Alexander drove straight to the office and headed directly for Alicia’s department.

The office was empty.

Her computer was off, the desk spotless, as if she had never been there.

He stopped at the doorway and called over a passing employee. "Where is Director Alicia?"

The employee quickly straightened. "Director Alicia didn’t come in today, sir. I think she took the day off."

Alexander’s brows furrowed. "I see."

Without another word, he turned and strode back out.

The moment he arrived home, Maria greeted him at the door.

"Welcome back, sir."

He loosened his tie as he walked in. "Where’s Alicia?"

"Miss Alicia left this morning, sir. She said she was going on a business trip."

His steps halted.

"A business trip?"

"Yes, sir. She left with her assistant."

Silence fell.

Alexander slowly walked to the couch and sat down, one hand rubbing his forehead.

He knew Alicia’s schedule better than anyone.

There had been no business trip planned for today.

She made it up.

She was avoiding him.

A strange unease crept into his chest.

He immediately took out his phone and sent her a message.

Which city did you go to? When will you be back?

He stared at the screen.

No reply.

Minutes passed.

Still nothing.

His jaw tightened.

He called her once.

Then again.

And again.

Every call went straight to voicemail.

On the fourth attempt, the call failed instantly.

She had blocked him.

Alexander stared at the screen in disbelief.

For the first time, something close to panic rose inside him.

He should have expected that, Alicia was always like this whenever she was angry.

He immediately dialed Jane’s number.

"Find Alicia’s itinerary now," he ordered coldly. "Prepare the private jet and book me a room in the same hotel."

Jane paused for only a second. "Understood, CEO Blackwood."

If he delayed any longer, things between them might become impossible to fix.

And for some reason, that thought was unbearable.

Not long after, Jane called back.

"CEO Blackwood, Director Alicia flew to Novaris City. Shall I proceed?"

Alexander grabbed his car keys. "Immediately."

He didn’t even bother packing before heading straight to the airport.

Alicia had arrived in Novaris City a day early. There was no work scheduled until tomorrow.

After checking into the hotel, she ordered takeout and stayed alone in her room.

Once dinner was over, she picked up her phone and randomly opened a soap drama.

She didn’t want to sit in silence.

The moment her mind went still, she would remember last night.

Alexander leaving without hesitation.

Leaving her behind for Lilian.

Her fingers tightened around the phone.

Even now, it still hurt.

Just then—

A knock sounded at her hotel door.

<<<<>>>

Alicia’s assistant was staying in the same hotel, busy organizing materials for the meeting the next day.

Just as he finished printing the final document, his phone suddenly rang.

He glanced at the screen casually—

Then froze.

CEO Blackwood.

His jaw nearly dropped.

Why would the CEO be calling him personally?

He answered at once, sitting up straight on instinct.

"H-Hello, Boss?"

"What’s Director Alicia’s room number?" Alexander’s cold voice came through immediately.

The assistant blinked. "Boss... we’re in Novaris City."

"I know."

"We’re staying at the Novaris Grand Hotel. Director Alicia is in room 0603."

"Alright."

The line went dead.

The assistant stared at his phone in shock.

CEO Blackwood had called him.

Personally.

And the first thing he asked for was Director Alicia’s room number.

His mind raced.

‎The assistant recalled the previous time they called Director Alicia—they dialed several times without getting through, and when the call was finally answered, it was by CEO Blackwood.

At the time, he had thought it was strange.

Now the CEO had chased Director Alicia all the way to another city?

He realised that there was definitely something more between them.

Before he could process it, the phone rang again.

He nearly jumped.

CEO Blackwood.

He answered instantly. "Hello, CEO Blackwood!"

"I’m at the hotel. Come down."

The assistant sprang to his feet. "Y-Yes, Boss! I’ll be right there!"

He grabbed his keycard and rushed out.

But the moment he opened the door, he stopped dead in his tracks.

Alexander was already standing in front of room 0603.

Tall. Imposing. Expression dark.

The assistant stared blankly.

If the CEO was already here... then why call him out?

"CEO Blackwood..."

Alexander pointed at Alicia’s door.

"You. Knock."

The assistant instantly understood.

He was being used as a bait

Trying not to show it on his face, he hurried over and knocked.

Inside the room, Alicia had just resumed her drama.

"Who is it?" she called out lazily.

"It’s me, Director Alicia," the assistant said nervously. "I need to ask you something."

"Wait a second."

She paused the show and walked to the door with her phone still in hand.

The moment she opened it—

She froze.

Alexander stood outside, his gaze locked on her face.

The softness in her eyes vanished instantly.

Her expression turned cold.

Without a word, she moved to slam the door shut.

But Alexander had expected it.

He stepped forward at once, wedging his polished shoe between the door and frame while one arm braced hard against it.

The door stopped halfway.

Alicia glared at him through the narrow gap.

"What are you doing here?"

"We need to talk."

Alexander pressed against the door, refusing to let it close.

Alicia used all her strength to push it shut. "There’s nothing to talk about. Leave."

Outside, the assistant stood rooted to the spot, completely stunned.

This was nothing like the romantic reunion he had imagined.

It looked more like a hostage negotiation.

His eyes darted between them.

CEO Blackwood looked desperate to get inside.

Director Alicia looked ready to commit murder.

At that moment, the assistant became even more certain—

There was absolutely something going on between them.

And judging by the scene before him...

Director Alicia was the one in control.

"I need to explain myself," Alexander said through gritted teeth.

"If you don’t leave right now, I’ll call the police," Alicia replied coldly.

Despite her determination, Alicia was no match for his strength.

The struggle ended quickly.

Alexander forced the door wider and stepped inside.

The assistant instinctively took two steps back.

Then three.

He decided this was above his pay grade.

The door slammed shut behind Alexander.

Inside the room, tension instantly filled the air.

"You need to listen to me," Alexander said, advancing a step. "That night, I—"

Alicia shot him an icy glance.

"You don’t need to explain."

She turned away and walked straight to her suitcase, yanking it open.

"If you’re not leaving," she said while pulling clothes from the closet, "then I will."

"Alicia."

Alexander stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

His voice was lower this time.

"What do I need to do for you to hear me out?"

She looked up at him, eyes devoid of warmth.

"I don’t want your explanation."

"I don’t need it."

"You can do whatever you want, but this is my room."

She pointed at the door.

"Leave now."

"Or I’ll call the police."

Her gaze was cold, distant, and utterly indifferent.

For the first time, Alexander felt something crack in his chest.

The assistant remained outside the room, frozen in place.

Through the door, every word of their argument had reached his ears.

The situation was painfully clear now.

These two had a serious falling out.

Director Alicia had even changed her trip schedule just to avoid this confrontation.

Yet CEO Blackwood had chased her all the way to Novaris City, determined to explain himself.

And Director Alicia wanted nothing to do with it.

The assistant swallowed hard.

So the rumors in the company were true after all.

No wonder CEO Blackwood and Director Alicia always seemed suspicious.

No wonder she could get close to him in ways no one else dared to.

Just as his thoughts spiraled—

Smack!

A sharp sound rang out from inside the room.

The assistant’s eyes widened.

He nearly jumped out of his skin.

What... what just happened?

Did Director Alicia just slap the CEO?