Claimed by the Billionaire

Chapter 7: A Dangerous Game

The silence that followed the mysterious phone call was heavier than stone.

Alexander slowly lowered his phone, his expression unreadable. The warmth in his eyes had vanished, replaced by the cold, calculating look that had earned him the nickname The Ice King of Wall Street.

Across from him, Brittney searched his face.

"What happened?" she asked softly.

He slipped the phone into his pocket.

"Nothing important."

She frowned.

"Don't lie to me."

Alexander looked at her for a long moment before forcing a faint smile.

"I'll handle it."

That answer did nothing to reassure her.

Before she could question him again, the butler hurried into the living room.

"Sir."

Alexander turned.

"A young lady is here to see Madam."

"Who?"

"She introduced herself as Miss Amelia."

Brittney's heart sank.

"My stepsister..."

She hadn't expected Amelia to come.

Especially not after everything that had happened.

Alexander noticed the nervousness on Brittney's face.

"You don't have to see her if you don't want to."

Before Brittney could respond, Amelia's cheerful voice echoed through the grand entrance.

"Brittney!"

The doors opened dramatically.

Amelia walked in wearing a fitted emerald-green dress that hugged her figure perfectly. Diamond earrings sparkled beneath the chandelier, and every movement seemed carefully practiced.

She looked less like someone visiting family...

...and more like someone attending a fashion show.

"Brittney!"

She opened her arms as though they were the closest sisters in the world.

Brittney knew better.

Still, she accepted the brief hug.

"What are you doing here?"

Amelia smiled sweetly.

"I came to congratulate you."

Her eyes slowly drifted toward Alexander.

"So this is the famous Alexander Knight."

She extended her hand elegantly.

"I've heard so much about you."

Alexander shook it once.

"Miss Amelia."

His tone remained polite...

But distant.

Amelia immediately noticed.

Interesting.

Most wealthy men practically melted whenever she smiled.

Alexander hadn't even looked impressed.

She refused to give up.

"I must admit..."

She laughed softly.

"My sister is luckier than I imagined."

Brittney felt uncomfortable.

Amelia only complimented people when she wanted something.

The butler served tea.

Everyone sat down.

For several minutes Amelia asked Alexander endless questions.

His business.

His travels.

His hobbies.

His favorite food.

Every answer was short.

Every response ended the conversation instead of encouraging it.

Yet Amelia continued trying.

"So..."

She leaned forward slightly.

"Do you enjoy dancing?"

"Occasionally."

"Oh!"

Her eyes sparkled.

"I love dancing."

She smiled playfully.

"Perhaps someday you'll dance with me."

Alexander calmly picked up his teacup.

"I only dance with my wife."

Silence.

Brittney blinked.

She hadn't expected that answer.

Neither had Amelia.

For the first time since arriving...

Amelia's smile cracked.

"Oh..."

She forced a laugh.

"How romantic."

An hour later...

Alexander received an urgent business call.

"If you'll excuse me."

He stood.

"I need to take this."

The moment he disappeared upstairs...

Amelia's sweet expression vanished.

She turned toward Brittney.

"So..."

"This is how you trapped him."

Brittney frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

"Please."

Amelia rolled her eyes.

"Men like Alexander Knight don't marry girls like you unless there's a reason."

"It isn't your business."

Amelia smiled coldly.

"It will become my business."

"You've always been lucky."

"You always take what should've been mine."

Brittney stared at her.

"I never took anything from you."

"No?"

Amelia laughed bitterly.

"Our parents loved you."

"Our relatives defended you."

"And now..."

"You married the richest bachelor in the country."

She leaned closer.

"I won't lose again."

Before Brittney could reply...

Alexander returned.

Instantly Amelia's personality changed.

She smiled brightly.

"Alexander!"

"I was just telling Brittney how perfect you two look together."

Brittney almost laughed.

The change was unbelievable.

Alexander's sharp eyes moved between both women.

He sensed something had happened.

But neither of them spoke.

Later that evening...

Rain poured outside.

Thunder echoed across the city.

Electricity flashed across the enormous windows of the mansion.

Brittney couldn't sleep.

She walked downstairs hoping to make tea.

The mansion was quiet.

As she reached the kitchen...

She heard voices.

Alexander.

And Amelia.

She stopped.

Hidden behind the hallway wall.

Amelia stood far too close to him.

"I couldn't sleep," she said softly.

"I thought maybe we could talk."

Alexander looked confused.

"It's late."

"I know."

She stepped closer.

"So?"

"You don't seem like the type who follows rules."

Alexander remained silent.

She smiled.

"You know..."

"I've always admired successful men."

"I'm sure many women admire successful men."

"But not like I do."

She gently touched his sleeve.

"I think..."

"We could understand each other."

Alexander calmly removed her hand.

"I think you've misunderstood something."

She looked up at him.

"I'm a married man."

Her smile remained.

"Your marriage is just a contract."

Alexander's eyes became dangerously cold.

"Who told you that?"

Amelia hesitated.

"...People talk."

"My marriage is none of their concern."

She wasn't ready to lose.

She stepped closer again.

"If circumstances were different..."

"Would you have chosen me instead?"

Alexander answered without hesitation.

"No."

One word.

Sharp.

Final.

Amelia froze.

"Why?"

"Because I don't choose people based on appearances."

His voice remained calm.

"I choose people based on character."

The words hit harder than any slap.

At that exact moment...

Brittney accidentally shifted her weight.

The wooden floor creaked.

Alexander turned immediately.

"Brittney?"

She slowly stepped into the light.

"I..."

"I came for tea."

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Amelia quickly composed herself.

"I should leave."

Without waiting for a reply, she hurried upstairs to collect her handbag.

The moment she disappeared...

Alexander looked at Brittney.

"You heard?"

She nodded.

"I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize."

She smiled shyly.

"You defended me."

He walked toward her.

Stopping just inches away.

"I'll always defend what's mine."

The words made her heart race.

Neither of them realized how close they had become.

Rain battered the windows.

The lights flickered.

For a brief moment...

The rest of the world disappeared.

Alexander gently brushed a loose strand of hair behind Brittney's ear.

She looked up into his eyes.

His usual icy gaze had softened.

"You should get some rest," he said quietly.

She nodded.

But neither of them moved.

The distance between them grew smaller.

Their eyes locked.

Just before either of them spoke again—

The mansion's security alarm suddenly blared through every hallway.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

The head of security rushed into the room.

"Mr. Knight!"

"Someone has broken through the outer gates."

Alexander's face turned to stone.

"Get Brittney somewhere safe."

Outside, hidden by the storm, a black SUV rolled slowly toward the mansion.

Its headlights cut through the rain.

And inside the vehicle...

Someone smiled.

"The game has finally begun."