Marriage with my daughter's father: Darling please be gentle - Chapter 144

Chapter 144: Chapter 144: What… what does this even mean, David
“Who is that man, by the way? And why do you want to know about him?” Niko asked, eyeing Gina from the side as they sat inside the coffee shop.

Gina paused, her cup halfway to her lips, and stared at Niko thoughtfully before setting it back down.

“First, tell me—will you be able to find him?” She asked, her fingers tracing the rim of the cup.

Niko frowned, leaning back in his seat with his arms crossed over his chest.

“To find someone, I need a few details. If you don’t tell me who this person is, I can’t exactly trace him,” he said flatly.

Gina hesitated, her thoughts tangled with memories she had long buried in the darkest corners of her heart. But after seeing him that day, peace had eluded her.

Niko waited, watching her in silence until finally, she spoke.

“Unfortunately, he’s someone I know… and yet, someone I don’t,” she murmured.

Niko’s brow creased. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Let’s just say… he’s a part of my past. And now I want to know why he’s here,” she replied, her tone sharp with an edge of unresolved emotion.

Gina had never wanted to speak of that man, not to anyone. But if she wanted to track him, she knew she had to be honest with Niko.

“And his name?” Niko prompted, sensing her caution.

She held his gaze for a long moment before finally answering, her voice dropping lower than the room’s quiet hum.

“Alexander.”

Even speaking his name sent a chill through her. She had never wanted to cross paths with him again, but his unexpected presence had stirred too many questions—and now, she needed answers.

Niko’s fingers glided swiftly over the keyboard, his eyes scanning the screen as lines of information popped up in front of him. Within moments, he leaned back slightly, lips quirking into a half-smirk.

“It’s been a while since Alexander set foot in this city,” he began, his voice calm but sharp with interest. “He’s been living in a neighborhood away from the usual buzz, keeping things low-key. But here’s the interesting part—he met someone recently.”

Niko paused, glancing at Gina as the curiosity deepened in her frown.

“And that person,” he added, sliding the tablet across the table toward her, “is none other than Eric Spencer.”

The moment the name left his mouth, Gina’s expression shifted. Her eyes darkened as she snatched the device and scanned the screen, each word hitting her harder than the last.

“What’s Eric doing with Alexander?” She murmured under her breath, more to herself than to Niko. “And for how long have they known each other?”

Niko leaned back, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “That’s the real question,” he replied. “But here’s the thing—apart from this one breadcrumb, there’s nothing else. The moment I tried digging deeper… he wiped it all.”

Gina’s gaze snapped to him. “Wiped it?”

“Yeah,” Niko drawled, his tone laced with mild frustration. “Just like that. Clean sweep. Every trace, gone. Whoever Alexander is working with—or whoever he is—he knew someone would come looking.”

Gina tightened her grip on the tablet, her mind spiraling with more questions than answers. The fact that both Alexander and Eric were tangled in something and going to lengths to stay hidden only made her instincts buzz louder.

***

[Penthouse]

“Why aren’t you leaving me?” Winter asked softly, her arms still wrapped around Kalix, holding him close even as the question left her lips.

Kalix arched a brow, pulling back just enough to look down at her. A teasing glint sparked in his eyes as he motioned toward her arms, still locked securely around him.

“Are you sure it’s me who isn’t letting go?” He countered, the corner of his mouth lifting in amusement.

Winter hadn’t expected her heart to grow so fond of his presence, but there he was—like a calming breeze, washing over her and erasing every trace of her worries. His nearness was enough to silence the chaos that always lingered in her mind.

A blush crept across her cheeks, and without thinking, she buried her face against his chest to hide it.

“Whatever,” she mumbled, her voice muffled but tender. “It’s still you who isn’t leaving me.”

Kalix chuckled softly, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. He let her cling to him, holding her without a word, content to stay wrapped in the quiet comfort of the moment.

But fate, as always, had other plans.

The sharp ring of her phone shattered the stillness, cutting through the peaceful bubble they’d created. Winter flinched slightly, reluctant to let go, but the moment was gone.

