Ribbons Unbound: My Fiancé's Lingering Regret novel Chapter 91

On the drive home, I asked William about Alexander's situation.

He sighed, then explained.

"The Sterling empire - it's a mess. Alexander's grandfather wants to hand over full control of the company to him after the marriage. But his aunt Victoria? She's convinced the company should be split between her husband and Alexander's father."

"The problem is," William continued, "those two are disasters in business. Especially his uncle - lost millions in a hedge fund scam. If Alexander hadn't stepped in, half the family fortune would've vanished."

Victoria, unable to change the grandfather's mind, turned her attention to sabotaging Alexander instead. The marriage arrangement became her primary target.

"Alexander was watching Victoria, but he never expected her to use her own teenage son," William shook his head. "He didn't pay more attention to his cousin. That's how he got drugged tonight."

I absorbed this information, grateful our family was simpler - just us three, with no scheming relatives in sight.

Before I could comment, William's phone rang. I glimpsed Castro's name on the screen.

Since William was navigating a tricky turn, I hesitantly answered on speaker.

"William, has Aveline returned home?" Castro's voice was urgent.

William shot me an amused glance. "Yeah, how'd you know?"

"I..." Castro paused. "Could I speak with her? Please?"

William's smile widened. "She's right here, mate. Speaker's on."

I finally confessed everything. When I finished, he pulled me into a fierce hug, tears in his eyes.

"I should've warned you about Oriana. This isn't your fault - it's mine for trusting the wrong person."

I shook my head, touched by his protectiveness. "I should've known something was wrong when he wouldn't go public or meet you for seven years."

"You've got Alexander now," he squeezed my shoulder. "I stake my life on him being worthy."

We thought Castro, proud as he was, would disappear after William's outburst.

But the next morning, as we sat around the breakfast table, our housekeeper announced someone was insisting on seeing me.