Alexander pressed his lips together, then shifted the topic.

"What happened between you and Freddy?"

Alicia’s expression stiffened slightly.

"It’s nothing serious."

"You’re not telling me everything," he said flatly.

"It’s not a big deal," she replied, her tone indifferent.

"Not a big deal?" His brow lifted. "Then why block a client? That’s not how you usually handle things."

Alicia parted her lips, then closed them again.

Her gaze lowered—quiet refusal.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t been affected by what Freddy did.

She just didn’t see the point in saying it.

Even if she did, what would change?

The situation would only become more complicated.

Seeing her silence, Alexander didn’t press further.

"If you’re not ready to talk, then I won’t force you," he said. "Just focus on your work—and stay off social media for now."

"Mm."

She nodded and turned to leave.

"By the way—"

His voice stopped her at the door.

Alicia paused and turned slightly.

"The person behind the rumors... and the leak," he said, watching her closely, "has been identified."

A beat.

"It was Sophia."

Alicia’s gaze remained steady.

"How do you want to punish her?"

For a moment, she said nothing.

Then—

"That’s a company matter, isn’t it?" she replied calmly. "CEO Blackwood should handle it according to company policy."

Her voice was even. Detached.

She paused briefly, then added,

"As for me... I don’t have any personal requests."

Alexander’s expression shifted almost imperceptibly.

This wasn’t the reaction he expected.

No anger.

No resentment.

Nothing at all.

Alicia gave a slight nod.

Then she turned to leave.

Alicia’s POV

‎"Alicia."

‎I stopped.

‎Of course.

‎What was it this time?

‎I turned back.

‎When he mentioned Sophia, I wasn’t surprised.

‎If anyone would go that far—

‎it would be her.

‎Feelings made people reckless.

‎And in the end, I was the easiest one to push forward as the target.

‎—

‎Alexander walked toward me, stopping just in front.

‎He lifted his hand and brushed a loose strand of hair from my temple.

‎The gesture was gentle.

‎Familiar.

‎"...I’m sorry," he said quietly. "I should’ve listened to you back then."

‎I lowered my gaze.

‎If he had—

‎maybe none of this would have happened.

‎Maybe I wouldn’t have had to endure everything alone.

‎The insults.

‎The whispers.

‎The way people looked at me—

‎as if I had done something unforgivable.

‎—

‎But he hadn’t.

‎And now—

‎after everything—

‎he was apologizing.

‎—

‎I took a small step back.

‎"CEO Blackwood."

‎The words came out calm.

‎Distant.

‎—

‎His brows drew together slightly.

‎"There’s no one else here. You can call me Alexander."

‎I didn’t respond to that.

‎Instead, I kept my tone steady.

‎"CEO Blackwood, I think the executives are right. Because of personal matters, I’ve already caused the company unnecessary losses. I can’t continue in this position with a clear conscience."

‎A pause.

‎"—So I’d like to resign."

‎—

‎His expression darkened.

‎"This is my issue, not yours. Focus on your work. Don’t overthink it."

‎I pressed my lips together.

‎Didn’t argue.

‎Didn’t explain.

‎—

‎Was it really not my fault?

‎Then why did it feel like I was being judged?

‎Everywhere i went.

‎I was being watched.

‎Condemned.

‎

‎Even inside the company

‎I couldn’t breathe.

‎Every glance carried something.

‎Curiosity.

‎Mockery.

‎Disdain.

‎Something worse.

‎

‎Keeping up appearances alone had drained everything in me.

‎

‎"...Take a few days off," he said after a moment, his voice softer. "You should rest."

‎Rest.

‎I almost laughed.

‎Would that change anything?

‎

‎"I’ll think about it," I said.

‎Then I turned toward the door.

‎"I’ll head back now."

‎With that I left the office.

Alexander’s POV

‎

‎I watched Alicia’s figure disappear through the door.

‎For a brief moment, I didn’t move.

‎An unfamiliar unease settled in my chest subtle, but persistent.

‎Then I turned and walked back to my desk.

‎I pressed the intercom.

‎"Have Jason come see me."

‎

‎Jason arrived quickly.

‎Composed.

‎Confident.

‎Completely unaware of what was waiting for him.

‎"CEO Blackwood, what can I do for you?"

‎I crossed my legs, lifting my coffee to my lips, taking a slow, measured sip.

‎My gaze flicked toward the sofa across from me.

‎"Sit."

‎Jason glanced at the coffee and chuckled lightly as he took the seat.

‎"This is so like you, CEO... always with the finer things."

‎I smiled faintly.

‎Then, without another word, I pushed a folder across the desk. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

‎"Take a look."

‎

‎He opened it casually at first.

‎Then

‎his movements slowed.

‎His eyes scanned faster.

‎His expression changed.

‎Color drained from his face almost instantly.

‎"CEO Blackwood... this—this must be a misunderstanding."

‎"The evidence is quite clear," I said calmly. "Or... are you suggesting I’m framing you?"

‎His lips parted slightly.

‎No words came out.

‎

‎"Jason," I continued, my tone even, "you’ve been with this company for years."

‎"You know exactly what this means."

‎"Leaking confidential information. Colluding with external parties."

‎"And attempting to shift the blame onto someone else."

‎I didn’t say Alicia’s name.

‎I didn’t need to.

‎His hands tightened around the file.

‎"CEO Blackwood, I—I didn’t mean for things to go this far. I was careless. I was tempted. It won’t happen again—please... give me another chance."

‎Tempted.

‎I studied him quietly.

‎"Tempted by what?,Money?" I asked.

‎"In your position? With your background? Your salary here alone is more than enough to sustain your lifestyle."

‎I leaned forward slightly.

‎"You’ve worked here for years without any incidents ."

‎"And yet suddenly—you risk everything?"

‎I paused.

‎Then asked softly

‎"Do you really expect me to believe that’s a coincidence?"

‎

‎His face turned even paler.

‎That was answer enough.

‎

‎I slid another file toward him.

‎"Then explain this."

‎His fingers trembled as he picked it up.

‎Call records.

‎Names.

‎Connections.

‎Lucas Summer.

‎Jason froze.

‎—

‎I leaned back in my chair, watching him carefully.i knew Jason well.

‎He isn’t reckless. He wouldn’t move without backing,he wouldn’t do something like this for money

‎And Lucas...

‎Over the years, because of my relationship with Lilian, the Summer Corporation has benefited more than enough.

‎Resources. Opportunities. Influence.

‎it will badly affect them if I totally cut ties with Lilian and withdraw my support from their company.

‎From the moment I saw the way he looked at Alicia that night at the club, I knew he wouldn’t let things go.

‎That was why I didn’t interfere when his people started digging.

‎I let them find what they were looking for.

‎The registry.

‎The marriage record.

‎Without my approval, they wouldn’t have gotten anywhere near it.

‎Everything after that—

‎the rumors, the pressure, the leak—

‎fell exactly into place.

‎And Jason...

‎was the link in between.

‎I tapped the file lightly.

‎"Think carefully before you answer."

‎Jason’s breathing had already grown uneven.

‎He lowered his head slightly, as if buying time.

‎But the truth was—

‎he had nowhere left to go.

‎—

‎I didn’t press further.

‎Didn’t need to.

‎At this point—

‎silence was more effective than any question.

‎