The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride
Chapter 23
Alexander’s POV:
The elevator doors opened at the penthouse on Pacific Heights, and I stepped into the hall. My friends were already
waiting.
“Look who’s here, the newlywed himself,” Elliot said with a sly smile, his black suit and tie making him look like he’d just walked out of a board meeting rather than arriving for a gathering among friends.
I had barely taken a seat when Jake eagerly leaned forward.
“I heard from Elliot that Alexander already has a new girlfriend?” he asked with a conspiratorial grin.
Daniel, never one to miss an opportunity to pile on, added, “This man has just had a taste of love and can’t control himself
for even one night.”
My gaze shifted to Marcus, the only one who hadn’t spoken yet. “Do you have anything to add?”
He raised his hand slightly. “I don’t have a death wish.”
“Marcus, what do you mean?” Jake looked genuinely confused.
“One coffin, one hundred thousand dollars. I’ll personally deliver your corpse to the Bennett family to collect payment,” Marcus replied coolly.
I nodded at him. “At least one of you still has a functioning brain.”
I removed my suit jacket, deliberately rolling up my sleeves while flexing my wrists. “So, who should I deal with first?”
The sudden silence was satisfying.
Marcus, ever helpful, suggested, “Friendly advice–start with Jake, then Elliot, and finish with Daniel.”
“Thanks for the friendly advice, brother. Our friendship ends here,” Jake muttered, attempting a hasty retreat.
An hour later, we were finally able to drink together civilly.
“Congratulations on your marriage,” Daniel chimed in, downing his whiskey in one gulp.
I followed suit, letting the burning sensation of the alcohol temporarily distract me from thoughts of Charlotte and the strange situation we found ourselves in.
“Alexander, how did this sudden marriage come about?” Marcus asked, his tone serious now that the initial teasing had ended.
“My father’s request,” I answered simply.
Jake, refilling his glass, pressed further: “Why?”
I shook my head. The truth was, I didn’t know all the details myself.
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Chapter 23
Marcus looked surprised. “You don’t even know? Then why did you agree?”
“He gave me information about her.” I didn’t need to explain further. My friends understood my search. “I agreed to the marriage in exchange.”
“Is the information about Emma’s whereabouts?” someone asked.
I nodded. “Yes.” Another glass of whiskey slid down my throat.
Elliot, still fixated on his earlier question, persisted, “Alexander, that woman on the phone–was that your wife or your new girlfriend?”
Before I could answer, Jake jumped in: “Don’t be ridiculous. Obviously it’s a new girlfriend. His wife ran away, and even if
she came back, he wouldn’t accept her. He doesn’t love her at all.”
“Makes sense,” Elliot agreed. “His wife wouldn’t speak to him so sweetly. Only a girlfriend would try to please him like
that.”
I remained silent, but my knuckles cracked as I clenched
my fists.
Marcus, forever the peacemaker, handed me a drink. “Alexander, calm down.”
I took the glass and placed it on the coffee table. “I’m planning to move her out of the Kingsley mansion. My father nearly had a heart attack because of her. Victoria had a physical altercation with her. James was directly confronted by her… How does that sound to you?”
Jake clapped happily. “Alexander, your wife is extraordinary! She’s offended everyone in your family, except for you!”
I smirked, remembering how Charlotte called me “old man,” then downed another glass.
Elliot continued probing: “Alexander, describe your wife to us.”
I considered for a moment, thinking about Charlotte’s stubbornness, her unexpected courage, her childlike moments mixed with surprising maturity. “She’s too complicated. I can’t describe her.”
Marcus and Daniel exchanged glances and began refilling my glass. “Come on, drink up.”
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