Chapter 9
Alexander's reaction was obvious to everyone else in the room.
However, Alexander was still pretending to be calm. As his brothers, they couldn't resist teasing him a bit.
Dylan Carter, who had been quiet until now, was the first to strike. He glanced at Alexander with a smirk that he didn't even try to hide.
"Mike, Ms. Collins is ancient history for Alexander. Why are you even bringing her up?"
Mike fell silent.
Who was it that got his hand bitten by 'ancient history' a few days ago and refused to even put on a band-aid?
David burst out laughing.
Alexander shot them both a warning look.
David had always been a bit intimidated by him, so he stifled his laughter.
Dylan, however, was unfazed. "Why are you looking at me? Didn't you say that yourself?"
Alexander retorted coolly, "Nothing, just reminded me of Zoe Bennett."
Dylan's face darkened immediately.
David laughed so hard he nearly choked.
They all knew about Dylan and Zoe's history.
Dylan used to ignore Zoe, who he grew up with, but now he chased after her every day to no avail. It had become a running joke among them.
With Alexander bringing it up, Dylan was left speechless.
Mike was sweating bullets.
Zack, as David had said, was bad news.
The guy was a notorious womanizer, and many women had suffered at his hands.
But he was rich and powerful, and had managed to smooth over many incidents. Mike wondered if Scarlett was aware of Zack's background.
He had a bad feeling about this.
Time ticked by, and he was really worried.
After all, Scarlett was still recovering from a fever, and the young girl she had with her seemed fragile.
He thought he should give Alexander an excuse to leave.
If worse came to worst, he could go himself.
Tyler was about to speak when Alexander grabbed his coat and stood up. "I have to go."
David wanted to tease him a bit more, but Tyler stopped him.
Watching Alexander leave with Mike, Tyler added, "Don't mess with him. He really cares about that woman, and she's sick right now. Don't make things worse for him."
Alexander walked quickly.
From the moment Mike finished speaking, he had been uneasy.
How could he not be worried?
But this was Pulse Society, and everyone in the Phoenix City knew it was owned by the Black Group.
Scarlett, as Sebastian's fiancée, shouldn't be in any danger from Zack. And Sebastian, as her fiancé, would surely be aware of the situation.
Why should he, as her ex-boyfriend, be so concerned?
But as time passed, Alexander realized he had overestimated himself.
While Dylan and David chatted away, he couldn't stop thinking about Scarlett.
She had a high fever yesterday, and now she was out drinking. Was she feeling okay?
Sebastian was busy with Emma. Was he even paying attention to Scarlett?
Alexander closed his eyes in frustration.
He just wanted to check on Scarlett and make sure she was okay.
Following Mike's directions, he reached Scarlett's private room quickly.
Alexander stood outside, deciding he would just say he was checking on a friend. That should be enough to make Zack back off.
He didn't expect to hear a commotion inside before he even entered.
Alexander's body moved faster than his mind, and he kicked the door open.
Aria was curled up in a corner, trembling. Scarlett was arguing with Zack.
She was still sick and no match for a grown man. Zack easily grabbed her wrist, overpowering her.
Alexander was furious. "Let go."
He stepped forward and kicked Zack in the stomach, making him release Scarlett.
Scarlett rushed to Aria, holding her and comforting her. "It's okay, it's okay now."
She regretted everything.
Dinner had been going well, and Zack had accepted Aria's apology, seeming understanding.
Scarlett had felt relieved.
It seemed like the deal was almost done.
When the company called, Scarlett thought the atmosphere was good enough to leave for a moment. She told Zack and went to the balcony to take the call.
But in those few minutes, everything went wrong.
Hearing Aria's scream, she ran back inside without hanging up.
Aria was pinned against the wall by Zack, struggling in vain. Her dress was torn, and Zack was kissing her neck.
Aria was in tears.
Scarlett felt a surge of anger. She grabbed a wine bottle from the table and smashed it over Zack's head.
Zack, who had never been treated like this, let go of Aria and cursed loudly. "You bitch! You dare hit me? Do you still want this deal?"
He was about to hit back, but Scarlett blocked him. "You animal!"
Zack was unfazed.
Scarlett's resistance was weak, almost useless. Zack stared at her flushed face, growing more interested.
His target wasn't Aria, a young starlet. There were plenty of girls like her.
But Scarlett was the woman he had fantasized about countless times.
Her face and body were perfect. What man wouldn't want her?
If she hadn't gotten engaged to the Black family, Zack would have made his move today.
But since she had come to him, Zack wasn't going to hold back. Sebastian's affair with Emma was all over the news, and he didn't seem to care about his fiancée.
Zack grinned and moved closer to Scarlett.
Scarlett, still sick, had little strength. She tried to aim for Zack's groin.
Luckily, Alexander arrived.
Scarlett barely had time to feel relieved before she saw Alexander beating Zack, who was now bruised and bloody.
He didn't stop, punching Zack repeatedly.
Mike tried to intervene but couldn't.
Scarlett was terrified.
If this continued, something bad would happen!
Scarlett didn't think twice. She rushed forward and hugged Alexander, her voice trembling with fear. "Alexander, stop."
Hearing her voice, Alexander calmed down a bit.
Mike quickly called for an ambulance and asked Tyler to help clean up the mess.
Alexander stepped back, looking down at Scarlett, feeling a wave of fear.
Thank goodness he came.
What would have happened to Scarlett otherwise?
Her face was flushed, clearly feverish again after the ordeal.
Ignoring her protests, Alexander picked her up. Before leaving, he told Mike, "Make sure she gets home."
Mike nodded, understanding that he was referring to Aria.
Alexander left the room, heading straight for the parking garage.
Scarlett was nervous. "Put me down."
Alexander ignored her.