Chapter 36

"Where is he taking me?" Lilly's mind raced with questions as Alexander's command echoed in her ears. He hadn't offered a single clue as to their destination, but one thing was clear-he wasn't going to wait for her to ask more.

"Get ready, I don't have all day.”

The urgency in his voice echoed in her mind as she turned and ascended the stairs, her mind in a whirlwind. What was going on? The past few days had felt like one long blur of confusion and fear. She had barely had time to process the mounting questions about her identity, her marriage,and the mysteries surrounding her sisters' deaths. And now, just when she thought she might get a moment of normalcy, Alexander had pulled her into something even deeper.

In her room. Lilly stood before her wardrobe, trying to decide on an outfit that would fit whatever agenda Alexander had planned. Her heart pounded with unease as she sifted through her options. After a moment's hesitation, she chose a white trouser suit paired with a cream silk blouse.The fabric was light and elegant, yet practical enough for anything.She tucked one side of the blouse into the waistband, giving it a slightly casual but stylish flair. Modest black heels completed the look, and she slung a black Birkin bag over her shoulder. When she caught her reflection in the mirror, Lilly allowed herself a small,almost imperceptible smile. She looked ready for anything, be it a formal meeting or something more casual. But what was Alexander up to? And why did he seem so cold, so unyielding whenever he spoke to her? Her fingers brushed over her bruised wrist-the reminder of their previous encounter-and her mind briefly wandered back to the painful tension between them. Rosa had bought her a bandage the night before, offering to help her, but Lilly had declined. She wanted to handle this herself, even if the physical ache mirrored the emotional turmoil she was carrying. She wasn't ready to give in to him, not yet.

Lilly grabbed the bandage anid carefully wrapped it around her wrist before walking back downstairs. As she entered the dining room,she found Alexander already seated, his eyes buried in a newspaper. He didn't look up as she approached, but she could feel his gaze on her, examining her every move.

"I'm ready," she said, standing at the doorway.

Without looking up, Alexander set the paper down and studied her from head to toe. His gaze lingered on her wrist for a moment.

"Why isn't your wrist bandaged?" he asked, his voice flat.

Lilly held out her hand, the bandage resting in her palm.“Why don't you do it for me, Mr. Kane?” Her words were laced with an edge, her defiance creeping back, despite her lingering fear.

He studied her for a moment longer, then took the bandage from her hand.His fingers brushed against her skin as he wrapped it carefully around her wrist, and Lilly couldn't help but notice how precise his touch was.There was something almost.., intimate abo uit it, though she couldn't quite place why. With her wrist bandaged, Alexander stood, his cold eyes locking with hers."Let's go.” She followed him out to the car, confusion still lingering in her chest. She hadn't expected this, but she couldn't refuse. She could feel the tension between them, thick and palpable, as the bodyguards flanked them on all sides. The world outside felt like a distant dream as they moved through the estate gates and into the streets.

It wasn't until they arrived at the sleek glass building of Alexander's company headquarters that she realized where they were going. Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt a wave of unease wash over her. Of course,he would bring her to work-she was his wife now, after all. But why? What was his endgame? Did he want to show her off, or was he preparing for something darker?

They walked toward the building, the bodyguards creating a protective barrier around them. And then, it happened-reporters appeared out of nowhere, cameras flashing and microphones thrust toward them.

“Mr. Kane is here, and with him is his wife, Lilly Blake," one reporter called out, his voice booming.

Lilly froze, her stomach twisting into a knot. She had been avoiding the media for days now, ever since her identity had been revealed. But now,it seemed, there was no escape. The questions came fast and furious,each one more intrusive than the last.

"Why did you marry Lilly Blake? Was it to unite both families and strengthen their power?" another reporter asked, his voice dripping with suspicion. "Did you marry her to gain your grandfather's property meant for charity?"another added, their wvords cutting deep. But it was the next question that made Lilly's blood run cold.

"Lilly, why did you disappear after your sisters died? Did you feel responsible for their deaths?"

Her breath caught in her throat. She hadn't expected them to dredge up her past like this. The mention of her sisters-her sisters who had died in such mysteriouis circumstances-was too much. She clenched her jaw and fought to maintain her composure.

"You used a fake name, Lilly Evans, and married Mr. Kane under that alias. Why? Doesn't that make you a fraud?" another reporter shouted,the accusation hanging in the air like a threat.

Lilly's mind spiraled as she tried to keep her emotions in check. But Alexander was quick to act, grabbing her hand and pulling her close as they walked into the building, his bodyguards keeping the reporters at bay.

Inside the elevator, Lilly couldn't help but notice the way their hands were still entwined. She pulled her hand away, her heart beating faster with each passing second.

“Did you know the reporters would be there?" she asked, her voice tight with suspicion.“How did they know I was coming with you unless you told them?”

Alexander's expression darkened. His grip on her hand tightened, forcing her to face him. "What did you just say?" he demanded,his voice low and threatening. Lilly's emotions surged, but she stood her ground. "Why were there suddenly reporters? How did they know?" His eyes narrowed. For a moment, he said nothing, his gaze searing into hers. Then, just as the elevator doors opened,he released her hand and stepped out, waiting for her to follow.

Lilly stood in the elevator, her breath coming in shallow bursts. She didn't want to confront him, not now-not with the tension between them thick and unresolved. But she couldn't ignore the gnawing feeling that something wasn't right.

Finally,she pressed the button for the top floor, her mind racing as the elevator ascended. Was he setting her up? Was this some twisted game he was playing?

The elevator doors slid open, and Alexander was already waiting, his back to her, his hands clenched at his sides.

Lilly stepped out slowly, but before she could make a move, he turned to face her, his expression cold. "Step out," he ordered his voice like ice.

"I don't want to talk to you right now," Lilly snapped, pressing the button for the top floor once again.

But Alexander's piercing gaze never left her as the doors closed between them.

Upstairs, Lilly sat on the rooftop, alone with her thoughts. As she scrolled through the media reports on her phone, her mind wandered to the people who could have orchestrated all of this-the people who had been manipulating her life from the shadows. Her stepmother, her sister-were they behind this?

She dialed Matthew's number. "Hello, ma'am,” Matthew's voice answered. "Matthew," Lilly said, her tone serious. "I need you to find out everything my stepmother and sister have been doing for the past ten days."

"Right away, ma'am. I'll find out if they were involved."

Lilly hung up, taking a deep breath as she looked out at the city skyline.The silence on the rooftop was broken only by the sound of footsteps approaching. She turned to find Alexander standing just a few feet away,his gaze unwavering.

"Who is Matthew?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous. "What are you investigating about your stepmother and sister? You'd better tell me what you've been up to, Lilly."

Lilly's heart skipped a beat. She had hoped to keep this to herself,but now she was trapped, and she knew it. The truth was out-no more hiding. The stakes had never been higher.