Born Into Villain's Family: I Have a 200\% Rebate System-Chapter 525: Tanya’s Scheme

Meanwhile, at Alex Corporation, the atmosphere inside the executive floor was quiet, almost oppressively so.

The faint hum of the air conditioner blended with the rhythmic tapping of keys as Alex worked at his desk, eyes fixed on the glowing screen.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in," Alex said calmly, not even looking up.

The assistant hurried inside, closing the door carefully behind him.

The moment he saw Alex buried in documents and data, he hesitated.

His lips parted as if to speak, then pressed together again.

His hands tightened nervously around the folder he carried.

Without lifting his gaze, Alex spoke again, his tone even.

"If you have something to say, then say it. You are not going to be punished for speaking."

The assistant swallowed. "Miss Tanya is here."

At those words, Alex finally paused.

His fingers stilled on the keyboard before he slowly leaned back in his chair and looked at the assistant.

"The investor who placed funds into the company," Alex said, voice measured, "she is technically a shareholder now, correct?"

The assistant nodded quickly. "Yes, sir."

Alex fell silent for a moment, his expression unreadable.

Then he turned back to his computer. "Do tell her I am busy. And don’t let her come in."

His tone was polite, but there was no warmth in it. He clearly had no intention of entertaining her.

’A woman who invested against her father’s will...’ Alex thought. ’I have nothing left to say to her.’

It was true that Tanya had once cared deeply for him.

Because of her early support, he had managed to remain afloat long enough to gain Ms. Dawn’s backing.

Yet gratitude did not equal affection, and he had already repaid her investment tenfold.

The assistant still lingered, looking troubled.

Alex frowned slightly. "Is there something else?"

The assistant grimaced.

"If I had the authority to send her away, I would have already done so. She threatened to cut her wrist if we refused to let her in."

Alex pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaustion flashing across his face.

"If that is the case, let her enter. And tell her to close the door behind her."

The assistant nodded and quickly left.

..................................

Meanwhile, in the kitchen of the company, Adeline stood by the stove, carefully arranging food into a container.

The warm aroma of butter, herbs, and freshly cooked rice filled the space, curling gently in the air.

She paused, staring at the dish in front of her.

’After everything that happened between us... I even refused to cook for him,’ she thought.

A small smile appeared on her lips.

’Today will be different. It is Valentine’s Day. I will surprise him.’

The thought alone made her cheeks warm.

.................................

Back at the office, Tanya entered Alex’s room with a calm, elegant smile, as though she had never issued any threats earlier.

Alex looked at her, his expression turning grim. "What do you want?"

Tanya placed a hand over her chest, her face filled with wounded emotion.

"You really know how to break my heart. How can you act so cold toward me?"

She began walking toward him.

Before she could come closer, Alex pushed his foot lightly against the floor, rolling his chair backward to maintain distance. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

He looked at her with a faint, detached smile.

"Whatever you wish to say, say it from there."

Tanya froze, pain flashing across her eyes.

And this time, it was not entirely an act.

After everything she had done for him, all she had received was indifference.

"Do you not feel anything at all," she asked softly, "after everything I have done for you?"

Alex replied without hesitation, his tone calm and factual.

"You invested in my business. I returned that investment tenfold. You now earn millions in dividends. In what way have I wronged you?"

Tanya frowned. "You know that is not what I am talking about."

Alex shrugged. "Then I do not know."

Tanya was about to argue further when she glanced through the glass window.

Adeline was approaching, holding a food container.

In an instant, an idea formed in Tanya’s mind.

She suddenly stumbled forward as if she had tripped.

Alex instinctively moved to dodge her, but a flicker of hesitation crossed his mind.

’She did help me once...’ Acting on reflex, he reached out to steady her.

That was exactly what Tanya wanted.

She immediately dropped her weight and sat on his lap.

Alex stiffened in shock, about to push her away...

The office door opened.

Adeline stepped inside, the scent of home-cooked food still rising from the container in her hands.

She froze.

Her eyes widened as she took in the scene.

Tanya was practically sitting on Alex’s lap, while Alex’s hands were still positioned as though holding her.

The container trembled slightly in Adeline’s grip.

Alex snapped back to his senses and shoved Tanya off him at once.

Tanya fell to the ground with a heavy thud, but her goal had already been achieved.

Instead of looking triumphant, she forced tears into her eyes and stood up shakily.

"So this is how you treat me," she said, voice trembling. "After this mistress arrived, you want to throw me away?"

Adeline’s eyes widened further.

Alex immediately turned toward her.

"What nonsense are you saying? Do not listen to her, Adeline. She is lying."

But Tanya had already walked toward Adeline.

"I would never judge you," Tanya said softly. "And I would not hide anything either. I already know that my boyfriend has started seeing someone else. And that someone else is you."

Alex’s voice rose sharply. "Adeline, do not listen to her!"

Tanya ignored him and stepped closer to Adeline, lowering her voice.

"I understand if you did not know before," she continued. "But now that you do, you should also understand. It is time for you to step back."

Adeline parted her lips, stunned, but Tanya did not let her speak.

"If you still believe him after seeing this," Tanya added coldly, "then you are simply foolish. After all, what kind of man lets another woman sit on his lap?"

The words struck like a hammer.

Adeline looked at Tanya, her expression shifting, as if she had just been told something deeply profound.

Without hesitation, Adeline looked once at Alex, then at Tanya.

Her fingers tightened around the container before she slowly placed it on a nearby table.

"We will talk later," she said quietly, her voice steady despite the storm inside her chest.

Tanya’s eyes flashed. She immediately grabbed Alex’s hand, clutching it tightly as if afraid he would disappear.

She looked up at him with pain-filled eyes.

"Can you just give up on her?" Tanya pleaded.

"She is not even smart enough to see through things. She is difficult to handle. Instead, be with me. I will never doubt you. I will trust you completely. I will believe in your loyalty no matter what."

Hearing those words, Alex looked at her as though something filthy had just been placed in front of him.

Disgust filled his gaze so openly that Tanya’s breath caught.

"I stayed silent earlier because I wanted to leave you with some dignity," Alex said coldly. "I thought you would at least respect yourself."

His voice hardened.

"But since you refuse to keep that dignity, I will not pretend anymore."

He pushed her hand away without hesitation.

"I will never fall in love with a woman who behaves this disgustingly."

With that, he turned and rushed out.

Tanya stood frozen. She had never imagined that her little act, meant to make Alex realize something, would backfire so completely.

The office suddenly felt too large, too empty. Her chest tightened.

Tears began to spill.

"What did I do wrong?" she sobbed aloud. "I only loved someone. I gave everything... and still I could not get him."

Her voice echoed helplessly against the silent walls.

.......................

Meanwhile, Alex caught up with Adeline near the elevators.

The metallic doors reflected the harsh white lights above, making everything feel cold and distant.

He grabbed her hand.

Adeline immediately struggled. "Let go of me."

"No," Alex said firmly. "Not until you give me one chance to explain."

"There is nothing left to explain," she replied, her expression serious but pale. "You should just leave me alone."

Alex shook his head, desperation finally breaking through his calm demeanor. There was moisture in his eyes now.

"I know my actions hurt you," he said.

"But you have to understand, it was a misunderstanding. Tanya staged it deliberately. There is only one woman I love, and that is you."

Adeline let out a harsh, humorless chuckle.

"You love me?" she said. "You claim to love me, yet you let another woman sit on your lap."

Without another word, Alex gently but firmly guided her into a nearby conference room.

Once inside, Adeline pulled away from him and created distance, her back almost touching the wall.

This time, Alex did not try to hold her again.