Chapter 74 Is It Fun Playing With Me?
From the second-floor corner, Alexander watched Elsa leave.
He did not chase her.
Lucas sighed.
"The divorce hearing is in three days. Tonight Elsa announced your divorce in front of the entire room. That's the second diamond ring she's thrown away. She's not coming back, Alexander. Let her go."
Alexander's expression remained blank.
He took the ring Violet brought back and left without a word.
Bad news traveled fast.
By the next morning, Saintville's elite circles were full of one story:
Alexander Horton cheated, keeps an illegitimate child outside the marriage, and is now going through a divorce.
Alexander was summoned urgently to the family estate.
His grandfather and parents were in the large living room. Two of his uncles were there as well.
Charles erupted the moment Alexander arrived.
"I told you long ago to cut this cleanly. You refused. What did dragging it out accomplish?"
He slammed a hand down.
"Now every important family in Saintville has heard the rumor. They're waiting to laugh at the Hortons."
Alexander's uncles joined in.
"You're the man leading Horton Group. If this damages your reputation, the company takes the greatest loss. You need to think carefully."
Eleanor sighed.
"Before the hearing, find Elsa and settle it privately. Divorce peacefully."
Alexander sat opposite them, quiet and composed.
"Whether I divorce is my private matter. Even as my elders, none of you has the right to decide for me."
Old Mr. Horton's cane struck the floor with a dull crack.
"Horton Group is the work of generations. You are the heir. You cannot carry scandal. If you cannot end this crisis and divorce that Winters girl cleanly, don't blame me when I deal with her family without mercy."
Alexander, Eleanor, and Violet stood almost at the same moment.
Violet protested first.
"Grandfather, the Winters family is Elsa's family. They haven't done anything to you. You can't hurt them!"
Eleanor stepped in.
"Father, no matter what has happened, Elsa is still Alexander's wife. For his sake, don't target her parents and brother."
Old Mr. Horton was unmoved.
"Neither of you has a voice in this."
Alexander's eyes narrowed slowly.
"Grandfather, if you touch the Winters family, you will regret it."
Carson helped the patriarch stand.
Grandfather and grandson faced each other in silence.
Then Old Mr. Horton's voice became harder.
"Anyone who blocks your future or Horton Group's growth will be removed. I don't care whether her surname is Whitmore or Winters."
Alexander's hands clenched at his sides.
"Before the hearing, every problem must be resolved. Leave no future threat. Otherwise, I guarantee you will be the one who regrets it."
They stared at each other for several more seconds.
Alexander turned and walked out.
Late that night, Alexander stood in his bedroom wearing a dark robe loosely tied at the waist.
A glass of liquor rested in his hand.
He stared at the wedding portrait on the wall.
Elsa in white leaned against him, smiling with uncomplicated happiness.
His phone lay on the bed on speaker.
Lucas's voice filled the room.
"You know exactly how ruthless your grandfather can be. If you keep resisting, Elsa won't be the only person who suffers. Her family will suffer with her. End it cleanly. Don't make Elsa hate you."
The call ended.
Silence returned.
Alexander stood before the photograph for a long time.
He lifted his glass toward Elsa's smiling face.
"Mrs. Horton. Welcome home."
The next morning, Elsa received a notice from Gavin.
She was to go to a specified location that afternoon to sign the divorce agreement.
He specifically told her to bring her lawyer.
Elsa immediately contacted Attorney Coleman.
The fact that Alexander had Gavin arrange the meeting made everything feel formal and impersonal.
Apparently her warning at the club had worked.
To protect his reputation, the Horton family, and Serena and Ethan, Alexander was finally willing to let her go.
At two that afternoon, Elsa and her attorney arrived at the designated conference room.
Alexander was already there.
He wore a dark business suit. His eyes settled naturally on Elsa as she entered.
Elsa glanced at the two lawyers sitting beside him and took the seat directly opposite.
Alexander said nothing.
He only watched her.
Coleman produced the prepared divorce agreement.
Gavin passed it to Alexander's legal team.
After the lawyers confirmed there were no obvious issues, Alexander finally spoke.
"I'll agree to divorce on one condition. You first surrender every piece of evidence you collected against me."
Elsa's eyes sharpened.
"Once you sign the agreement, I have no reason to use the evidence."
Alexander stood slowly.
He walked around the table and stopped beside her.
With one hand braced on the tabletop, he leaned down until their eyes were level.
His voice was cold and emotionless.
"Evidence first. Otherwise, there is no deal."
Elsa shot to her feet.
"Alexander, don't push me too far."
The evidence was the only leverage she had.
If she handed it over before the divorce was complete, Alexander's resources and methods would leave her powerless.
Alexander straightened.
"Then there's nothing to discuss."
He turned to leave.
Elsa was furious.
She had prepared everything and come across the city only for him to issue another threat and walk away the moment she refused.
She grabbed his arm.
"Alexander, is it fun playing with me?"
Alexander gave Gavin a subtle glance.
Gavin hurried over.
"Mrs. Horton, please don't be angry. We can discuss this calmly."
Elsa released Alexander and tried to leave.
Alexander caught her wrist in return.
Elsa jerked free, and her elbow accidentally struck Gavin.
His phone and water glass fell to the floor.
Elsa immediately bent to pick up the phone and discovered the screen was badly damaged.
"I'm sorry, Gavin. I didn't mean to hit you. Tell me how much the phone costs. I'll replace it."
Gavin glanced secretly at Alexander.
"Mrs. Horton, it's a company-issued work phone. I've used it for years. You don't need to buy a new one. If it can be repaired, that's enough."
Elsa hesitated.
"All right. I'll have it repaired as quickly as possible and return it to you."
Gavin glanced at Alexander again.
Then he said carefully, "Mrs. Horton, I'm the CEO's executive assistant. This phone contains confidential company files that cannot be exposed outside the company. Please use a reputable repair shop."