Chapter 182: Chapter 183

Chapter 0183 Alexander POV +25 BONUS My phone started to ring almost as soon as I ended the call with Ella. I glared at the screen as I saw it was the venue. They had a lot of nerve to violate a contract with me, but I had to keep my anger in check.

I kept my voice calm and firm as I answered.

“Have you called to explain yourself?”

There was a pause before a woman responded. “Alpha Black?”

“You’ve canceled my booking and given the time slot to someone else,” I said. “Explain yourself.”

“How do you know about that?” she asked in disbelief. “It only happened late last night.”

“Discretion isn’t David Lake’s strong point,” I said pointedly. “Perhaps you should think more about the character of the people you do business with.”

There was a long pause and I could hear papers shuffling on the other line. “I can’t apologize enough, Alpha Black,” the woman said, a hint of fear in her tone. “It was a mistake.”

“It wasn’t,” I said, cutting her off. “Don’t lie to me.”

“It...” she trailed off, then sighed. “The employee that was on staff last night made a bad decision. I can’t apologize enough. She was offered substantially more than we charge to guarantee that date to Mr. Lake. I’m afraid that I can’t undo the damage. I can offer you any other date you’d like at a steep discount-”

I laughed, silencing her. Part of me wanted to lash out at her. I knew that I could reduce her to tears with my words in seconds.

That wouldn’t do any good though.

“I appreciate that you had enough respect to call me,” I said. “I will arrange for another venue on that date. Good luck with the Lake’s.”

I hung up and sat my phone on the desk.

“You handled that well,” August said.

I glanced up at him and shrugged. “What else could I do?” I asked.

August was sitting on the other end of the room, working on a finance report on his laptop. He smirked a little as he looked at me.

“Do you think that David Lake has any idea the trouble he’s getting himself into with you?”

“Frankly, I’m more concerned about Amanda Gray at this point,” I said. “The text message she sent Ella concerns me. The message didn’t feel like a direct threat–it was taunting, plain and simple. But why send it at all?”

“The fact that they were aware of the wedding plans and schedule shouldn’t be ignored,” August pointed out.

“I’m already keeping tabs on them, of course. If something concerning was happening, I should have known by now. Even so, this was a reminder to stay vigilant,” I said. “The immediate priority is finding a new venue.”

“Where should we start?” August asked.

I considered the question. This wasn’t just about picking a replacement; it had to be the right one. David had raised the stakes, turning this into a public spectacle. Our venue needed to be more than suitable–it needed to be opulent and commanding, something that would make an impression on him and the entire Kingdom.

1/2 +25 BONUS Chapter 0183 That narrowed our options considerably.

But there was one place that came to mind. It would take a favor–one I didn’t offer lightly–but it was worth it. If it meant making Ella happy and ensuring this wedding set a standard no one could match, I was willing to do it.

Ella POV James wasn’t the only one waiting for me at the shopping center when I arrived in the capital. I was surprised to find Elizabeth standing beside him, her arms crossed and a knowing smile on her face.

Alexander, it turned out, had called her and mentioned that I might need some cheering up. That he would think to reach out to my best friend in a moment like this warmed me to my core.

Alexander was far more thoughtful than people gave him credit for, and his consideration had already brightened my mood.

“It’s all the more reason I need to find him a gift,” I said as Elizabeth and I began making our way toward the far end of the shopping center, planning to work our way back to the entrance as we browsed.

“He is surprisingly sweet to you, isn’t he?” Elizabeth teased, smirking as she gave me a sidelong glance.

“Everyone keeps saying things like that,” I replied thoughtfully. “Is it really so surprising that Alexander is kind?”

“I don’t think so,” she admitted. “But I do think that a powerful, attractive, and wealthy alpha who’s also genuinely kind might seem a little... unbelievable to most people.”

I laughed at that, knowing exactly what she meant. People in Alexander’s position often came across as arrogant at best, but he hadn’t shown even a hint of that.

“Come on,” Elizabeth prodded, elbowing me playfully. “He must have a flaw.”

“I’m sure he does,” I said with a casual shrug. “I just couldn’t tell you what it is.”

“You’re definitely in the honeymoon phase,” she teased. “And you’re not even married yet!”

“I’m not blinded by affection,” I countered with mock indignation, though the flush on my cheeks betrayed me.

Elizabeth just grinned knowingly. “If you say so.”

“I do,” I said firmly. “Alexander’s just a good guy.”

“I believe you,” Elizabeth replied with a smile. Then her expression shifted slightly, curiosity lighting her eyes. Now, not to change the subject, but Alexander told me you were down in the dumps and needed cheering up. He didn’t tell me why, though. Is it about the wedding date?”

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