Chapter 201
The city lights flickered to life as dusk settled over the skyline, casting long shadows across the streets. Alexander navigated the evening traffic, the silence in the car thick and palpable—a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere they had left behind at the restaurant.
His fingers tapped briefly against his phone screen as he sent a quick message to Sebastian: Make sure the server issue looks convincing.
Tucking his phone away, Alexander schooled his expression into one of casual indifference before glancing at Isabella. “Ms. Sinclair, how long have you known Dr. Pembroke? He seems… intimately familiar with your preferences.”
Isabella didn’t hesitate, her voice light and unguarded. “Oh, ages. He had a crush on me once, but I turned him down. He deserves someone better.” She rolled down the window, letting the cool night air rush in, tousling her hair.
Alexander’s mood lifted inexplicably at her words, the earlier irritation fading. “You deserve better too, Ms. Sinclair,” he murmured, his fingers drumming absently against the steering wheel. Then, as if it were an afterthought, he added, “So, what is your type, then?”
Isabella gazed out at the passing cars, her voice almost dreamy. “Tall, dark, and brooding. Preferably in a tailored suit. A little mysterious, with just the right amount of arrogance.” She tilted her head, feigning seriousness. “Oh, and he must have a sharp tongue. That’s non-negotiable.”
At first, Alexander listened intently, but as she continued, a strange suspicion crept in. By the time she mentioned the sharp tongue, he shot her a sideways glance—only to find her grinning, eyes sparkling with mischief.
She was teasing him.
Yet, in that moment, he had never seen her look so radiant, her laughter bright against the dimming evening. His pulse stuttered, caught off guard by the warmth spreading through his chest. A blaring horn from behind snapped him back to reality.
“Ms. Sinclair,” he said dryly, though his heart still raced, “you have a talent for keeping things interesting.”
Back at the company, Isabella wasted no time addressing the firewall breach. “This is minor,” she declared, leaning back in her chair. “No need for panic. Next time, just station a couple of security guards. Data integrity is everything.”
But then her expression darkened. “Except… this wasn’t an external hack. Someone inside the company deliberately accessed restricted files. We’ve got a mole.” Her suspicions immediately turned to remnants of the previous team—those who hadn’t been fully purged.
Alexander remained composed, exchanging a subtle glance with Sebastian.
Sebastian cleared his throat, forcing indignation. “Unbelievable. We just rooted out corporate spies, and now this? There must be stragglers still lurking.” He wiped his brow, maintaining his facade.
“Mr. Kingsley, Ms. Sinclair, don’t worry,” he declared. “I’ll launch a full investigation. This ends now!”
Isabella nodded. “Good. Traitors are the worst.” She wasn’t overly concerned—Alexander had a way of handling things.
But Sebastian’s expression twisted oddly. Under Alexander’s pointed stare, he gritted his teeth and echoed, “Yes. Absolutely despicable.”
Alexander’s recent decisions had been erratic, to say the least. First, he’d summoned Sebastian in the dead of night—only to cast him as the villain in this charade.
As night deepened, Alexander shrugged on his suit jacket. “It’s late. I’ll drive you home.”
Isabella arched a brow, echoing his earlier words with a smirk. “Kingsley Manor and Muisvedo are in opposite directions, Mr. Kingsley. No need to trouble yourself. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Alexander frowned, sensing something off in her tone. Was she upset about his behavior toward her friend earlier? They’d taken this route before without protest.
Before he could press further, Isabella waved and strode toward the elevator, heading straight for the underground parking lot—leaving no room for argument.
In the fleeting moment before the doors closed, Alexander caught a glimpse of her retreating figure, oblivious to the thoughts racing through his mind.
She had brushed him off—not because of their playful banter at dinner, but because she had urgent business in Muisvedo tonight. Her schedule had been thrown into chaos after her trip, and now she was scrambling to catch up.
But those were details she couldn’t share with Alexander.
As Isabella reached the parking lot and reached for her keys, an unexpected figure stepped into view, souring her already frayed nerves.
Her eyes narrowed. “What are you doing here?”
