ALEX'S POV
My hands cupped her face as soon as we were in the car but her look was distant.
"Anna," I called out but she wasn't responding to me. She was still in shock, from the news and the accusation but I knew something was fishy and I was going to get to the bottom of it.
She shook her head and I moved closer to her. "Look at me."
Finally, she glanced at me and I smiled at her in encouragement.
"I didn't do it, Alex," she muttered, shaking her head.
I took note of how this was the first time she had called me Alex. Even after finding out my real name was Alex and Aidan was my second, she had kept on with calling me Aidan.
But now hearing it from her, it sounded strange and different.
My smile didn't waiver. "I know. I know you didn't so calm down, okay?"
A frown descended on her face. "Who would have done that? Where the hell did they get such information from?"
I let go of my hand from her face and picked up my phone to show her.
On the screen was the news which began to spread all over the media just 10 minutes ago, and that meant something.
"Did…did Sophie…?" She stuttered, unable to form a word.
"Appparently. They must have seen the news. The only way they can stop you is to find something against you which is this accusation. But worry no more, my darling. I'm taking the news off the media ASAP."
Her eyes darted to me again with doubt.
I leaned back and dialed Carlo's number. He picked at first ring.
"The tech guys are on it, boss."
"Good. I need an update as soon as it's done, okay?"
"Sure, boss."
I disconnected the call and leaned forward to instruct the driver. "Drive to Kingston Avenue."
"Yes, Boss."
Few days ago, I was the one driving myself around and living in that small apartment Carlo got for me, because I didn't want to ruin Anna's impression of being an average man she was willing to pay for agreeing to marry her.
But now, there was no point hiding it. Anna and I had moved back to my mansion last night already and my staff were no longer in hiding.
I already introduced her to the driver, Steven and Carlo, my Assistant, as well as Chloe, my Secretary.
"Where are we going to?" she asked after a taking a long sigh and leaning her head back on the car seat.
"Remember we had lunch date with my parents?" I reminded her and she nodded.
"But what about the lawyer? When are we going to meet him?"
I didn't reply her.
"Alex, this is taking longer than I expected. All I needed was to be married and here we are. I'm married to you, I need to get the transfer of ownership as soon as I can. The earlier the better or they will pull every little strings or stunt out there to stop me."
I grabbed her hand. "It's OK. Calm down and trust me, okay?"
She sighed again, looking extremely frustrated. When she touched the bandage over her head, I leaned forward.
"Do you feel any ache?"
"Alex, we need to go to the lawyer today, please." She pleaded with me instead of replying me.
"We need to but we can't do anything unless the pictures and news are taken down, which I am currently handling."
Her mouth dropped for a second, as though she wanted to say something but changed her mind the next minutes.
Then she laughed. "Henric can't stop with the transfer because of an issue as trivial as this, Alex. I'm his daughter. How can I kill him?"
"If you want us to go there, after the lunch, it's fine then. I guess…"
The ringing sound of my phone interrupted me from going further. It was Carlo.
"Boss, it's done."
"All over?"
"Yes, Boss, but…"
"But what?" I demanded with impatience.
"Davies said to tell you taking it down might not stop the poster from doing another, unless they are contacted and warned not to post such again."
I remained silent.
This was either Sophie's doing or her mother's. And I was sure they must have paid someone to do the job for them.
For Sophie, I have a feeling she had an ulterior motive. This is no longer about Annalyn just getting the company. Why does it have to come in few minutes into my press conference when Anna was supposed to come out?
My family didn't know about Anna or my marriage until that moment I announced it in the press conference so there was no way it was someone from my side.
"Contact whoever it is. Give me feedback on what he wants."
I disconnect the call without waiting for his reply. If he wants to be paid off, he will be paid off.
"What are your parents like?" Anna's question pulled me out of my reverie and I bit my teeth in regret.
I wondered what she would do or how she'd react to this.
After yesterday, after discovering I was a billionaire, I should have just told her everything about me, including this thing with my parents but I didn't.
She was going to know anyway but I had no absolute Idea how to bring the conversation up first.
Now the conversation was up, but I couldn't form a word.
She turned to me with a raised brow. "Alex?"
I shrugged indifferently. "You'll see."
"Do I need to be scared?" She stared at me with suspicious. "And I hope they won't believe that silly news."
"They took it down." I announced to her and she looked shocked.
"What? Really? That fast?" Relief flooded through her.
"You have nothing to worry about anymore." I assured her.
"Should I call Henric then?"
"Who?"
"The lawyer. I need to know if we can meet."
Not wanting to discourage her, I nodded at her to carry on. She picked her phone and dialed his number just as the car stopped in front of the gate.
Automatically, it opened and Steven drove into the palace. I spared Anna a glance but she was too engrossed in dialing and watching Henric's phone ring several times without picking, to even notice our environment.
"Shit!" she cursed out loud and our eyes met. "Do you think they have gone to him? Kathryn maybe?"
"Rules are rules." I only said and she nodded in agreement. Her eyes drifted past me and she suddenly took note of our environment.
Her mouth dropped open in surprise and awe. "What on earth is this place? Where are we, Alex?"
This was it.
Should I tell her before we go in?
That's what I was supposed to do but I still didn't say a word, as the car halted in the driveway.
I grabbed her two hands, forcing her to face me. "Anna, I'm sorry but…"
A knock at the window interrupted me and I saw it was the driver. I ignored him and turned to face her again.
"Is everything okay?"
I nodded. "But don't be too shocked with what you're about to…"
The car door was thrown open on both sides, interrupting me again. I turned back to see Thomas, the head butler, with his head wrapped in royal regal, with a trail of staff behind him.
With a smile on his face, Thomas muttered. "Welcome back home, Your Highness."
And they all bowed.
I turned to face Anna and her face dropped in realization.