Her words had their intended effect. Ethan froze mid–step, but

then turned back to face her with a bitter expression on his

face.

“Of course you’re worried about him. It’s always about him

now, isn’t it, Olivia? You don’t care about me anymore.””

Olivia’s face remained neutral. She said nothing, knowing that

any response she gave would only fuel his anger.

Then, out of the blue, Ethan shifted toward Xander. Instead of

the confrontation everyone had been bracing for, Ethan

lowered his head slightly.

“I owe you an apology. I haven’t been sincere enough, and for

that, I apologize.”

Ethan leaned down and picked up the bottle of whiskey that

had been sitting untouched. He poured himself a full ss and

held it up. “I need to punish myself for being so unprofessional.”

He downed the first ss, the second followed quickly, and

then the third.

Everyone thought he would stop there. But Ethan was

Most of the people in the room were ufortable with the

direction this meeting was going. Ben cleared his throat

nervously, while his secretary stared fixedly at her hands. Even

Korbin and Felix weren’t sure whether to intervene or not.

They all knew Ethan wasn’t really apologizing. Far from it,

actually. He was silently using Alexander of stealing his wife

by ying the depressed ex–husband who drowned his sorrows

with alcohol.

Alexander, however, remained unmoved by the spectacle. He

was aware of Ethan’s tactics, and quite frankly, he couldn’t care

less. He just looked at him coldly. The man was ying hardball, and Alexander wouldn’t engage in such low methods

of maniption.

After his tenth ss, Ethan suddenly pressed his hand to his stomach, face contorting in pain. “I think I’ve… I can’t…” He

trailed off as he stumbled forward.

And then, almost as if he’d practiced the move, Ethan allowed himself to fall directly on Olivia’sp. He wrapped his arms

around her as he sagged against her body.

Chapter 80: And… scene!

*Author*

Olivia shrieked. “Ethan!” She tried to shove him off her, but the

man had fifty pounds on her. “Let go of me.”

But Ethan’s eyes remained firmly shut. He didn’t budge. He’d

alreadymitted to this final act and he was going to see it

through no matter what.

Alexander watched quietly, giving Ethan the opportunity to get

up with his dignity intact. But after the third shove and nó improvement, Alexander rose to his feet. He grabbed Ethan’s

wrist, and with a firm pull, he pried his arm away from Olivia’s

waist.

“I believe she asked you to let go.” His own arm moved

protectively toward Olivia, making it clear that if anyone had

the right to touch her, it was him.

Ethan’s jaw tightened at the interference. With an irritated

shrug, he wrenched his arm away from Alexander’s grip. The

stomach pain had apparently disappeared, leaving behind an

obvious annoyance. “Mind your own business.”

Olivia noticed that the men were focused on each other now,

stuck in a power struggle. She saw an opportunity and slipped

from her seat and fled the room.

The sound of the door drew the men’s attention and they finally

realized Olivia was no longer seated. Ethan immediately moved to follow her, but Alexander caught his arm again with even

more force this time.

“I don’t think so,” he said as he blocked Ethan’s path.

Ethan’s ego was on the line. He wanted to attack, but he couldn’t

challenge the Alpha directly. So once again, he called on his

acting skills.

“You think you can just… just push me around?” Ethan slurred his words deliberately, allowing the alcohol he’d consumed

earlier to serve as his excuse.

He stumbled backward, then lunged forward, and swung his

fist wildly toward Alexander’s face.

Alexander didn’t flinch. He just blinked at the man before him,

clearly unimpressed.

But before the situation could escte further, Felix rushed

between Ethan and Alexander. “That’s enough.” He pushed

Ethan back, holding him firmly on the spot. “Ethan, stop. You’re clearly intoxicated.‘ Then to Alexander. “I apologize on his

behalf. We should probably end the meeting here.”

Alexander straightened his jacket. His expression remained cool, revealing nothing. “I don’t believe intoxication is the real issue here, Felix. Ethan appears to be very sick…” He leaned in

for effect. “Mentally, I mean. He might benefit from

professional help.”

He nced at Ethan, offering him a pitiful look. “I could

rmend an excellent psychiatrist if you’re interested.”

Felix’s eyebrows rose at this unexpected turn. He’d been

prepared for the Alpha’s rage, or demands for apologies. But this seemed promising.

He nced at Ethan who was still swaying slightly before he answered, “That’s quite generous. I appreciate it.”