Chapter 9 Russian Roulette #3
Anita’s lips twitched with suppressed laughter.
“While you were insisting he meet Janet privately, your daughter-in-law sat there with complete indifference. Not a single reaction. She kept eating her breakfast as if it didn’t matter one bit that Mr. Graves was going to meet another woman.
And Mr. Graves? He completely lost it—stormed out of the house just now! ”
Camila burst out laughing, the sound echoing through the phone. Anita pressed a hand to her mouth, stifling a giggle, her shoulders shaking slightly as she tried not to draw attention from Mia, who remained serenely focused on her breakfast.
“Goodness,” Camila said between laughs, the amusement dancing in her tone. “That boy gets angry at everything… and now he’s got a woman completely indifferent to him? What a perfect match!”
Anita’s eyes sparkled as she nodded, a slow smile curling at her lips. She leaned slightly toward the phone, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. “It’s like magic. Nothing fazes her.”
Camila’s laughter bubbled up again, rich and infectious. “I tell you, that Alexander never listened to me… but now… he’s completely wrapped around this girl’s finger? Finally, I am getting my revenge!”
Anita bit back another laugh, her chest rising with a quiet snicker. “Exactly,” she murmured, shaking her head in awe.
“Alright,” Camila said, finally regaining composure, her voice softening as she hung up. “I’ll take care of them now.”
Moments later, Mia’s phone buzzed on the table. She paused mid-bite, the spoon hovering just above her plate, then picked up the phone with a fluid, unhurried motion. She held it to her ear, tilting her head slightly as if listening carefully. “Hello, Mrs. Graves?”
Camila’s voice flowed through the line, sweet and teasing. “Are you still going to keep calling me, Mrs. Graves?”
Mia blinked, a faint flush creeping up her cheeks, and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I… I’m sorry. I’ll call you mom from now on.”
“Good girl,” Camila said warmly, a note of approval in her tone. Then it softened further, carrying a hint of request. “Mia, can you do your mom a little favor?”
Mia’s posture straightened instinctively, her dark eyes brightening as she leaned slightly forward, attentive and ready. “Of course,” she said immediately. “What is it?”
“There is a document that I need signed,” Camila explained. “Could you take it to Alexander’s office personally? It’s important, and I don’t want anyone else handling it. Will you do this for me?”
Mia’s lips curved into a small, confident smile, her fingers lightly tapping the phone as she nodded. “Of course,” she replied without hesitation. “I’ll go right now. Don’t worry, Mom.”
***
On the other side of town, in the sleek, glass-walled CEO’s office of Empire Realty Group, Alexander stormed in, his tie half-loosened and fingers gripping it tightly as he yanked it down in frustration.
He stopped abruptly in the center of the room, the silence following him heavy and sharp, like the calm before a storm.
Then he spun toward Allen, his eyes dark and furious. “What the fuck did she mean?!” he roared, voice sharp enough to make the walls shake.
Allen jumped back instinctively, eyes wide at the outburst. He swallowed hard, forcing a nervous laugh that did nothing to calm the tension. “M-Mr. Graves… what are you talking about?”
Alexander’s chest rose and fell with rapid, shuddering breaths. His hands shot to his waist, fingers curling into the leather belt as if holding himself together. His eyes, dark and smoldering, locked onto Allen’s with a weight that made the assistant’s stomach churn.
His voice dropped to a low, seething growl, each word sharpened with restrained rage. “Even after she hears I’m meeting another woman privately… sitting, talking, laughing with her alone in a damn room… she’s completely indifferent? What the fuck does that mean?!”
Allen stammered before he could think, words tumbling out. “That she doesn’t care, Mr. Graves?”
Alexander whipped around, deathly glare piercing Allen.
Allen flinched violently, his throat tightening. “I—I mean… Mrs. Graves is very… shy. Maybe she’s… sad about it behind your back, but she didn’t want to show it in front of you.”
Alexander’s stance softened fractionally, though tension still rippled through every line of his body. Hands on his belt, jaw clenched tight, he repeated slowly, “She’s sad… behind my back?”
“Yes, yes! Absolutely,” Allen babbled, trying to explain. “I think so… Mrs. Graves is reserved, timid… she just couldn’t show her feelings openly.”
Alexander’s jaw tightened, annoyance flickering across his face as he gave Allen a sharp look. “Did I say I was talking about Mia?”
Allen chuckled nervously, sensing the danger in his own words. “Mr. Graves, which other woman have you ever had by your side that you cared about this much?”
Alexander’s eyes shot daggers at him. Allen froze, mouth clamping shut instantly.
With a cold glare, Alexander turned away, returning to his desk, his movements still tense.
Allen hesitated, about to leave, when his phone rang.
“Yes?” he answered
“Hi, Allen. Miss Mia Bennett is here to deliver some documents for Mr. Graves. Should I send her in?” the receptionist asked.
Allen said quickly, “Wait a moment. I’ll inform Mr. Graves.” He turned toward Alexander. “Mr. Graves, the receptionist says Mrs. Graves wants to deliver some documents to you.”
Before Allen could finish, Alexander slid out of his chair and was already heading for the door.