Raphael, though unaware of every detail, could more or less guess what had happened between them.

Among their circle, he had always been the calmest and most perceptive one. He was also Alexander’s closest confidant, which was why he had been the only person who knew about the marriage from the beginning.

Raphael stepped forward.

"Why did you two come so late? Hope you didn’t keep Alicia waiting while you were with Isaac."he asked with a casual tone glancing at Alexander.

"No." Alexander answered simply as he took Alicia’s hand again. "Alicia and I went to pick out our wedding rings. We got delayed."

"About time," Raphael said with a chuckle. "You’ve been married this long without rings? That’s unacceptable."

"Wedding rings?" Victor repeated, glancing between the three of them.

"Mm." Alexander replied indifferently.

silence spread across the room like wild fire.

Not only Victor, but everyone present was stunned.

From Raphael’s words, it sounded as though Alexander and Alicia had already been married for quite some time.

Yet strangely, the revelation did not shock them as much as it should have.

The moment Alexander had entered holding Alicia’s hand earlier, they had already sensed something unusual.

With the Blackwood family matriarch involved, this outcome was not impossible.

Everyone knew how much Roseline cared for Alicia. There was no way she would allow Alicia to marry just anyone.

Likewise, given Alexander’s status, she would never let him end up with the wrong woman either.

An arranged marriage between the two suddenly made perfect sense.

Still, Victor could not understand it.

To him, Alexander and Lilian had always seemed perfectly matched.

As for Alexander and Alicia...

They had never appeared suited to one another at all.

So how had things ended up like this?

Though confusion filled the room, no one showed it on the surface.

The atmosphere quickly turned lively again, as if nothing significant had been revealed.

Some even began teasing Alexander.

"So our Alexander secretly found himself a stunning wife and got married without telling us?" one man said with a laugh. "That’s not fair."

The others joined in, laughing along.

Yet curiosity lay hidden beneath every laughter.

‎Someone suddenly clapped his hands and laughed. "This is Alicia’s first time joining us here. Shouldn’t we entertain her a little?"

‎"That’s right." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

‎"Exactly."

‎The others immediately agreed.

‎Raphael glanced toward Alicia with a grin. "Alicia, do you know Alexander is extremely good at chess?"

‎Alicia turned to look at Alexander. "Really?"

‎Alexander gave a faint, almost sheepish smile, but before he could speak, Raphael had already stood up.

‎"Then let’s have a game. Alexander, come play me."

‎Alexander leaned back lazily in his seat, swirling the drink in his hand. "You already know how it ends."

‎Raphael scoffed. "That was last time. Try me again."

‎"Come on, Alexander!"

‎"Play one round!"

‎With everyone urging him on, Alexander finally rose to his feet. "Fine. One game."

‎The private room was fully equipped for entertainment, and the group quickly moved toward the chess table. Only Michael stayed where he was, uninterested.

‎Alexander and Raphael sat opposite each other while the others gathered around to watch. Someone pulled a chair beside Alexander for Alicia, and she quietly took her seat.

‎The game began.

‎Raphael started confidently, moving quickly, but Alexander remained calm, almost careless, placing each piece with unhurried precision. The room gradually fell silent as everyone’s attention fixed on the board.

‎A few minutes later, Raphael’s brows knitted together. His earlier confidence was nowhere to be seen.

‎Alexander moved one final piece and lifted his eyes lazily. "Checkmate."

‎Raphael stared at the board, then threw himself back in his chair with a groan. "Again?"

‎Alexander smirked. "You lasted longer this time."

‎The room burst into laughter.

‎Alicia lowered her head, hiding the smile at the corner of her lips.

‎"One more round," Raphael said immediately, straightening up. "I refuse to lose like this."

‎Alexander gave him an indifferent glance but sat back down. "Last one."

‎The second game had only just begun when Alexander’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen, and his expression shifted slightly. It was an important business call.

‎He stood at once. "I need to take this."

‎Raphael clicked his tongue. "Running away already?"

