Chapter 4 WHEN THE PAST WALKS IN WEARING A SUIT

"I'm currently at the bank. I'll get home as soon as I'm done," Cardi said. Her phone was held to her ear by her bodyguard as she sat on the sleek leather sofa of the private VIP business room, flipping through the asset inventory the bank manager had just handed her.

"What are you doing at the bank though?" Diana asked on the other end.

"I'm trying to freeze the funds I've secretly been investing in Dennis's company. Without that income flow, he'll be bankrupt in no time." Cardi chuckled softly.

Diana laughed. "That's my sister. See you soon."

Cardi hung up, let out a breath, and reclined, but her quiet moment was short-lived. The door opened with a creak. Her brows furrowed immediately. She had specifically told the VIP manager she didn't want any interruptions.

She turned slightly to see who it was-and froze.

A tall man in a tailored suit, dark hair brushed back, broad chest commanding attention... Her breath caught in her throat.

*Alex Carlson.*

He had changed. God, he had changed.

Two years hadn't just passed-they had molded him. The man who she turned down before had matured into something even more formidable. He radiated a kind of quiet power that made Cardi's heart stutter. She could feel his presence like heat in her bones.

She snapped her head forward, whispering under her breath, "He didn't see me. He didn't see me. Please, not now."

But it was too late.

"Sorry, wrong room, Mrs. Blake."

That voice. Deep, unmistakable.

Cardi closed her eyes. Of all people to walk in today... she must be so unfortunate.

Two years ago, she'd left him days before their wedding. No explanation. Just vanished. Because her parents won't let her be with a low-class like Dennis, she had to secretly run away from the mansion without shame-all because of love.

Lady Miyani had tried to fix the humiliation she brought upon them by proposing he marry her cousin sister, Drietty instead. But he declined. And remained single.

Now, here he was-richer, more powerful than ever, and somehow still achingly handsome.

She stayed silent, hoping he'd just leave.

But Alex didn't move. "What are you doing in the VIP room? Has your fake life come to an end?"

That stung. He didn't even try to hide the venom.

"I'm here to process something," Cardi replied stiffly, still not meeting his eyes. Her voice felt brittle in her throat. She hated that he still affected her this much.

Alex hadn't changed in how he spoke-always calm, sharp, calculated-but the man in front of her now exuded a maturity that was almost threatening.

Everyone in the country knows the Carlson's Group, it's the only company that cannot be influenced by The Belmont's, as it's almost on the same level with it. Alex, the head of Carlson's group had become the most wealthy bachelors in the nation-famous for both his business acumen and his breathtaking looks. Even Dennis used to speak of him with jealousy and would always say 'Alex is his ultimate goal'.

Cardi shrank inward.

The man she'd left had become a monument.

Alex stepped closer. Two slow steps. Then he bent slightly, so their faces were level.

"How have you been these past two years? Day and night, I couldn't forget what you did to me, Cardi."

She swallowed hard. Sweat pricked her hairline. Her bodyguard started forward, but a man beside Alex-a lean, suited figure-held him back.

Cardi couldn't move. Her eyes dropped.

And she missed it-the subtle softness in Alex's expression.

"I see you still answer questions with silence," He spoke in a low, scalpel-like voice. She was held in place by his hazel eyes.

She felt trapped.

The air was cool, but her palms were slicked with sweat. She wanted to leave. To disappear. 'Why can't he just let me go?'

Alex, of course, noticed. He *always* noticed.

He straightened slowly. "So, Mrs. Blake. Don't you think you owe me an apology?"

MRS. BLAKE!?.

Of all the names?!

Not 'Miss Belmont'. Not even 'Cardi'.

That was a deliberate wound.

In her lap, her fist trembled. She suppressed the urge to scream.

"Alex Carlson," she started, gaining her composure once more. "Words cannot make up for the kind of hurt I inflicted on you. I would make amends if I could. But just so you know, your small-minded taunts don't affect me." Cardi explained, her eyes flashing with defiance.

She believed that all she needed to do to get him to leave was to appear mature and uninterested.

But Alex was not done with her just yet.

He chuckled slightly "Unmoved?" he teased, lifting a brow. "Then why are your hands trembling, Cardi?"

Cardi's fists clenched. "Because I'm disgusted," she spat. "Not afraid. Not guilty. I am Disgusted!" Cardi hated the fact that he could see through her, he could really see how nervous she was meeting him again-It made her stomach churn.

"Disgusted?" Alex chuckled again. "That's strange, considering you were the one who disappeared without a word. Or was it Dennis Blake who taught you to lie so smoothly?"

"Alex." Her voice hardened. She stood. "Let's not do this here. This isn't the place to unpack our history. If you want to talk, we'll schedule a time and place. Not here. Not now."

He looked at her for a long moment. Then smiled again.

Yes. This was the Cardi he remembered. The calm one. Ever mature and logical. The dignified one.

"Fair enough." He purred, the muscle in his jaw flexing a bit as he turned to leave, "I'll see you some other time, Mrs. Blake."

As the door clicked shut behind him, Cardi's composure shattered.

If there was a way she could seize him and rip his tongue out of his mouth with a warm kiss, she would without hesitation.

She couldn't tell if the feeling she felt for Alex was appropriate-but she was ready to hone it. There's no way she won't crush on Alex, considering how gorgeous he's become.

But something deeper made Cardi savor her feelings for Alex.

The way he looked at her-exactly the same way he did two years ago!

It hadn't changed.

Not even a little.

"Does Alex still see me the same way he did? Does... Alex... still Love me?" Cardi could not help but wonder.