Chapter 62

Alexander's POV

Her body trembled slightly from this intimate position, yet her eyes remained resolute.

After a few seconds of silence, she finally spoke. "Mr. Gray, I just want the base price for the project bid," she said. "That's not a difficult request for you, is it?"

So that was it. Tomorrow was the bidding deadline for the Silverlight Scenic Area development project, and she still hadn't given up.

"I thought you were more concerned about the Harber family's project tonight," I deliberately dragged out my words. "Considering how... intimate you and George appeared." My tone was filled with sarcasm.

Her eyes flickered briefly, seemingly surprised that I mentioned George.

"George and I were just discussing some work-related matters," she explained, her voice slightly tense. "It was normal social interaction."

"Of course, 'normal social interaction.'"

I released the ribbon, letting my fingers slide up along the curve of her waist. "Just like this 'normal social interaction' between us right now?"

I clearly saw a flash of annoyance in her eyes. "You know this is different," she said. "And you already promised to help. Please don't forget, tomorrow is the bidding deadline."

I remained silent, enjoying her anxiety. Of course I hadn't forgotten the bidding deadline, but making her wait a little longer was a small punishment for her behavior tonight.

I watched her struggle between nervousness and pleading, a strange satisfaction flowing through my entire body. Regardless of who this bid was important to, she obviously cared deeply about it.

The car continued driving, and the silence between us persisted for several minutes. Then I heard a sweet, sugary voice near my ear.

Scarlett realizing her previous approach wasn't working, seemed to have switched tactics.

"Mr. Gray~" I almost laughed out loud at her deliberate tone.

"Hmph!" I made no attempt to hide my contempt. Did she really think I would be deceived by such a poor performance?

A flash of irritation crossed her eyes. "Does Mr. Gray think I'm not being sincere enough?"

I could feel her patience visibly wearing thin, but no matter how unwilling she was now, at this moment she had no choice but to beg me, and I liked that feeling.

She briefly glanced at Luke in the front seat, then leaned closer to me. "Could you raise the partition? There are other people here," she said. Her voice was soft but loud enough for Luke to hear.

"There's no need, just like this..." I refused, enjoying her discomfort.

"But..." she began to protest, showing genuine embarrassment and anxiety.

I pressed my lips close to her ear, feeling her body tense at my proximity. "Do I need to remind you that tomorrow is the bidding deadline? Can you afford to wait?" I watched her face, her expression hardening, confirming I had hit a nerve.

Then, her eyes revealed a rare glimpse of vulnerability, as if this matter concerned not only business interests but also some personal emotions.

Complex feelings churned within me; seeing her willing to set aside her dignity for some unclear purpose made me both jealous and angry.

Her private meeting with George tonight, and her maneuvering with Richard, lingered in my mind.

The thought that she might have similar interactions with other men made the malicious elements in my blood begin to boil.

I pressed the button to raise the partition. Luke was a cautious man, but some things didn't need a third witness.

When the partition was fully raised, I turned to her, my eyes cold. "Let me see just how sincere you can be," I said disdainfully, deliberately keeping my voice detached, even though my body had already grown hot from her presence.

Watching her trembling fingers reach for my tie, while her eyes avoided my gaze, I grabbed her wrist, stopping her.

I commanded, "Look at me. If you're going to do this, at least have the courage to look me in the eyes."

She finally raised her head, and I looked into her eyes.

In them, I saw something different from calculation and determination—something soft, something that touched my heart.

Just as I wanted to see more clearly, she quickly lowered her gaze, and my hand caressing her body hesitated momentarily.

But in the next moment, desire and the need for control overcame all questions. I lowered my head to kiss her lips, feeling her response both passionate and restrained, contradictory like she herself. Her skin burned under my touch, and I could feel her every tremor, every rapid breath.

My fingers ran through her hair, feeling its silky texture while firmly controlling the back of her neck, giving her no chance to escape.

The small space inside the car was filled with our intertwined breaths and heartbeats. In this moment, I no longer cared about her motives; I only wanted to possess her completely, to make her forget everything but me.

My back stung as her fingertips dug deep into my shoulders.

I saw her lips pressed tightly together, her body compliant yet somehow like an unspoken rebellion.

When the car stopped, I felt a strange satisfaction and emptiness simultaneously filling my chest.

Sweat cooled slightly on my back, bringing a hint of clarity and vague guilt. And she was urgently fixing her disheveled clothes and hair, as if trying to erase all traces of what had just happened.

I reached out to grasp her chin, turning her face toward me. I whispered in her ear the base price for the bid—that string of numbers crucial to the project's success or failure.

Her pupils dilated slightly, and I felt as if her breathing had stopped for a moment.

Then she nodded lightly, as if confirming she hadn't misheard, and her shoulders relaxed, as though some burden temporarily lifted from them. Apparently, this Mr. Thomas was very important to her!

Just as I was about to mock her, I saw her reach for the door handle. I quickly grabbed her waist.

"Getting what you want and then leaving? Ungrateful thing!" I sneered, unable to hide the bitterness in my voice.

Women were always like this—taking what they needed from me and then leaving without a backward glance.

I noticed her face suddenly turn pale, in stark contrast to the flush it had moments ago.

Something was wrong, I thought.

Seeing no response from her, I suddenly felt bored and simply let her go. I leaned back against the seat, watching her open the car door.

One foot stepped outside, but her movement was unexpectedly unsteady, as if she'd suddenly lost her balance.

"Are you alright?" I asked, involuntarily showing a hint of concern.

She gripped the door frame to stabilize herself but still refused to look at me.

"I'm fine," she answered, though her voice was weak and unconvincing.

"Hmm? Or are you pretending, don't want to leave?" I extended my leg, the tip of my leather shoe lightly touching her calf. She finally turned around, looking directly into my eyes.

In that moment, I saw determination in them, as if she had just made a major decision.

"Alexander, I'm pregnant," she said, her voice suddenly becoming firm and clear, breaking into my ears.