The Heir And The Servent Started From A Bet novel Chapter 98

Chapter 98

Alex stared at his father, and his father stared back like they were two strangers caught in a silent standoff.

There was no warmth between them, no hint of fatherly concern-just that same cold scrutiny he’d grown up under.

The air felt heavier with him around, like it always did. Like even the oxygen had to behave differently when he walked into

a room.

Alex let out a breath, running a hand through his wet hair, slicking it back out of frustration.

His skin was still cooling from the heat of the shower. His muscles, still tender from the fight, ached with every small

movement.

But that pain was familiar. Easier to deal with than the one standing in front of him.

“I’m sure you didn’t come all this way for a staring competition,” Alex muttered, voice low, edged in sarcasm.

His father didn’t bite.

“Something came up,” the man said, ignoring the jab completely-just like he always did.

His words were clipped, clean, void of anything human.

“Cheng is coming to the country for a gallery opening. Apparently, he’ll be staying here for a few days. His son is attending the unicorn party.”

Alex’s jaw tightened. Of course.

The unicorn party. That yearly event Willowcrest threw to feed its own ego. Glitz, glam, champagne, power moves disguised as polite conversation.

It was less of a party and more of a public auction of who had the most money, the most influence, the most control.

And every year, he has to attend. With Zoe hanging off his arm like a trophy, painted perfect for every photo op. Smile, pose, drink, pretend.

But this year…

This year, things were different. His mind didn’t flash to Zoe in her silver dress. It flashed to Mia.

Mia, with her nervous hands and stubborn confidence. Mia, who laughed too hard and blushed too easily.

Mia, who had no idea how much chaos she’d stirred in his life just by existing in it.

This year, he didn’t want a prop on his arm. He wanted her.

But how would that look? Turner’s daughter? The girl from the “wrong” side? The girl his father would never-never— approve of?

“I want you to attend the gallery,” his father continued, not even noticing the shift in Alex’s expression. Or maybe he noticed and didn’t care.

“Get Cheng to agree to a meeting with us during his stay. He’s expanding—if we lock him down now, we’ll control the narrative before anyone else steps in.”

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Chapter 98

Alex said nothing. Because what was there to say?

It wasn’t a request. It was a demand wrapped in formality. That’s how it always was.

His father finally looked at him, his eyes flicking to the bruise forming under Alex’s cheekbone. The scrape on his lip. The light swelling near his temple.

His expression didn’t change-there was no concern, no hint of worry-just… irritation.

“I thought I’d be early enough to stop this stupid fight,” his father muttered, like Alex had ruined something just by getting hit. “So you don’t get your face all bruised up to meet Cheng”

Because God forbid Cheng see a real human instead of a polished heir. God forbid the Blackwell name look anything less than flawless.

Alex clenched his teeth. His silence was doing more damage than words could.

And his father knew it too. Knew when Alex didn’t answer, it wasn’t because he had nothing to say-it was because he had too much.

But the man didn’t care.

“Do something about that face before you go meet Cheng,” he added, turning like the conversation was over.

That was it. No check-in. Just orders. Expectations….

Alex stood there for a second, watching the man who shared his blood walk back toward his car.

He could feel the resentment boiling under his skin, but he held it back. Barely.

The worst part? He wasn’t even surprised. He knew better than to expect anything else.

The man never came around unless there was a deal at stake or a reputation to maintain. Never asked how his son was, only if his son was “presentable.”

Alex rolled his eyes so hard it hurt his head and turned around, heading back inside before he exploded.

As he pushed the door open, the first thing he thought of was Mia.

Still hiding. Still his secret.

Mia pressed her hand against her chest, fingers digging slightly into her skin like she could somehow slow the thunderstorm happening in her heart.

Her pulse was wild, erratic, like it didn’t know if it wanted to scream or collapse.

She leaned her back against the door the second Alex stepped out, the quiet click of the lock sounding louder than a gunshot in the stillness of the room.

She closed her eyes for a moment.

Breathe, just breathe.

ཧ་ཆ་ཇ་ས་

But her lungs felt shallow. Her chest tight.

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Chapter 98

It wasn’t even Charles Blackwell she saw. She didn’t need to. The weight of his presence in the building, the sheer panic on Alex’s face, was enough.

One man-one man-could stir up this kind of dread without even showing his face. That alone told you exactly the kind of monster he was.

And now… she was involved. With his son.

Mia swallowed, her throat dry like she’d been running for hours.

She shouldn’t be here.

Not in this room. Not in this place. Not in Alex’s life.

But she was.

It wasn’t just butterflies fluttering in her belly-it was a war. A war between fear and love.

Suddenly, something pushed at the door behind her.

Her whole body jolted.

She didn’t breathe. Didn’t move.

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