't continue dealing with an 'invisible CEO,' which has led to the withdrawals."
"Irrelevant. Go on."
"Lastly… the staff," she hesitated, "have grown relaxed. Many assumed you wouldn't return… or that something happened to you during your trip."
A dangerous smile spread across my lips.
"Send me the full staff list and their performance reports. Arrange a meeting with all shareholders. And compile a list of the remaining investment companies still willing to cooperate with us."
My eyes gleamed.
"It's fishing time."
Just then, my phone rang.
A group call.
Naomi and Clara.
"Hi besties!" Clara squealed.
"Alexia! Did you arrive safely? I'm so sorry for leaving suddenly," Naomi said apologetically.
"It's fine. I'm already back in the city—no need to feel bad," I replied.
"Ahhh, I'm so glad Asher agreed to pick you up," Clara said excitedly. "You have no idea how much I begged him!"
You did that?
I rolled my eyes. "You're the best—but for the record, your brother is a freaking robot."
"Yeah, yeah," Clara laughed. "Oh! I almost forgot—there's a banquet tomorrow night to celebrate my return, and you girls are coming."
"I'm free. I'll definitely be there," Naomi said immediately.
"I don't know, Clara… I have work," I groaned.
"Drop it," she snapped playfully. "I don't want to hear anything. You're coming, and that's final."
The call ended.
I stared at my phone and sighed.
"…I guess it's party time."