Chapter 46 Daddy
The car had barely left the airport when Alexander's phone rang.
After the call, he told the driver to stop at Noah's school first.
When Noah enrolled, Alexander had listed his private number as an emergency contact because Elsa's parents were getting older.
A teacher had just called to say Noah had been in a fight. They couldn't reach his sister, so the call had come to Alexander.
At the school's disciplinary office, several administrators hurried forward the moment Alexander entered.
One middle-aged man spoke respectfully. "Mr. Horton, we're sorry to trouble you personally. The other student's parents refuse to let the matter go."
Families at this elite private school were either wealthy or powerful. The administrators couldn't afford to offend any of them.
Alexander nodded politely and walked straight to Noah.
He noticed a bruise at the corner of the boy's mouth, and his expression slowly darkened.
"Are you hurt anywhere else?"
Noah slapped his hand away. "None of your business."
Then he turned his back.
The administrators exchanged nervous looks.
One quickly explained, "Our investigation shows Noah argued with another boy during break. Noah threw the first punch. He refuses to explain why and won't cooperate with our request that he apologize."
Alexander listened without interrupting.
Then he walked over, placed one hand on Noah's shoulder, and turned him around.
"I'm asking again. Are you hurt anywhere else?"
Noah twisted free and swung at him.
Gavin silently wiped sweat from his forehead.
If Alexander hadn't caught the punch in time, the president of Horton Group might have shown up tomorrow with a black eye courtesy of his teenage brother-in-law.
Alexander gave Gavin a look.
Gavin immediately guided the school administrators into the office next door.
Once the door closed, only Alexander and Noah remained.
Alexander's expression hardened. "Why won't you explain what happened?"
Noah glared and headed for the door.
Alexander caught his shoulder and stopped him.
Noah's eyes reddened as he fought back.
Alexander defended rather than attacking, but Noah was no match for him. Within a few exchanges, Alexander had him pinned into a chair.
"I let you learn taekwondo so you could protect yourself, not so you could start fights."
Noah struggled. "Horton, let me go! Fight me properly!"
A vein jumped near Alexander's temple.
"I'm your brother-in-law. Watch how you speak to me."
Noah's eyes burned. "You had a child with another woman and made my sister cry. You're not my brother-in-law!"
Alexander's gaze darkened.
He slowly released him.
Noah stood, flexed his arms, and looked ready to fight again.
Alexander softened his tone.
"What happens between your sister and me is our marriage. As long as we aren't divorced, I am still your brother-in-law, and I still have the right to discipline you."
He looked directly at Noah. "Now tell me why you fought."
Noah refused to play along.
"My sister doesn't want you anymore. You're not my brother-in-law, so you can't tell me what to do."
Alexander stared at him for a long time.
Neither looked away.
Finally, Alexander said, "Come home with me. I'll have your sister tell you herself whether I'm still your brother-in-law."
"I won't speak to you again for the rest of my life!"
Noah kicked over the chair and ran from the office.
Alexander gripped the edge of the desk, his face dark with frustration.
Gavin cautiously returned.
"Mr. Horton, the other family has been handled. Noah's homeroom teacher and the disciplinary director are talking to him. Perhaps you should leave for now. The school will send an update later."
Alexander nodded.
"Tell them he's probably entering a rebellious stage. They should be careful with their tone. Talk to him properly."
Gavin nodded obediently.
Privately, he thought this wasn't adolescence.
Noah clearly wanted Alexander dead.
Back in the car, Alexander received another call.
Seeing the name, he pinched the bridge of his nose before answering.
Serena's excited voice came through.
"Alexander, where are you? I made dinner for you, and—"
He interrupted her.
"Don't trouble yourself. My wife is waiting for me at home. You and Ethan should rest early."
He ended the call.
At that same moment, inside Alexander and Elsa's marital home, Serena stood before a mirror holding her phone.
She was wearing a seductive nightgown.
She pulled Ethan closer.
"Ethan, would you like Uncle Alexander to be your daddy?"
The child clapped happily. "Yes, Mommy!"
Serena hugged him, calculation hidden behind her smile.
"Then when Uncle Alexander comes home, try calling him Daddy. If he answers you, maybe Ethan will have a father from now on."
Ethan ran downstairs excitedly.
Serena smiled with satisfaction.
Dressed like the mistress of the house, she slowly followed him down.
Victory was written all over her.
At eight that evening, the black luxury sedan entered the gates.
Alexander checked the time.
The school detour had cost him nearly three hours.
He picked up the gift he had brought for Elsa and got out.
Warm light spilled through the open living-room doorway.
His expression softened.
Elsa was probably inside waiting with dinner.
She had excellent taste. He was curious to see what she had done with the renovation.
Alexander took his suitcase from Gavin.
"Go home. I'll handle the rest."
He entered and set down the luggage.
Then he looked around and frowned.
Distressed cabinet doors.
Antique-bronze handles.
The clean glass-and-marble feature wall replaced by arched carved woodwork.
Elsa had always preferred modern, minimalist interiors.
Why had she turned the house into a soft French-country style neither of them liked?
She must still be angry with him.
Perhaps the entire renovation was another way to irritate him.
Then Alexander looked down and saw a pair of matching men's slippers waiting by the entrance.
Some of the tension left his brow.
Fine.
If she had come home, she could decorate however she wanted.
Alexander changed into the slippers and glanced at the gift in his hand.
At that moment, Serena appeared behind him in her revealing nightgown with Ethan beside her.
"Alexander, you're finally home."
He spun around.
Ethan ran forward, wrapped his arms around Alexander's leg, and cried happily,
"Daddy!"