"I haven't come here to fight, Axel. I can see you're still into using fresh blood to achieve your goals," Maxi, who's a woman in her late 20s, said as she took in Alethea's face in disdain.
Axel's expression darkened, his voice taking on a sharp edge. "You don't dare talk to me like that, Maxi! What the hell are you doing here!?" he repeated.
Maxi pretended to be scared of his raised voice, and she took a step back before raising her hands in a defensive gesture.
Alethea saw the glint of amusement in her eyes, and she could sense that she was really enjoying the confrontation.
"You really have to take chill pills, Axel. If you know what crucial role I play in your enterprise now, you wouldn't be here yelling at me like you just did," Maxi cooed, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Also, about your nightmare secret... I know the whole story behind it now. Don't you think it's better we reconcile?" she added, with a sly smile playing at the corner of her cheek.
"Stop spitting nonsense, bitch! What are you here for!?" Axel snapped, his patience wearing thin.
Alethea could sense the anger simmering beneath the surface, but she remained silent.
Maxi, however, seemed to be enjoying the scenario, and a wry smile wouldn't stop spreading across her face. "Awww, you still got that in you. Well, the real thing is, I want us to discuss business in my apartment tonight," she said, finally sounding serious.
Her words, like a dropped bombshell, made Alethea's eyes widen in curiosity, mixed with annoyance. She couldn't help but wonder who she was, and why she was being so provocative.
"Did you just say business? You must be sick, Maxi," Axel spat in disgust and turned to leave with Alethea.
But then, Maxi's next words brought him to a halt.
"After you, I now have the highest shares in the company," she announced, her voice dripping with triumph. "I'm the top 2 shareholder of your company, Axel. Your aunt transferred all her shares to me."
Her words hung in the air like a challenge, and Alethea's eyes instantly snapped to Axel's face, watching as his expression changed from anger to shock. There, she realized the woman wasn't totally a stranger.
"Also, about your nightmare secret, I'm serious about knowing the whole truth behind it," Maxi added, her voice dripping with malice. "I know you're not what everyone seems to think you are, Axel. If you don't want me to spill the beans right here in front of all your prestigious business partners, you better cooperate with me, starting from here."
Her words were like a thinly veiled threat, and Alethea could sense the tension between her and Axel escalating.
But then, Axel suddenly dropped her hand for Maxi's, before forcefully dragging her out of the hall.
As Alethea watched both of them disappear into the crowd, she stood frozen, looking puzzled on the spot.
Just then, a man looking mesmerizing in a tailored wine suit suddenly showed up in front of her. "Hello, hot princess," he said, making her snap out of her thoughts.
As Alethea took in his chiseled features and piercing grey eyes, she saw him smiling brightly at her, with his lips curled up in a charming way.
"Uhmm, hello," she replied abruptly, in a daze.
"You seemed to be lost in thought when I got here. You must be curious about her... I mean, the woman your husband walked out with," the strange man uttered in a low and smooth voice.
Alethea couldn't help but be more dazed by his words, but she deliberately kept mute.
The man didn't seem to mind her silence and continued talking. "Oh, sorry, my bad. I'm actually an old friend of your husband. You can call me Carlos," he added with a smile, and then stretched out his hand for a shake.
Alethea's eyes narrowed slightly, observing the man. After so much hesitation to dismiss him outright, she finally waved the thought off and took his handshake slowly.
"Such delicate skin," Carlos complimented, rubbing her palm.
"Can you let go, please?" Alethea muttered, looking into his eyes, as his hold suddenly became firm on her.
But Carlos didn't listen. Instead, his grip tightened the more.
