Chapter 13 Stand-in

"Alexander?" Cordelia's gaze flickered with uncertainty as she looked at the man standing before her. It is him, unmistakably him… But since when has he started calling himself Alexander? When did he change his name? "Come with me!" Alexander tightened his grip around the woman in his arms. Determination flashed in his eyes as rain streamed relentlessly down his face, soaking him through. His clothes clung to his frame, heavy and drenched. Cordelia wasn't much better off. The rain had completely saturated her thin blouse, leaving little to the imagination, and her fitted pencil pants adhered tightly to her legs. Before she could voice a single question, his grip on her wrist intensified. She stumbled forward instinctively, her legs obeying his silent command. Together, they ran, splashing through puddles as rain pelted down in torrents. "Over there! They went that way! Hurry, let's catch up!" … In a coffee shop located in Cheras, two figures sat opposite each other at a small table, a steaming cup of coffee in front of one and a fragrant cup of tea in front of the other. Cordelia had taken off her drenched blouse, leaving her in a simple tank top. Her damp hair fell loosely on her shoulders. She reached for a napkin and dabbed at her forehead, brushing away the lingering drops of rain before patting her cheeks gently. Alexander, on the other hand, had only removed his soaked jacket, and his shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. He fixed his gaze on her with an amused glint. "I never thought I'd run into you again. Don't you think it's funny how fate works?" She paused, startled by the question. Her lips curved into a soft, awkward smile as she lowered her gaze. "I didn't expect it either. That you would become such a big celebrity!" "Yeah, who would have thought that someone who dropped out halfway through high school could make it to the top of the entertainment industry!" He took a small sip of his coffee, his expression carrying a hint of self-mockery. She felt a pang of melancholy as she said softly, "I'm sorry. Back then, if it hadn't been for me, you wouldn't have..." "Why are you so caught up in all these 'what ifs'?!" Her words were cut off sharply before she could finish. He arched a brow, his eyes narrowing slightly, as though he had finally made peace with something. His tone carried a rare seriousness, almost as if he had reached a revelation. "You're looking at this all wrong. Think about it. Without you, would I have achieved everything I have today? Without you, maybe there wouldn't even be an Alexander in this world." His gaze locked onto her, deep and probing, carrying an undercurrent of emotion that was difficult to ignore. It was as if he were peeling back layers, quietly studying the woman sitting before him. She hadn't changed. Not one bit. Just like before, she was still so quick to shoulder all the blame, to make everything her fault. And yet, it was this very trait of hers, this quiet selflessness, that tugged at his heart. Hence, stirring a protective instinct within him to care for her and shelter her from the world. She was momentarily stunned by his words, her silence stretching for what felt like an eternity. Then, as if breaking free of a trance, she lowered her eyes and allowed a faint, soft smile to bloom on her lips. The smile, though fleeting, eased the awkwardness that had lingered since their unexpected reunion. Their eyes met, and their gazes shimmered like the surface of a calm lake catching the afternoon sun. She smiled softly but briefly, and her voice was light as she asked, "Why are you called Alexander now?" "It's a stage name," he replied casually. "When you enter the entertainment industry, it's like starting over from scratch." She nodded slightly, acknowledging his explanation without further comment. "And you?" he asked after a pause. "You've probably graduated by now, haven't you? Earlier, were you delivering documents for your company? Which company is it?" "I…" She let out a long breath, her beautiful face tightening just slightly. Finally, she said, almost reluctantly, "Great Larkin Group." Her response was brief and careful, giving away nothing more than necessary. But the faint flicker of hesitation in her eyes betrayed her unease. In truth, she had no intention of telling him that she was already married. After all, she was nothing more than a stand-in. The light rain pattered steadily against the window as the two sat by the glass, savoring their coffee in quiet companionship. Their laughter flowed easily, filling the air with warmth. What had been a dreary afternoon now carried a faint sense of comfort. Outside, the storm raged on, the rain coming down in torrents and mingling with the occasional rumble of thunder. Streams of water trailed down the glass, tracing faint, meandering patterns. Cordelia gazed out at the rain in silence. Across from her, Alexander's eyes never left the serene woman sitting opposite him. … Meanwhile, in the Great Larkin Group's conference room, the atmosphere was heavy with tension. A group of secretaries and senior executives stood nervously on one side of the long table. The source of their unease was unmistakable. Their boss radiated an icy, forbidding aura that filled the room like a winter storm. Seated at the head of the table, Tobias looked over the towering stack of files before him. He reached for one at random and flipped through its pages, but his sharp brows only furrowed deeper with every passing second. No matter how hard he tried, the restlessness in his chest refused to subside. Still nothing. He hadn't found her. Even after spending an entire week searching for her by flying to that place himself, he had come back empty-handed. The thought of it was maddening. With a sharp snap, the pen in his hand broke in half, and the sound shattered the uneasy quiet of the room. Mia had just stepped into the room with a cup of coffee in hand when the sharp sound startled her. Her entire body trembled as a jolt of fear shot through her, her heart pounding wildly in her chest like a trapped bird. It took her a moment to collect herself, and even then, she plastered on a sly, flirtatious smile. "Mr. Larkin! You must be exhausted after such a long flight. I brought you a drink," she purred, her high heels clicking against the polished floor as she approached him with deliberate, practiced elegance. Holding out the cup, she allowed herself a fleeting, triumphant glance at the female secretaries huddled nearby. With the chief secretary absent, all the opportunities naturally fell into her lap. But fate wasn't on her side. The delicate jasmine flower design on the coffee cup caught his attention instantly. Jasmine is Aurelia's favorite flower! His gaze lingered for barely a second, but the shift in his expression was immediate. His face darkened as his gaze turned cold. A cold and eerie atmosphere spread throughout the meeting room in an instant.