(7)Counting Zeros

GALITZINE'S MANSION KITCHEN

The mansion’s kitchen was a perfect blend of luxury and warmth, a place where elegance met the comfort of home. Marble countertops stretched across the vast space, their polished surfaces reflecting the soft glow of golden pendant lights hanging from the high ceiling. Sleek cabinets made of dark walnut wood lined the walls, filled with every utensil and ingredient one could imagine. A massive island stood at the center like a throne of culinary activity, its smooth surface scattered with vegetables, spices, and half-prepared ingredients. The scent of fresh herbs and simmering sauces filled the air, giving the otherwise grand space a rare sense of life and homeliness.

Large glass windows overlooked the mansion’s gardens, letting the morning sunlight stream inside. The rays danced across the stainless-steel appliances and the spotless tiled floor, making the room look even more spacious. A row of bar stools stood beside the island, and on the far side of the kitchen, a long wooden dining table waited patiently for the meal being prepared. It was a kitchen that had seen countless chefs over the years, yet today it felt different—more personal, more alive.

At the center of it all stood the brothers, sleeves rolled up, completely out of their usual element yet somehow fitting perfectly in the moment. The eldest brother Alec stood near the stove, carefully stirring a pan while pretending to know exactly what he was doing. The youngest one Jonah chopped vegetables beside him, though his uneven pieces made it obvious that cooking was not his strongest skill. Despite their lack of expertise, the kitchen echoed with laughter and light teasing.

“Those pieces are supposed to be slices, not abstract art,” William remarked with a smirk, glancing at the cutting board.

Jonah scoffed but the smile on his lios betrayed the emotions he felt, nudging him with his shoulder. “At least I’m not burning the sauce like someone here.”

For a brief moment, the tension and responsibilities of their powerful family faded away. The kitchen that once symbolized luxury now felt like a simple home. Between playful arguments, shared jokes, and the clatter of utensils, the brothers found something rare—peace in each other’s company, something they rarely allowed themselves in the demanding world outside those marble walls.

"O my Jesus, Alec you are cooking and on other hand the queen of your heart just landed from London. Laura is back Alec." Carina said enthusiasm radiating off from her.

"Mom I will meet her tomorrow morning and also pick her up from her farmhouse." Alec replied without showing any emotions just like a robot and going back to his saute veggies like they are the most important work which needs to be done than picking his fiancée from airport.

"Oh ho, so you planned a whole night chit chat with her. But I expected you to stay with her tonight." Carina said wiggling her eyes.

"Aunt, you are telling bro to do hanky-panky with Laura?" Jonah remarked. Alec gave a look to both Carina and Jonah which told them to shut up and they did.

"I was just telling you to meet up with her and be comfortablewith her." Carina said trying to make the eldest one understand.

"Ok." Alec replied nonchalantly but his reply made Carina frown and she left them alone after Alec's lack of response.

In the heart of the mansion's bustling kitchen, Jonah, the charismatic and carefree brother, couldn't resist teasing Alec about his lack of romantic gestures towards Laura. The banter between the brothers unveiled a glimpse into their contrasting views on love and relationships. Alec, with his pragmatic approach to matters of the heart, viewed love through the lens of a business deal, a transaction devoid of sentimentality.

"Oh God, here comes the lady father." Jonah said with a huge sigh.

"Lady father?" Both Alec and William asked confused. They thought Jonah also lost his ability to form sentences.

"Yes Laura, she just always talks about spirituality so I gave a nickname to her. 'Oh Alec our souls were connected by Jesus himself'." Jonah said trying to sound like Laura while saying the last line but failed miserably, but it sure did match a wailing injured cat.

"Shut up Jo, you should give her some respect." Alec said to his little brother and William laughed at Jonah's expression.

"Ok then..... respected lady father?" Jonah asked Alec who only took deep breath trying to control his anger making William laugh more at the situation.

"Hey!" Alec got defensive for Laura.

"Bro just asking, do you love Laura?" Jonah asked Alec after sometime of thinking.

"Is that even a question? Do you doubt it?" Alec countered back.

