CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 46 WARNING

Zion sat silently beside Leonardo, swirling the red wine in his glass with slow, thoughtful motions. His gaze drifted lazily across the table until it paused on Alexa.

She was staring.

Her eyes hadn’t moved from Leonardo’s face for minutes now, wide and fixed like she was trying to memorize the curve of his jaw or the way his fingers held the glass. Not even blinking, not even hiding it.

Zion’s own eyes narrowed slightly, the glass pausing at his lips.

Did she forget he’s married?

He didn’t say it aloud. He never did. Zion rarely spoke unless necessary, but his eyes glistened with something unreadable, curiosity, amusement...

He slowly shifted his gaze to the other side.

Alan was far too drunk to notice anything. One woman was whispering in his ear, the other feeding him something sweet from her fingers.

Zion took a small sip of his wine. He didn’t interfere. He just watched everyone.

"How’s your married life treating you?" Casper finally asked, swirling his wine with a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Leonardo didn’t even look up. "Fine," he said simply, taking another slow sip of his whiskey.

"Fine?" Casper laughed loudly, leaning back in his seat with exaggerated amusement. "That’s it? Man, you didn’t even take your childish little wife on a honeymoon. And you’ve been away for what—two months now?"

He raised an eyebrow playfully. "Don’t tell me you already dislike her?"

Across the table, Alexa’s red lips twitched into a small smile, which she quickly tried to hide But her eyes... they sparkled with quiet satisfaction.

Leonardo didn’t respond immediately.

He set the glass down on the table with a faint clink, his gray eyes finally lifting—calm, unreadable, and sharp as a blade. His gaze cut across the table, settling on Casper for a moment too long.

"I don’t dislike her," he said flatly. "But not everyone parades their private life around for entertainment."

That silenced the everyone for a brief beat.

Casper chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Zion raised an eyebrow and Alexa’s smile faltered just slightly.

Leonardo stood from the booth, fixing the cuff of his black shirt with a sharp flick of his wrist.

"It’s getting late. I should get going," he said simply, placing the empty glass down with finality.

Without another word, he walked out of the VIP lounge, his steps calm and precise, drawing attention as always.

Alexa immediately stood up, her heels clicking against the floor as she hurried to follow him. "Leo—wait!" she called, her voice softer now, almost breathless.

Outside, the night air was cool. Leonardo walked straight toward his car, his driver already opening the door.

But before he could step in, Alexa caught up to him and grabbed his wrist.

His body froze.

His eyes dropped to where her fingers clutched his wrist like a lifeline and when he looked up again, his face was cold, sharp, unreadable. In one swift motion, he yanked his hand away, brushing her off like dust.

"I know you’re not happy with your marriage!" Alexa said quickly, stepping in front of him. Her voice trembled with urgency. "I know everything, Leo! Why you married so suddenly—who she is—what kind of woman she really is!"

Leonardo’s expression didn’t shift, but his stillness was louder than any threat.

"She’s... she’s not who you think!" Alexa continued, desperate now. "That girl—she’s a white lotus! She’s winning people with her fake innocence and weakness. Don’t fall for it, Leo. You’re smarter than that!"

He stared at her in silence for a moment that stretched too long. The intenseness of his gaze made her shiver.

Then finally, he spoke–voice low and lethal.

"If you ever touch my wife’s name again with that mouth..." he stepped closer, just a fraction, "you won’t be able to speak at all."

Alexa’s breath caught.

He turned away without another glance, got into his car, and the door shut behind him like a final warning.

She stood frozen, the night air suddenly colder than before.

"You know he’s married," came Zion’s calm voice from behind, smooth as silk but carrying a quiet warning.

Alexa turned slowly, arms folded across her chest, her eyes still locked on the direction Leonardo’s car had disappeared into.

"But what’s the use of being married," she said sharply, "if he doesn’t even like his wife?"

Zion took a few steps closer, hands tucked into the pockets of his dark coat, his silver chain catching the dim streetlight.

"Whether he likes her or not," he said softly, "Leonardo is possessive about everything that belongs to him."

Alexa’s eyes narrowed, but Zion continued, voice low and honest.

"Don’t try to challenge that, Alexa. Not unless you’re ready to lose."

She scoffed, turning her face away with a stubborn tilt of her chin.

