Chapter 13 - Alexander's Last Move
Alexander didn't run.
He smiled.
That frightened Ethan more than anger would have.
“You think a few recordings will destroy me?”
Ethan remained silent.
Alexander looked around.
“My lawyers will bury this.”
Ethan nodded.
“Maybe.”
Alexander's smile widened.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
“What's wrong?”
He listened.
His face slowly drained of color.
“What do you mean frozen?”
Ethan's attorney stepped forward.
“The court has issued emergency preservation orders on your accounts and properties.”
Alexander looked at Ethan.
“You planned this.”
“Yes.”
“Since when?”
“Since the day I woke up.”
Alexander's jaw tightened.
“You can't prove intent.”
Ethan nodded toward Marcus.
“You have a witness.”
Then toward Samuel.
“Another.”
Then toward the screen.
“Your own messages.”
Alexander looked at Vanessa.
“You said he was helpless.”
Vanessa began crying.
“I thought he was.”
Alexander turned back to Ethan.
“You'll regret this.”
Ethan's voice remained calm.
“No.”
He looked at the wheelchair.
Then at the engagement ring.
Then at the woman who had betrayed him.
“I regretted trusting you.”
Police entered the mansion.
Not dramatically.
No shouting.
No chaos.
Just quiet footsteps.
Alexander was informed he was being detained pending investigation.
Richard was detained as well.
Marcus surrendered his license voluntarily and agreed to testify.
Vanessa was taken away separately.
She looked back at Ethan.
He didn't move.
She whispered:
“Was any of it real?”
Ethan stared at her.
“For me, it was.”
That answer broke her.
She lowered her head.
May you like
And walked away.
👉 The conspiracy had collapsed, but Ethan still had one painful decision left: what would he do with the woman he once planned to marry?