"Actually Yes I do doubt, because you have done nothing like typical lovers do." replied Jonah chewing a piece of marinated tofu and gaging at the taste.

"Did you call her with sweet nicknames?" Jonah explained more after he drank loads of water to minimize the horrible taste.

"Did you guys went to romantic candle night dinner alone?" William too joined the conversation.

"Do you both have intense passion and did hanky-panky?" Jonah butted in again.

"Did you get lost in each other's eyes for hours?" William asked again and got a look from Alec to shut up.

"Why we will stare into each other's eyes? When we meet, we talk." Alec replied back agitated by all this useless questions.

"Talk about what? Fashion, make-up, deals or how much successful your business has become?" Jonah asked Alec instead of answering, Alec had no answers to these questions which increased his frustration.

"When there is nothing to talk with voice heart expresses emotions with eyes..." William said making his brothers confused.

"I don't understand this stupid love theory and moreover I don't understand what problem you guys have with Laura? She has everything in herself which I can ask for in women who is acceptable to be my wife. Lineage, class and bloodline." Alec said.

"You know about Alec, if someone does not know their lineage they don't seem to exist in your life." William noted sarcastically.

"You are right but she has other things too like she is beautiful, well educated from Stanford, well traveled, multi linguistic too. Mostly she knows when I need space." Alec said pushing his brothers playfully.

"If you want space you should have become an astronaut, it would have given you space and only space." Jonah said and laughed at his own bad pun.

"Leave it Jo, Alec only loves the money he is gaining because of the merge of both companies." William taunted Alec.

William is someone who is generally calm but he can't stand business, he mostly thinks from emotions while Alec uses brains to deal with everything and for Jonah he doesn't use either brains or heart, for him his looks matters the most. But they forgot in life both are important, when in business use brain but when it comes to relationships one should listen to heart.

"You are right Will, love is deal. There is nothing like true love or being compassionate. Our parents marriages were also deal and nothing else. Love is like Santa Claus, people have heard about it but never seen it." Alec explained his theory of love.

"You are wrong and I hope that you also fall in love with someone truly and helplessly." William hoped aloud.

"And I hope that it happens before marriage otherwise it will get ugly. Just imagine, one wife and one lover with our Bro." Jonah laughed at his own pun again while others ignored him as it was his normal behavior for them.

IN KATHRINE'S ROOM

Kathrine's room was one of the oldest and most respected spaces in the mansion, carrying an aura of quiet authority and timeless grace. Unlike the modern luxury seen in the rest of the house, her room held the charm of another era. The walls were painted in soft ivory and adorned with delicate floral moldings, while heavy silk curtains in shades of deep maroon framed the tall windows. When sunlight streamed through the thin lace beneath them, the entire room glowed with a warm, golden softness that made the space feel peaceful and comforting.

At the center of the room stood a grand four-poster bed carved from dark teakwood, its tall posts intricately detailed with vines and floral patterns crafted by skilled hands decades ago. The bed was layered with embroidered quilts and neatly arranged cushions, each carrying the faint scent of sandalwood and rose water. Beside it rested a polished wooden bedside table holding a small antique lamp, a pair of reading glasses, and a worn prayer book whose pages had been turned countless times.

Against one wall stood a large vintage wardrobe, its brass handles slightly aged but still gleaming with dignity. Nearby was a delicate dressing table with an oval mirror framed in gold, reflecting the soft glow of the room. Small silver boxes, old perfume bottles, and neatly folded handkerchiefs were arranged on its surface. Every object in the room seemed to carry a memory, as if the space itself held stories from generations past.

The far corner of the room was perhaps the most special. A comfortable armchair sat beside a small round table near the window, forming her favorite resting place. From there she could look out at the sprawling gardens of the mansion. A knitted shawl was often draped over the chair, and a walking stick leaned gently against the table—silent witnesses to the years she had spent guiding the family.

Despite the grandeur of the mansion, this room felt different. It was not just a bedroom but the heart of the family’s history. The air carried a calm authority, as though the walls themselves remembered every joy, sorrow, and decision that had shaped the powerful household under the watchful presence of its beloved matriarch.

