Chapter 16

Alexander POV

After leaving the Luxury Crest Hotel that night, I had been staying at my mistress Violet Reed's apartment. Very few people knew I was here, and no one disturbed me.

This sense of quietness was nice, yet not too boring.

I reclined on her bed, drinking and contemplating my next move.

Richard was trapped in Silverpeak City by the trouble I had meticulously arranged, while I could focus on handling matters here in Silverlight City. Especially regarding Scarlett.

Just thinking about her stirred an indescribable emotion in me, neither pure desire nor ordinary possessiveness...

My phone suddenly rang, interrupting my thoughts. The name displayed on the screen made me raise an eyebrow.

George? He almost never called me.

"Well, what a rare guest. You're actually calling me," I deliberately answered in a casual tone.

"You think everyone is like you? Playing with women is one thing, but you also enjoy phone sex. You're so sophisticated!"

George's voice sounded irritated and tense, an emotion rarely seen in him.

Glancing at the caller ID again, if I hadn't confirmed it, I would have thought it was Lillian calling.

I deliberately provoked him: "Why are you so angry? It's not like this is my first time. Looking at your reaction, you're not upset because you couldn't sleep with some woman, are you?"

"Alexander, I'm warning you, you're already engaged to Lillian! If you don't want to marry her, then say so clearly. Don't waste her happiness!"

His tone was laughably serious, as if he truly cared about Lillian.

I embraced Violet, feeling the warmth of my lover's body. I thought about how hypocritical George's words were.

He was just like me, a pawn bound by family interests, except he didn't have the courage to admit it.

"George, did you call just to say this?" I asked with a hint of provocation, knowing his call must be related to Scarlett.

Sure enough, his voice immediately became more intense: "Alexander, I'm warning you, stay away from Scarlett!"

I relaxed against the pillows, with a malicious smile: "You should have said so earlier. Had I known you liked that little secretary so much, I would have sent her to you last night. Women are all the same to play with. We're friends, don't be so—"

The sound of the call being disconnected came from the other end. I stared at the phone screen, the corner of my mouth lifting in a cold smile.

His feelings for Scarlett were so obvious.

That always gentlemanly George, actually getting so agitated over a woman.

Just imagining those lake-blue eyes of his now flashing with anger gave me a strange satisfaction.

My little wildcat was truly something special!

"Was that the CEO of Harber Group?" Violet leaned over, pretending to ask casually.

"You know him?" I replied perfunctorily. My mind had already drifted elsewhere; I was considering how to use this situation.

Before she could answer, I prepared to leave: "Bring me my clothes."

"Are you leaving already? Stay and keep me company." Her voice was pleading and coquettish.

I raised my hand to her chin, approached her crimson lips but stopped, suddenly losing interest, feeling a sense of emptiness and boredom.

Violet pretended to be annoyed, "Mr. Grey, is there something wrong with me? I can change!"

Seeing she was genuinely upset, I quickly consoled her, "My Violet is perfect in every way, slim waist, big chest. Delightful!" "I have to go now, I'll come back next time." Taking my things, I left without looking back, completely ignoring Violet's coquettish complaints behind me.

Sitting in the car, I watched the street scenery rapidly receding outside the window. Noah was in the front seat, reporting on Richard's situation in Silverpeak City.

"This time he's messed with Vernon Phillips' establishment. You know, Silverpeak City is Vernon's territory. These years you've turned a blind eye, and Vernon's business has grown increasingly large. It was only a matter of time before Richard targeted him."

"What did Vernon say?" I asked, unconsciously rubbing my right leg, a familiar pain spreading from the injury.

Since returning from Afghanistan, this leg often ached subtly when I was deep in thought.

"Vernon has detained someone and directly stated he wants one hundred million dollars, or else he'll cripple that person."

I gave a cold smile: "These past two years, Vernon's appetite has grown larger. Let's leave the old fox hanging for now. After all, Silverpeak City has plenty of beautiful scenery and women. Maybe Richard's 'illness' will be cured."

That old fox Richard, maintaining a decent facade while leading a chaotic private life.

This hypocrisy filled me with disgust. If he didn't control most of the family assets, I would have long ago...

"Mr. Grey," the driver Luke Rivera's voice interrupted my thoughts, "Horizon Capital Group just called, saying there's an issue with the contract.

They're demanding our legal team make revisions, or they'll cancel the deal."

My expression darkened: "Take me to the Gray Group. It's time to visit a certain... elder."

Margaret Gray's office was just like her personality—orderly, without unnecessary decorations.

This seventy-something legal advisor owned 45 percent of the Gray family shares, though few people knew this.

"Alexander," she removed her glasses, "what brings you here?"

"Aunt Margaret," I displayed a smile that didn't reach my eyes, directly getting to the point, "the Mexico project."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop suddenly. Margaret's expression didn't change, but I noticed her fingers slightly tightening.

"That project was terminated three years ago," she said cautiously.

"Officially, yes, it was terminated," I agreed, "but we both know the research is actually continuing. With Richard's tacit approval, and—"

I deliberately paused, observing her reaction, "with the financial support of the Gray Group."

"You're making serious accusations, Alexander."

"Not accusations, but factual statements supported by evidence."

I placed my phone on her desk, "I have documents, Aunt Margaret. Financial transfer records, email correspondence, test results. Enough to trigger a joint investigation by the FDA, SEC, and FBI."

She looked at me thoughtfully, her expression inscrutable: "What do you want?"

"I hope you'll talk to Richard, tell him to stop interfering with the Smith family's affairs."

"Are you threatening your family? All for the Smith family?"

Though she questioned me this way, her eyes held little condemnation, more curiosity.

Ignoring the second question, my smile turned cold, a dark satisfaction welling up inside me: "I'm learning from the best. Richard showed no hesitation when he used my parents' deaths to seize control of Gray Enterprises."