Andreas descended the stairs, his features hardening with each step. He knew, instinctively, who it was. The knock, the timing – it was too precise.
He opened the door to reveal Alex, standing on the stoop, a wide, insolent grin plastered across his face. He held a ridiculously oversized bouquet of exotic, vibrant flowers – a stark contrast to the elegant white roses Andreas preferred.
"Brother dearest!" Alex exclaimed, his gaze sweeping past Andreas, clearly trying to glimpse inside. "Just thought I'd drop by and say hello to… our new acquisition." His eyes glinted with malice and possessiveness.
Andreas's fists clenched. "She's not an acquisition, Alex. And she's not interested in seeing you."
"Oh, but I think she will be," Alex purred, pushing past Andreas into the entrance hall. He glanced up the stairs. "I've heard so much about the brilliant Miss White. And now that Charm Global is making such a generous investment… well, it only makes sense for us to get to know each other better, wouldn't you say?" He began to ascend the stairs, his eyes fixed on the light coming from Snow's office.
Andreas moved swiftly, blocking his path. "Get out, Alex." His voice was low, dangerous, a growl that sent a clear warning.
Alex stopped, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Temper, temper, big brother. Just being neighborly. Besides," he leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "Father sent me. He wants to know why you're suddenly so obsessed with a failing organic beauty startup. Especially one with… such a messy past."
Andreas knew his father would be curious, but Alex's presence here, now, was a calculated move. He was deliberately stirring trouble, trying to destabilize things, and, most disturbingly, laying claim to Snow.
Upstairs, Snow heard the raised voices, the familiar, unsettling tenor of Alex's drawl. Her heart pounded, a mix of fear and a strange, unfamiliar protectiveness for Andreas. She knew she couldn't hide. Taking a deep breath, she walked to the top of the stairs.
"Is everything alright?" she asked, her voice clear, though her hands trembled slightly.
Both men turned to her. Alex's eyes lit up with a triumphant, predatory gleam. Andreas's expression softened almost imperceptibly, a flicker of relief mixed with fierce determination.
"Perfectly fine, Snow," Andreas said, his voice firm, his gaze holding hers. He took a step closer to her, his body language a clear shield. "Just Alex making one of his… unscheduled visits."
Alex ignored Andreas, his gaze fixed solely on Snow. He took another step up the stairs, forcing Andreas to shift. "Ms. White," he purred, holding out the ridiculously large bouquet. "These are for you. A token of my admiration for your… resilience." His eyes swept over her, lingering on the simple black dress that had once felt elegant, but now felt exposed under his gaze.
Snow felt a visceral recoil. She instinctively stepped back, closer to Andreas. "Thank you, Mr. Charm, but that's not necessary."
Alex's smile tightened, but he pressed on. "Nonsense. And please, call me Alex. After all, with Charm Global's significant investment in EdenTech, we're practically family now, wouldn't you say?" He emphasized "family," his eyes challenging Andreas.
Andreas saw red. The subtle insults, the veiled threats, the predatory gleam in Alex's eyes – it was all a carefully orchestrated attack, not just on him, but on Snow. And he wouldn't allow it.
He stepped fully in front of Snow, turning to face Alex, his formidable presence radiating cold fury. "Listen to me, Alex," Andreas said, his voice a low, dangerous growl that echoed through the quiet building. "Charm Global's investment in EdenTech is my decision. And any dealings with Ms. White go through me. She is under my protection." He reached back, his hand finding Snow's, interlacing their fingers in a firm, possessive grip that sent a jolt through her. Her heart hammered, not from fear, but from a dizzying mix of surprise and a strange, exhilarating sense of security.
Alex's mocking smile faltered, replaced by a flicker of genuine surprise, then cold rage. He saw the intertwined hands, the undeniable claim. "Protection?" he sneered, but there was a hint of uncertainty in his voice. "Brother, are you sure this isn't just another one of your… business ventures? Or something more… personal?"
Andreas's grip on Snow's hand tightened, a silent reassurance. His gaze was unwavering, his resolve absolute. "That, Alex, is none of your concern. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have a very important meeting that you are not invited to." His eyes were like ice, daring Alex to argue.
Alex held his ground for a moment longer, his eyes darting between Andreas's defiant stance and Snow's wide, startled gaze. He saw the undeniable connection, the spark of something he couldn't grasp. A bitter sneer twisted his lips. "Fine," he spat, dropping the absurd bouquet on the floor, the exotic flowers scattering. "But consider this a warning, brother. You might have the Charm name, but I play a different game. And I always win." He turned and stalked out, slamming the door behind him.
Silence descended, broken only by the sound of the rain. Snow's hand was still clasped firmly in Andreas's. Her thumb subconsciously stroked the back of his hand, a small, comforting gesture. She looked up at him, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock, confusion, and a burgeoning, overwhelming feeling she couldn't quite name. He had claimed her. Protected her. And the way his hand felt in hers… it was everything.
Andreas, still breathing heavily from the confrontation, turned to her, his stormy eyes softening as they met hers. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice rough with concern.
Snow just nodded, unable to speak, her heart still doing a frantic dance. The air between them, once charged with professional respect, was now crackling with a raw, undeniable intimacy. The confrontation with Alex, though terrifying, had stripped away the last layers of pretense, revealing the undeniable truth of their attraction.