"Ma'am here is the belongings of the person who died yesterday in fire." a guard said entering her room after knocking and giving a briefcase to Kathrine who sat comfortably on the bed.

"Ok." replied Kathrine shortly and began rummaging through it. Soon she found a phone and she called the last dialed number.

The sharp ringing of the phone echoed faintly through the mansion’s quiet halls, a sound that seemed far louder than it should have been in the stillness of the moment. Kathrine froze as she realized something unsettling—the call wasn’t coming from somewhere far away. It was coming from inside the mansion itself. A strange heaviness settled in her chest as the realization slowly unfolded in her mind. The truth she had been trying to ignore now stood quietly before her, undeniable and chilling.

Her thoughts drifted back to the conversation with her sons the previous day. Their calm expressions, their quick denials, and the way they had avoided her gaze now replayed in her mind like fragments of a puzzle finally fitting together. A mother’s instinct rarely failed her, and deep inside she knew they had hidden something from her. The pain was not just in the possibility of their involvement—but in the fact that they had chosen to lie to her. The betrayal felt sharper than the mystery itself.

Among all the possibilities circling her mind, one name stood out like a shadow lurking in the dark—Alvaro. Something about him had always carried a quiet danger, a presence that commanded fear without raising its voice. Kathrine couldn’t shake the thought that he was behind it all, pulling the strings from somewhere unseen. Perhaps Tam had been dragged into the silence as well, forced to hide the truth under Alvaro’s threat. The mansion suddenly felt colder, its walls no longer safe but filled with secrets waiting to be uncovered.

CAROLYN'S HOME

The small room felt colder than usual, even though nothing had changed. The faint light from the window barely touched the corners, leaving parts of the room swallowed in quiet shadows. Sitting alone on the edge of her bed, Carolyn felt as if the silence itself was staring at her. It wasn’t the darkness that frightened her—it was the weight of the world outside that seemed to follow her even into this tiny space.

Every harsh word she had heard from society echoed inside her mind like distant whispers that refused to fade. People’s judgment, their accusing eyes, and the cruel assumptions about her past clung to her like invisible chains. She hugged her knees closer to her chest, trying to make herself smaller, as if shrinking could protect her from the voices that called her unwanted, broken, or dangerous. Even when the room was empty, the disapproval of others seemed to haunt the air around her.

Yet beneath the fear and loneliness, there was a quiet ache in her heart—a longing for something she had never truly known. Acceptance. Love. A place where she could exist without feeling like a mistake. The room held her trembling silence, watching as she struggled between the pain of being rejected and the fragile hope that somewhere, someday, someone might see her not as society’s burden, but simply as a girl who deserved to belong.

"She is useless." said someone.

"She is a murderer by killing her foster parents." came another voice.

"She is nothing but a slut who doesn't know about her real parents at all." and another voice said taunting Carolyn.

"She is a bad omen ." voices continue to echo in Carolyn's mind until she woke up abruptly from her bad dream or moreover passed reality, screaming.

"Sissy, you okay? Nothing will happen, I am there for you always." Ian said patting her sissy's head as she slept on his lap.

"Rock a bye baby on the tree top, When the wind blows the cradle will rock, When the bough breaks the cradle will fall, Then down will come baby cradle and all...." Ian began to sing the same song which Carolyn used to sing to him when he was a baby. Ian made Carolyn feel like a grown up and now he seems to give the same peace to her. They are there for each other always and forever.

NEXT MORNING

The city lights blurred past as Alec drove through the quiet evening streets, his hands gripping the steering wheel a little tighter than usual. The low hum of the engine was the only sound accompanying the storm of thoughts raging inside his mind. His sharp eyes remained fixed on the road, but his mind was still trapped in the chaos of the inauguration party—the flickering flames, the screams, the smell of burning smoke that refused to leave his memory.

