Alexander took one step toward the door.
"Stop."
He paused.
Elena's voice was calm and unbothered. "Where exactly do you think you're going? And who permitted you to leave?" She let a beat pass. "Is this how you were trained? Walking out on your boss?"
Alexander turned. "You have a new bodyguard now. I didn't think there was a reason for me to stay," he explained, trying to make a point.
"And who told you I don't need you anymore?"
Nadia's face tightened. "Elena. What are you saying? You're seriously keeping this man around?"
"Exactly," Clara said.
"Elena, send him back to wherever you found him," Margaret said. "We are done with this."
"That is enough." Robert's voice cut across the table. "Are we here to eat or to argue?" He nodded toward the door and the housemaid moved quickly, arranging the meal on the table. Plates were set, food was laid out, and one by one everyone found their seats.
Everyone except Alexander.
He stood where he was. "You know what — I have something important to take care of. I won't be joining the meal."
"You are going nowhere." Elena's voice was quiet but firm. She turned her head toward him and gave a small, slow nod in the direction of the empty seat — the kind of gesture that needs no words. Come and sit down.
"If he wants to leave, let him go," Margaret said. "He is already doing the right thing. Don't force him into the wrong one."
Robert pushed back his chair and stood. He crossed the room to where Alexander was still standing and stopped in front of him, looking at him the way a man looks at someone he has already decided to trust. "Young man. You saved my life today. From this moment forward — I owe you mine. That is my word."
The table went quiet.
"Grandpa!" Clara's voice jumped.
Robert didn't look at her. He turned, placed a hand on Alexander's shoulder, and guided him back toward the table with a wide, unhurried smile — the smile of a man who has already made his decision and sees no need to defend it.
"This kid just got lucky," Margaret said, watching from her seat. "You can pay him for his service — that is reasonable. But a promise like that? You should take those words back. You don't even know who he is or where he comes from."
"Ungrateful," Robert said. "Come, come, come." He patted the empty seat beside him. "Sit here. Right here with me."
"I brought him here." Elena's voice was steady. "He saved Grandpa. I don't care what anyone says about him. I hired him for myself — not for any of you. And as long as I am satisfied with him, that is the end of it."
William nodded once. "Elena is right." He turned to Alexander. "Young man — I haven't properly thanked you for what you did for my father today. Thank you."
"It was nothing," Alexander said.
Robert settled back and looked around the table. His eyes moved from face to face, counting. Then he frowned.
"Where is Harlan? Where is his mother?" He looked at William. "Where did they go?"
"Now that you mention it," Mark said, glancing around, "I didn't even notice they had slipped out."
"Can someone tell me where they went?" Robert's voice dropped. "We are supposed to eat this meal together as a family. Are they not happy that I'm alive?"
"Grandpa, please don't say something like that," Clara said quickly. "I'm sure they'll join us soon."
"Join us?" Margaret said flatly. "Forget it."
The table settled into an uneasy silence.
Elena's phone buzzed inside her bag.
She reached in and pulled it out. The number on the screen stopped her cold. She stared at it for a moment, hoping it had nothing to do with Drake. Then she answered.
"Hello."
"Is the money ready?" The voice was brisk and straight to the point.
"Manager John." She kept her voice even.
Every conversation at the table stopped. Every head turned.
"The loan agreement was for two years," Elena said carefully. "There is still a year and a half remaining. The payment is not yet due—"
"Are you lecturing me on how to run my own business? And when exactly did we agree on two years?"
"Manager John—"
"Don't call me that if you're not ready to pay."
Robert reached across and held out his hand. Elena looked at him, then passed the phone over without a word. Her mind was already somewhere else.
"Mr. John." Robert's voice was warm and easy. "It has been a long time."
"Who is this?"
"You don't recognize my voice? It's Robert Carter. You were just speaking with my granddaughter."
A short pause. "I heard she is the new CEO now. That is why I called her directly."
"Yes, that's right," Robert said. "Now — Mr. John, I know you well. You have been managing that bank for five years. You know the system. This is not the first time we have done business together." His voice stayed steady. "So I have to say — I am genuinely surprised this call is coming from you."
Silence on the line.
"You know what, Mr. Robert," John said, his voice losing its sharp edge. "Whatever issue your family has with the Voss family, with that son of his — go and make peace with them. I cannot go against my own relatives. I am sitting in this chair today because of the Voss family's influence. You understand what I am telling you."
Robert said nothing.
"Mr. Robert? Are you still there?"
No answer.
Everyone at the table fixed their eyes on him.
John went on. "I have told you what needs to be done. I hope you take it seriously." He paused, about to end the call, when Robert finally spoke.
"Please — can you speak to his son on our behalf? Help him understand that the bank operates under the law. Whatever personal matter exists between him and our family, we can sort it out without bringing it into business. Tell him you tried, but that there is nothing you can do within the rules—"
"I tried what?" John's voice came back sharp and immediate. "Mr. Robert, I am done with this conversation. And let me be very clear before I go, you cannot afford to fight the Voss family. If you try, you will not just lose this loan. You stand to lose everything." He cut the call.
Robert sat with the phone in his hand.
"Grandpa." Elena leaned forward. "What did he say? Tell us."
Robert set the phone down on the table and slid it back to her without lifting his eyes.
"Grandpa." She reached over and covered his hand with hers. "I understand. Don't worry about this. I will find a way to resolve the issue. I promise you."