WebNovels

Chapter 41 - Chapter 39: The Return and the Rumor

Morning came with the faint glow of city sunlight streaming through the penthouse curtains, soft and golden against the marble floor. Alicia stirred beneath the weight of the silence, her eyes fluttering open to the familiar expanse of Liam's room, elegant, dark and breathtakingly cold in its perfection. The events of the night still lingered on her skin, in her memory, in every trembling breath she took.

She turned to look beside her. The bed was empty. Liam had already left for work. His side of the bed was neatly made, as if he had never slept there at all, except for the faint trace of his scent that still clung to the sheets, cedar, smoke and something that felt like danger.

Alicia exhaled shakily, pressing her hand to her chest. Every night with him seemed to leave her more confused than the one before. He could be tender, intoxicating, then terrifyingly possessive, all within the same breath. And yet, against all logic, her heart still longed for him.

But longing had no place here. Not when she had plans to leave.

She sat up slowly, clutching the blanket to her chest. She had begged him before, begged him to let her go back to work, to at least have some air outside these walls. At first, he had refused, his answer cutting and absolute: You don't need the world, Alicia. The world needs to stay away from you.

But she had persisted. Her voice had cracked, her eyes had pleaded, until finally he gave in, not with mercy, but with control. He had allowed her to return to KnightCorp under strict surveillance, with guards who shadowed her every move and rules that made her feel more caged than free.

She could not leave the office. She could not meet anyone without approval. And she could not step outside the building unless he accompanied her.

But Alicia had learned one thing from being Liam Knight's prisoner, if you can't break the cage, learn how to move inside it without being seen.

She glanced toward the bedside drawer and pulled out her phone. A single message blinked on the screen from her old friend, Chloe— the only person she trusted enough to help. "Still waiting for your signal. The detective's asking if you're safe. Don't worry, we'll find a way."

Alicia typed back quickly: "Let's forget about the rescue mission. He has allowed me to go back to work and he's watching everything. Be careful what you say to anyone."

After a moment, she added, "If I can get a few hours alone at KnightCorp, I'll contact you."

She deleted the thread right after and slipped the phone into her handbag. Her stomach tightened. She would have to move carefully today. Liam was too perceptive; one wrong look and he would know something was wrong.

She took a long shower, trying to wash away the weight of the night before. But no matter how hard she scrubbed, the memory of his touch lingered. His voice had whispered things that both burned and bound her, and the more she tried to forget, the deeper they cut.

When she finally got dressed, a soft white blouse tucked neatly into a pencil skirt, she tied her hair into a low bun and stared at herself in the mirror. The woman looking back at her seemed like a stranger: composed, efficient, hiding chaos beneath calm.

By the time she reached KnightCorp, the atmosphere was different. Conversations quieted as she walked past, eyes followed her and whispers floated through the air like wind through glass.

"She's back…"

"Thought she quit."

"No, they said the CEO gave her a private leave. Some say he… kept her."

"I heard she was living in the penthouse."

The words stung, but she kept walking, her heels clicking steadily across the polished floor. She refused to let them see how much it hurt.

When she reached her floor, she forced herself to greet her colleagues with a polite nod. But she could still feel their curiosity, their judgment. Even Ms. Delacroix sharp-eyed and composed as ever came rushing toward her like a mother bird whose chick had returned from the storm.

"Alicia!" Delacroix exclaimed, her voice layered with concern and something else beneath it, envy, perhaps or disbelief. "My dear, where have you been? I tried calling you so many times. Your number was unreachable."

Alicia managed a small smile. "I'm sorry, Ms. Delacroix. I had to take an emergency leave. Personal matters."

"Personal matters," Delacroix repeated, crossing her arms. "I see. Because when a detective walked in here asking questions, we all thought the worst."

Alicia's heartbeat stumbled. "Detective?"

Delacroix leaned closer. "Yes. He said your friend had reported a possible kidnapping, that you'd gone missing. I nearly fainted on the spot." Her voice softened, eyes narrowing. "But Mr. Knight told us you were on leave. I wanted to believe him, of course. Still…"

She let her words hang, watching Alicia's expression closely.

Alicia forced a calm laugh. "That must have been a misunderstanding. I truly did take a leave, I just didn't tell my friend in time. She must have panicked."

Delacroix smiled faintly, though her eyes didn't soften. "Yes, perhaps. Still, I'm glad you're safe."

Alicia nodded, eager to end the conversation. She could sense something else in Delacroix's tone, a quiet suspicion, a hint of resentment.

When she finally reached her desk, she let out a quiet sigh of relief and turned to her computer. But peace didn't last long.

The intercom on her desk buzzed, Liam's voice low and commanding. "Alicia, bring the Laderin's Atelier proposal to my office."

Her chest tightened. "Yes, Mr. Knight."

The file was thick and detailed, but she knew every corner of it by heart. Her father's company had once been a shining name in the fashion world, before his death had left it vulnerable. She still loved it deeply. She wanted to believe helping them now meant something more than another one of Liam's mind games.

