Chapter 413

The next morning, Alexander and Lucas set off discreetly toward Star Island with their elite team.

The weather had been perfect when they departed, but within two hours of their voyage, the skies darkened violently. A sudden tempest unleashed its fury upon them.

For stealth and speed, they'd chosen sleek yachts over bulky vessels. The smaller crafts were harder to detect and could scatter if ambushed. But now, the storm revealed their fatal flaw.

"Mr. Kingsley! Mr. Grant!" A crew member shouted over the roaring winds, struggling with the helm. "The waves are too strong! We can't maintain course!"

A monstrous wall of water surged toward Lucas. His eyes widened in shock.

Then—Alexander moved.

He threw himself before Lucas, taking the full brunt of the crashing wave. The force would have shattered bones, but Alexander stood unwavering, a fortress against the storm.

"Alex! Are you hurt?" Lucas grabbed his arm, pulse racing.

Alexander's lips curved slightly, seawater glistening on his lashes. "Just a splash."

Their gazes locked. Lucas felt heat creep up his neck. "Damn it, stop looking at me like that. I might actually fall for you."

"Thank Isabella. Without her, I'd worry you'd develop real feelings." Alexander smirked before striding to take control of the wheel.

"Who said I was serious?" Lucas scoffed, wiping saltwater from his face. He studied Alexander's broad shoulders—the unshakable confidence that had saved them countless times. A pang of admiration struck him.

Years ago, he'd foolishly pursued Evelyn Ashbourne. When she rejected him, it had crushed his pride. Now, seeing how Alexander cherished her, Lucas understood. Evelyn had chosen right. And he? He'd found his own happiness with Isabella.

The sea raged on, but under Alexander's command, their yacht cut through the chaos. Two brutal hours later, they reached Star Island first. The remaining vessels arrived within thirty minutes.

Night had fallen, the storm finally relenting.

"Perfect cover for our operation." Lucas holstered twin pistols, eyes gleaming with adrenaline.

Alexander adjusted his tactical vest, muscles flexing. "This isn't a game. One mistake, and it's over."

"You've changed. You have Evelyn now. You're not some reckless lone wolf anymore."

Lucas stiffened. Isabella's tear-streaked face after Erica's death flashed in his mind. If he fell here... His once unbreakable heart now had fragile cracks.

"Mr. Kingsley! Mr. Grant!" A shout interrupted them. "Helicopter approaching!"

The team raised weapons, but Alexander remained calm. "Hold fire. If they were enemies, we'd already be under attack."

The chopper landed, kicking up sand. Through the haze, a tall figure emerged.

Alexander's breath caught.

"Holy hell—it's your brother-in-law!" Lucas ducked behind Alexander like a startled cat.

Cassius Ashbourne approached, his presence alone enough to make hardened men falter. The two alpha males locked eyes, tension crackling between them.

"President Ashbourne." Alexander's voice was steel. "What brings you here?"

"Same purpose as you. Need I explain?"

Their history hung heavy—Alexander's past abandonment of Evelyn, her three-year wait, her near-fatal injury saving him. Cassius would never forgive easily.

"I'll handle Ward. Your involvement isn't necessary."

Cassius's smile was razor-thin. "Evelyn is my sister. This is Ashbourne business."

"Lucas. We're leaving." Alexander turned sharply.

"Didn't you tell my sister this was a business trip, Mr. Kingsley?" Cassius's words struck like a blade.

Alexander whirled back, panic flashing across his features. "Don't tell her. If she learns I'm hunting Ward, she'll charge into danger. I can't—won't—let that happen. But if I don't protect what's hers, what kind of man am I?"

His raw emotion silenced the beach.

Cassius studied him. The man who'd once broken his sister's heart now stood ready to break himself for her.

"Fine. But we work together."

Meanwhile, chaos brewed at Kingsley Corp.

The crucial meeting with Aether Dynamics had begun without Alexander. Frederic sat stone-faced as whispers spread:

"Where's Mr. Kingsley? He's never missed a meeting!"

"Not since he started chasing that Ashbourne girl. Probably too busy playing lovebird."

Frederic's fist clenched. Then his phone vibrated—Chad calling. He silenced it.

The video conference connected. Onscreen appeared William Morris, his son... and Chad, laughing with them like old friends.

Gasps filled the room. "Dad?!" Chad waved casually.

William smiled. "Mr. Kingsley, shall we discuss terms?"

The deal was struck shockingly fast. Too fast.

When Hamilton received the news, his eyes darkened. "Chad signed it? Not Frederic?"

Mr. Murray nodded gravely. "Chad's connections with the Morris family run deeper than we knew."

"And Alexander?"

"Abroad. For Ms. Ashbourne."

Hamilton sighed. His grandson's weakness for Evelyn would be his undoing.

"Murray... there can't be two kings on one throne."