King of the Hidden Empire

Chapter 2 Hand in Hand

This was exactly what gave Alexander a headache.

He understood how these things worked. A man like Jonathan Wells—the CEO of a massive international corporation—wasn’t someone you could just walk in and meet. Gatekeeping was part of the game.

He had tried calling the old man earlier to ask for Jonathan’s direct line—would’ve saved him a lot of trouble—but all he got was a dead tone. Probably off gambling all night again, forgot to charge his phone. Typical.

“I do have an appointment. He’s the one who asked to meet me,” Alexander said calmly, unfazed by the skeptical receptionist.

Technically, it wasn’t a lie. Jonathan had reached out—though not directly to him, but to his mentor. Close enough.

The moment she heard that the chairman had supposedly invited this man, the receptionist’s expression changed instantly. Her tone became polite, cautious even.

“May I have your name, sir?”

“Alexander Bishop,” he replied with a faint smile.

“One moment, please,” she said, checking her digital appointment list. No Alexander Bishop.

But something about the man’s calm demeanor made her hesitate. She picked up the desk phone and dialed quickly, speaking into the receiver with some anxiety. “Hello, Assistant Victoria? This is the front desk. There’s a gentleman here—Mr. Alexander Bishop. He claims the chairman scheduled a meeting with him... Yes, Bishop... young man... No? Are you sure?”

She froze, then stammered, “Understood.” Click.

She hung up and glared at Alexander, humiliated by the scolding she’d just received. Without another word, she called security.

The result? Predictable. Alexander was escorted out of the building.

Standing just outside the sleek glass façade of Vanguard International Group’s headquarters, Alexander made no move to leave. Instead, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number—the very same one he’d memorized while watching the receptionist make her earlier call.

The line connected.

“Assistant Victoria?” His voice was cool.

“Yes, this is Victoria. Who’s speaking?”

“I’m the guy your security just threw out—the one with the ‘appointment.’ Tell Jonathan Wells the person he begged for help has arrived. I’ll wait downstairs for ten minutes. If I don’t hear from him by then, he can forget I ever existed.”

And with that, Alexander hung up, lit a cigarette, and started his countdown.

He wasn’t bluffing. Once the clock ran out, even a golden chariot wouldn’t get him back. He didn’t do favors for just anyone—and certainly not without effort on their part. If it weren’t for the old man, he wouldn’t have shown up at all.

Inside the building, Victoria Langley—sharp-suited, poised, and highly efficient—sat frozen for a beat, the dial tone still ringing in her ear. She scribbled down the incoming number, grabbed a folder for cover, and quickly headed for the chairman’s office.

She knocked. A voice responded from within. “Come in.”

In a spacious, tastefully decorated office, Jonathan Wells sat behind his desk, skimming a report. He was slightly overweight, his temples streaked with gray, the kind of man used to being in charge.

Victoria placed the folder in front of him with a polite smile. “Sir, a document for your signature.”

Jonathan glanced at it, frowned. It wasn’t urgent. Victoria wouldn’t usually interrupt him with something this trivial. His gaze didn’t leave the paper.

“What is it, really?”

Victoria’s smile didn’t falter. “A man named Alexander Bishop called. He claimed you invited him to help with something. I checked the appointment list—he wasn’t on it—so I turned him away. But then he called again and said he’ll only wait ten minutes before leaving. I thought... maybe it was a private arrangement?”

Jonathan’s eyes narrowed. “Alexander Bishop... to help…”

He repeated the name under his breath, then suddenly sat up straighter. “Could it be… him?”

He immediately reached for his private cell phone and dialed—only to be met with a dead battery warning. His lips tightened.

A moment of silence passed before he said, voice low but firm, “Go bring him up. Personally. And do not offend him.”

Victoria blinked. “Understood, Chairman.”

She turned and left in a hurry. There were only a few minutes left. Any delay might cost them more than they could afford.

Back outside, Alexander lit his second cigarette. Time was almost up—three minutes remaining. No call. He was just about to give up when he spotted a beautiful woman in a tailored blazer and pencil skirt, power-walking out of the building in sleek heels.

She scanned the crowd.

Damn, she’s gorgeous, Alexander thought, raising an eyebrow. He figured she might be looking for him—but her gaze flicked past him with hesitation. Not quite convinced.

She pulled out her phone and dialed. A moment later, Alexander’s old Nokia lit up and buzzed.

Their eyes met.

Victoria’s breath caught as she took in the sight of his phone—an ancient black-and-white screen model that hadn’t been sold in years. Her gaze dropped to his clothes, a far cry from the suits and watches of most corporate visitors.

This is the guy?

She hung up. So did he.

“Mr. Alexander Bishop?” she asked cautiously as she approached.

He checked his phone. “One minute left.”

That was all the confirmation she needed. She extended her hand quickly. “My apologies, Mr. Bishop. I’m Victoria Langley, Assistant to Chairman Wells. I’ve come to bring you upstairs.”

Alexander considered ignoring the handshake. But she was too pretty to turn down. He took her hand, then didn’t let go.

Victoria tried to pull away—but he held on, gently but firmly.

“Sir... what are you doing?” she asked, visibly flustered.

“Relax. I’m not trying to harass you,” Alexander said with a calm smile. “It’s just that there are a lot of people in that building with sharp eyes and short memories. I figure if I walk in holding your hand, no one will dare throw me out again.”

Victoria tugged her hand again, to no avail. Her smile grew a bit strained. “It really was a misunderstanding earlier. With me here, no one will bother you again.”

“Is that so?” Alexander smiled lazily. “Problem is, I’ve already been embarrassed once. A second time? Not happening. Gotta play it safe.”

He leaned in slightly, catching a whiff of her expensive perfume.

“I don’t like holding grudges, Miss Langley... but I do believe in balance. Since you had me thrown out, I think it’s only fair I get to walk in holding your hand. If that makes you uncomfortable... feel free to go back alone. Your call.”

Victoria was fuming inside. What kind of lunatic is this? But she had no choice.

Her smile stayed professional. “Right this way, Mr. Bishop.”

Still holding hands, they walked into the building together.

As they passed through the lobby, every head turned. Receptionists stared in disbelief. Wasn’t that the same guy who got kicked out earlier? Now he was back—hand in hand with the chairman’s personal assistant?

The front desk staff looked like they’d seen a ghost.

Alexander even smiled and nodded at them, as if to say, Told you I had an appointment.

Inside the elevator, the doors slid shut. Alexander finally released her hand.

Victoria glanced at him, surprised. She’d genuinely thought he would drag this stunt all the way to the chairman’s office. She had even been mentally drafting her explanation.

Apparently, he knew when to stop. Or maybe... he was just messing with her.

Either way, she wasn’t sure which was worse.