Chapter 96 — The Enemy Appears
Amber didn't answer Richard Wilson immediately.
The question hung between them.
When my son inevitably makes enemies because of this engagement…
Will you still stay?
For the first time that evening—
Amber hesitated.
Not because she didn't have an answer.
But because she understood the weight behind the question.
Richard Wilson wasn't asking about feelings.
He was asking about war.
Alex's world wasn't quiet.
It wasn't safe.
Power never was.
People with power attracted enemies the way fire attracted moths.
And marrying Alex meant standing inside that fire.
Amber turned her head slightly.
Looked up at the man beside her.
Alex wasn't watching his father.
He was watching her.
Calm.
Patient.
No pressure.
No expectation.
Just waiting.
Like the decision truly belonged to her.
Again.
Always that same thing.
Choice.
Amber exhaled slowly.
Then she answered Richard.
"I've had enemies before."
Richard studied her.
"Corporate ones."
"Yes."
"Not personal."
Amber tilted her head slightly.
"Everything becomes personal eventually."
A quiet moment passed.
Then she added—
"If someone comes after him…"
Her voice steadied.
"…they're coming after me too."
Alex's expression didn't change.
But something warm flickered briefly in his eyes.
Richard nodded once.
Satisfied enough for now.
"Good."
Mrs. Wilson gestured toward the dining room.
"Let's eat before this becomes a board meeting."
The dining table was long.
Too long.
Ten seats.
Only four people tonight.
Amber wondered how many political dinners had happened here.
How many deals.
How many alliances.
The staff moved silently as they served the first course.
For a few minutes—
Conversation stayed neutral.
Travel.
Business.
The city.
Nothing personal.
Amber almost relaxed.
Almost.
Then Alex's phone buzzed on the table.
Once.
Then again.
Then three times in a row.
Alex glanced at it.
His expression hardened.
Amber noticed immediately.
"What?" she asked quietly.
He didn't answer.
Just turned the screen toward her.
A news alert filled the display.
BUSINESS DAILY — Breaking
Dawson Global Files Inquiry Against Wilson Group
Amber frowned.
"Dawson Global?"
Richard's expression darkened.
Mrs. Wilson sighed softly.
"Ah."
Alex set the phone down.
Calm.
Controlled.
Too controlled.
Amber leaned slightly toward him.
"…Should I know what that means?"
Richard answered before Alex could.
"Victor Dawson."
The name sounded heavy.
Important.
Dangerous.
Amber's memory clicked.
"Real estate and investment conglomerate?"
Richard nodded.
"One of our oldest competitors."
Mrs. Wilson added quietly—
"And one of Alexander's least friendly rivals."
Amber looked at Alex.
"You didn't mention him."
"He's not worth mentioning."
"That doesn't sound true."
Alex picked up his phone again.
Scrolled briefly.
Then handed it to her.
The article continued.
Dawson Global has raised concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest within Wilson Group leadership following yesterday's public engagement announcement.
Amber blinked.
"…What?"
She kept reading.
Sources close to Dawson Global claim the relationship between CEO Alexander Wilson and business strategist Amber Gareth could create instability in upcoming mergers and acquisitions.
Her stomach tightened.
"They're blaming me?"
Richard leaned back in his chair.
"Predictable."
Mrs. Wilson nodded slightly.
"Victor has always enjoyed theatrics."
Amber scrolled further.
Another quote appeared.
Dawson Global representatives say they will push for a formal review of Wilson Group leadership decisions.
Amber lowered the phone slowly.
"…So he's attacking your company."
Alex corrected calmly.
"He's attacking you."
Silence settled over the table.
Amber frowned.
"Why?"
Alex's voice remained even.
"Because he can't attack me directly."
Richard added quietly—
"And because public perception is easier to manipulate than financial data."
Amber leaned back in her chair.
Thinking.
Processing.
"So this guy thinks if he makes me look like a liability…"
Mrs. Wilson finished the thought.
"…investors begin to question Alexander's judgment."
Amber scoffed.
"That's ridiculous."
Richard shrugged.
"Effective though."
Amber looked back at Alex.
"You don't seem surprised."
"I'm not."
"You expected this?"
"Yes."
"And you still announced the engagement yesterday?"
"Yes."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Alex."
"Yes."
"You basically handed this man ammunition."
He didn't look bothered.
"He would've found something else."
Amber studied him for a moment.
Then sighed.
"…I hate that you're probably right."
Mrs. Wilson watched them carefully.
"Victor Dawson is not a small opponent."
Amber met her gaze calmly.
"I'm not small either."
That earned the faintest smile from Richard.
Alex's phone buzzed again.
Another message.
This one from Camila.
Amber glanced at it when his screen lit up.
Camila:
CALL ME NOW. THIS IS BAD.
Amber raised an eyebrow.
"Your sister seems calm."
Alex ignored the message.
But the phone buzzed again.
And again.
Finally he stood.
"I'll take this."
He stepped away toward the balcony doors.
Amber watched him go.
The moment he disappeared outside—
Mrs. Wilson spoke quietly.
"You should know something."
Amber looked at her.
"Victor Dawson has a son."
"…Okay."
"Daniel Dawson."
Amber waited.
Mrs. Wilson's gaze sharpened slightly.
"He and Alexander have been competing since university."
Amber blinked.
"Oh."
Richard added calmly—
"And Daniel Dawson is… less controlled than his father."
Amber leaned forward slightly.
"How less controlled?"
Mrs. Wilson's answer came softly.
"Vindictive."
Amber exhaled slowly.
Perfect.
Just perfect.
A powerful rival family with a vindictive heir.
Exactly what her life needed right now.
The balcony doors opened again.
Alex stepped back inside.
His expression had shifted.
Darker.
More dangerous.
Amber knew that look.
CEO mode.
War mode.
"What happened?" she asked.
Alex looked directly at her.
Then said calmly—
"Victor Dawson just announced a press conference."
Amber frowned.
"About what?"
Alex's voice was quiet.
Cold.
"About you."
The room fell completely silent.
Because suddenly—
This engagement wasn't just romance.
It was a battlefield.
And the first shot had just been fired.