Chapter 301
Alex’s lips twisted into a mocking grin as the security guards closed in, circling like vultures eyeing fresh meat. “So that’s it, huh? You’ve decided to settle this with fists instead of brains p>
Charles sneered, stepping forward with a smug confidence.
“You might be ex-military, Alex, but these men aren’t rookies-they’re elite-trained killers. You’re outmatched. Hand over those shares quietly, or we’ll beat them out of you until you’re puking your guts up alongside your precious stake p>
Alex chuckled coldly, eyes flashing with defiance. Maybe, just maybe, he would’ve reconsidered had they approached him respectfully.
But threats? They were begging for trouble.
“Cute speech, Charles. You really think scaring me is that easy? Careful, boy—your arrogance is showing p>
Charles’s face flushed red, fists clenched at his sides. “You worthless bastard! Who do you think you’re talking to p>
“Charles, that’s enough!” Mr. Dune barked, his voice booming like a gunshot.
“Alex owns those shares legitimately. Miss Jasmine gave them to him personally. If you want them back, use some dignity-not brute force p>
“Stay out of this, old man!” Charles spat venomously. “You’re just hired help. This isn’t your business.” Mr. Dune’s eyes widened, his breath hitching sharply, ready to unleash fury on the younger man, when Jessica sharply intervened, grabbing his arm.
“Dune, know your place,” she hissed icily. “This is family business. Keep your nose out p>
Turning her cold, disdainful gaze onto Alex, Jessica continued smoothly, “And you, Alex. A wise man recognizes when he’s outmatched p>
“You can’t hold onto these shares without consequence. Hand them over quietly. Countless fools have met ruin not for what they’ve done, but simply for holding onto things that never belonged to them p>
“With your past and bleak future, all you’re doing is inviting disaster. Don’t you think your life is worth more than that p>
“That sounds an awful lot like a threat, Mrs. Kingston,” Alex retorted, unwavering.
He had long felt Jessica’s disdain, sharpened especially when Jasmine publicly declared her love for him.
It seemed Jessica’s grand plans of marrying Jasmine off to some rich aristocrat had crumbled—and Alex was the scapegoat.
Jessica’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Call it friendly advice. Know your limits, Alex. Without Jasmine’s protection, you’d be nothing but street trash. Know your place p>
Her resentment ran deeper still, fueled by the humiliation Charles faced when Alfred disowned him.
Jessica blamed Alex entirely—for Jasmine’s rise, Charles’s fall, and all the chaos unraveling in her carefully crafted world.
“Funny you should mention limits,” Alex snapped back coldly, his voice like ice cracking under pressure.
“The Emerald Elixir was my invention, my sweat, my success. Jasmine gave me shares as payment-fair and square. I don’t care about them one bit, but I won’t let you stomp all over me p>
Jessica slammed her hand violently onto the table, rattling glasses and nerves alike as she shot upright.
“Watch your mouth, Alex! I’ve been patient with you, but you’re pushing it. One more word, and you’ll wish you’d never crossed me p>
Alex met her fury head-on, voice dripping contempt. “Oh, so I’m the villain now, huh? Fine, I’m done playing nice. Those shares stay with me-end of story p>
Charles stepped forward, a savage glint in his eyes, ready to incite further violence.
“Forget diplomacy, mother. Let’s just seize him. I have plenty of ways to break this stubborn dog until he begs to give us exactly what we want p>
Alex smirked. “Go ahead and try, mama’s boy p>
“Mrs. Jessica, think twice before you cross a line you can’t come back from,” Mr. Dune warned sharply.
“If you harm Alex, Miss Jasmine and Mr. Alfred will never forgive you. This’ll sever what’s left of your relationship forever p>
Jasmine stiffened visibly, the stark warning cutting deep.
Her bond with Alfred and Jasmine was already frayed beyond recognition. Another reckless decision could tear it apart completely.
Jessica’s gaze shifted uneasily to Charles.
Ever since Alfred had cast Charles out, every penny was monitored by Alfred’s hawk-eyed financial team, leaving Jessica helpless whenever Charles asked for money.
When Charles brought up needing assistance to snatch the Kingston Pharmaceutical shares from Alex, Jessica felt this might finally be her chance to help her son.
It was absurd, she thought bitterly, to let an outsider like Alex control shares that rightfully belonged to her own flesh and blood.
She would never accept Alex holding Kingston’s fortune.
From the corner, a man who had been silently observing suddenly spoke.
“Mrs. Kingston, I underestimated how difficult retrieving these shares would be. Need me to handle this? I promise you, I’ll have this punk begging to hand them over in minutes p>
Alex’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
“And just who the hell are you?” His voice dripped with venom. This stranger had set off alarm bells from the moment he’d walked into the conference room.
Clearly, another mess Charles had dragged in.
“Name’s Hernandez—Zane Hernandez,” the man replied coolly. “My father is one of the Chicago Lords. Maybe you’ve heard of us p>
“Interesting,” Alex sneered. “And how do you know Dupont p>
The Chicago Lords were notorious, and after Dupont’s failed attempt to steal their Emerald Elixir, it seemed another faction wanted a shot.
Zane chuckled dismissively. “Dupont’s ajoke, the weakest link in the five families. Chicago Lords rute far beyond Dupont’s petty games. This time, I speak for all of Chicago. Your options are simple-take the ten million, surrender your shares quietly, or prepare for war with the Lords p>
Alex smirked darkly. “Here’s a counteroffer: leave now or prepare yourself to be my enemy p>
“Come again?” Zane’s expression twisted with disdain. “You realize what you’re saying, kid? Making an
enemy of the Chicago Lords is like signing your death warrant p>
Alex remained unshaken. “First, don’t pretend you speak for every Chicago family. Second, do you honestly think your gang rules beyond your city? This is Vancouver, not your playground p>
Zane laughed harshly, eyes glinting dangerously.
“I admire your nerve, kid. It’s been a long while since someone dared speak to me like that. But arrogance
comes at a high price p>
He turned cold eyes to Jasmine and the others. “As for you, if this brat doesn’t comply, you’re gonna have to pay his debt. Either way, we’re leaving here with half of those Emerald Elixir shares-as Charles promised p>
Jessica’s face blanched at the threat, panic flashing across her features.
The reality hit hard—if Alex stood firm, they’d all pay the price. Zane had cornered them ruthlessly.
They tried to unleash the tiger on Alex, but the beast wouldn’t touch him. Instead, it turned on them—mauling
its own masters and tearing them apart.
“I’ve said what needs saying,” Zane announced, rising arrogantly. Charles stood as well, smirking
triumphantly.
“Remember, Vancouver might feel tough, but it’s nothing compared to Chicago. Alex, if Kingston falls, it’ll be
because of you p>
They turned toward the door, but Alex’s cold command cut through the tense silence. “Stop right there p>
Zane spun back, sneering contemptuously. “Finally coming to your senses? Thought you’d hold out longer, but I guess everyone has their limits p>
Jessica sighed audibly, relief washing over her. “Alex, at least you’ve regained some sense. We could’ve avoided this if you’d been sensible earlier p>
Slowly, deliberately, Alex rose to his feet and approached Zane.
His eyes flashed dangerously, his every step oozing confidence.
Without hesitation, he slapped Zane fiercely across the face, the crack echoing through the room.
“You’ve wasted enough of my time,” Alex growled, voice ice-cold and merciless. “Now apologize—or better
yet, crawl out on your knees p>
Shocked silence gripped the room.
Jessica and the others stared open-mouthed, stunned by Alex’s brazen defiance.
The air thickened with tension, leaving them paralyzed in disbelief.