Every detail replayed relentlessly in his head. A man burning himself in the middle of a celebration wasn’t just madness—it felt calculated, deliberate. Something about the entire incident felt wrong. Too sudden, too perfectly timed. His jaw clenched as he thought about the lack of evidence. No motive. No clue. Nothing that explained why someone would choose his company’s grand opening to create such horror.

He exhaled slowly, frustration simmering beneath his calm exterior. This was supposed to be a proud night for his family, the result of years of hard work. Instead, it had turned into a scandal whispered across the city. The thought irritated him deeply—not because of the rumors, but because he hated mysteries he couldn’t solve.

As the car sped toward his fiancée’s farmhouse, his thoughts softened slightly. Picking her up was the only part of the evening he wasn’t dreading. Still, even that comfort couldn’t fully quiet the uneasy feeling in his chest. Somewhere beneath the surface of that disastrous night, he was certain a darker truth was hiding—and he had every intention of uncovering it.

One hand rested firmly on the steering wheel while the other lazily tapped against it, Alec's mind far from the road. The Bluetooth call with his mother echoed faintly in his thoughts as the cool night breeze brushed against the sleek car windows. The world outside looked calm, almost peaceful—but inside his mind, the chaos of the disastrous inauguration party still burned like a lingering flame.

His sharp eyes occasionally flickered to the glowing GPS screen, the faint light reflecting against his strong jawline. The memory of the fire, the screams, and the questions with no answers made his grip on the steering wheel tighten. Someone had turned what should have been a night of pride into a nightmare. The thought irritated him deeply. Alec was a man who controlled every situation around him, yet the mystery of that night slipped through his fingers like smoke.

Miles away from his racing thoughts, fate was quietly arranging something unexpected. On the lonely road ahead, Carolyn had just stepped down from her small scooter near the farmhouse, kneeling on the ground as she struggled to fix her torn slipper. The night air rustled softly around her, and the deserted road made the moment strangely silent. She was completely unaware that a powerful car was approaching at dangerous speed.

A sudden roar of an engine shattered the silence.

Alec looked up just in time.

The Lamborghini swerved sharply with a fierce whoosh, tires screeching against the rough road as the car turned away at the last possible second. Carolyn’s head snapped up at the sound, her heart jumping into her throat as the powerful machine stopped inches away. For a moment, time itself seemed to freeze. The quiet morning, the lonely road, the racing heartbeat of two strangers who had just escaped fate by a single breath.

Then the car door flew open.

Alec stepped out, fury radiating from him like a storm barely contained. The door slammed shut behind him with such force that even the wind seemed to hesitate. His sharp gaze landed on the girl kneeling on the ground—the same quiet church girl who had somehow managed to appear in his life again.

And in that silent, deserted place, beneath the dim glow of the night sky, two completely different worlds had just collided.

Alec was furious to see the same church girl and his anger too rose up. He got out of the car and banged the door with too much intensity that even the wind stopped flowing on witnessing his anger.

The air was thick with tension as Alec stepped out of his car, the door slamming behind him with a sharp echo that disappeared into the lonely road. His tall figure looked even more intimidating beneath the glow of the sunrays, his dark eyes fixed on the girl crouched on the ground. Carolyn slowly stood up, dusting her hands against her simple dress, her expression far from apologetic. For a moment, the wind brushed past them, carrying the faint scent of wet earth and petrol, as if the morning itself was watching their unexpected encounter.

“You again?” Alec said, his voice low and edged with clear irritation. His gaze moved over her face with a mixture of recognition and annoyance.

Carolyn crossed her arms, lifting her chin slightly. “Oh, you recognized me? What an honor,” she replied with a sarcastic smile. “During your grand inauguration party you were acting like you had never seen me before.”

Alec’s lips curved slightly, but there was no warmth in the gesture. He leaned casually against the sleek red hood of his car, his presence radiating confidence that bordered on arrogance. “Exactly,” he said coolly. “I don’t know you. And honestly, I don’t want to.” His eyes flicked briefly to the road before returning to her. “But you nearly got yourself killed under my car.”

The headlights illuminated Carolyn’s annoyed expression as she pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Relax,” she said sharply. “I’m a middle-class girl. If I ever die, it will be in a much cheaper way than under your fancy car.”

