Alexander’s POV

The boardroom still smelled faintly of coffee when I stood up from the long mahogany table, tugging at my cufflinks out of habit. The meeting had stretched for almost three hours — legal contracts, acquisition talks, and a dozen half-hearted pitches that made me wonder if any of our partners actually cared about the Knight Empire as much as I did.

I walked through the corridor toward my office, the sound of my polished shoes hitting the marble floor in sharp rhythm. My mind was already moving on to the next task — emails, calls, my appointment with Elite family planning agency at noon — when a familiar voice stopped me dead in my tracks.

“Well, if it isn’t the great Alexander Knight,” Jason drawled, stepping out from the corner near the elevator. He was dressed sharply as always, a smug grin plastered across his face. “Still pretending work will fill the void?”

I didn’t respond. That was the thing about Jason — feed him silence, and he’ll start talking just to hear his own voice.

He chuckled. “All this time and still no sign of an heir? Tick-tock, cousin. The clock’s running down.”

I clenched my jaw but kept walking. “Shouldn’t you be busy running your division instead of gossiping about mine?”

He followed, unbothered. “Oh, I’m very busy. But it’s just hard to imagine the almighty Alexander Knight — the man who doesn’t believe in love, commitment, or even family — suddenly settling down to make one.” He smirked. “What’s the plan? Buy one instead?”

I stopped, just long enough to look him dead in the eye. “You spend too much time worrying about my life, Jason. Maybe that’s why yours isn’t going anywhere.”

For a split second, his grin faltered, but then he laughed. “Touché. Just remember, when the time’s up, I’ll be right here — ready to take the reins.”

I turned away before my temper got the best of me. “Keep dreaming.”

By the time I reached my office, my patience was worn thin. Jason needs to fucking shut his mouth or else I'll make him bleed.

A few hours later, I arrived at Elite Family Planning. Gianna met me in the lobby with a clipboard in hand.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Knight,” she said with a polite smile. “We’ve prepared one of the private rooms for your sample collection. Miss Bennett will soon arrive for her insemination procedure.”

“That's good.” I said.

“Once the sample is processed, we’ll preserve it and proceed with Miss Bennett’s session. A pregnancy test will be conducted after ten days to confirm the results.” She said, guiding me down the hall.

I gave a brief nod and stepped inside the room.

A small metal table sat in the corner with a few medical supplies, a laptop to help myself with some X-rated videos, and beside it, the container I was supposed to use. I sighed, loosening my tie. Of all the things power demands, this one was top on the list.

With my shirt unbuttoned, sleeves rolled up, and my pants pulled down, I settled down with the container in hand to watch the video I chose when the sound of the door clicking echoed behind me. Before I could react, it swung open.

Sophia froze mid-step, eyes wide, and color draining from her face. Her mouth fell open.

“Oh my God—” she gasped, spinning around so fast she almost tripped. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t know anyone was— I thought—”

“Get out” I snapped, my voice cold and sharp enough to cut through the air.

Her hand fumbled against the doorknob. “I’m sorry, Mr. Knight— I swear, I didn’t mean—”

“Now,” I barked.

She shut the door with a shaky hand, and the sound echoed through the room. For a few seconds, I just sat there, jaw tense, and heart pounding fast.

What the hell just happened?

When I finally stepped out a few minutes later, my composure was back in place but I was still not pleased with what happened earlier. I found Gianna at the reception desk.

“Next time,” I said flatly, “make sure your surrogates don't barge into private rooms without warning.”

She blinked, surprised. “I’m terribly sorry, Mr. Knight. That must’ve been a misunderstanding—”

“See that it doesn’t happen again.”

I didn’t wait for her reply.

As I walked out the building, I could see the look on Sophia’s face — she looked startled, horrified, and innocent. But I know it's all an act. She probably wanted to test the boundaries with me. Women have tried subtler tricks before. It doesn't matter because she's not going to get that chance.

*****

It was already dark when I got home. My mansion loomed ahead, lights glinting off the marble steps. I was about to open the door and go in when I heard someone call me.

“Alexander.”

I turned sharply.

Caroline stood a few feet away from the foot of the staircase, her auburn hair cascading over one shoulder, dressed like she’d just walked off a magazine cover. She smiled, the same smile that once used to melt my heart.

“What are you doing here?” I said coldly.

“I came to talk.” She walked closer, her heels tapping against the concrete. “You’ve been ignoring my calls. I've apologized, Alex. Please, give us a chance to start over.”

“Start over?” I repeated, bitterness curling my tongue. “You mean after you slept with someone else and lied about it for months?”

Her eyes softened, as if guilt could erase betrayal. “It was a mistake, Alexander. I wasn’t thinking clearly. You were always so distant, and I—”

“Don’t,” I cut her off sharply. “Don’t try to make this about me.”

She stepped closer, her hand reaching out to touch my arm. “I still love you.”

I pulled away. “You love what I can give you.”

Her face twisted with hurt, I almost scoffed.

“Leave, Caroline,” I said quietly but firmly.

“Alexander, please—”

“Now.”

Her lips trembled, and for a moment, she looked like she might argue. Then she turned, heels clicking as she walked away.

The moment she was no longer in sight, I exhaled, my hand held the door knob tightly.

First Sophia’s mistake, now Caroline’s intrusion. The universe must have a sick sense of humor today.