‎Alexander ignored him and looked around apologetically.

‎Before he could leave, Raphael suddenly turned to Alicia. "Then let Alicia play in your place."

‎All eyes instantly fell on her.

‎Alicia blinked. "Me?"

‎"Yes." Raphael grinned. "You’re his wife. You should know at least a little."

‎The others laughed in amusement.

‎Alicia hesitated. It had been years since she had touched a chessboard. When she was young and often visited the Blackwood mansion, she would watch Grandpa Blackwood play with the old butler for hours. Sometimes, the old man would pull her close to him and patiently teach her a few moves. Later, she had learned enough to challenge him herself.

‎But that was a long time ago.

‎She instinctively glanced at Alexander.

‎Alexander was already looking at her, curiosity flickering in his eyes.He wanted to hear her response because he had no idea if she could even play.

‎After a moment, Alicia rose quietly. "I can try."

‎Raphael laughed. "Good enough."

‎Alexander stepped aside, giving her his seat. As Alicia sat where he had been moments ago, he paused briefly beside her chair.

‎"You don’t have to,you know," he said in a low voice only she could hear.

‎Alicia lifted her eyes to him. " Don’t worry, I won’t embarrass you if that’s what you’re scared of?"

‎Seeing her confidence Alexander’s lips curved faintly."even if you don’t win it doesn’t mean you’ve embarrassed me,I know how capable my wife is."Clearly, he had never imagined she knew how to play chess, but here she was.

‎Hearing Alexander’s words Alicia’s fingers tightened slightly on the chess piece.

‎Then Alexander left to take his call.

‎The room grew lively again. Most of them wore amused expressions, clearly expecting a quick end to the match.

‎Raphael casually moved first. "Don’t worry, Alicia. I’ll go easy on you."

‎Alicia said nothing and calmly moved one of her pawns...

In the hallway by the stairs, Alexander hung up the phone and turned to find Michael standing nearby.

"What are you doing out here?" Alexander asked.

"I just need to talk to you," Michael said, walking over and stopping beside him. "Alexander, I know I might be overstepping, but I have to ask—what are your plans?"

Seeing that Alexander remained silent, Michael pressed on. "Are you planning to let Lilian stay your mistress for the rest of her life?"

"No."

"Then when are you going to divorce Alicia? What about your grandmother’s side...?"

Alexander cut him off. "My relationship with Lilian is over. There won’t be anything between us from now on."

Michael froze.

"But... you brought Lilian to meet us last time, and the media caught you together several times, didn’t they? Didn’t all of that mean you were trying to rekindle things with her?" Michael asked, utterly confused.

There had indeed been a time when Alexander seemed to want exactly that. He had once believed he still loved Lilian.

But now, looking back, it was not so simple.

Feelings were complicated, and at this moment, all he knew was that he did not want to divorce Alicia.

Seeing Michael’s expression, Alexander said calmly, "That’s all in the past. I’ve already made myself clear to Lilian. Whether she stays in the country or goes back abroad is up to her."

Michael looked at him, unsure what to say.

He had never imagined things would turn out like this. The idea that Alexander would want to break up with Lilian was beyond anything he had expected.

He remembered their final year of university, at the graduation ceremony, when Lilian wore a beautiful dress and high heels, dazzling and elegant, drawing envious glances from everyone around her.

The handsome young man and the beautiful woman had caused endless gossip on the school forum. Many people doubted their relationship, yet they had quietly made it through university together.

Michael never knew what happened between them, why they broke up, or why Lilian went abroad.

But what he did know was that their reunion this time had not come easily. From everything he had seen, it had looked as though both of them were considering starting over—only Alicia had become the one caught in the middle. At least, that was what he had originally believed.

Alexander, however, looked entirely unfazed. He patted Michael lightly on the shoulder. "Don’t overthink it. I’m heading back now."

"Wait."

Michael stopped him.

Alexander turned back.

Michael stepped forward and met his eyes. "Alexander, are you sure? Have you really decided to give up on Lilian?".....