Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 198

Chapter 198: A Failed Attempt

After Aurora left for work, Xander reclined in his chair in the study, sipping his coffee before picking up his phone. He dialled Asher, and the call connected after a few rings.

“Good morning, Lex,” Asher greeted, his voice laced with curiosity. “What’s the update?”

“The case has been reopened,” Xander informed him, a faint satisfaction evident in his tone. “Release Olivia in the evening.”

Asher chuckled. “That was quick. Your wife must be relieved.”

“She is,” Xander replied, his voice softening momentarily. “Although, I’ll admit, I wouldn’t have minded keeping Olivia there for longer. Starve her for a few days—teach her a proper lesson.”

“Your wife wouldn’t allow it,” Asher said with a knowing laugh. “Aurora’s soft-hearted, even to people who don’t deserve it. But that’s what makes her different from us.”

Xander sighed. “True. Anyway, about Aurora’s champagne launch this Sunday—she’ll need something special to wear. Can you have your design team work on a fitting piece?”

“Consider it done,” Asher assured him. “The first fitting will be ready in two days, and my team will bring it over.”

“Good. Thanks, Asher,” Xander said before ending the call.

—

As Xander exited the house, Liam walked briskly beside him, holding a clipboard with the day’s schedule.

“Liam,” Xander began, his tone commanding yet calm, “make sure Stella doesn’t leave this city under any circumstances. She looks like she will be planning her escape any moment from now. I want her every move monitored.”

“Understood,” Liam replied with a curt nod. “I’ll assign a team to keep a close watch.”

Xander nodded in approval. “And confirm my appointment with Major Walker for this afternoon.”

“I’ll handle it en route,” Liam assured him, opening the car door for him.

Xander stepped into the car, and as Liam climbed into the front passenger seat, the car pulled away from the driveway.

—

Vintage Cellar.

Aurora’s day at work went smoothly. By mid-morning, Lilian entered her office with updates.

“All the invitations for the champagne launch have been sent out,” Lilian reported, holding her tablet.

“Good. Once the seating arrangements are finalized, let me know. I’ll need to review them,” Aurora instructed, leaning back in her chair.

Lilian hesitated for a moment before suggesting, “Ma’am, if you have specific people you’d like to sit with, you can let the planning team know now.”

Aurora thought for a moment. “How many chairs per table?”

“Six,” Lilian answered promptly.

Aurora nodded. “In that case, I’d like to sit with my husband, Chairwoman Stephanie, Major Walker, Asher Moore, and Abigail Miller. Make sure I’m seated between my husband and Major Walker. The Chairwoman can sit next to Major Walker, and Abigail between the Chairwoman and Asher.”

Lilian jotted down the details. “Understood, ma’am.”

As she turned to leave, Aurora added, “If the Chairwoman prefers to sit with other people like the board of directors, replace her with Rachel Lee at our table.”

“Got it,” Lilian said before exiting the office.

—

Swift Family’s Residence

Stella paced her room, clutching her phone tightly as dread clawed at her. After trying Olivia’s number multiple times once again to no avail, she received a call from the police.

When the officer informed her that her husband’s murder case had been reopened, Stella’s heart nearly stopped. Her voice wavered as she replied, “Th-thank you for informing me.”

Ending the call, Stella began to panic. Her breathing grew laboured, and her hands trembled as she rummaged through the shelves on her nightstand, searching for something—anything—that could secure her future.

Unsuccessful, she stormed into her massive walk-in closet, rifling through documents and land deeds. Frustration boiled over as she found nothing of immediate use.

“This can’t be happening,” Stella muttered, her voice cracking as her mind quickly sort for a solution.

At the end, her desperation led her to Adam’s old study, now used by Stephanie. Closing the door behind her, Stella sifted through the desk drawers and documents. Nothing seemed relevant.

Then suddenly, her gaze landed on the safe behind the desk. “That’s it,” she whispered. “The shares documents must be in there.”

As she reached for the keypad, the study door opened, and Stephanie stepped inside.

“Stella?” Stephanie’s brows furrowed in suspicion. “What are you doing in here?”

Stella straightened, attempting to mask her unease as she quickly retracted her hand and turned to face her. “I was… looking for something,” she answered, trying to sound confident.

Stephanie’s sharp eyes tracked Stella’s every move as she walked toward the door. Before Stephanie could press further, Stella brushed past her and left the room.

Stephanie’s instincts screamed that something was off. She inspected the room but found nothing amiss. But when she left the study, she found the butler and instructed, “From now on, keep this study locked at all times unless I need it. No one else is allowed inside without my permission. Not even a fly.”

The butler nodded and left immediately to secure the room.

—

DANTE Group.

In his office, Xander dismissed a group of employees after a brief meeting. And a minute later, Liam entered as they left, a quiet urgency in his step.

“Sir, it’s time for your appointment with Major Walker,” Liam informed him.

Xander sighed, muttering under his breath, “The things I do for my wife.” Then grabbing his jacket from the clock hanger, he picked up his phone from his desk and followed Liam out of the office.

—

Military Base.

Twenty-five minutes later, Xander’s car approached the military base. Soldiers stopped the vehicle at the gates, performing a thorough security check.

They used a device while rounding the car to make sure there wasn’t anything like bomb on it while someone else checked the car’s trunk.

The soldier who approached the window recognized Xander and saluted him immediately he rolled it down.

“Mr. Scott, the Major is expecting you,” the soldier informed.

After confirming his identity, Xander’s car was allowed through. As the gates closed behind him, Xander leaned back in his seat, preparing for what was sure to be an interesting meeting.