Chapter 28

Daniel's soft chuckle was heard on the other end. He seemed relaxed about it.

"Hey, be patient, dude. We still have less than a month left, right? I'm sure victory is in your hands, as per our plan. You just have to make sure the General Shareholders' Meeting is held before your wedding with Nathalie."

"I've taken care of that, you just must do your part. Make sure everything goes according to our plan."

"You know what, Daniel? All of this is driving me out of my mind." Xavier scooped up his face in a huff, then leaned back in his chair with a tired sigh.

"My mom even forced me to sign a prenup, to prevent the possibility of me divorcing the woman of her choice after marrying her. Isn't that crazy?!"

"Hahahaha! You should be grateful, X, Your family is very considerate, to the point of planning your future so perfectly. You don't have to bother thinking about what your life path will be like in the future. I'm sure even your grandfather and mother have planned to the design of the burrow your dead."

"Err, shut up!" Xavier rolled his eyes. His goddamn best friend seemed very pleased to laugh at him. "I'm like a living doll that has to become the perfect form of the Alexandre family..."

"Aargh! Why should I? Why not just Dimitri as the successor of the family?!" Xavier groaned in annoyance.

"Sometimes I want to trade life with him. That damn cousin of mine has unlimited freedom over his life. Grandfather never even stopped Dimitri from doing anything. I really envy him."

"Hey, Dude! You know better how Dimitri's life goes. His life isn't that lucky."

Daniel's words made Xavier take a deep breath. Of course he knows best. Still, Xavier felt that his luck was still below Dimitri's.

Thinking back to his cousin, Xavier suddenly became annoyed with himself. Recalling their last meeting that night was utterly depressing and emotionally draining.

"Please don't talk about my damn cousin in front of me," said Xavier in an annoyed tone. "Just hearing his name makes me emotional."

"Hey, hey! Are you guys having a fight? Looks like this time the problem is quite big."

"I'll tell you later, I'm not in the mood to talk about it." Xavier immediately disconnected Daniel.

"Relax, dude! Looks like the wedding preparations made you very sensitive today," Daniel teased. "Okay, back to the original topic. Anyway, give me a little more time, I'm sure you'll get your win at the shareholders' meeting later, don't worry."

"Keep your promise, Daniel. If I manage to win over Grandpa this time, I'll hand over my ownership rights to the airline bussiness we started together in Germany entirely to you."

"Deal!" Daniel shouted excitedly. "You offered it to me, man! I never asked you for it. You don't call me an insincere friend."

"Huh!" Xavier snorted softly. "Besides, I'm not the type of person to ask someone for help for nothing. So, make sure everything goes smoothly without any problems! And don't forget, make sure my grandfather doesn't sniff your movements."

"Don't worry, I've moved as neatly as possible," Daniel said confidently. "Your efforts to be a 'good boy' for the past ten years to gain your grandfather's trust and catch him off guard, will not end in vain."

"Alright, I'll leave the rest to you," Xavier said at last.

He ended the call. His focus slowly dropped to the few digits of the numeric password in one of the desk drawers.

After pressing a few numbers, the drawer that doubles as a small safe can finally be opened, then pulls out some files that are neatly stored in there.

Xavier looked carefully at each page of the important files.

It took years for Xavier to prepare himself against his own family. These bundles in his hands were the ammunition and power he had accumulated over the years.

Only a few more steps, and then he could embrace Rachel without having to fear his grandfather's domination and strong influence anymore.

Then, his hand again took something from the drawer. A small figure containing a photo of his gray and white childhood with Rachel.

"You know what, Rachel?" Xavier pulled a small smile, his fingers moving slowly over the photo. "It took a long and not easy struggle, to be able to freely hold the world with you...."

"You said, our relationship is over?" he muttered softly. "Unfortunately, I won't stop even if you cut us off a thousand times."

"You know why?" Again, Xavier monologues with a photo frame in his hand. "Because of what you have given me, you can never take it back. Including your heart."

Xavier changed the direction of his gaze, his gaze straight ahead looking at the skyscrapers through his office window with a dreamy gaze.

"I'll make sure that no matter how far you go, you'll still be within my territory, Rachel."

.

.

(*)

The bell that hangs on the doorstep of this bohemian cafe rang, a sign that customers were entering the place.

Rachel and Nancy, who were spending their time off at one of the tables near the door, turned their heads, their attention diverted when the atmosphere of the cafe was suddenly bustling, as four charming, mature men attracted the attention of the entire cafe as they entered.

Their charm is like a magnet that can attract the attention of those around them wherever they are.

One of the four million-charm men turned to Rachel as they passed the table she shared with Nancy.

Rachel looked away, then looked down at her drink unappetizingly as soon as she realized one of the four men was someone she knew very well.

"You're looking for trouble anyway! You already know your cousin is a former delinquent, you're even looking for trouble with him."

Rachel's ears caught the words vaguely as the four men passed her desk.

"Hey, what's wrong, dude?" asked a handsome, half-faced man. "Why did it suddenly stop?"

For a split second, Dimitri stopped in his tracks. The man glanced at Rachel briefly, then resumed walking. Just walked away without a smile or a greeting. Now they are like two strangers in the same atmosphere.