Alec chuckled softly, the sound deep and slightly mocking. “Trust me,” he said, his tone turning boastful, “you don’t have the capability to die under my car. This is Alec Casey Galitzine’s car.”

Carolyn glanced at the shining vehicle, unimpressed. “Why?” she asked bluntly. “I don’t see any diamonds or rubies on it.”

“It costs two million dollars,” Alec replied nonchalantly, as if speaking about the weather.

Her eyes widened for a moment before she scoffed. “What? What is so special about this damn car?”

Alec stepped a little closer, his tall frame casting a shadow over her. “Do you even know how many zeros are in a million?” he asked, amusement flickering in his dark eyes.

Carolyn lifted her chin stubbornly. “Of course. I know everything.”

Silence lingered for a moment as she tried calculating in her head, her brows knitting together. Finally she said with full confidence, “Four.”

For a second Alec simply stared at her. Then, despite his irritation, a quiet laugh escaped him. It was the first genuine reaction he had shown since stepping out of the car.

The tension between them shifted slightly. The cold wind brushed past again, making Carolyn shiver faintly. Alec noticed the small movement without meaning to. His eyes briefly softened before he quickly masked the reaction.

Standing there under the morning subtle sunrays—one dressed in wealth and arrogance, the other stubborn pride and simplicity—the distance between their worlds felt enormous. Yet the strange spark in their argument, the sharp glances and sarcastic smiles, hinted that this accidental meeting on a deserted road was not just an inconvenience.

It was the beginning of a story neither of them had planned.

"It's six BTW." Alec corrected her half amused half irritated but said nothing, no sarcasm nothing just simple glanced at her face.

"You think you're really smart but the truth is you are a big idiot. If I would get that money I can start a Uber business from it. That's how to multiply the money. It's skill which you will not understand." Carolyn said to Alec not accepting her defeat.

"Are you done?" Alec asked ignoring her making Carolyn angry.

"You are Sierra's brother, that's why I am leaving you off the hook." Carolyn replied calming her anger and ignoring his rude behavior. Carolyn turned towards her scooter when Alec suddenly said again freaking her out.

"Or else?" Alec challenged.

"Why are you scaring people like that?" Carolyn commented.

IN GALITZINE'S MANSION (IN GYM )

The gym inside the mansion looked less like a place for exercise and more like a private luxury fitness club. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls allowed the golden morning sunlight to pour inside, reflecting off the polished marble floors and the sleek chrome of high-end machines. Every piece of equipment stood perfectly aligned—state-of-the-art treadmills, weight benches, resistance machines, and racks of dumbbells arranged by size, each one gleaming under the soft white lights fixed in the ceiling.

One entire wall was covered by massive mirrors framed in dark oak, making the space feel even larger and grander. The scent of fresh eucalyptus floated through the air from the automatic diffuser, keeping the atmosphere cool and refreshing. Near the windows, a quiet yoga and stretching area was decorated with soft mats, balance balls, and neatly folded towels stacked in a polished wooden cabinet. Beyond the glass wall outside, the view opened to a lush green garden and a sparkling swimming pool, giving the feeling that even a workout here was surrounded by beauty and calm.

In the corner stood a small but elegant refreshment bar made of black granite, stocked with fresh juices, protein shakes, chilled water bottles, and neatly arranged fruits. A mounted digital screen displayed fitness stats and music playlists, filling the room with a steady rhythm that echoed softly against the high ceiling. The entire gym carried an aura of discipline, power, and luxury—perfectly reflecting the lifestyle of the mansion’s owner, where even sweat and effort were wrapped in elegance.

The mansion’s private gym was filled with the rhythmic thud of fists hitting leather. The heavy punching bag swayed slightly each time Jonah struck it, his muscles flexing under the dim golden lights fixed into the high ceiling. The room smelled faintly of polished wood, iron equipment, and the sharp tang of sweat — the scent of men who trained hard and lived harder. Standing near the rack of weights, William crossed his arms, his brows drawn together in disbelief as he stared at his younger brother.

