Chapter 88: Chapter 88: The Golden Cage of High Society

"There you are, Alex! What on earth were you doing back here?" asked Serena, her eyes narrowing slightly as she cornered him near the heavy oak door of the study.

Alexander quickly smoothed down his suit jacket, forcing a casual smile to his lips "I was just looking for the restroom" said Alexander.

"The restroom is explicitly right down at the very end of the hall" stated Serena, pointing a manicured finger past him.

Despite his outward composure, Alexander could feel a rare, uncomfortable knot of nerves twisting in his stomach.

He had almost been caught red-handed in a highly unauthorized situation, and a negative review from a client of this caliber would be an absolute disaster.

Stephen’s cold, echoing warning flashed vividly in his mind—TMC explicitly doesn’t give out second chances, and one single mistake could mean being discarded without a trace.

Serena, who had been studying him closely, noticed the subtle shift.

He wasn’t entirely serious and perfectly calm like he usually was, and the slight crack in his armor didn’t slip past her "Tell me, what were you honestly looking for back here?" asked Serena, stepping closer to block his path.

"I was strictly—"

"Don’t you dare lie to me" interrupted Serena, a dangerous, playful smirk dancing on her lips "Or what?

We still have a massive amount of time left on your contract tonight, Alex.

I could easily find some exceptionally creative ways to punish you."

Alexander took a slow breath, realizing he needed to pivot his narrative immediately "I was actually looking for Aria" said Alexander.

Serena blinked in surprise, her eyebrows arching high "Why on earth were you looking for her?" asked Serena.

"To be completely honest, I had absolutely no idea she was such an incredibly important figure until Mrs. Gable mentioned it" stated Alexander, shaking his head with a look of mock sheepishness "I was deeply worried that I might have accidentally offended her during our brief interaction earlier, so I sneakily crept inside to find her and properly apologize."

Serena stared at him, completely stunned "And she didn’t have her men beat you to a pulp?" asked Serena "She explicitly does not have a reputation for being accessible or forgiving to staff."

"No... it was actually a remarkably sincere conversation" said Alexander, maintaining a completely relaxed tone "I just wanted to ensure things were entirely pleasant between us.

Fortunately, she wasn’t offended at all.

It turned out to be nothing more than a couple of minor misunderstandings."

Serena let out a long, heavy sigh of relief, her shoulders dropping "Well, that is incredibly good to hear" murmured Serena "It would be an absolute tragedy if they made you disappear without leaving a single trace."

Alexander let out a casual laugh, but there was no real amusement behind it.

His pulse was finally starting to calm down, but Serena’s offhand comment served as a chilling reminder.

He was playing with fire, and he was perhaps pushing his luck a little bit too far into dangerous territory.

He made a move to walk toward the restroom to finally execute his excuse, but Serena suddenly reached out, her hand firmly gripping his forearm to halt him in his tracks "Do you actually know what this entire party is truly about, Alex?" asked Serena, her eyes locking onto his.

"Of course" said Alexander "It’s to celebrate your joint birthday with Madame Gable."

"Yes, but do you have any idea exactly how old I am turning today?" asked Serena, a challenging glint in her eyes.

"I honestly wouldn’t know" murmured Alexander smoothly "You look remarkably young and absolutely beautiful."

Serena giggled, stepping even closer until her chest was nearly brushing against his jacket "Dare to guess an exact number, or do you simply not have the balls to say it out loud?" asked Serena.

Alexander tilted his head, his smirk returning "Brighteen?" asked Alexander.

"Fortunately for you, as of today, I am officially legal" stated Serena, a triumphant smile spreading across her face "And I explicitly requested my mother to hire you, and only you, for my birthday celebration.

The second this formal party officially ends, it will be time for my real present.

I wanted to tell you this directly—today, you are entirely my gift.

So from this exact moment on, I want you stuck to me like glue, acting exactly like my boyfriend.

I’ve always wanted to have one, but every single guy usually comes running out the door the very second I mention my godmother Aria..."

Alexander stood completely rooted to the spot, a profound wave of shock hitting him as the staggering realization of Aria’s absolute, crushing power in this world became even more undeniable.

But he didn’t let the shock paralyze him.

Within a fraction of a second, he completely shed his lingering anxiety "Of course, Madame" said Alexander, his tone completely shifting as he smoothly slipped into a brand-new role "I am entirely yours.

From this moment forward, I will be vastly more attentive to your every single need."

Serena beamed, clearly thrilled by his instant compliance "I am incredibly glad that we have a perfect understanding" said Serena, her eyes dropping slightly "Now, I want the very first part of my birthday present.

I have always wanted to explicitly see how a man urinates.

Since you were already heading to the restroom anyway, let’s go inside together.

I want to see it with my own two eyes."

Alexander didn’t hesitate for a single second.

The nervousness was entirely gone, replaced by the flawless, unyielding confidence of a master actor.

He stepped into the role of a deeply affectionate, caring, and completely devoted boyfriend, looking down at her with absolute warmth "Of course, Serena" said Alexander, his voice dripping with smooth, loving charm as he gently took her hand "You can ask me for absolutely anything you want.

At the end of the day, that is exactly what a boyfriend is for, right?"

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Author’s Thought:

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