CHAPTER 262: CHAPTER 262 BOYCOTT ALEXA

"Sir," a man’s voice came through, tense and urgent, "we need your presence. The shipment has been delayed at the docks. Customs are sniffing around, asking questions. If we don’t move now, it could draw unwanted attention."

Leo’s jaw clenched. "And the men I assigned?"

"They’re holding the containers, but they’re nervous, sir. Too many eyes on them. They want to know if they should push through or pull back."

Leo’s gray eyes darkened as he rose from his chair, already reaching for his jacket. "Tell them nothing until I arrive. If anyone touches that cargo, I’ll deal with it myself."

"Yes, sir," the voice replied quickly before the line went dead.

Leo slipped on his black jacket and gathered the items he needed from the drawer, his expression cold, his movements precise and unhurried. Within moments, he was striding out of his office with purposeful steps.

Mostly, Leo handled VVIP orders discreetly, sending them in miniature models that slipped easily past inspections. But this was different. The size of the shipment meant there was no other way. He had to send it through the docks, and that made it vulnerable.

After informing his secretary to cancel the rest of his morning schedule, Leo grabbed his keys. He didn’t wait for a driver. This wasn’t a situation he trusted to anyone else. Sliding into the driver’s seat of his black Maserati, he started the engine and dialed a number on his secure phone.

The line clicked. "Boss?" one of his lieutenants answered immediately.

"Status," Leo ordered.

"The customs officers are circling, but they haven’t opened the containers yet," the man replied quickly. "Your instructions kept them from moving, but the men are tense. There are whispers going around the docks already. Someone tipped them off."

Leo’s grip tightened on the wheel, his jaw locking. "Keep the men calm. No one touches the cargo. If anyone makes a move, stall them until I get there. Understand?"

"Yes, boss."

Leo ended the call and pressed harder on the accelerator, the engine growling as the city blurred past his windows. His mind was already three steps ahead—who could have leaked the information, what connections in customs he would need to silence, how he would make an example if someone had dared cross him.

By the time the docks came into view, his expression was cold as stone.

The docks were tense, men shifting on their feet, customs officers standing too close to the containers, their voices low but sharp.

A black Maserati rolled in and stopped. The sound alone made the workers fall silent.

Leo stepped out, his white shirt beneath the black jacket, the afternoon light catching the hard lines of his face. He walked straight ahead, his presence enough to make men move aside without a word.

"Which one?" he asked.

"Number sixteen, sir," one of his men replied quickly.

Leo’s eyes swept over the officers blocking the way. He stopped in front of them, calm, his hands sliding into his pockets. "This shipment leaves now," he said evenly.

One officer shifted nervously. "We received an anonymous tip. We can’t release it until we confirm."

Leo tilted his head slightly, his voice dropping just enough to make the man stiffen. "You don’t need to confirm anything. My papers are clean. My seal is official. If you delay further, you’ll explain directly to your superior why you refused a signed clearance."

He pulled a folded document from his jacket pocket and placed it into the officer’s hand. The paper bore the Moretti seal, already stamped and authorized. Leo had prepared it days ago, knowing delays could come.

The officer looked at it, swallowed, then nodded quickly. Within minutes, the papers were signed. The shipment was released.

Leo turned without another word, his men already moving to escort the containers out. He walked back to his car, his jacket shifting with the breeze, and slid behind the wheel.

The problem was solved before it even began.

********

Meanwhile, Alexa locked herself in her room, her makeup ruined from crying, her hair messy from the way she kept pulling at it. Her phone was tossed on the floor, its screen still glowing with dozens of hateful comments flooding her social media.

Her fans, the ones who used to worship her and defend her against every rumor, were now tearing her apart.

"Characterless trash!"

"I can’t believe she’s this disgusting!"

"She tried to frame an innocent woman. How can a woman do this to another?"

"She doesn’t deserve Archer Wyatt. Why did he even marry her?"

"Boycott Alexa! She should disappear from society!"

Each word was like a dagger stabbing her pride.

"No... no..." Alexa muttered, shaking her head as if she could deny it. Her chest was heaving, her nails digging into the silk sheets of her bed until the fabric tore under her hands.

"Ahhhhhhhh!" She screamed, her voice echoing through the room as she scratched at the bed like a wild animal, her eyes bloodshot and wide with madness.

Her breathing turned ragged, tears of rage blurring her vision. "Bella... Bella!" she spat the name like poison, her voice cracking with hatred.

"I hate you! You bitch! You ruined me!" Her lips twisted in a snarl, saliva glistening at the corner of her mouth as her fury consumed her.

She stumbled off the bed, her reflection catching in the vanity mirror. Disheveled hair, red-rimmed eyes, a woman on the edge of insanity. She didn’t even recognize herself.

Her fists pounded against the mirror until tiny cracks spread across the glass.

"You seduced Leo! You stole him from me! He was supposed to be mine, mine!!!" she shouted, her voice rising higher, breaking into a shrill cry.

Her nails dug into her own arms, leaving angry red marks as she screamed again. "I’ll kill you, Bella! I’ll kill you with my own hands! Leo is mine! Do you hear me? MINE!!!"

Her words echoed in the empty room, a promise drenched in venom.

A sharp knock rattled Alexa’s door. She hissed under her breath, thinking it was just a maid coming to fuss over her.

"What now?!" she snapped, yanking the door open.