“I guess it’s time to part, for now,” Kalix said, watching as Winter reluctantly pulled away from his embrace.

She reached for her phone on the table, glancing at the screen—and the name flashing there made her sigh.

“Gina,” she muttered under her breath before answering. Lifting the phone to her ear, she didn’t bother to hide her irritation. “You really know how to ruin a mood, you know that?”

Her tone, laced with playful displeasure, made Kalix chuckle quietly before he turned and strolled into the restroom, giving her some privacy.

On the other end, Gina snorted. “Were you in the middle of getting banged? But you sound way too calm for someone who’s been thoroughly wrecked.”

Winter rolled her eyes at Gina’s usual shamelessness. “Spoiling the mood doesn’t always have to involve getting laid, Gina. Anyway, cut the crap—why did you call?”

Gina paused, unusually quiet for a moment, her silence stretching across the line.

“Gina?” Winter’s voice broke the silence, snapping her friend out of her trance.

Gina cleared her throat softly before speaking. “Winter… there’s something I need to ask you.”

Winter arched a brow, slightly amused by her hesitant tone. “Since when do you ask for permission before throwing your questions at me?” She teased lightly.

“You’re right, I usually don’t,” Gina admitted with a dry chuckle. “But this one feels different. I think the answer might… connect to both of us.”

Her words were laced with enough uncertainty to stir Winter’s curiosity. The lightness in her expression faded into something more thoughtful.

“Alright, go on,” Winter said, her voice steady. “I’m all ears.”

Gina took a moment, inhaling deeply as if bracing herself, and then finally asked, “It’s about Eric.”

The name alone was enough to wipe the remaining warmth from Winter’s face. Her body stiffened, and the cold edge in her voice returned as if the mere mention had triggered a switch.

“What about Eric?” She asked, her tone low and sharp, waiting — almost dreading — the answer that would follow.

***

Later that evening, David stepped into his study, intending to finish some of his pending work, when his eyes landed on an envelope resting neatly on the table.

His brows furrowed in curiosity. Without wasting a second, he picked it up and carefully tore it open. But the moment his eyes scanned the contents inside, his entire body stiffened — the words freezing him on the spot.

The silence in the room shattered as his voice roared in fury.

From upstairs, Dorothy, who had been in her room, rushed out the moment she heard him. She hurried to the study, only to find David gripping a servant by the collar, his rage practically suffocating the air.

“How could you not know who gave this to you?” David’s voice was sharp, cutting through the room like a blade. “Are you so tired of working here that you want me to fire you?”

The servant trembled under the weight of David’s murderous glare, stammering for words, but none came.

Dorothy’s chest tightened as she watched the scene unfold, anxiety clawing at her. She moved to stand beside David, trying to make sense of the situation.

But David had already made up his mind.

“Get out!” he snapped, his voice laced with finality. “And don’t ever show me your face again.”

The servant bowed his head, his face pale with fear, and stumbled out of the room as fast as his legs could carry him.

Dorothy watched the servant disappear down the hall before finally stepping into the study. Her eyes shifted toward David, who was now pacing restlessly, his entire posture radiating fury.

“What’s going on, David? Why would you lash out at the servant like that? He was just doing his job,” she said carefully, her voice soft but edged with concern.

David halted mid-step and shot her a sharp glare, his bloodshot eyes cutting through her like a blade.

“You think I’ve lost my mind, Dorothy? You think I’d fire him for no reason?” His voice was low, but the fury behind it was unmistakable. “Do you even know what was in that envelope?”

The coldness in his tone made her stomach tighten. Dorothy had seen her husband angry before, but never like this. Whatever was in that letter, it wasn’t ordinary — she could feel it deep in her bones.

David tilted his chin toward the desk. “Look for yourself.”

Her gaze followed his, landing on the discarded envelope lying ominously on the table. Slowly, almost reluctantly, she reached for it. The moment her eyes scanned the note inside, her breath hitched, and she felt the ground slip from beneath her.

Her voice trembled. “What… what does this even mean, David? Is someone watching us—?”

“Not watching,” he cut her off, his voice grim and steady. “They’re clearly threatening us.”