Chapter 638
Not overlook this threat
“Gabriel wouldn’t let me join,” Louis complained with a heavy sigh, his gaze fixed gloomily on his glass of whiskey. He tilted his head to look at Karmen. “Did you even try asking him?”
“No. Gabriel is firm in his decision,” Karmen stated flatly. “Why are you so adamant about joining the Alpha Prince’s circle anyway?”
“I told you my reasons the other day,” Louis murmured. He took a long, final sip, draining the glass before setting it down. “I think I’ll have to speak to his wife. I’ve heard he never refuses anything Amelie asks of him.”
“And how exactly are you going to manage that?” Karmen chuckled with a tone of skepticism.
“I have my ways,” Louis stated. He looked down at his empty glass with a taste of bitterness in his voice. “I’ve helped Gabriel with countless tasks over the years. He could have at least considered bringing me into the inner circle,” he muttered. He paused, his expression shifting to something more somber. “By the way… Has Ophelia disappeared for good?”
“Yes,” Karmen replied firmly. “Her existence has ceased.”
“When you first told me how she controlled every aspect of Gabriel’s life, I couldn’t believe it,” Louis remarked, shaking his head. “I always thought he was just arrogant, but it turns out his heart was bigger than anyone realized.”
“I didn’t know you thought about me behind my back,” Gabriel’s voice reached their ears, bringing both of them to their feet.
Gabriel entered the private lounge with Denzel following closely behind. Denzel offered Karmen a quick wave and a bright smile before shifting his gaze to Louis.
“Gabriel, I didn’t expect you here,” Louis remarked, leaning back as the three men settled into their seats around the low table.
“Will you have a whiskey, or should we order something else for you?” Louis asked, reaching for the menu.
“I don’t drink,” Gabriel replied simply.
Louis let out a short laugh, shaking his head. “Don’t lie to us.”
“It is the truth,” Gabriel said, devoid of humor. “I gave up drinking the moment I decided to pursue Amelie. And now that I have a son, I prefer to stay clean. I have no desire to approach my boy while smelling of liquor.”
Louis smiled, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “It turns out the Prince has become much softer than I ever imagined,” he commented.
“That isn’t true,” Gabriel countered.
“Oh, really?” Louis challenged, leaning forward. “I can count on one hand the moments lately where you’ve chosen calmness over violence. Do you realize the people practically worship you now? They aren’t trembling in your shadow anymore.”
“I’d like a mocktail,” Denzel interrupted, sensing the tension and effectively bringing their sparring to a halt.
Gabriel ignored the comment about his reputation, instead tilting his head toward Denzel. “Why isn’t Carlos here yet?”
As Denzel checked his watch, Karmen signaled for the waiter. He placed an order for two non-alcoholic fruit drinks and a fresh bottle of whiskey, knowing Carlos would want nothing else when he finally arrived.
“Louis, I’ve reconsidered. I will let you join us,” Gabriel stated. “I believe you can assist both my Beta and Gamma. I want you to start by looking into Alex.”
Louis frowned, his glass pausing halfway to his lips. “Amelie’s ex? But isn’t he dead?”
At that moment, Carlos walked in, sliding quietly into the seat beside Denzel without a word.
“He should be,” Gabriel admitted, his expression darkening. “But this evening, a thought struck me: what if Ophelia revived him? Her goal was always to sow chaos between Amelie and me. She was already aiding Alex’s parents. That is why I refuse to take any risks. I remember giving the order to leave his body for the scavengers in the dump yard, but Ophelia was alive at the time.”
The waiter returned, moving efficiently to set the fruit drinks and the whiskey on the table. Once the man had retreated from the private area, Gabriel leaned forward, his gaze shifting to the newcomer.
“Carlos had a strange vision earlier this evening,” Gabriel revealed, “which made me decide that I should not overlook this threat.”
Louis glanced at Carlos, his skepticism replaced by a sharp focus. “What exactly did you see?”
“Alex,” Carlos replied, his voice low and hollow. “He was sitting alone in a dark room.”
“Ophelia’s hatred toward Amelie and me was beyond words,” Gabriel muttered, his jaw tightening. “Alex was the person who turned Amelie’s life upside down. Even when destiny was at play, Ophelia was always there, twisting the threads to suit her malice.”
“Noah is Alex’s biological son,” Karmen added gravely. “If he truly is alive, he poses a direct threat. He might try to harm the boy, or worse, try to take him.”
“As if I’d let him even cast a shadow over Noah,” Gabriel growled, his fury simmering just beneath the surface. He reached for his fruit drink, draining it in a single go to temper the heat rising in his chest. He turned his piercing gaze back to Louis. “So, Louis, your first task is clear. I was hoping you could find out everything there is to know about Alex’s current state. If he’s out there, find him.”
“I will,” Louis affirmed, assuring him.
~~~~~
Flora logged out of the system, the blue light of the monitor fading as she gathered her things and headed toward the elevator. She pressed the button for the first floor, stepping at its end. Just as the doors began to slide shut, a hand shot between them, forcing them back open.
A man stepped in, his face obscured by a low-hanging cap. He stood in the corner without a word, pulling the brim even lower.
Flora frowned, a prickle of unease rising in her chest. She had been certain she was the only one left on the floor. The silence in the small space felt heavy. Without looking directly at him, she slid her phone from her pocket and quickly dialed the first contact on her list.
Her heart raced as Zander’s line continued to ring without an answer. A quick glance at the display panel told her she still had four floors to go that felt like an eternity in the cramped space.
She was just dialing her mother’s number when the elevator doors slid open. Flora’s breath hitched in relief as she found herself face-to-face with Katelyn, who was holding Sage’s hand.
“Hey, Flora!” Katelyn waved, stepping into the elevator with Sage. Flora managed a polite greeting to them both, acknowledging Sage in his role as the company’s director.
“Working late?” Katelyn asked in a friendly tone.
“Yes, just finishing up,” Flora agreed, her tension easing slightly.
“That’s good. You’ve always been hardworking,” Katelyn noted. “Both VIP elevators are under maintenance tonight, so we’re stuck with the common ones.”
“Oh, I see.” Flora’s gaze flickered toward the man standing silently in the far corner. Katelyn followed her eyes, her friendly expression shifting into a frown as she took in the shadowed figure.
“Who are you?” Katelyn asked firmly just as the doors chimed open at the lobby.
The man didn’t answer. Instead, he bolted out of the elevator, disappearing into the darkness of the main hall. The three of them stood there, bewildered by his sudden flight.
“Sage, you should have security check the cameras immediately,” Katelyn suggested as they stepped out into the lobby. “That man was giving off a very strange vibe.”
“I’m on it,” Sage stated.