Marriage with my daughter's father: Darling please be gentle - Chapter 177

Chapter 177: Chapter 177: Why didn’t you listen to my orders?
Back in Kalix’s office, his eyes remained fixed on the door. Sean, seated to the side, followed his gaze, a flicker of caution passing through his features. The tension in the room thickened—and the moment the door swung open and Winter stormed in, Sean instinctively straightened.

Kalix wouldn’t have even known Winter had come to the office if he hadn’t called James after she refused to turn on her phone. But now, seeing her ragged breathing and the fire in her eyes, he knew something had set her off.

With a subtle glance, Kalix signaled to Sean, who took the cue and quietly left the room, giving the couple some privacy.

“I just can’t stand her,” Winter snapped, striding toward the desk. She yanked a chair out and sank into it across from him, slamming her bag down onto the table with a heavy thud.

Kalix leaned back slightly, observing her without a word. He already knew exactly who she was talking about. Dianna. And truth be told, he wasn’t any happier about her return either. His grandfather’s decision to reinstate her—despite everything—was one he couldn’t come to terms with.

Winter’s jaw clenched as her thoughts spiraled. The way Dianna had mocked her earlier still echoed in her ears, the taunts disguised as politeness, the smirk behind every word. But Winter had made a silent vow—this time, Dianna wouldn’t get the chance to twist things in her favor.

“Relax, Angel,” Kalix said gently, his voice breaking through her storm of thoughts.

He noticed how flushed her cheeks had become, her eyes still blazing with fury.

Winter was like a cannonball when pushed too far—reckless, powerful, and unyielding. But this wasn’t the moment for impulse. Not when they needed to think strategically.

“She wants me to lose control,” Winter muttered, her voice quieter now but still taut with tension. “She wants me to lash out so she can play the victim again.”

Kalix reached across the desk and took her hand in his. “Then don’t give her that satisfaction. You already won the moment she dropped her act. Now we play smarter.”

Winter looked down at their entwined fingers, grounding herself in the touch. Slowly, her shoulders relaxed, though the fire in her eyes still flickered.

“I’m not letting her win this time,” she said firmly.

Kalix smiled, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “Neither am I.”

“But we can use her return as an opportunity to expose her,” Kalix added, his voice steady and calculated.

At that, Winter finally began to calm. The fury in her chest dulled into a simmer. Yes, seeing Dianna back at work had infuriated her—but the idea of watching her every move, of turning her schemes against her, brought a grim sense of satisfaction.

“She’s definitely here with a motive,” Winter muttered. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s planning to harm one of us.”

“She won’t lay a finger on you,” Kalix said firmly, cutting her off without hesitation.

Winter looked at him then, meeting his gaze. His expression was shadowed, his eyes darker than the night sky. There was no hesitation in his promise—only raw determination.

“You never know what she’s capable of,” Winter said quietly. “But I trust you, Kalix. I don’t trust her.”

Kalix’s jaw clenched slightly, but he nodded. “And that’s enough for me.”

They both knew the game had changed. The pieces were being moved again, silently, strategically. Dianna’s return wasn’t just an inconvenience—it was a warning. But also, perhaps, an advantage.

They hadn’t yet uncovered the full scope of the people who had betrayed them. But through Dianna, they now had a thread to pull—a thread that could unravel everything.

“She wants to play?” Winter said, a cold smirk forming on her lips. “Then let’s play. Only this time, we’re watching.”

Kalix leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. “Then it’s time we fastened our seatbelts.”

Once Kalix saw that Winter had finally cooled down, the fire in her eyes replaced with focus, he stood and walked over to her.

Trapping her in the chair between his arms, he leaned in slowly, his face mere inches from hers.

“Now tell me, wifey,” he murmured, his voice low and teasing, “why didn’t you listen to my orders?”

His eyes bore into hers, intense and unrelenting, making her breath hitch. Winter’s eyes widened slightly under the weight of his gaze.

“Or…” he continued, his lips curving into a smirk, “was that your way of saying you’re ready for another round?”

Winter’s jaw dropped at his audacity. She quickly looked away, fumbling for a response. “W-We’re in your office,” she managed, flustered.

Kalix’s smirk only deepened. “Ah, so you do agree with the suggestion—just not the location.”

Winter opened her mouth but no words came out. She simply stared at him, stunned into silence by his shamelessness.

Kalix chuckled softly, clearly enjoying himself.

Winter had never met a man as bold—and as shameless—as Kalix Andreas. But, against her better judgment, there was something undeniably flattering about the way he teased her, the way he always made her feel like the center of his world—even when she was furious.

And right now? That dangerous smile of his was doing more damage to her resolve than Dianna ever could.

Winter quickly composed herself and gave him a gentle push, though the smirk on his face did something strange to her heart.

It fluttered—wild and reckless—like she was a teenager falling in love for the very first time.

But she wasn’t some wide-eyed girl. She was a mother, a woman who had seen heartbreak and betrayal. And yet, here she was, married to a devilishly charming man who seemed to know exactly how to steal her breath and sweep her off her feet with nothing more than a look.

“Anyway,” Winter said, clearing her throat as she shifted in her seat, eager to change the subject. “What were you and Sean talking about? And why did he leave the moment I walked in?”

Kalix straightened up, the playful glint in his eyes fading into something more serious.

“I went to Rosewood Mansion earlier,” he said, his tone now firm. “I asked Grandpa about Alexander.”

Winter’s brows lifted slightly, her curiosity piqued.

Kalix continued, “He told me Alexander was one of the early investors in my father’s company.”