She Used Me for a Dare… Now I Own Her Mother Chapter 424: Unexpected Reunion

"Please... Save me. Please!"

Howard’s voice cracked as he knelt before Heena, his hands desperately grasping the edge of her robe. Tears streamed down his face, and his entire body shook uncontrollably.

"If I had known... If I had known you were connected to someone like her..." he sobbed, casting a fearful glance at Elyria. "I would have never treated you poorly. I would have adored you like a queen. But please, I'm begging you. Rescue me this one time. I swear I'll change!"

Heena gazed at Howard, her heart feeling heavy. She found herself unsure of what to say. A part of her felt sympathy for him, yet another part was repulsed by his swift descent into begging for his survival.

Before Heena could voice her thoughts, Elyria’s countenance grew grim. She had heard enough.

’This wretch,’ thought Elyria.

In a swift movement, Elyria acted. She delivered a forceful palm strike to Howard’s back, sending him hurtling across the room. He collided with the wall with a resounding thud before collapsing onto the floor, rendered unconscious.

Heena let out a shocked gasp.

"A-Aunt!" she exclaimed.

Elyria turned to face her, her expression softening slightly.

"Don’t worry," she said with a calm demeanor. "He has merely fainted. It’s nothing too serious."

She approached Heena, gently placing a hand on her head and stroking her hair with quiet tenderness.

"I apologize, my dear," Elyria murmured softly. "I misunderstood everything. My anger clouded my judgment."

Heena shook her head, tears still glistening in her eyes.

"You don't need to apologize, Aunt. I know how much you care for me... I understand your reaction."

Elyria regarded Heena for a prolonged moment, then cast a brief look towards Alex, who stood silently nearby. Without another word, she turned and departed the room.

Alex offered a slight smile at Elyria’s actions but remained silent, choosing not to comment.

Viktor, who had been observing the scene quietly from across the room, gave Alex a subtle nod before turning and exiting without a word.

The instant both Elyria and Viktor departed the suite, a collective, shaky sigh of relief escaped everyone present, who hadn't realized they were holding their breath.

The oppressive tension that had gripped the room gradually began to dissipate.

Alex surveyed the ravaged suite, letting out a sigh. The opulent Presidential Suite was now in absolute disarray – furniture lay broken, walls were cracked, and debris was strewn everywhere.

He then turned his attention to Mrs. Leera Langford, the hotel manager, who stood beside Lydia. Lydia had quietly emerged from the bedroom moments earlier, still visibly shaken by the unfolding events.

"I am truly sorry for all this destruction," Alex stated sincerely.

However, Mrs. Langford quickly raised her hand, halting his words.

"Please, Mr. Alex. It’s not necessary," Mrs. Langford replied respectfully.

Initially, she had perceived him as merely a wealthy young man. But after witnessing him withstand the attack and observing the presence of that individual – someone capable of making even Ms. Elyria appear helpless – how could she possibly accept an apology from him?

Alex gently shook his head.

"Nevertheless, I will cover all repair costs. It’s the right thing to do."

Before Mrs. Langford could voice another refusal, they were interrupted.

Mrs. Blackwell approached them, a faint smile gracing her lips.

"I finally recall who you are, Mr. Alex," she said warmly. "You attended the gala with Victoria a few months ago."

Alex’s gaze slowly scanned Mrs. Blackwell’s alluring figure, pausing for a moment longer than strictly necessary.

"I’m pleased you remembered, Mrs. Blackwell," Alex replied with a gentle smile.

Feeling his scrutiny, she grew visibly embarrassed. Her cheeks flushed as she recalled the true capabilities of the man standing before her.

Before the moment could linger further, the younger woman beside Mrs. Blackwell spoke, breaking the palpable tension.

"I’m glad the confusion has been resolved," she stated in a sharp tone. "However, that still doesn’t make you a good person."

Alex turned back to Mrs. Langford, completely disregarding the younger woman, which clearly irked her.

"Mrs. Langford," Alex said calmly, "please arrange for an ambulance to attend to that man." He gestured towards Howard, who remained unconscious on the floor.

His gaze then shifted to a far corner of the room.

In that secluded corner, Siobhan sat huddled on the floor, her face ashen with fear. She had remained motionless and silent since Elyria’s entrance.

She had hoped to spend time with Alex and perhaps gain something from the situation, but now she was utterly terrified. All she desired was to vanish and never encounter these powerful individuals again.

