Chapter 6 - Blood and Business
I shrank back into my chair, my hands trembling as I stared at the man who could only be Victor Hale.
I had never met Alexander's father, but I had heard the terrifying rumors about the ruthless patriarch of the Hale empire.
Alexander immediately stood up, positioning himself between me and his father.
"You are not welcome here, Victor," Alexander said, his voice dangerously low.
Victor ignored his son completely, leaning heavily on his silver cane as he analyzed me like a piece of cheap merchandise.
"I leave the country for three months, and you legally bind our family to a middle-class nobody with a trainwreck of a family," Victor sneered.
My mother, sensing an unexpected ally, eagerly rushed over from the head table.
"Mr. Hale, I completely agree with you!" my mother interjected, desperately trying to save face.
"Emily manipulated your son, she is a pathological liar, and we want this marriage annulled just as much as you do."
Victor slowly turned his head to look at my mother, his lip curling in profound distaste.
"Do not speak to me, you pathetic, thieving woman," Victor commanded sharply.
My mother physically recoiled, her face turning crimson with fresh humiliation.
"I know all about the sixty thousand dollars you stole from your own son's bank account," Victor continued loudly.
"I own the bank you tried to wire the money through, you foolish peasant."
Lucas gasped aloud, collapsing back into his chair as Chloe began to cry silently beside him.
Victor turned his cold, predatory gaze back to Alexander.
"You have until tomorrow morning to sign the annulment papers I brought with me," Victor demanded.
"If you refuse, I will strip you of your CEO title, freeze your trust, and erase you from the Hale legacy."
Alexander didn't flinch, his posture remaining perfectly straight and unyielding.
"Keep your money, keep the company, and get out of my sight," Alexander replied without a second of hesitation.
Victor's eyes narrowed, clearly shocked that his ultimate threat had no effect.
I felt a sudden, sharp pain tear through my abdomen, causing the room to spin violently.
The stress of the evening, the screaming, and the sheer terror of Victor's presence suddenly became too much for my body to handle.
I tried to stand up, but my knees buckled instantly beneath me.
"Emily!" Alexander shouted, catching me before I hit the floor.
Everything faded into a blurry, muted haze as my husband lifted me into his arms and sprinted toward the exit.
When I finally opened my eyes, the harsh fluorescent lights of a hospital room blinded me.
Alexander was sitting by my bed, holding my hand with tears streaming down his face.
"You're awake," he whispered, pressing his lips to my knuckles.
The doctor walked into the room, holding a tablet with a gentle smile on her face.
May you like
"Mrs. Hale, your stress levels caused a minor fainting spell, but your vitals are stable now," the doctor explained.
"However, you need to avoid any more extreme stress, especially for the sake of the baby."
