Chapter 77 Dont Get the Wrong Idea
During the lunch break, Gavin knocked on the door of Alexander's private lounge.
"Sir, something has happened to the Winters family."
The door opened and Alexander stepped out.
Gavin moved closer.
"Noah somehow found out that Mrs. Horton was detained. He skipped school and ran out, then was hit by a car and taken to the hospital. Mrs. Winters collapsed at home from the shock and was also rushed to the hospital."
Alexander's face darkened.
"Get them the best doctors. Make sure they're both all right."
Gavin forced himself to continue.
"Sir, the Winters family retained Attorney Coleman and has prepared the documents to apply for Mrs. Horton's bail. Mr. Winters wants to see you."
Alexander checked the time on his watch.
"Prepare the car."
He had just reached the office door when Violet pushed her way inside.
"Why did you stop Lucas from helping Elsa? What exactly are you trying to do?"
Alexander's expression hardened.
"Don't ask questions that don't concern you."
Violet blocked the doorway.
"You keep Serena Whitmore and her son outside the marriage, but you won't let Elsa divorce you. You want both women. You're a scumbag, and scumbags always end up paying for it!"
"Enough."
Alexander's voice dropped dangerously.
"Violet, say one more word and I'll send you abroad immediately. Maybe then you'll learn some discipline."
The threat sobered her at once.
If Alexander said he wanted her sent away, their grandfather and father would agree without hesitation.
Even her mother would not be able to stop it.
Violet moved aside reluctantly and let him leave.
At one that afternoon, Alexander entered Margaret's hospital room.
Harold and Noah were beside the bed.
The instant Noah saw him, he clenched his fists and stood, but Harold barked at him to stay where he was.
Seeing that Noah was not seriously injured, Alexander walked directly to Margaret's bedside.
He bent slightly, his manner perfectly respectful.
"Mom, are you feeling any better?"
He truly was the Horton heir.
No one could fault his manners when he chose to perform them.
Margaret looked at him once, then turned her face away.
Alexander straightened.
"Dad, Mom. My assistant said you wanted to see me?"
Everyone in the room knew he was pretending not to understand why.
The Winters family was furious, but for Elsa's sake they could only endure it.
Harold glanced at his wife and lowered his head.
"Alexander, we hired Attorney Coleman to apply for bail for Elsa. We still need a guarantor."
Alexander answered calmly.
"Dad, I can find one for you. But I have a condition."
Harold and Margaret exchanged a look.
Alexander continued.
"A husband and wife are supposed to stand together. If you can persuade Elsa to give up the divorce, you won't need to do anything else. I'll guarantee she gets through this safely."
Margaret struggled upright in the hospital bed.
"Even if we lose everything we own, we'll still make sure Elsa divorces you."
Her answer did not surprise Alexander.
"Dad, Mom. Daniel has accused Elsa of retaliating against me for marital infidelity by leaking Horton Group's confidential documents to a rival company. If the charge is proven, she could face three to ten years in prison and a fine."
His voice remained steady.
"Ten years could destroy her entire life. It could also affect Noah's education and future."
Noah tore free of his father's grip and rushed at Alexander.
"Stop trying to scare us. Worst case, I quit school. I don't care!"
Alexander put a hand on Noah's shoulder.
Noah immediately slapped it away.
Alexander's expression did not change.
"Noah, you're still young. When you're older, you'll understand how important your education is."
Harold pulled his son behind him.
His face was grim.
"Even if we bankrupt ourselves again, we won't let our daughter go to prison. We'll find another way."
Alexander was silent for a moment.
Then he said, "If Elsa agrees to come home, not only will I keep her out of prison, I'll support her career without conditions. I can give her the highest status, the best living conditions, and financial security for the rest of her life. Isn't that what parents would want for their daughter?"
Margaret's voice trembled.
"But that isn't what Elsa wants."
Alexander did not deny it.
"Mom, we're all adults. We have to learn to weigh benefits against costs. My mother has always loved Elsa and treated her like her own daughter. She has both your love and my family's support. Staying beside me will be far happier for her than spending years in prison."
He looked at them both.
"Horton Group's legal department works quickly. If you want to save Elsa, give me an answer soon."
With that, he turned and left the room.
After Alexander was gone, Noah looked at his parents in panic and anger.
"Dad, Mom, isn't there any other way to get Elsa out?"
Harold sighed.
"We've tried everything we can think of. Otherwise your mother and I would never have gone to him."
Silence settled over the room.
Harold looked at Margaret.
"I called Attorney Coleman earlier. He's withdrawn from Elsa's case. I doubt any lawyer in Saintville will dare stand against the Horton family's legal team."
His voice broke slightly.
"If Elsa really goes to prison, her life will be ruined."
Margaret began crying quietly.
"But Alexander has another woman and a child outside the marriage. Going back to him will only make Elsa suffer."
Noah clenched his fists.
"The police will prove Elsa is innocent. We don't have to bow to the Hortons."
Justice?
Harold and Margaret looked at each other.
They had lived through the Winters family's prosperous years and the ugliness that followed bankruptcy.
They understood too well that fairness often belonged to the people powerful enough to write the rules.
Harold swallowed his guilt and spoke softly to his wife.
"Blame me for being an incapable father. If the choice is between Elsa losing ten years of her life in prison and returning to the Horton family, I'd rather she go back. At least she'll still have her career, her friends, and her family."
Margaret buried her face in the blanket and cried.
At one in the morning, Alexander received Harold's call.
At five, he went into the shower.
At exactly eight, a black luxury sedan stopped outside the detention center.
Not long afterward, Gavin hurried to the car.
"Sir, Mrs. Horton is coming out."
Alexander paused in the middle of lighting a cigarette.
He looked up.
Elsa walked through the gate.
After a day and two nights inside, she looked exhausted and unwell.
Alexander discarded the cigarette and walked toward her.
The moment Elsa saw him, she changed direction and tried to pass around him.
Alexander caught her wrist.
Elsa raised her other hand to slap him.
Without changing expression, he caught that wrist too, stopping her hand in midair.
They stared at each other at close range.
Alexander said, "Your parents asked me to come pick you up. Don't get the wrong idea."