CHAPTER 269: CHAPTER 269 SCHEMING

The bass of the club pulsed faintly even in the daylight, though the crowd was sparse compared to its usual midnight chaos. Alexa walked in quietly, sunglasses covering half her face, her heels clicking against the polished floor. She wasn’t here to party; her reason was far darker.

She had arranged to meet a thug named Cheetah, a dealer known for his dangerous "products." Her plan was simple: get her hands on something strong enough to cloud Archer’s mind, to make him weak and pliable. If she could drug him, she could carry his child and bind him to her forever.

But the moment her sharp eyes swept across the lounge, she froze.

Alan.

He was there, sitting alone in one of the shadowed VIP booths, a glass of whisky in his hand. His tie was loosened, his shirt slightly undone at the collar, giving him a reckless, brooding look. The sunlight slanting through the half-closed blinds cut across his face, sharpening his jawline and deepening the darkness in his eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Alexa asked, masking her surprise with a fake smile as she slid onto the seat beside him.

Alan didn’t even look at her at first. He swirled the amber liquid in his glass before taking a slow sip. "Nothing," he said flatly, his tone heavy and dismissive.

Her gaze flickered to the phone lying face-up on the table, its screen glowing faintly. Alexa’s breath caught when she saw what was on it—a photograph. Not just any photo. It was Bella.

Her eyes widened, disbelief flooding her. Why was he sitting here with Bella’s picture in front of him?

A storm of thoughts raced in her mind. So that was it. Alan loved Bella. He loved that little bitch who stole Leo’s attention. For a moment Alexa wanted to laugh in his face, but she forced her lips to curve into a neutral line. This was too precious to waste.

Alan finally noticed her lingering stare and snapped the phone off with a cold swipe. He shot her a glare sharp enough to cut. "Go. My escort is coming." His voice was clipped and dismissive, as if she were an annoyance rather than friend.

Alexa raised her brows, pretending to look offended. But deep inside, her heart was pounding with excitement.

Alan loves Bella. Alan, of all people, is in love with her.

Hahahaha.

This was perfect. So perfect. If Alan loved Bella, then he was weak, vulnerable. And Alexa could use him. She could twist that hidden desire, drag him into her schemes, and perhaps even tear apart Bella and Leo with Alan’s own hands.

As she rose from the booth and walked away, her heels clicking like nails on stone, a slow smile spread across her face. A wicked, victorious smile.

The game had just gotten interesting.

****

The night had fallen heavy over the Wyatt estate, and Alexa’s lips curved upward as she swirled the glass of wine in her hand. She had slipped the drug into Archer’s dinner hour ago, which was enough to cloud his mind and strip away his usual cold control so that he would be forced into her arms.

She watched from the corner as Archer finished his meal, his strong jaw working slowly, his usual calm expression giving nothing away. But when he finally stood, pushing his chair back and heading toward his room, Alexa’s heart raced. It was working.

Later, in her own room, she slipped into the red lingerie she had bought just for this night. The silky fabric hugged her body, accentuating her curves, the deep crimson glowing against her pale skin. She checked herself once in the mirror, touched her hair, and smiled. Perfect. Irresistible.

Clutching the spare key she had stolen days ago, she walked down the silent hallway. Her heels tapped against the floor as her blood hummed with anticipation. This was it—the night she would finally bind Archer to her.

The door clicked open. She stepped inside, dimming the lights until the room glowed softly, sultry shadows dancing on the walls. The sound of running water drifted from the bathroom. Her lips parted in excitement. He was showering. Good. She climbed onto his bed, stretched herself out in the most seductive pose she could muster, her body draped across the sheets like a sinful offering.

The bathroom door opened. Steam rolled out, and then Archer appeared. His dark hair was wet, dripping against his temples, his towel wrapped low around his hips. The moment Alexa’s eyes fell on his body, her throat went dry.

He wasn’t thin at all. Beneath those suits he always wore, he had been hiding a treasure. His chest was broad, muscles sculpted in sharp lines, water glistening across his toned abs. He looked like a carved statue brought to life, dangerously beautiful.

For a moment, Alexa forgot her act. She simply licked her lips, unable to hide her hunger.

But Archer wasn’t looking at her with desire. His face twisted with realization. His steps faltered, his hand braced against the wall as the world spun around him. His blue eyes darkened.

"You—" His voice was low, rough with both anger and dizziness. "You drugged me."

Alexa sat up slowly on the bed, smiling wickedly. "Shh, Archer, don’t be angry. I only wanted to give you what you want. Don’t you love me?" She rose from the bed and wrapped her arms around his damp torso, pressing her body against his warmth.

"Leave, Alexa," Archer gritted out, his voice shaking with fury even as his body betrayed him, reacting to the poison in his blood.

She only leaned closer, her lips brushing against his ear. "No, I won’t. Tonight, you’re mine. You’ll see, I can give you everything."

He shoved her back roughly, but his balance wavered. His vision blurred, and Alexa used the chance to crawl back to him, her hands sliding down his damp skin.

"Don’t fight me," she whispered, her nails grazing across his abs. "Your body wants me. Look at you... even after everything, you can’t resist me."

Archer’s jaw clenched so hard it ached. He forced himself to grab her wrists, holding her still even though his body trembled. "What you’re doing is disgusting." His voice was hoarse.

"You married me because you love me, right? Then I’m giving myself to you. Come here, Archer," Alexa said seductively as she pulled him onto the bed, and soon Archer gave in.