Chapter 129

"Alexander, are you exploiting my weakness?" Harrison's face paled with fury as he stood abruptly.

"Between father and son, it should be an equal exchange. Isn't that what you taught me growing up?" Alexander leaned back, unshaken, his voice icy. "You're never satisfied, are you? You already have more than enough. I even let you take the CEO position that should have been my brother's, and now you're eyeing the Vice Chairman seat. Why not just demand the Chairman's title while you're at it? Or are you plotting a coup?"

Harrison's lips twisted in a sneer. "Have you ever considered how much more you've taken from me than I've ever taken from you? Everything I've ever received from you came with a price. We both know why I'm CEO. Stop playing the victim. It's just us here—who are you trying to fool? Isn't it exhausting?"

Alexander's words left Harrison speechless.

"A Vice Chairman position in exchange for saving the Kingsley Group from collapse. Your choice." Alexander stood, heading for the door.

Then he paused. "Unless, of course, you're not afraid of the humiliation if you keep pushing for Victoria against all odds."

Back in his office, Alexander shut the door and clenched his fists.

A deep sigh escaped him, the weight lifting from his shoulders for the first time in years. He adjusted his tie.

Watching Harrison unravel over Victoria, powerless against Alexander's demands, was exhilarating.

But he couldn't deny—Isabella had made this possible.

Originally, Alexander only wanted to block Victoria's rise within the company. He hadn't expected the scandal to shake the Kingsley Group's stock. He couldn't afford that risk.

Yet Isabella, ever unpredictable, had turned the tables. Not only had she crushed Victoria, but she'd also given Alexander leverage over Harrison, cutting off Victoria's ambitions entirely.

As she'd said, "You should thank me for this."

But remembering her cold words and dismissive demeanor, Alexander's expression darkened.

Why should he thank her?

She'd only wanted the Kingsley Group's project. Now that she had it, they were even.

His phone buzzed.

Alexander frowned at the caller ID before answering. "What now?"

"Alex, meet me tonight."

Lucas's voice was hoarse, like a man nursing a broken heart. "I bought three limited-edition sports cars, had four actresses keep me company, and drank million-dollar champagne till dawn—but I still feel like I'm dying. Is this what heartbreak feels like? It hurts."

"You're probably having a heart attack. Go to a hospital. Don't bother me."

Just as Alexander was about to hang up, Lucas pleaded, "At least come celebrate your stepmother getting arrested with me!"

Alexander's lips thinned. "When and where?"

At six sharp, a Rolls Royce pulled up at the back entrance of the Elmsworth Film Academy.

Despite its discreet arrival, it still drew attention.

"I heard the coffee here is excellent. I'll grab some for you and Natalie," Daniel offered with a smile.

"Good. Bring Natalie back with you."

Isabella was absorbed in a document. "I tried calling her earlier—no answer. Try again when you're inside. She doesn't know we're waiting here."

Daniel stepped out, his tall frame and sharp suit immediately drawing admiring glances.

He headed straight to the café and ordered two coffees. The barista couldn't stop staring.

Then two fashionably dressed students walked in.

"Did you hear? Natalie got the lead in the graduation play!"

At her name, Daniel's attention sharpened.

"She must have slept her way into the role!"

"Totally! I just saw her in the courtyard with the hottest guy on campus. Disgusting—ah!"

The girls shrieked as Daniel suddenly dumped both coffees over them.

"Are you insane?!" Their makeup ran, fake lashes half-peeled off.

"Defamation is punishable by law," Daniel said coldly. "Be glad I don't hit women, or you wouldn't be walking out."

One girl looked terrified, but the other sneered. "What, are you Natalie's boyfriend? Too scared to check for yourself? We're not lying!"

In the courtyard, Natalie was cornered by Bernard Bishop, the campus heartthrob.

"Bernard, I've told you—I'm not interested." Her voice was firm, but her hands trembled.

"You think I'm not serious?" Bernard smirked, pulling out a velvet box. Inside gleamed a diamond-encrusted Cartier watch.

"Be my girlfriend. Sports cars, designer bags—anything you want." His grin turned predatory. "And I can satisfy you in other ways too."

Natalie recoiled, slapping the box from his hands. The watch tumbled into the dirt.

Bernard's face darkened. He grabbed her wrist. "You dare? Who do you think you are? Some princess?"

"Let go!" Natalie struggled, panic rising.

Bernard shoved her against a tree, leaning in—

A scream tore through the air.

Natalie's eyes flew open.

Through her tears, she saw Daniel—her Daniel—flinging Bernard to the ground with a single move.

But he wasn't done.

Daniel hauled Bernard up by his collar and punched him—hard.

"Stop!" Natalie rushed forward, grabbing Daniel's arm. "Please, don't!"

Bernard spat blood but still sneered. "You'll regret this! My father owns Bishop Group!"

"My name is Daniel Carter." Daniel's voice was lethal. He shrugged off his suit jacket and draped it over Natalie's shaking shoulders.

She trembled like a leaf. Without thinking, Daniel pulled her into his arms.

Natalie melted against him, her heartbeat wild.

Daniel's embrace made everything else fade away.

"Listen carefully," Daniel growled at Bernard. "Natalie is off-limits. If you touch her again, not even your father will save you."

Bernard scrambled away.

Later, after Natalie composed herself in the restroom, she found Daniel waiting outside.

"Daniel."

He turned, offering a gentle smile. "Ms. Natalie."

His tone was polite—distant.

Her heart sank. She handed back his jacket. "Thank you."

"What happened today was serious. I'm telling Isabella everything." His jaw clenched.

"No! Please, don't!" Natalie gripped his arm desperately. "If she gets involved, it'll only escalate! My parents will worry—"

"That bastard assaulted you!" Daniel's voice cracked.

"You already stopped him. He won't bother me again." Natalie swallowed hard. "I graduate soon. And... I have the Sinclair Group behind me."

Daniel hesitated, but Natalie looked up, eyes pleading.

"Daniel, trust me. Please."

He exhaled sharply. "Fine. But if he ever—"

"I know." Natalie managed a small smile. "Thank you."

But as they walked back to the car, her fingers lingered on his sleeve—just for a second.

Long enough to wish things were different.