Chapter 978

This man possessed a strong presence. Heather, having encountered numerous men in her dealings, found him unlike any other. Even from a distance, she felt his compelling aura; he commanded attention in any room.

She narrowed her eyes, intrigued. Alexander, naturally, knew of Heather Riggs. The Riggs family, previously discreet and low-profile, had risen dramatically under Heather's leadership. Their influence in both martial arts and business had grown exponentially, making them a prominent—and powerful—family. This success, however, had also attracted numerous enemies, leading to constant challenges.

Heather's engagement to Ralph was thus strategic, not romantic. Ralph was clearly motivated by her wealth and power. But Heather's interest in the Russell family—and specifically Ralph, a relatively minor figure—remained a mystery to Alexander. Had she chosen Ralph precisely because he wouldn't readily manipulate her? Her true intentions were far from clear. Her recent actions—sending assassins to the Russell estate and then requesting to move in—suggested a hidden agenda behind this marriage.

"Why are you still here?" Ralph asked, following Heather's gaze to Alexander. Panic flickered in his eyes. He'd actively avoided any meeting between Heather and Alexander, fearing a change of heart in his fiancée. He wouldn't stand a chance against Alexander.

Turning to him, Heather received a charmingly swift smile and a fabricated introduction: "I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce you. This is my nephew, Alexander. Alexander, this is your future aunt."

Alexander descended the stairs, extending a hand to Heather. "Ms. Riggs."

"Call her Aunt," Ralph interjected, "We're getting married soon, aren't we...? Oh, and my nephew's getting married too, though they've already registered. I think their wedding coincides with ours."

"Oh, really?" Heather smiled, accepting and shaking Alexander's hand.

Ralph's calculated reveal was a thinly veiled attempt to deter Heather's interest. The handshake, however, proved unsettling. Heather's hand, slender and soft, belied a surprising strength, most apparent in her fingers—deceptively delicate, but firm as steel. Alexander, fortunately, was physically fit and trained in self-defense; her pressure was insufficient to harm him. It might have been a test, a subtle assessment of strength. Ralph, oblivious to this silent power play, merely noticed the prolonged handshake and feared a burgeoning connection.

Impulsively, he intervened, forcefully separating them. "Alex, you need to get back to the office. Don't keep important matters waiting!" He steered Alexander outside. Once at the car, he issued a warning: "Ms. Riggs and I are marrying soon. Keep your hands to yourself."