“You think I’m some kind of joke?”
Alexander smiled at him.
“I was trying to do you a favor,” Ben continued. “But if you’re going to be stubborn about it, if you don’t ept my arrangement, then maybe it’s time to stop asking nicely.” He straightened his shoulders in a challenging stance.
But Alexander didn’t seem the least bit bothered by him. If anything, his smile widened. “Oh, Ben. I was hoping you’d say that.”
*Olivia*
I remained where I was, watching the cold look in Alexander’s eyes. Ben must have realized his mistake, because he quickly took a step back and held his hands up.
“Look, Alpha Alexander, it’s not that I don’t want to help E. The girl is as stubborn as a mule. She’ll probably throw the money back in my face.”
E looked up at the brazen usation. I almostughed. Ben needed to keep his mouth shut. He was digging himself into a much bigger hole without realizing it. And from the look on Alexander’s face, he shared the same sentiment.
Alexander chuckled. “Stubborn, you say? How convenient for you. You have another excuse.”
“It’s not an excuse…
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“Then prove it. Pay for her mother’s medical bills. Do it right now. Cover every single outstanding bill.”
All eyes left Alexander and shifted to Ben now. His mouth opened and shut, but no words came through. I watched his throat work as he swallowed, clearly wondering whether to submit or fight. He looked like a trapped animal, and I bet he knew he couldn’t win against Alexander. Best to give up now.
“Fine,” he muttered. “I’ll… I’ll take care of it.”
Alexander smiled widely. “How generous of you.”
As if propelled forward, E suddenly rushed to her feet and went to hide behind Aleena again. I didn’t me her. We all knew Alexander wasn’t done with Ben. He wouldn’t let him off with just a flimsy promise.
“Since we’re celebrating your newfound generosity, perhaps we should toast with something befitting the asion.” He gestured to the top shelf behind the bar, where bottles of aged whiskey sat. “The Macan 25, I think. At eight hundred dors a bottle, it seems appropriate for someone so… financially generous.”
Ben smiled proudly. “We have anything you want. Name it and I’ll have it in a ss for you.”
“A ss? Not the whole bottle? Come on, Ben, I thought you were better than that.”
His smile faltered, but he quickly recovered. “Why not? Like I said, anything you want.”
“Well, what if I want your entire collection? How much would that be? Four… five million?”
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Chapter <b>114 </b>
11 286 Vouchers
Ben’s face went pale. I could smell the surge of fear clinging to him. “Everything…?”
“Oh, forgive me,” Alexander waved his hands dismissively. “Perhaps that’s beyond your means? I do forget that not everyone shares the same… resources.”
I shook my head. That was a verbal massacre. Ben had definitely been asking for it all night, but that was a low blow, even for Alexander. I was horrified that he would throw his wealth in Ben’s face. It was like watching a cat y with a mouse. Every line was clearly delivered for Alexander’s amusement.
By 9:30, Alexander was done using Ben as a whipping boy. He nced at his expensive watch, and rose from his chair.
“Well this has been…” Alexander sighed withoutpleting the sentence. “I’m afraid I must retire for the evening. Tomorrow is another day, and I have… business to attend to.” he fixed Ben with a look that said, “unlike you.”
<i>“</i>1
“Wait!” Ben’s hand shot out and grabbed Alexander’s elbow, stopping him from moving. One menacing nce from him and Ben dropped his hand. “How about we grab somete dinner? I know this great ce that’s open till midnight.”
And then, Ben did the oddest thing. Just as he said thest sentence, he turned to the men and winked at them.
rm bells went off in my head. This was clearly a trap. Ben hadn’t been able to get anything out of Alexander yet, and this was just a ploy to buy himself more time. It wasn’t going to happen.
“Oh, I’m afraid that’s impossible,” I said, stepping between them. “Alexander’s dietitian has strict instructions. No eating nine–thirty.
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Doctor’s orders.” It was a lie, but they didn’t have to know that. As long as it got him out of this mess.
Ben frowned. “His dietitian?” His gaze moved to Alexander. “Since when do you have a dietitian?”
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