Chapter 83
食麵
A Few Minutes Later
I’ve been driving for a few minutes without any real destination when I hear the sirens of a police car. Just what I needed.
I pull over to the side of the road, trying to look as normal as possible. If someone searches my vehicle, they might find that head–and that would send me straight to prison.
The officers get out of their car and walk toward me slowly but confidently. They’re just about to question me when I notice a limousine pulling up behind them. They seem surprised and back away from me to approach the limo instead.
Through the rearview mirror, I see the owner roll down his window and hand each of them a stack of bills. They smile, then get back into their car and drive away.
They looked so happy they completely forgot about me.
That was a close one. I’ve rarely been that lucky in my life.
Just as I’m about to start the engine again, I see the man step out of his limo and walk toward me with a big smile.
I instantly recognize Assar.
Yes, he’s a friend of Khalid, but he’s different. I find him kind and far more respectful than most of the people my father surrounds himself with.
“Hello, miss. It’s been a while.”
“Hello. Yes, it has.”
“You looked panicked about being pulled over.”
If only he knew.
“That’s why you bribed them with your money?”
He lets out a small laugh.
“Let’s just say I wanted to help you avoid a sticky situation.”
He just saved me.
“Thank you.”
“What are you transporting?”
“It’s better if you don’t know.”
He smiles.
“Very well. But I’d like to ask you for a favor.”
Traise an eyebrow.
“What kind?”
“I’d like you to come with me to my villa so we can talk as friends
Come on, Inara, you owe him that much.
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Chapter 83
“I’ll follow you in my car.”
ASSAR’S VILLA
7:58 PM
“Have you seen your father since your falling out?”
I’ve been talking with Assar for a few minutes now. It’s not the same villa where the masquerade ball took place, but it’s just as impressive.
Rich men love owning multiple estates in different parts of the same city. I wish I had that kind of problem.
“I’m guessing you already know the details of our fight and that you’re well aware my father is a grudge–holder.”
*Indeed. I tried to get him to give you another chance, but you know him as well as I do.”
I give him a surprised look–he tried to reconcile me with my father?
“I don’t want his second chance.”
He sighs.
“I heard Alexander stood up for you against your father.”
I remember that during the masquerade ball Assar hosted, Alexander had briefly spoken about him with great respect.
*Rumors spread fast.”
“In this case, it wasn’t a rumor.”
“You’ve known Alexander for a long time? He seems to like you.”
He smiles at the comment.
“I knew his family.”
That goes back a long way. Maybe he could give me some new information about Alexander that would help me finally get some answers.
“Are you two close?”
He raises his eyebrows.
“Why do you ask?”
I hesitate before saying:
“I’ll be honest with you. I want to learn more about him. He’s way too secretive about his life and past. I want to know who I’m really dealing with. I’d like you to share some information about him.”
Assar looks at me, surprised.
“You’re interested in him? Are you two sleeping together?”
I hold back from blushing or looking away.
That’s a pretty bold question.
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Chapter 83
“No! Never! We have business in common.”
“I don’t know if I can betray Alexander’s trust by revealing things about him without his permission. He might not take it well”
15%
He hesitates. I place my hand on his and give him a pleading look. He pulls his hand away. I sigh, realizing he won’t help. But then he places his other hand on mine and gives me a gentle smile.
“Please, Assar. You can’t imagine how important this is to me. I promise it’ll stay just between us.”
He sighs, then smiles slightly.
“What do you want to know?”
“Everything.”
“I don’t know if it’s right to reveal his past. Alexander might hold it against me if he finds out.”
“I’m not afraid of the consequences.”
He nods.
“To understand Alexander’s story, you first have to understand his family’s–starting with his parents and their environment. The Graves family had three sons, including Alexander’s father. It’s a powerful family, part of the criminal elite for generations. The Gravess were the most feared family in the world of illegal trafficking–known for their cruelty and intelligence. Alexander’s grandfather had three sons. At first, the brothers were very close and willing to do anything for one another. Blood ties came before everything.
Until a tragedy changed everything forever.”
He pauses, trying to recall the event that shattered the lives of Alexander’s father and uncles. Judging by his serious expression, it must’ve been something terrible.
“The youngest of the three died at fifteen, in a gang–related shootout that ended in a bloodbath. That death tore the family apart. Alexander’s grandfather never smiled again–he became a walking corpse, unable to even bathe himself. He never recovered from losing his youngest son. As for Alexander’s father and the other brother, they became balls of hatred, bitter and angry at the world.”
That’s truly tragic. This family was broken long before Alexander was even born. I’m really prying into his private life without his consent.
“Alexander’s grandfather died a year after the incident. As the eldest, Alexander’s father naturally inherited the family empire. He became the Graves heir, with thousands of lives in his hands and a business to keep running for the sake of the family name. Nahel, the younger brother, was calm by nature but had a hard time accepting his older brother’s authority. It caused countless fights between them. I can’t even count how many times people had to step in to stop them from killing each other. They were both out of control, and Alexander’s father was never the type to stay calm or make efforts to fix their relationship.”
Now I understand where Alexander gets his explosive and unpredictable personality–it’s in his blood.
But one question still lingers.
“What about Alexander’s mother? Who was she? Where was she from? How did she meet Alexander’s father?”
“Housni, Alexander’s father, got a woman pregnant after a one–night stand. She wasn’t a prostitute, just a random woman. He didn’t want the child, and even less to take responsibility for it. I suppose he always saw Alexander as a mistake–an accident he didn’t want to deal with. But the woman wanted to keep the baby. She was ready to raise it alone, even if it meant going against Housni. Nahel took her side–he really wanted a nephew. After weeks of pushing, he finally convinced Housni that the child could be a blessing for the family. They were down to just two brothers, and if it was a boy, he could continue the family legacy.”
So Alexander wasn’t wanted. His father tried to force his mother to have an abortion. It sounds like the plot of a movie.
“Why did Nahel want Alexander to be born so badly? It had nothing to do with him.”
3/4
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Chapter 3
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*Raul was sterly. He mouth have children was his biggest regret fed always wanted thaler think Hunt’s child are the way for the fun a
ent of Father. And though this child, the Graves home could live on Alexander deras a very is and their mark on the world?
Nahel source ky he was a good mah, unlike his brother.
Eventually, Nahel cominced Housni to acknowledge the child. Alexander’s mother was reluctant she knew Husni was violent and dengarann feared for her baby’s safety. She tried to assert herself, saying he could acknowledge the child but that was it. But he quickly let her she had no say
wes his child too even remember he threatened to take the baby away from her at birth if she tried to run
I’m glad I never met that man. The way Assar describes him, he sounds like a monster with no morals or principles.
“The baby was born, and the mother died during childbirth from complications. Housi didn’t give a damn. All he cared about was havi
Honestly, I think he would’ve gotten rid of her without a second thought if she’d gotten in his way.”
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Chapter 84