"And also make arrangements for her safe return home."

Mrs. Langford nodded promptly.

"Please, don't worry. It's not a problem."

Alex turned to Heena, gently taking her hand.

"Would you like to see something interesting?" he inquired with a small smile.

Heena looked at him for a moment before nodding slowly.

"Come," Alex said, beckoning her.

With his hand resting on her shoulder, he guided her towards the exit. As they were about to step through the doorway, he paused, casting a glance back.

Across the room, Mrs. Blackwell observed him with a quiet gaze.

A roguish grin spread across Alex’s face.

"You're welcome to join us, if you wish," he offered, his voice laced with amusement.

Mrs. Blackwell sensed an underlying strangeness, a peculiar unease stirring within her. Despite her reservations, she began to follow. The younger woman beside her trailed along silently.

***

They traversed the opulent suite, making their way to a secluded stairway that ascended to the terrace of the Presidential Suite.

Heena looked around, a flicker of confusion in her eyes, and turned to Alex.

"What lies up there?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Alex offered a subtle smile and gently clasped her hand.

"Just observe," he replied.

Behind them, Mrs. Blackwell followed, her heart pounding. She was uncertain of their destination or Alex's intentions.

'Is he taking me up there for something nefarious?' she fretted inwardly, quickly shaking her head to dismiss the unsettling notion.

Nevertheless, her pace faltered slightly as they navigated the ascending stairs.

As they neared the final steps leading to the terrace, voices suddenly became audible.

Mrs. Blackwell halted abruptly, her eyes widening in astonishment upon recognizing the speakers. Without delay, she hastened up the remaining stairs, closely followed by Alex and Heena.

The scene that greeted them on the terrace rendered them utterly speechless.

Elyria and Viktor were locked in a close embrace. Elyria's face was buried against his chest as she wept uncontrollably, her fists intermittently striking his chest with little force.

"Why did you not arrive sooner... Why? Why?" she wailed, her voice thick with emotion. "Do you comprehend the worry I endured? I believed you were deceased... I suspected that viper killed you!"

Her voice fractured with anguish, tears coursing down her cheeks. It was evident that a torrent of pent-up emotion was finally being unleashed.

Viktor tenderly cupped her face, attempting to soothe her.

"You understood it was impossible," he stated softly. "Had they discovered you aiding me, you would have been implicated as well. I could not take that risk."

Yet, Elyria's sobs continued, her body trembling in his arms.

Viktor gazed at her, a gentle smile gracing his features, and asked, "Am I not standing before you? Strong and well?"

Before she could offer a response, Viktor suddenly scooped her up as if she were a doll and bestowed upon her a passionate kiss.

Elyria remained still for a moment before reciprocating with an almost ravenous fervor. She entwined her arms around his neck, returning his kiss with an intensity that suggested years of unfulfilled longing.

Heena, Mrs. Blackwell, and the younger woman stood transfixed at the top of the stairs, their expressions etched with shock. None could quite believe the tableau before them.

Heena's eyes were wide, but a faint, genuine smile gradually materialized on her lips. She felt a sense of happiness for her aunt.

For the first time, comprehension dawned upon her... Viktor was undeniably the man Elyria had cherished all along. She had always assumed her aunt intended to live out her days in solitude, but now, the pieces began to fall into place.

She tightened her grip around Alex, drawing him nearer.

Beneath her, Mrs. Blackwell and the younger woman experienced vastly different sentiments.

Back within the suite, they had harbored suspicions regarding Elyria and Viktor but had ultimately dismissed them. After all, Viktor had appeared to be overpowering and holding Elyria captive; it bore no resemblance to affection. However, witnessing Elyria's tearful, desperate embrace now made them realize the err of their assumptions.

Alex glanced back over his shoulder toward Mrs. Blackwell and the younger woman, a playful spark in his eyes.

"How is the view from up here?" he inquired teasingly, his tone light yet clearly mischievous.

Both women averted their gazes immediately, their cheeks flushing crimson with embarrassment. Mrs. Blackwell bit her lower lip, striving to maintain her composure, while the younger woman shifted uncomfortably, clearly discomposed by Alex's remark.

Neither uttered a word, but their reactions conveyed everything.

Suddenly, a deep, authoritative voice resonated from above:

"You may depart if you have witnessed sufficient."