Filed to story: Watch Me Win Alpha (Olivia & Ethan)
Ella didn’t even open her mouth. She stared straight ahead, folding her laps tightly in her lap.
“You know…” Ben beamed as he studied the sight of the two of them next to each other. “Ella’s had quite a difficult time lately. Haven’t you, sweetheart”
Ella nodded obediently.
“Her father died just last year. Car accident. Terrible thing. Left the family in quite a bind, financially speaking. And her mother, poor woman is in the hospital right now. Cancer, you know. The doctors say she needs surgery, but…” He spread his hands sympathetically. “Two hundred thousand dollars. Where’s a young woman like Ella supposed to find that kind of money?”
I listened intently, wondering where exactly Ben was going with this.
“She’s been working multiple jobs just to pay for her mother’s treatments. Had to drop out of college, can you believe it? And her brother…” He shook his head in disgust. “Worthless. Probably spending whatever money he gets on drugs or gambling. So it’s all on Ella’s shoulders.”
I resisted the urge to snort. This story was obviously fabricated. Poor Ella even looked shocked. The story was such a cliche, and I had a strong suspicion I knew who helped Ben whip this tale together.
It had to be Aleena. From how she’d ‘supported’ Ella all evening, I was certain she was in on this.
I turned to look at Alexander. His expression had barely shifted. The earlier warning signs were gone, leaving a stoic expression behind.
Alexander suddenly let out a breath and leaned back in his chair. He drummed his fingers against the armrest to his left, studying Ben.
“You know, Ben, I can’t help but notice we just finished a bottle of Roman?e-Conti from 1945. Fascinating vintage, really. Do you have any idea what something like that costs?”
Ben’s smile quickly faded. “Well, I…”
“Three million dollars.” Alexander shrugged. “Give or take. Which means we just consumed enough money to save Ella’s family not once, but fifteen times over.” He paused for effect. “Funny how tragedy becomes so much more manageable when you put it in perspective, don’t you think?”
You could cut the tension with a knife. Ella looked like she didn’t know whether to run or stay put. And as for Aleena, she was suddenly very fascinated by her nails.
But Alexander wasn’t finished. He turned his attention to Ella, who had gone rigid beside him, her face as white as paper. “Tell me, Ella, are you worried about your father’s spirit? Because honestly, if I were a dead man watching someone exploit my daughter’s grief for entertainment… Well, I might be inclined to pay a visit. Perhaps Ben should invest in an exorcist instead of matchmaking services.”
That did it. Aleena let out a snort of laughter that she quickly tried to cover with her hand. The other didn’t even try to hide their amusement. The entire room erupted in a fit of laughter, all to Ben’s obvious chagrin.
Ella’s head dropped so low her chin nearly touched her chest, causing her hair to hide the shame on her face.
“You think this is funny?”
The laughter stopped abruptly. We all turned to face Ben who was shaking in anger.
“You think I’m some kind of joke?”
Alexander smiled at him.
“I was trying to do you a favor,” Ben continued. “But if you’re going to be stubborn about it, if you don’t accept my arrangement, then maybe it’s time to stop asking nicely.” He straightened his shoulders in a challenging stance.
But Alexander didn’t seem the least bit bothered by him. If anything, his smile widened. “Oh, Ben. I was hoping you’d say that.”
*Olivia*
I remained where I was, watching the cold look in Alexander’s eyes. Ben must have realized his mistake, because he quickly took a step back and held his hands up.
“Look, Alpha Alexander, it’s not that I don’t want to help Ella. The girl is as stubborn as a mule. She’ll probably throw the money back in my face.”
Ella looked up at the brazen accusation. I almost laughed. Ben needed to keep his mouth shut. He was digging himself into a much bigger hole without realizing it. And from the look on Alexander’s face, he shared the same sentiment.
Alexander chuckled. “Stubborn, you say? How convenient for you. You have another excuse.”
“It’s not an excuse…
Chante 114
“Then prove it. Pay for her mother’s medical bills. Do it right now. Cover every single outstanding bill.”
All eyes left Alexander and shifted to Ben now. His mouth opened and shut, but no words came through. I watched his throat work as he swallowed, clearly wondering whether to submit or fight. He looked like a trapped animal, and I bet he knew he couldn’t win against Alexander. Best to give up now.
“Fine,” he muttered. “I’ll… I’ll take care of it.”
Alexander smiled widely. “How generous of you.”
As if propelled forward, Ella suddenly rushed to her feet and went to hide behind Aleena again. I didn’t blame her. We all knew Alexander wasn’t done with Ben. He wouldn’t let him off with just a flimsy promise.
“Since we’re celebrating your newfound generosity, perhaps we should toast with something befitting the occasion.” He gestured to the top shelf behind the bar, where bottles of aged whiskey sat. “The Macallan 25, I think. At eight hundred dollars a bottle, it seems appropriate for someone so… financially generous.”
Ben smiled proudly. “We have anything you want. Name it and I’ll have it in a glass for you.”
“A glass? Not the whole bottle? Come on, Ben, I thought you were better than that.”
His smile faltered, but he quickly recovered. “Why not? Like I said, anything you want.”
“Well, what if I want your entire collection? How much would that be? Four… five million?”
Ben’s face went pale. I could smell the surge of fear clinging to him. “Everything…?”
“Oh, forgive me,” Alexander waved his hands dismissively. “Perhaps that’s beyond your means? I do forget that not everyone shares the same… resources.”
I shook my head. That was a verbal massacre. Ben had definitely been asking for it all night, but that was a low blow, even for Alexander. I was horrified that he would throw his wealth in Ben’s face. It was like watching a cat play with a mouse. Every line was clearly delivered for Alexander’s amusement.
By 9:30, Alexander was done using Ben as a whipping boy. He glanced at his expensive watch, and rose from his chair.
“Well this has been…” Alexander sighed without completing the sentence. “I’m afraid I must retire for the evening. Tomorrow is another day, and I have… business to attend to.” he fixed Ben with a look that said, “unlike you.”
“1
“Wait!” Ben’s hand shot out and grabbed Alexander’s elbow, stopping him from moving. One menacing glance from him and Ben dropped his hand. “How about we grab some late dinner? I know this great place that’s open till midnight.”
And then, Ben did the oddest thing. Just as he said the last sentence, he turned to the men and winked at them.
Alarm bells went off in my head. This was clearly a trap. Ben hadn’t been able to get anything out of Alexander yet, and this was just a ploy to buy himself more time. It wasn’t going to happen.
“Oh, I’m afraid that’s impossible,” I said, stepping between them. “Alexander’s dietitian has strict instructions. No eating nine-thirty.
Doctor’s orders.” It was a lie, but they didn’t have to know that. As long as it got him out of this mess.
Ben frowned. “His dietitian?” His gaze moved to Alexander. “Since when do you have a dietitian?”
I didn’t hesitate. “Since Mrs. Green specifically asked me to keep an eye on his eating habits.”
Mentioning Alexander’s mother was a risk, but it was worth it. Hopefully, Ben will drop this whole thing.
But he wasn’t buying it. His lips curved into a suspicious smile as he reached into his jacket pocket. He pulled out his phone slowly, watching my reaction. “Well, then. I suppose I should call Mrs. Green and confirm these… special instructions.”
I didn’t say anything. Neither did Alexander.
He dangled the phone in my face as if it was some type of weapon. “I’m sure she’ll be very interested to hear about your concern for her son’s wellbeing.”
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?