“No need,” Alexander snapped, ending the call without waiting for a reply.
He shoved the phone back into his pocket and turned away, his strides long and sharp as he walked back to the car. Gravel crunched beneath his shoes, the sound too loud in the quiet night. His shoulders were set hard, every muscle in his back locked tight.
He reached the driver’s side and yanked the door open, sliding inside with clipped movements before slamming it shut. The enclosed space seemed to do nothing to calm him.
His entire body went rigid as he settled behind the wheel. Both hands clamped around it, grip tightening until his knuckles blanched white. A slow, restless breath left his chest, sharp and controlled, but the tension didn’t ease.
But instead of heading toward his own office, Alexander turned the wheel sharply and drove straight to the Empire of Diamonds building.
The landlord’s voice continued rambling on the other end of the call, but Alexander barely registered it.
“The tenant, Mia Bennett… she’s in 426, isn’t she?” he cut in, his voice clipped and impatient. “I need the keys.”
“Yes, sir,” the landlord replied. “But she already emptied the apartment today. If you want the unit, I can hand the keys over right now.”
Alexander’s foot eased off the accelerator.
“She emptied the apartment?” he repeated, disbelief twisting sharply in his chest.
“Yes. She didn’t have much when she moved in—just one suitcase. Everything else was provided by us, so she didn’t take much. Don’t worry, sir. I made sure there was no damage. Everything inside is in perfect condition. I’ll bring the keys right away. Please wait.”
“No need,” Alexander barked, his voice tight with agitation as he ended the call.
Silence flooded the car.
His entire body locked up, worry coiling deep and vicious in his gut.
He strode out of the apartment building without looking back, long steps sharp and hurried as he cut through the lobby. The moment the doors slid shut behind him, he spun around and stormed back toward the parking area, irritation and unease burning hotter with every step.
He yanked open the car door and got in, slamming it shut with a force that echoed inside the enclosed space.
The engine roared to life.
He drove away from Mia’s apartment building with both hands clamped around the steering wheel, his grip tightening until his knuckles turned white. Every muscle in his body was rigid, jaw clenched so hard it throbbed.
But instead of turning toward his own office, Alexander twisted the steering wheel sharply and swung the car around, tires screeching faintly against the asphalt as he cut across the road.
He pressed down on the accelerator, the city blurring past as he drove straight toward the Empire of Diamonds Corporation.
Traffic lights turned red and green around him; he barely registered them. His grip on the wheel never loosened, knuckles pale, jaw locked so tightly it ached.
When the towering glass building finally came into view, he didn’t bother parking properly. He pulled into the nearest spot, killed the engine, and shoved the door open with force. The car rocked slightly as he stepped out, slamming the door shut behind him.
Alexander crossed the plaza in long, aggressive strides, the long winter coat flaring with his movement. The revolving doors parted as he shoved through them, entering the lobby like a storm. Conversations died mid-sentence. A receptionist stiffened. Several employees instinctively moved aside as he passed, sensing something dangerous in his expression.
His footsteps echoed against marble as he headed straight for the elevators. He jabbed the button, impatient, then stepped inside the moment the doors slid open. The ride up felt endless. His reflection in the mirrored walls showed a man barely holding himself together—eyes dark, expression carved from stone.
The moment the elevator doors opened on the executive floor, Alexander was already moving.
He marched down the corridor, ignoring the startled glances and whispered gasps, and reached the CEO’s office without slowing. He didn’t knock.
He shoved the door open with brute force.
The door slammed violently against the wall, the sharp bang echoing through the entire floor and drawing stunned silence in its wake.
Magnus, seated behind his desk with files spread before him, snapped his head up in shock.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” he barked as Alexander stormed inside.
