Chapter 21

Albert rolled his eyes, a cold smirk tugging at his lips. So that was why she never came looking for him. Dorothea really thought that now she had the Stevens family on her side, she could just pretend he didn’t exist. Not a chance.

Trying to hide his irritation, Albert kept his tone cool. “Carola, I have a meeting soon. You should head back first. When I’m less busy, I’ll take you out for dinner p>

Carola pouted, clearly disappointed. A suspicion was nagging at her. Was he upset because of Dorothea’s wedding news? She didn’t dare ask though. Instead, she just mumbled, “Okay. But Albert, when you get a break, you have to come see me p>

He walked her downstairs, then turned away, his mood turning darker with every step. As soon as she was gone, he pulled out his phone and called Dorothea.

To his surprise, the call didn’t even go through. She’d blocked his number.

Albert’s breath caught in his chest. He opened their chat and sent a single question mark. Instantly, he got the notification—she’d blocked him on social media too.

He let out a sharp, angry laugh, more out of disbelief than anything. The rest of the afternoon, he sat through meetings with a stormy look on his face, barely hearing a word anyone said.

By nine that night, he couldn’t take it anymore. He drove straight to Dorothea’s apartment building.

He knew she wouldn’t go back to The Brown Estate. Things with her mom had always been tense. Besides, without him, she didn’t have anywhere else to go. She had to be here.

Albert clenched his fists, struggling to keep his anger in check as he rang her doorbell. No answer.

A neighbor poked their head out, sizing him up. “You looking for the girl who used to live here p>

He nodded. “Yeah p>

“She moved out a few days ago. Think she’s living with her boyfriend now p>

Albert’s face went stone cold.

He stalked downstairs, borrowed a phone from a stranger, and finally managed to get through to her.

“Dorothea, you’re unbelievable. So you’re living at Harper’s place now? Couldn’t even wait until the wedding to move in together p>

Dorothea glanced at the unfamiliar number on her screen, surprised to hear his voice. She was in bathroom, blowing her man do

her the jet

“Albert, I don’t really see how that’s any of your business p>

“Not my business? You really think these little games work on me p>

“Games?” Dorothea frowned.

Albert snorted. “You want me to believe this isn’t just you trying to get a reaction out of me? Or are you saying you actually fell for that loser p>

Everyone knew Harper’s reputation.

Dorothea just laughed. “Who I fall for has nothing to do with you. If that’s all, I’m hanging up p>

Someone knocked at her door.

Latham’s voice came through. “Are you still up, Dorothea p>

On the other end, Albert could hear the faint sound of a man’s voice. He felt his blood boil. It sounded familiar too.

She really was living with that guy.

Dorothea, suddenly flustered, ended the call. She opened the door, her hair still damp. “Is something up p>

Latham smiled easily. “Want a late-night snack? Linda left some bird’s nest soup before she left p>

Dorothea checked the time and shook her head. “I’ve already cleaned up for bed, so I’ll pass. Thanks, though p>

Latham’s eyes lingered on her for a moment, his smile gentle but unreadable. “Alright. Goodnight p>

Just a minute ago, he’d stood outside the half-open door and

heard her talking to a man on

the

phone. That had to be Albert.