I ended the call and glanced at Aimy through the rearview mirror.

"Mummy, where are we going?"

"To my office, baby."

As the person responsible for the partnership, I had to be there when they arrived.

There wasn’t enough time to take Aimy back to the mansion first.

A few minutes later, I pulled into the company’s underground garage.

After helping Aimy out of the car, we headed for the elevator.

The moment we arrived on my floor, Helen was already waiting near the entrance.

"Is everything ready for them?" I asked.

"Yes, ma’am."

Then her gaze shifted toward Aimy.

I followed her line of sight.

"Don’t worry. I’ll leave her with Anna."

Helen nodded and followed behind me as I headed toward Anna’s office.

I knocked once before entering.

Anna looked up from her desk.

Surprise immediately crossed her face.

"Alicia? What are you doing here today? And..."

Her eyes landed on Aimy.

I didn’t give her time to finish.

"The representatives from Blackwood Dominion arrived early. Can you stay with Aimy for a while?"

"I see."

She immediately stood.

I helped Aimy down onto the floor before turning back to Anna.

"Please keep an eye on her and don’t let her out..."

I stopped mid-sentence.

"UNCLE!"

Aimy’s excited voice rang through the office.

Both Anna and I turned at the same time.

The door had been left slightly open.

Outside, a man in a dark suit was walking past the corridor.

Before I could react, Aimy’s face lit up.

She had clearly mistaken him for Evan.

The next second, she bolted through the door.

"Aimy!"

I hurried after her.

"Mummy’s coming!"

But Aimy was already running down the corridor with her tiny legs moving surprisingly fast.

Several employees turned in surprise.

"Baby, stop running!"

"Uncle!"

She ignored me completely.

I could only chase after her as panic began rising in my chest.

And for some reason...

The further we go, the stronger the uneasy feeling in my heart became.

Alexander’s POV

"We have reports that Rosewood Town has been suffering from severe pest attacks over the past few months," Miles Harper said.

We were currently in a conference with the executives and shareholders discussing the upcoming partnership with Whitmore Industries.

As expected, some shareholders were expressing dissatisfaction over the sudden acceptance of the partnership.

I wasn’t surprised.

Back when Whitmore Industries repeatedly rejected our proposals, those same shareholders had questioned the company’s capabilities and demanded explanations.

At the time, I had assured them that patience was necessary.

Rosewood was a small town with a unique way of operating.

Eventually, circumstances would force them to consider outside assistance.

Even before they accepted our proposal, I had already received reports regarding the pest situation affecting their farms.

In fact, that was one of the reasons I had become even more confident about securing the partnership.

The pest problem wasn’t something impossible to solve.

Blackwood Dominion had subsidiaries, specialists, and agricultural resources across multiple regions.

Once the agreement was signed, the issue could be handled relatively quickly.

"The pest attacks are largely the result of delayed prevention measures and limited access to the necessary supplies," I said calmly. "Whitmore Industries clearly outlined those concerns in their proposal."

"But how can we be certain the situation is manageable?" another shareholder asked.

The discussion continued.

Some shareholders supported the partnership.

Others worried about potential losses.

The conference room gradually became noisier as opinions clashed.

A dull headache began forming behind my eyes.

Finally, I leaned back in my chair.

"Then what exactly do you suggest we do?" I asked.

The room quieted slightly.

Miles Harper exchanged a glance with several other shareholders before speaking.

"After reviewing the situation, we’d like the chairman to reconsider the partnership before final approval."

A frustrated chuckle escaped me.

"If we don’t proceed with Whitmore Industries, does anyone here have another cotton harvesting company capable of meeting our production demands?"

Silence.

Several people exchanged glances.

No one answered.

Eventually, one of the older shareholders cleared his throat.

"Chairman Blackwood is correct. Rosewood Town remains the best option available to us."

He paused briefly.

"Which is why we’ve agreed that someone of sufficient authority should personally visit the town and assess the situation before the final agreement is signed."

The room fell silent.

I already knew where this was heading.

My gaze swept across the conference table before settling on Tristin.

The moment our eyes met, I understood.

So did he.

The shareholders weren’t questioning the partnership itself anymore.

They wanted reassurance.

And the only reassurance they would fully accept was me.

For a moment, nobody spoke.

Then I let out a slow sigh.

"Fine."

Several people visibly relaxed.

"I’ll go to Rosewood Town myself and review the situation."

A few shareholders nodded immediately.

Their concerns had apparently vanished the moment those words left my mouth.

I resisted the urge to rub my temples.

No matter what arguments I presented, they would never have been completely convinced otherwise.

At least this would finally put the matter to rest.

Across the table, Tristin remained silent.

But I didn’t miss the faint satisfaction in his eyes...

"Prepare the jet and inform the directors accompanying us to Rosewood that we’ll be leaving tomorrow."

I gave the instruction the moment we stepped out of the conference room.

Karen nearly stumbled over her tablet.

"Tomorrow, sir?"

She blinked in surprise.

"But we’ve already informed Whitmore Industries that our representatives will arrive the day after tomorrow."

I stopped walking and turned to look at her.

The moment our eyes met, she immediately understood.

"Right away, Chairman Blackwood."

She straightened.

"I’ll make the necessary arrangements immediately."

With that, she hurried off.

I watched her disappear down the corridor before continuing toward my office.

Sometimes I wished Jane were still here.

Jane had resigned a year ago after getting married.

She had worked beside me for years and understood my habits without needing explanations.

Karen had only been with me for a few months.

She was hardworking and capable.

She simply lacked experience.

Most of the time she did well.

Other times...

She asked questions when I wanted action.

I knew she was still learning.

That was the only reason I tolerated it.

I entered my office, gathered the documents I needed for tomorrow’s trip, and headed toward the elevator.

A few minutes later I arrived at the underground garage.

Jim immediately stepped forward and opened the rear door of the car while my security team prepared to leave.

I got in without a word.

The drive home passed in complete silence.

I leaned my head against the seat and closed my eyes.

For once, I wasn’t thinking about work.

I wasn’t thinking about Rosewood.

I wasn’t thinking about the partnership.

My mind was simply blank.

Almost an hour later, the car slowed to a stop.

"We’re here, sir," Jim said quietly.

One of the security guards opened the door for me.

I stepped out and looked at the familiar villa standing alone at the far end of the estate.

Quiet.

Isolated.

Just the way I preferred it.