Sophia stared at him in disbelief, certain she had misheard.

"CEO Blackwood... why? Why are you suddenly transferring me?"

Alexander leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly against the desk.

"Some things don’t need to be said," he replied coolly. "If you don’t want the branch office, I can transfer you to another department."

Sophia’s face paled.

Positions at headquarters were fiercely competitive, and there were no vacancies worth mentioning. If she stayed and was moved elsewhere, it would only mean demotion. A branch transfer would at least preserve her title, though it would remove her entirely from the company’s center of power.

Had he discovered her intentions?

Her lips parted, but no words came out. After a long moment, she forced herself to speak.

"CEO Blackwood... I don’t know what you mean."

Alexander merely glanced at her, then gestured toward the file.

"The transfer takes effect next week. Complete your handover before then."

He lowered his gaze back to the documents on his desk, as if she were already dismissed.

"Return and pack your things. You’ll be going back to Velaridge City today to begin preparations. Jane will arrange your ticket, and a driver will take you to the airport later."

Sophia stood frozen in place, her fingers trembling at her sides.

Only now did she realize—Alexander had known everything.

Sophia stood frozen, her mind in chaos. How had things reached this point so quickly?

She knew pretending any longer would be useless. If Alexander had gone this far, then he already knew everything.

Panic rose in her chest. She could not leave. If she was sent away now, she might never have another chance to see him again.

Her lips trembled. Pride warred with desperation before she finally spoke.

"CEO Blackwood, I was momentarily out of my mind. Please give me another chance," she said hurriedly, her voice trembling. "I swear it will never happen again."

"Leave." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Alexander’s voice was cold and final.

The last trace of color drained from Sophia’s face.

No explanation. No mercy. No second chance.

Her fingers shook as she picked up the file from the desk. She turned stiffly and walked toward the door.

But just as her hand touched the handle, she stopped.

Something bitter and unwilling surged inside her. She turned back to look at him.

"CEO Blackwood, I want to know one thing." Her voice was strained with frustration. "Why is Alicia allowed to stay by your side, while I’m not?"

Alexander did not even look up immediately.

When he finally raised his eyes, they were calm, unreadable, and distant.

He looked at her as though the question itself was foolish.

"I don’t owe you an explanation."

Sophia’s gaze fell to the marks on his neck—faint hickeys just visible above his collar, marks he had not even bothered to hide.

The sight struck her harder than his words.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips.

Without saying another word, she yanked the door open and walked out.

Sophia walked out with stiff steps, but the door closed harder than necessary.

Alicia’s POV

After breakfast, Alexander left for the branch office while I stayed at the villa.

Maybe it was the exhaustion from last night—or perhaps the pregnancy—but I didn’t feel like doing anything at all. I spent most of the morning upstairs, only coming down occasionally to get something to eat.

Kessy offered to prepare lunch for me, but I refused and insisted she only help with a few things in the kitchen.

After lunch, I was about to head back upstairs when my phone chimed.

It was a message from Alexander.

"Alicia, I forgot an important document. Take it from the study drawer and bring it to me."

A second message followed almost immediately.

"I’ll send a driver to pick you up."

My brows furrowed.

"Can’t I just give it to the driver so he can deliver it to you?"

His reply came quickly.

"No. It’s an important document. I can’t trust just anyone with it."

Then another message appeared.

"And there’s something I need your help with here."

I stared at the screen for a moment before replying briefly.

"Okay."

I went to the study, found the document, then returned upstairs to change. By the time I came down again, the driver was already waiting outside.

I got in, and we drove off.

Alexander’s villa was not far from the city center. It took about half an hour by car.

As I watched the city pass by outside the window, I drifted into thought. Blackwood Dominion Enterprises had branches all over the world, but the New York office was one of its rising powerhouses, with considerable influence along Park Avenue.

It was one of Alexander’s speeches there that first caught the industry’s attention years ago.

At the time, I had only been eighteen or nineteen—young, naive, and full of the kind of romantic ideals that came from watching too many dramas.

Now I was twenty-three, married to Alexander for two years, and facing a marriage crisis.

Life was strange.

We soon arrived at the branch office. The building’s design was similar to the headquarters in Velaridge City, though the main headquarters was far grander.

I stepped out of the car and headed toward the entrance.

Just then, someone moved in front of me.

I looked up and met Sophia’s furious expression.

"Director Sophia, do you need something?" I asked with a faint smile.

Her expression darkened further as she looked me up and down.

Then her gaze stopped at the mark on my neck.

Her fists clenched instantly, and the look in her eyes sharpened like poison.

"Alicia," she said through gritted teeth. "Just you wait and see."

"You’ll regret this."

"So just enjoy it while it lasts."

She shot me one last venomous glare before storming away, a file still clutched tightly in her hand.

I watched her retreating figure, the corner of my lips lifting slightly.

I understood Sophia perfectly.

She had planned everything so carefully, only for someone else—her enemy—to reap the benefits.

How could anyone be happy about that? since Alexander told me last night that he suspected that he’d been drugged I realised it was probably Sophia, linking it to why she wanted to come along with the group to New York in the first place.

And seeing her reaction right now I can guess that my suspicions were true.

A secretary led me to the CEO’s office and left me by the door. I took a small breath, knocked, then stepped inside.

"CEO Blackwood."

Alexander paused what he was doing the moment he saw me. Leaning back in his chair, arms resting casually on the armrests, he looked at me with a gaze that was both playful and quietly calculating.

"You’re here. What took you so long?"

"Sorry for the delay," I replied simply, walking forward and placing the document on his desk. "Here’s what you asked for."

"Have a seat," he said, nodding toward the sofa.

But I didn’t move there. Instead, I sat in the chair beside his desk.

"What else do you need me to do?" I asked, trying to keep things formal.

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he just stared at me, his expression unreadable for a moment.

Then, "Come here."

He pushed his chair back slightly.

My brows furrowed. What now?

Still, I said nothing and stood up reluctantly, walking toward him. But before I could react, Alexander suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me down onto his lap.

I gasped, hands pressing against his shoulders.

"What are you doing? This is the office!"

"It’s nothing. I just wanted to hold you," he said casually.

Then he smiled faintly and leaned in, kissing my lips lightly.

"CEO Blackwood," I murmured, turning my face slightly away.

If my lips were swollen when I leave, there would be no way to avoid rumors.

"What are you afraid of?" he asked, looking down at me. "This is my office. No one will just walk in. And even if they do,it’ll just make our relationship public." ."

"No," I replied immediately.

His eyes darkened slightly. "Why not?"....