CHAPTER 95: SABOTAGE

[Two Days Later—An Uptown Cafe]

"So he is leaving?" Evelyn asked, taking a sip of her morning coffee.

Alexander nodded. "Dad thinks with everything that he has done over the past few months, it’s better if he stays away for a while."

When Evelyn hesitated to say something, he asked, "Is everything okay?"

"Don’t get me wrong but do you think he is ready for that?" When he did not say anything, she further explained, "I mean, I have known Jack for more than two years now and I don’t think he was or will ever be ready for that kind of responsibility."

Alexander agreed with what Evelyn was trying to imply. But since his father was too adamant about it, he had no other choice but to go with it.

Before he could say something, his phone vibrated sharply against the dining table.

He glanced at the screen and his brows drew together and the warmth in his eyes vanished instantly.

Evelyn froze with a spoon halfway to her mouth. "Alexander, what happened?"

He didn’t answer immediately. He stood, grabbed his coat and inhaled sharply through his nose as if holding back a storm.

"I have to go," he said quietly.

Evelyn’s worry spiked. "Is everything okay?"

"Work emergency." He gave her a tight, brief kiss on the forehead. "I will call you."

And then he left.

Evelyn watched him walk out with tension clinging to his entire body and something was wrong, very wrong.

....

[Reid Enterprise — Alexander’s Office]

Carl was already waiting outside when Alexander arrived, his face pale and his hands clutching a tablet nervously.

"Start talking," Alexander demanded before Carl could even greet him.

Carl swallowed. "Sir, the Heinberg project has been halted by the regulatory board."

Alexander’s stare sharpened. "Why?"

"They received an anonymous complaint at dawn. Someone reported that the construction teams were bypassing structural safety protocols." He paused. "The board sent inspectors immediately. Sir, they found enough irregularities to shut the site down until a full investigation is completed."

Alexander felt the drop in his stomach like a hit.

"Impossible," he said. "I reviewed every structural plan myself. Nothing was out of line."

Carl nodded frantically. "Yes, sir. Which is why this doesn’t make sense. Everything was perfect but whoever filed the complaint they also submitted photos."

Alexander’s head snapped up and he frowned. "Photos?"

Carl nodded again. "But none of those violations match the real blueprints. It looks like someone tampered with the construction steps at the site, just enough to raise suspicion."

Alexander’s eyes darkened. Someone had staged this.

Before he could process it, the doors slammed open.

Benjamin stormed inside, fury radiating off him.

"Did you hear?" he barked.

Alexander nodded stiffly. "Carl just informed me."

Benjamin paced once, then leaned over the desk. "This isn’t an accident. Someone fed the regulatory board exactly what they needed to shut us down."

Alexander’s jaw flexed. "I know."

Benjamin breathed heavily, rage simmering under his skin.

"Call Jack," he finally snapped.

Carl nodded and quickly hurried out.

....

Moments later, Jack walked in with a polite smile which seemed a little too polite.

He entered the room pretending he had no idea why he was summoned.

"What’s going on?" he asked lightly.

Benjamin didn’t waste a second and said, "The Heinberg project has been halted. Someone tipped off the regulatory board about safety violations."

"What?" Jack widened his eyes in shock. "That’s terrible. How did that happen?"

Alexander watched him carefully.

Jack noticed the stern look his brother and father were giving him but he ignored them and continued his act of innocence, "Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked, stepping closer with concern plastered all over his face.

Benjamin narrowed his eyes. He saw the micro-expression, the tiny flicker of satisfaction Jack couldn’t hide fast enough.

And Alexander saw it too.

"You seem very calm," Alexander said slowly. "Considering this is one of the largest projects in the company which you were going to be a part of.

Jack forced a laugh. "Because panicking won’t solve anything, big brother."

Benjamin’s voice was dangerously low. "Jack, where were you yesterday afternoon?"

Jack’s eyes flickered barely but enough was enough.

"I was at work," he answered.

Benjamin stepped closer. "Doing what exactly?"

Jack swallowed once. "Just reviewing files, talking to teams—"

"Which team?" Alexander asked.

Jack hesitated again and that hesitation told them everything.

Alexander leaned back, crossing his arms. "The tip-off was anonymous. The board received detailed information only someone with internal access could provide."

Jack stiffened. "Are you accusing me?"

Benjamin’s voice was cold enough to frost glass. "We are suspecting you."

Jack’s eyes widened in fake offense. "I would never sabotage my own family’s project," he said but his voice trembled.

Alexander’s stare turned lethal. "We will find out soon."

Benjamin cut in sharply, "Get out now. We will call you if we need you."

Jack clenched his jaw but masked it with a stiff nod, then walked out.

As soon as the door closed, Benjamin exhaled roughly.

"That boy did something," he muttered. "I know the look he had."

Alexander nodded. "And he was too prepared with his reaction."

Benjamin rubbed his forehead. "If this project gets stuck for months, it will delay everything, the expansions, partnerships and Jack’s transfer."

Alexander looked up. "Maybe that’s why he did it."

They exchanged a tense, silent understanding.

Jack was trying to stay in the city which meant he was trying to stay close to Evelyn.

Benjamin stayed silent for a while before asking, "Is there any other project we can put him in? Any business tour or—"

Alexander shook his head. "Nothing at the moment."

"Then make one," Benjamin gave Alexander a stern look. "If you want to get married in peace, without any problems crawling your way, you will come up with something."

Alexander’s expression darkened. His father was once again trying to manipulate him and it was again working because he also didn’t want Jack around.

"How would you feel if your wife’s ex-boyfriend is at the wedding too?" When Alexander frowned, Benjamin scoffed, "It will sting, right?"

.....