“What? You gave my sculpture to someone else?” William’s deep voice echoed through the spacious gym, the disbelief in his tone almost comical.

Jonah didn’t even pause his punches. His lips curved into a teasing grin as he hit the bag again. “Oh ho, bro… it was Layla’s birthday.” The bag swung violently as if it too felt William’s irritation.

William ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “Stupid. That sculpture was incomplete.” His voice held the wounded pride of an artist whose work had been carelessly handled.

Jonah finally stopped punching and leaned against the bag casually, sweat glistening along his neck. “I didn’t quite get it anyway. Those complicated things are only for you to understand.” His calm tone only made William glare harder.

“You asshole,” William muttered, though a reluctant smile tugged at his lips. “It takes brains to understand art… unlike you.”

Jonah clutched his chest dramatically. “Ouch. In this family Alec got the brains, I got the looks… and you got that long beard.” He burst into laughter before finishing, “Seriously bro, you look like a wise mountain hermit.”

William’s eyes widened in mock offense. “How dare you insult my beard? It’s manly.”

That was the moment Jonah realized he had crossed the line.

“Bro, nooo—!”

Within seconds the calm gym turned chaotic as Jonah sprinted across the room while William chased him between the equipment. Their laughter echoed through the mansion like thunder.

Just then, the gym doors creaked open.

Kathrine stepped inside quietly, her eyes immediately falling on the two grown men wrestling like boys. A soft sigh escaped her lips. For a moment she watched them — their carefree laughter, the warmth of brotherhood filling the room.

Yet behind her calm expression, a storm of thoughts brewed.

If they ever learn the truth about their father… will they still laugh like this?

Her gaze lingered on them, her heart tightening.

At that moment Jonah spotted her and instantly ran behind her like a child seeking protection.

“Mimi! Save me from this giant bearded monster,” he exclaimed dramatically, clutching his nose. “He hit me so hard that blood is flowing like the Nile River from my nose!”

William stopped in front of them, breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling under his black training shirt.

Kathrine shook her head with a gentle smile.

But the scene shifted subtly in the next moment.

Jonah leaned closer to her shoulder, still pretending to hide, yet his playful eyes slid toward William with mischief. William’s intense gaze softened briefly as he noticed a drop of sweat sliding slowly down Jonah’s neck — disappearing beneath the collar of his shirt.

The air in the gym suddenly felt warmer.

The laughter, the teasing, the closeness between them — it all created an intimate atmosphere, charged with a strange, electric tension that only people bound by deep emotions could share.

Outside the tall glass windows, evening shadows stretched across the mansion grounds… while inside, beneath the soft golden lights, the moment lingered — playful, warm, and dangerously alive.

The room was thick with the kind of tension that follows a close call. Katherine stepped closer to Jonah, her brows drawn together as she inspected his face carefully. The soft light above them caught the concern in her eyes.

“You liar,” she murmured, her voice sharp but laced with relief. “There’s no blood.”

Jonah lifted his chin with dramatic confidence, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve as if he had just survived a heroic battle.

“Mimi, it’s on its way,” he said casually, trying to recover his dignity.

William let out an amused scoff from across the room, leaning lazily against the wall with his arms crossed. “Oh, please. The Nile River flows in Africa, not Australia,” he corrected, shaking his head at Jonah’s ridiculous attempt at explanation.

Jonah huffed in exaggerated offense, throwing his hands up. “It’s still the same Earth,” he insisted. “And besides—if something happened to my good looks, half the girls would die of heartbreak.”

Katherine rolled her eyes, though the corner of her lips threatened to curve into a smile. William chuckled under his breath, the tension finally breaking.

“You should thank Mimi,” William said. “She saved you today.”

Katherine stepped back slightly, folding her arms as if she refused to accept the credit—but the faint warmth in her cheeks betrayed her.

“Enough,” she said. “Did anyone contact Alec? He’s not answering his phone.”

William shrugged casually. “Relax, Mimi. He’s probably with Laura.”

