Chapter 218

Alexander POV

The office door burst open, and Ella rushed in, barreling straight into me and collapsing into my arms. I wrapped my arms tightly around her, still seated in my chair.

“What the hell is going on?” I asked, my voice a mix of concern and confusion.

August, who had been sitting across from me, looked more alarmed than I’d ever seen him. He stood, rushing to close the door behind her.

“I just met with Elizabeth,” Ella said frantically, her voice trembling. “We’re in trouble.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, my concern growing. What could she have told her that would result in this kind of reaction?

She looked back at the door, then shakily got to her feet, stumbling slightly.

“Ella, breathe for me,” I instructed, catching her before she could fall. I held her steady, my mind racing.

She was the second person to run to me like this in just a couple of days. Things were spiraling out of control, and I was losing my grip on the situation. It frustrated and terrified me.

Ella took a deep breath, closing her eyes. After a few more steady inhales, the trembling in her fingers eased. She opened her eyes, her gaze locking onto mine.

“Elizabeth had a secret meeting with Dr. McIntyre,” Ella said, her voice trembling with urgency. “And the doctor gave her some information that we didn’t have before. It may involve you.”

Ice ran through my veins at her words. “Involve me?” I asked, keeping my voice calm but careful.

“They’re rumors,” she said quickly, “that some revolutionary group is involved in this scheme against the king. But I think that’s the least of our worries.”

“What could be more concerning than that?” I asked, my heart pounding in my chest.

Ella hesitated, glancing down at her feet before continuing. “Rumors have started spreading that Sabrina’s child is yours.”

“Sabrina’s child?” I repeated in disbelief. My mind raced as I processed her words.

The timeline fit. And if this was part of what Diana and Archer were planning to leak to the press… it would fit with the scandal that Ella had recalled from the first timeline.

An illegitimate child would be disastrous for my campaign—under the best circumstances. But in the middle of the chaos we were already caught in, it could be catastrophic.

“Is that why you’re so upset?” I asked gently, my voice quiet, as I watched her carefully.

Ella shook her head, her eyes filled with emotion. “No.”

“No?” I asked, surprised.

“The little girl… she looks a lot like you,” Ella said, the faintest ghost of a smile crossing her lips. “But I know, if she is yours, you didn’t know about it. You would’ve told me, and I don’t think you’re the kind of man who would abandon his own child.”

A warmth I wasn’t expecting filled my chest at her words. To know she had such unwavering faith in me, despite everything she’d learned, settled like a heavy comfort in my heart.

“Then why are you so frantic?” I asked, stepping closer, my eyes searching hers. She was breathing deeply, trying to steady herself. Whatever she had to tell me, it was truly upsetting her.

I waited, my own breath still as I glanced at August, who looked completely lost.

“According to Dr. McIntyre…” Ella started slowly, her voice heavy with the weight of her revelation, “the person behind this whole scheme— the one trying to take over the kingdom by controlling the election from the shadows—is Ironfang.”

August cursed loudly, and I heard something slam into the wall.

Ella stared at me, her eyes searching mine for a reaction. I met her gaze, steady but now fully understanding the gravity of the situation.

I had suspected this… though I hadn’t wanted to admit it.

“Well, if that’s true, then the good doctor has a death wish,” I said blankly.

“Now is not the time for jokes,” August snapped angrily, his voice sharp.

“Isn’t it?” I shot back, turning my gaze to him. “Because the idea that anyone would betray that bastard is a joke. If he’s truly involved in this…”

“You know him?” Ella asked, her voice tinged with shock. She reached out, grabbing my arm and forcing my attention back to her.

“It’s just the kind of thing he would do,” I muttered, frustration clear in my voice. “That power-hungry—”

“Alexander,” Ella interrupted, her voice suddenly sharp, “You know him.”

I froze, her grip on my arm anchoring me in place. The room seemed to close in as my mind raced.

“Yes,” I said quietly, meeting her gaze. “I know him.”

Ella POV

My mind was spinning, almost dizzy with the overwhelming thoughts. I resisted when Alexander insisted I go up to the apartment and try to settle myself, but he was right. Eventually, I allowed August to escort me upstairs.

I could tell that August was just as off-balance as I was. I’d never seen so much anger from him—he was practically vibrating with it as we entered the elevator.

“What’s really going on here?” I asked as the doors closed. “Alexander’s trying to protect me from something. How does he know Ironfang?”

“They used to work together,” August said. I was surprised by his willingness to answer. “When Alexander first got involved in that world, Ironfang was assigned to guide and teach him by the Northern King. Alexander’s hatred of him had been instant. I could tell there was more to it, something familial, but Alexander refused to consider any of them his people.”

“I know,” I said softly, the weight of it sinking in. “He rejects them.”

“As much as he can safely do so,” August added. “He’s not powerful enough to completely resist the Northern King. No one is.”

I nodded, feeling numb, heavy with the weight of that reality. The thought of Ironfang looming over everything made my chest tight.

“So there’s really nothing we can do about this?” I asked, the hopelessness in my voice. “Elizabeth was right. We’re powerless.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” August said. “But we need to give Alexander time to think this through. If anyone can stand against Ironfang, it’s him.”

I felt comforted by August’s words, and even more so by the fact that he trusted me enough to speak them openly.

We stepped out of the elevator and froze.

There was someone standing at the apartment door.

We couldn’t see her face, but I recognized her instantly.

“What the hell is Diana doing here?” I whispered.

August shook his head. “Try to stall her here,” he whispered back. “I’ll go get Alexander.”

“Okay,” I agreed, and August quietly stepped back into the elevator.

“Hello,” I called in greeting. “Can I help you?”

I saw the flicker of irritation cross Diana’s face before she replaced it with a practiced smile. “Oh, Ella,” she said, her tone falsely warm. “I was hoping you'd be out. I need to have a private talk with Alexander. You wouldn’t happen to know where he is?”

“Well, it is the middle of a workday,” I replied coolly. “So I’d assume he’s working. Surely the secretary informed you of that when you checked in downstairs?”

“Checked in?” She chuckled lightly. “To visit my own son? No.”

“You could have called ahead,” I offered, trying to keep the situation calm.

“I happened to be in town,” she said with a shrug. “So I thought I’d surprise him. But since I have you alone for a moment, I think there’s something you and I should discuss. Why don’t you open the door? We can talk in private.”

“This is a private floor,” I replied, standing my ground. “No one’s going to overhear.”

“Have it your way,” she said icily.

Diana stepped towards me, invading my personal space. Her eyes locked on mine. “It’s time you know the truth about Alexander,” she said. “I should have told you before the wedding.”

“I know the truth about Alexander,” I replied, my voice steady. I didn’t back away from her, though every fiber of my being screamed to.

“You think you do,” she said, her smile thin and mocking. “But do you really know it all?”

“Enlighten me,” I said, my voice cutting, the challenge clear.

I was confident that I knew everything there was to know about Alexander. But as her words hung in the air, anxiety crept up in me. Was there something more she had kept hidden? Even from him?

Or was this just another attempt to drive a wedge between us?

“Well?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “What is it you have to tell me?”