Farewell to Love: The CEO's Desperate Chase novel Chapter 87

At that very moment, the grand front doors of the villa—which had remained tightly shut until now—swung open without warning.

In an instant, all eyes in the room snapped toward the entrance.

A wheelchair was slowly being pushed inside.

Seated in it was an elderly man, his silver hair immaculately combed. Although confined to a wheelchair, he radiated the kind of quiet authority that commanded attention.

He wore a gentle smile.

"Sorry I'm late," he said, his voice warm and clear. "Looks like today's gathering is quite lively—I could hear the chatter from all the way down the drive."

The moment Christian caught sight of him, he shot to his feet and hurried down the stairs.

Christian helped the old man stand, steadying him with a careful hand. "Grandpa, what are you doing here in person?"

He'd expected Alexander would be watching from some hidden spot, waiting to signal Christian privately to bring Emilia over once the time was right. Instead, the old man had chosen the most direct approach: rolling in through the front entrance for all to see.

"Just wanted to see things for myself." Alexander leaned on his cane and straightened up. By now, the other two Donovan brothers had arrived and came forward to assist him, but Alexander waved them off with a brief shake of his head. He took a moment to look around at everyone gathered, his gaze lingering on Tyler, Vivienne, and Emilia before drifting to the auction's featured item.

Finally, he spoke words that left many in the room puzzled: "Youth is a wonderful thing."

Alexander's unexpected arrival brought the auction to a brief halt. The auctioneer was preparing to resume, but Alexander simply tapped a nearby plate with his cane.

He spoke in that raspy, commanding voice: "It's intermission. We'll continue in the second half."

Was that it? Just like that?

The crowd shifted restlessly, every guest itching with anticipation. The bidding had just reached its most intense moment—now they were being told to take a break?

Alexander could read the frustration on their faces, but he offered no explanation.

Supported by his three grandsons, he made his way toward the elevator leading to the third floor.

Just before the elevator doors closed, Alexander turned to Christian and said, "Go bring her to me. I want to see her."

Emilia laughed. "You make it sound so dramatic."

"I mean it! It really is that bad." The beads of sweat on Christian's forehead made it clear he wasn't joking.

Emilia just smiled and nodded. "Alright. I'm going in."

The other Donovan brothers had already stepped out, and now they watched from a distance as Christian paced anxiously outside the door.

Inside, Emilia quietly closed the door behind her and walked step by step toward Alexander.

She stopped in front of him.

With a steady hand, she reached up and removed the custom half-mask she wore, revealing her face without a flicker of hesitation.

It wasn't Serena who stood before Alexander.

It was Emilia.