Jonah grinned mischievously, clearly unable to resist stirring trouble. “By now Laura has probably taken a thousand selfies with him.”

“Shut up,” Katherine snapped, though the irritation in her voice felt more like reluctant amusement.

Jonah leaned closer to William, lowering his voice as if sharing a scandalous secret. “I still don’t understand why those two are getting married,” he muttered. “One’s too serious, the other’s clingy. Not exactly a fairy-tale match.”

William straightened instantly. “Stop it, you idiot,” he scolded.

For a moment the room fell quiet again. Outside, distant sounds of the evening drifted through the open window. Katherine looked away, thoughtful, while Jonah and William exchanged glances—half annoyed, half amused.

But beneath the teasing and arguments, there was something softer in the air: the quiet comfort of people who cared about one another more than they ever admitted. The room had grown warmer, though no one could quite say why.

Jonah leaned back against the arm of the sofa, clearly enjoying the attention of his small audience. His grin widened as he continued his relentless commentary.

“And not only that,” he said, gesturing dramatically with his hands, “have you seen the way she walks? It’s… excessive. The way she sways her hips while walking—I honestly don’t understand how her hip bones haven’t dislocated yet.”

Katherine pressed her lips together, trying to stay annoyed, but the absurd seriousness in Jonah’s voice made her fail. A reluctant smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. William chuckled quietly beside her.

Jonah noticed immediately.

“Oh, so now you’re both amused?” he said, feigning injury.

He straightened and lowered his voice theatrically, mimicking Laura’s soft tone.

“‘Alec sweetheart, your aura is not clean… you seem so stressed. Please do some meditation.’”

He clasped his hands together as if blessing someone.

“But Mimi,” he continued, dropping the act and shaking his head, “she doesn’t understand anything except fashion and makeup.”

Katherine rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

“Jonah…”

But Jonah wasn’t finished.

“Mimi,” he said, leaning closer with a conspiratorial smile, “I have a suggestion. Instead of marrying Laura to Alec bro, we should marry her to his credit card.”

William burst into laughter before he could stop himself.

“She’d definitely be happier.”

“Shut up, Jo,” Katherine snapped, though her voice lacked real anger.

Jonah shrugged, unapologetic.

The laughter slowly faded, leaving a heavier silence behind.

William’s expression shifted, becoming more serious. He straightened slightly, his gaze drifting toward Katherine.

“Mimi… I hate to admit it,” he said quietly, “but he’s not completely wrong.”

Katherine looked at him sharply.

“Their marriage,” William continued, “is built on the merger of two companies. A strategic alliance.”

His words hung in the air.

“And you always used to say something,” he added softly. “That people should only marry when there’s passion… when they truly love each other.”

The room fell silent.

Katherine’s fingers tightened around the edge of the table. For a moment, something flickered across her face—something deeper than annoyance.

Jonah shifted uncomfortably, suddenly realizing his teasing had stirred something more serious.

Outside the window, the city lights flickered in the distance, casting soft shadows across the room.

Katherine looked away first, her voice quieter now.

“Things aren’t always that simple anymore.”

William watched her carefully, something unreadable in his eyes. The tension between them felt different now—less playful, more dangerous, like a spark waiting for the right moment to ignite.

Jonah glanced between the two of them and sighed dramatically.

“Well,” he muttered, throwing his hands up again, “this conversation got depressing fast.”

But neither Katherine nor William laughed this time.

Because beneath the teasing and arguments, there was something neither of them wanted to say out loud.

Something that felt far more complicated than any arranged marriage.

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So how was the chapter, did you guys liked it. I hope you will stick around and support me. Carolyn isn't that bad as she sounds, but give her a chance, a little bit more sass than needed but who doesn't enjoy that attitude; of course our Alec. I didn't want her to be a shy or a broken girl but instead a complete opposite.

Did you like their cute exchange?

Have you ever troubled your siblings?

Did Kathrine do what was right?

If you get USD 2,000,000, what will you do?

What do you guys think? Thanks for reading! AND PLEASE SUPPORT ME ❤❤❤