Zion’s tone shifted, gentler now. "I’m telling you this because... you’re like my sister to me."

He looked at her sincerely, his sharp eyes gleaming not with mockery but concern.

"Don’t cross a line that can’t be uncrossed."

"I’m like your sister? Hahahaha," Alexa laughed loudly, tossing her hair back with amusement. "Zion, don’t pretend. I still remember—you used to like me when you were sixteen. Don’t deny it."

Zion raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable.

"And Alan?" she went on, "He loved me. Until I told him I liked Leonardo. That’s when he started sleeping around and turned into a playboy. And Casper? He’s always been worry-free... the only one who doesn’t take anything seriously."

Zion let out a quiet hum of amusement, though he didn’t correct her. Let her believe what she wanted.

But the truth? Alan didn’t become a playboy because of Alexa. That was just the excuse he let people believe. Zion still remembered the night Alan got drunk and finally told him the real reason.

It wasn’t Alexa.

Two years ago, Alan had been in a bad car accident, one that nearly took his life. And just before he passed out from the pain, a girl in white had pulled him from the wreckage, admitted him to the hospital, and vanished before he even saw her face clearly. She left no name, no trace.

"She smelled like flowers and blood," Alan had slurred, staring into his whiskey. "She saved me, then disappeared like a ghost. Since then, I’ve been looking."

Zion hadn’t laughed at him then. Not because he believed in fairytales but because he saw how haunted Alan looked.

So no, Alan didn’t become reckless because Alexa broke his heart. He became reckless because he couldn’t forget the one who disappeared.

As for Zion himself... yeah, maybe he had liked Alexa once. A fleeting, shallow crush when they were younger. Mostly because she was the only girl who ever stuck around them like one of the boys. That "like" faded in a month.

It was never real.

And now, as he watched her smirk and spin her stories, he only said one thing—

"People believe what they want to believe, Alexa. But the truth doesn’t need approval." Then he walked past her.

Alexa laughed to herself, the sound low and smug, as her heels clicked softly against the pavement.

Honestly, she didn’t understand what the world was so confused about.

She was rich.

She was smart.

She was famous.

And undeniably beautiful.

People worshipped her—not just for her looks, but for her presence. For how confidently she walked into a room, how cameras followed her without needing to call them. She was the kind of woman who didn’t need to chase. She was chosen.

And yet... Leonardo Moretti still hadn’t chosen her.

She scoffed softly under her breath.

And for what? That little quiet thing? That weak girl who barely knew how to dress, who smiled too softly and clung to her plush toys like a child?

Isabella wasn’t competition. Not in Alexa’s eyes.

"She’s just a little pretty," Alexa murmured to herself, folding her arms as she leaned against the wall near the valet. "But that’s it."

No power. No influence. No fire.

And from what she’d heard and believed with her entire being—Leonardo hadn’t even touched her. Not once. Not a kiss. Not even a night in the same bed. Their marriage was nothing more than a signed contract.

That meant she still had time. Still had a chance because Leonardo wasn’t a man who tolerated weakness.

That girl may have fooled his mother, his brother, and even his guards with her soft eyes and trembling voice, but Alexa had known Leo for years.

And she had never seen him with a single woman.

That was the only mystery.

What kind of woman does he like?

She had a feeling she was close to figuring it out. And when she did, she’d make sure Isabella was nothing more than a temporary footnote in Leonardo’s life. A mistake to erase.

Because Alexa didn’t like to lose. Not when the prize was him.

With her head held high and confidence radiating from every step, Alexa walked gracefully toward her red car parked near the entrance. The valet immediately opened the door for her with a respectful bow, his eyes avoiding direct contact, well-aware of who she was.

She didn’t spare a glance toward the small cluster of paparazzi lingering by the far end of the street.

She didn’t need to.

They wouldn’t dare flash a camera without her say-so.

Most of them were already on her payroll directly or indirectly. The rest? Well, a single call from her agency was enough to make sure only flattering angles and perfect headlines made it to the gossip columns.

She slid into the backseat of her luxury car, crossing her legs elegantly as the door shut with a soft click. Her driver started the engine, knowing better than to speak without invitation.

She leaned back in the plush leather seat, her red lips curving into a cold smile.