The Alpha King's Reluctant Bride (Ava and Grayson) novel Chapter 120

Grayson’s POV-

I tapped my fingers rhythmically on my desk, silently counting the seconds in my head, fighting the growing irritation clawing its way to the surface. For the past eight minutes, a relentless sniffing noise had punctuated the silence every three seconds. I had tried-really tried-to keep my composure. The mantra I had been repeating in my head-Be patient, she’s Ava’s friend-was wearing thin. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Stop crying, Eliza.” I let the irritation seep into my tone.

She sniffed one last time, raising her tear-streaked face to meet my eyes before glancing back at her trembling hands. Letting out a resigned sigh, I softened my voice slightly. “Look, I’m not mad at you, and I’m not going to fire you. But you need to meet me halfway here. Your boyfriend used you to get information about me, and the man who paid him refuses to talk.”

My wolf growled low in my mind, already imagining what it would do to that man. I pushed the thought aside for now. There were more pressing matters.

“I need to know what Jeremy told that man so I can figure out what I’m dealing with here. That’s it, Eliza. No threats, no harm—just–answers.”

That had been my plan when I called her into my office, but the moment she sat down, she broke into tears. Normally, I wouldn’t have had the patience for this kind of behavior. I could have pulled every resource I had to track Jeremy down or resorted to making threats, but I wanted to be better for Ava. Ava wouldn’t approve of either method, and I didn’t want to do anything that would disappoint her.

“You promise you won’t hurt him?” Eliza’s voice wavered as she finally spoke.

“I just want to talk to him,” I

assured her, keeping my tone even

She hesitated, her gaze dropping to her trembling hands once more before she nodded. “He’s hiding out at his grandparents’ farm. He’s really scared. He didn’t mean for this to happen, Mr. Blackwood. Please….. he only took the money to help his mom.”

Helping his mother. Unfortunately, I understood that sentiment better than most people. For a moment, I considered her words. My wolf growled softly, dissatisfied but silent.

“You can take the rest of the day off,” I said finally, standing and grabbing my keys.

She looked up, startled. “Thank you, Mr. Blackwood.”

I didn’t respond. I left the office and was about to step into the elevator when Liam called my name from down the hall. I

his face. turned to face him, noting the forced smile on

“It feels like I haven’t seen you in forever,” he said, his tone attempting casualness but failing miserably.

“Maybe because you’ve been intentionally avoiding me ever since you pieced together that killed my parents,” I said matter-of-factly.

His forced smile faltered, replaced by a sigh. “I know… and I’m sorry. It’s just… a lot to process, and then Elaine-”

“I have somewhere I need to be, Liam. Do you need something? I interrupted, unwilling to linger on this topic. He held up a document. “This needs your signature, but I’ll just leave it with Eliza.”

“Okay,” I said curtly.

ed, Jan 1

10:37

Chapter 120-

Our eyes met just as the elevator doors began to close. For a fleeting moment, I felt… something. I didn’t know what I expected from Liam. He had been my constant over the years, and though I never asked or hoped for anything from him, his sudden absence after learning about that night stung in a way I couldn’t quite describe. If I were better at processing emotions, maybe I’d call it hurt. But I wasn’t.

The elevator descended, and I shoved the thought aside. Getting into my car, I drove straight to my estate, where I had arranged for the man who I still didn’t know his name and I still hadn’t found anything about his background to be brought. As I pulled up, Rickon was already waiting for me, standing by the entrance.

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