Chapter 7 Chapter 7 On the drive home , I asked William about Alexanders situation . He sighed , then explained . The Sterling empire its a mess . Alexanders grandfather wants to hand over full control of the company to him after the marriage . But his aunt Victoria ? Shes convinced the company should be split between her husband and Alexanders father . The problem is , William continued , those two are disasters in business . Especially his uncle lost millions in a hedge fund scam . If Alexander hadnt stepped in , half the family fortune wouldve vanished . Victoria , unable to change the grandfathers mind , turned her attention to sabotaging Alexander instead . The marriage arrangement became her primary target . Alexander was watching Victoria , but he never expected her to use her own teenage son , William shook his head . He didnt pay more attention to his cousin . Thats how he got drugged tonight . ur I absorbed this information , grateful our family was simpler just us three , with no scheming relatives in sight . Before I could comment , Williams phone rang . I glimpsed Castros name on the screen . Since William was navigating a tricky turn , I hesitantly answered on speaker . William , has Aveline returned home ? Castros voice was urgent . William shot me an amused glance . Yeah , howd you know ? I… Castro paused . Could I speak with her ? Please ? Williams smile widened . Shes right here , mate . Speakers on . After a long pause , Castro spoke softly . Aveline , could we talk privately ? Williams expression sharpened . Whats so secret you cant say it in front of me ? Want advice on winning back Oriana ? No , Castro sighed . Orianas in the past . Aveline , please , just five minutes ? Chapter 7 Bloody hell ! William slammed the brakes , pulling over . You think I dont know about your obsession with Oriana ? How many lookalikes have you burned through five , six ? And now you have the audacity to pursue my sister ? MY SISTER ? He couldnt hold hack his anger . Ive treated you like family for years , Castro , but so help me God , if you dont back off , Ill hop on the next flight and ensure you spend the next month in intensive care . He hung up , tossing the phone aside as it kept ringing . Turning to me , his eyes blazed . Whats really going on ? You said you barely knew him . I finally confessed everything . When I finished , he pulled me into a fierce hug , tears in his eyes . I shouldve warned you about Oriana . This isnt your fault- its mine for trusting the wrong person . 1 shook my head , touched by his protectiveness . I shouldve known something was wrong when he wouldnt go public or meet you for seven years . Youve got Alexander now , he squeezed my shoulder . I stake my life on him being worthy . We thought Castro , proud as he was , would disappear after Williams outburst . But the next morning , as we sat around the breakfast table , our housekeeper announced someone was insisting on seeing me . Five-year-old Annie, who can understand animals, saved Landon Hawthorne, a wealthy businessman, from suicide. Now she's his whole world and he's her legal cheat-code against every villain fate throws ...