Alexander's heavy footsteps echoed like a death knell against the marble floor of the grand foyer.
The estate staff pressed their backs against the walls, their heads bowed. None of them dared to make eye contact. They remembered the boy who was thrown out twelve years ago. The man who returned carried an aura of absolute, suffocating violence.
L. Thorne pushed open the double doors to the main living room. Alexander walked in, his hands casually tucked into his trouser pockets.
Percival Conway sat in his high-backed leather armchair, his knuckles white as he gripped his cane.
Footsteps hurried down the grand staircase. Genevieve Conway, Alexander's biological mother, rushed into the room. Her eyes filled with tears the moment she saw him.
"Alex," Genevieve choked out, taking a step toward him, her arms lifting.
Alexander didn't move. He just looked at her. His eyes were so empty, so devoid of any filial affection, that Genevieve froze in her tracks, a sob catching in her throat.
Johan sprinted down the stairs right behind her, placing himself between Alexander and his parents like a rabid guard dog.
Alexander ignored Johan completely. He walked over to the custom-made velvet sofa, pulled a single chair away from the matching set, and sat down. He crossed his legs, claiming the space as if he already owned the deed to the house.
"What is the meaning of this?" Percival barked, his voice shaking with anger. "You break down my gates like a common thug? Did Wall Street teach you to forget your manners?"
Alexander chuckled. It was a dark, scraping sound. He reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a folded piece of paper, and tossed it onto the glass coffee table.
It was a photocopy of the Marriage Certificate.
Johan's eyes darted to the paper. He saw the names. He saw the red seal of the City of New York.
A guttural scream ripped from Johan's throat. He lunged forward, his hands reaching to tear the paper to shreds.
L. Thorne moved faster. He grabbed Johan's wrist, twisting it sharply behind his back, and forced Johan down. Johan's knees hit the marble floor with a sickening crack. He groaned in pain but continued to thrash wildly.
Percival stood up, pointing his cane at Alexander. "You married that ruined girl just to spite your brother? You are making a mockery of marriage just for revenge!"
Alexander stopped smiling. The temperature in the room plummeted. His eyes locked onto Percival, burning with a twelve-year-old hatred.
"Not just him," Alexander said, his voice dropping to a lethal whisper. "All of you."
Alexander leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "You threw me out for a bastard because you thought he was easier to control. Now, your company is bleeding cash, your stock is plummeting, and I just bought thirty percent of your debt."
Genevieve covered her mouth, weeping silently.
Alexander stood up. He walked over to where Johan was kneeling on the floor, restrained by Thorne. Alexander looked down at him with absolute disgust.
"I took your biggest acquisition deal last month," Alexander taunted softly. "And last night, I took the only woman you've ever obsessed over."
Johan looked up, his eyes bloodshot and leaking tears of rage. "She doesn't love you! She signed a piece of paper for money! She's just using you to hide!"
Alexander casually adjusted his left cuff, his wedding band catching the light. "I don't care why she signed it. Her place is in my bed. She carries my name. That is all that matters."
The words hit Johan like physical blows. He stopped struggling, his body going limp with despair.
Alexander pulled out his phone. He dialed a number and put it on speaker.
"PR Department," a crisp voice answered.
"Release the press statements," Alexander ordered. "Full distribution. Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Page Six. I want the world to know Alexander Briggs is a married man."
"Yes, Mr. Briggs."
Percival's face turned ashen. "No! If you do this, the Christensen family will pull out of Johan's engagement! You will destroy our credit!"
Alexander ended the call. He didn't even look at his father.
He turned to Genevieve, who was trembling violently. "Enjoy your house, Mother. It's going to be auctioned off very soon."
Alexander turned on his heel and walked toward the doors. Thorne released Johan and followed his boss.
Johan collapsed onto the floor, his face pressed against the cold marble. "I'll kill you!" he screamed at Alexander's retreating back.
Alexander paused in the doorway. He didn't turn around.
"Stay away from my wife, Johan," Alexander said, his voice echoing in the silent hall. "Or next time, I won't just break your wrist. I'll break your neck."