She walked into his office, holding the file close. Liam was seated behind his desk, typing, the sharp glow of the screen highlighting his features. When she entered, he didn't look up.

"Set it down. I'll be done shortly."

She obeyed, standing there awkwardly. The seconds stretched. Fifteen minutes passed before he finally closed the laptop and looked at her.

"Come here," he said softly.

She stepped forward, placing the file before him.

"Sit."

She did.

His gaze flicked from her face to the documents. "I want you to review the proposal. Find any weakness. Anything that doesn't add up."

Her brows furrowed. "You have analysts who handle that."

He smiled faintly. "I trust your instincts more than theirs."

It wasn't about work. It was about him wanting her close.

Still, she took the task seriously. She scanned through the proposal, sleek design outlines, pricing details, and projected partnerships. She found minor issues: unrealistic production timelines, missing sustainability clauses, and vague marketing strategies that wouldn't appeal to modern consumers.

"I made notes here," she said quietly. "They didn't include a clear sourcing plan. The material supplier section is incomplete. And their projected profit margin doesn't align with current textile costs."

Liam's lips curved slightly, impressed. "Smart as always."

She nodded, trying to stay professional. But her composure faltered when his gaze lingered on her too long.

"What is it?" he asked softly.

She looked away. "Nothing."

"Don't lie to me."

Her hands clenched. "You could have told me about Selena."

Liam blinked. "Selena?"

"She's my stepsister," Alicia said quietly. "Before she left Manhattan, her last name was Blake. She changed it to Hart. You didn't tell me she was the one applying."

He leaned back slowly, realizing. "I didn't know. She introduced herself as Hart. I had no reason to connect you."

Alicia stared at him, torn between anger and disbelief. "You should have known. She's dangerous."

Liam's expression darkened. "I know her type. And now I understand her motive." He leaned forward, his voice low. "She came here for me, to hurt you."

Her chest tightened. "I don't care about that. I care that she might hurt my family if she finds out where we are. My mother… she's fragile, Liam. I can't let her suffer again because of them."

Her voice broke, trembling as she tried to hold back tears. "You don't understand what they did to us. Selena and her mother tormented us for years. I can't go through that again."

Liam's eyes softened, and for a moment, he wasn't the CEO anymore. He was just a man who had once been a boy haunted by his own past.

"I understand more than you think," he said quietly.

She looked at him, confused.

"My father had a mistress," Liam said, voice low, dangerous with memory. "She made my mother's life hell. I watched her destroy everything, until I destroyed her instead."

Alicia froze.

His gaze met hers, dark and calm. "No one hurts the woman I care about. Ever."

Her breath caught, and before she could respond, he stood and came around the desk. His hand brushed against her cheek, gentle, almost reverent. "Don't worry, Alicia. I'll handle Selena."

When he kissed her, it was slow, deliberate, as if sealing a promise he would never break. Then he stepped back and said, "Go. Finish your notes."

She nodded, heart pounding, and left the office.

When the door closed behind her, Liam's expression changed. He picked up his phone, dialing a private number.

"Send me the full background on Selena Hart," he said coldly. "Everything. I want it before morning."

Then he ended the call, staring out the window with a look that promised war.

Meanwhile, back at her cubicle, Alicia tried to steady her hands. She was tired of being caught between fear and desire, between Liam's world and her own freedom.

Her coworkers came around during lunch, buzzing with curiosity.

"We're so glad you're okay!" one of them said. "You have no idea how scared we were. That detective really came looking for you."

Alicia forced a small laugh. "Thank you. But I'm fine, really. Just a misunderstanding."

Selena appeared then, her heels clicking like poison. Her smile was sweet, but her eyes burned with mockery.

"Alicia," she said, pretending concern. "I just heard what happened. Everyone thought you were kidnapped. How terrible."

Alicia ignored her, keeping her eyes on her screen.

Selena tilted her head, voice dripping with fake warmth. "How's your mother? And your brother? Still managing without… you know, proper support?"

Alicia turned to her, her patience snapping. "Get away from my desk, Selena."

"Oh? Touchy." Selena laughed softly, glancing around at the few coworkers who lingered, pretending not to listen. "Maybe the rumors are true then. Maybe our dear CEO did keep you somewhere."

The words hit like a slap, but Alicia didn't flinch. She stood up, eyes blazing. "You don't know anything about me. And you never will."

Selena blinked, stunned for a second, before sneering. "Careful, Alicia. You wouldn't want to lose your job for having a temper."

"Careful, Selena," Alicia shot back, her voice low and calm. "You wouldn't want people to see who you really are."

The room went silent. Selena's face twisted, and without another word, she turned sharply and stormed off.

Alicia sat back down, her heart pounding.

Across the hall, behind his tinted glass, Liam had been watching. A slow, dangerous smile curved on his lips.

"That's my tigress," he murmured again.

But Alicia didn't see the way his eyes darkened after, not with pride, but with the growing realization that everything was closing in.

Her secrets. His past. And Selena, who was far from finished.

The next storm had already begun to rise.

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