The CEO's Secret Obsession-Chapter 105: The Chaos

Jack’s jaw tightened at the word ’liability’.

"That is unfair," he said carefully. "I haven’t done anything wrong."

Benjamin let out a slow, measured breath on the other end of the line, the kind that always came before something sharp.

"Whether you did or didn’t is irrelevant right now," he replied. "What matters is perception and right now, perception is not on your side."

Jack paced again, running a hand through his hair. "You are already treating me like I am guilty."

"I am treating you like someone who cannot afford a single misstep," Benjamin snapped. "There is a difference."

Silence stretched, thick and uncomfortable.

"You will sit in that room," Benjamin continued, his voice cutting through the quiet, "and you will remember one thing — this meeting is not about your feelings, your pride or your explanations."

Jack’s lips parted. "Then what is it about?"

"Containment," Benjamin said flatly. "Damage control and survival."

Jack swallowed hard. "And Alexander?"

"He will speak," Benjamin replied without hesitation. "He will reassure them. He will take questions and he will carry the weight because he is the CEO."

Jack felt the familiar sting that had burned him for years.

"So I am just background," Jack muttered.

"You are lucky you are in the background," Benjamin shot back. "Because right now, anything more would draw attention you cannot handle."

Jack stopped pacing.

"And if someone brings up Heinberg directly?" he asked. "If they look at me and ask—"

"You will look at me," Benjamin interrupted. "And you will say nothing until I signal you. If I don’t, you stay silent. Understood?"

Jack hesitated for half a second too long and Benjamin noticed.

"Do not test my patience," he warned quietly. "This company is not forgiving mistakes at the moment and neither am I."

Jack clenched his fist. "You are not even giving me a proper chance."

Benjamin’s laugh was short and humorless. "A chance? Jack, chances are earned. Right now, you are being managed."

The word hit harder than any accusation.

"You want to prove you have changed?" Benjamin continued. "Then do exactly as you are told. I don’t want any reactions, opinions or scenes."

Jack stared at the carpet, his reflection faintly visible in the glass window.

"And if I do everything right?" he asked.

Benjamin paused just long enough to make Jack uneasy.

"Then you won’t make things worse," he said finally. "That is the goal."

The line went quiet.

Before Jack could say anything else, Benjamin added one last thing with his voice low and edged with warning.

"And Jack, if you truly didn’t do anything wrong, then staying quiet should be easy."

The call ended.

Jack lowered the phone slowly but his grip was so tight that his knuckles turned white.

His expression was neutral and he was still like a statue.

But statues were never meant to stay standing forever. They were always kept in a corner, to make sure they didn’t break.

...

[Heinberg]

The sun was already dipping low when Alexander finally stepped away from the temporary site office, the hum of machinery replaced by an uneasy stillness.

The construction grounds looked almost peaceful from a distance. In fact it was too peaceful for a place that had triggered this much chaos.

Lucas leaned against the hood of the car, scrolling through his phone before glancing up. "You look like someone just asked you to sell your soul in instalments."

Alexander let out a slow breath and slid his phone back into his pocket. "My father called."

Lucas straightened instantly. "What did he say?"

"The board wants an emergency meeting," Alexander said. "Investors too."

Lucas grimaced. "Of course they do. Nothing scares rich people faster than uncertainty."

"They want reassurance," Alexander continued, his voice controlled but tight. "And they want it from me."

Lucas studied him carefully. "Let me guess, you are the calm face and the responsible one."

Alexander didn’t deny it. He looked back toward the site, eyes narrowing. "He wants us to stick to the current explanation."

Lucas’s brows shot up. "The ’lone trespasser’ story?"

"Yes."

Lucas scoffed. "That’s convenient."

"Too convenient," Alexander agreed. "And he knows it. He admitted as much without saying it out loud."

Lucas crossed his arms. "So he wants you to sell a story you don’t believe in."

"He wants me to protect the company," Alexander said quietly. "At least for now."

Lucas was silent for a moment before asking, "And Jack?"

Alexander’s jaw tightened. "He will be in the meeting."

Lucas let out a low whistle. "That is bold."

"It’s calculated," Alexander corrected. "Benjamin thinks keeping him close, visible, and silent will project unity."

"And control him," Lucas added.

Alexander nodded. "Exactly."

Lucas shook his head slowly. "You don’t look comfortable with this."

"I am not," Alexander admitted. "But if this keeps the project alive long enough for us to uncover the real mess underneath, then I don’t see another option."

Lucas studied him, then sighed. "You are choosing time over truth."

"For now," Alexander said. "I hate it but I won’t let this explode before we understand who lit the fuse."

Lucas glanced back at the site again, eyes sharp. "Whoever did this wanted it wrapped up fast and that hasn’t changed."

"No," Alexander agreed. "And that’s what bothers me the most."

A heavy silence settled between them, thick with things unsaid.

Lucas finally broke it with a crooked half-smile. "Well, looks like we are playing along while watching everyone’s hands."

Alexander’s gaze hardened. "Every single one."

Lucas turned toward the car. "Let’s finish here and leave as soon as possible. I am sure your girl is missing you a lot."

Alexander sighed and nodded,

And as they drove off, neither of them said it out loud but both knew this wasn’t containment.

It was only the beginning.

....

[Pauline’s House]

The house felt quieter than usual. It wasn’t tense, just subdued.

Evelyn stepped inside with a basket of fruits in her hands, instinctively lowering her voice even though she knew Margaret was no longer bedridden.

The faint scent of herbal tea lingered in the air, mixed with something warm and familiar—home.

Pauline looked up from the couch the moment she saw Evelyn.

"There you are," she said gently, standing up. "She is in the sunroom."

Evelyn smiled, relief flickering across her face. "How is she today?"

Pauline’s lips curved. "Bossy, which means she is recovering."

Evelyn laughed softly and followed her down the hallway.

Margaret was seated near the window, wrapped in a light shawl, sunlight brushing over her silver hair with a book resting open in her lap.

When she noticed Evelyn, her eyes sharpened immediately.

"So," Margaret said, setting the book aside. "You finally decided to visit the woman who scared half the city into cardiac panic." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Evelyn hurried forward. "You scared me."

Margaret waved a dismissive hand. "Please. If a weak heart could take me down, I would have retired years ago."

Pauline shook her head, amused. "Doctor said rest but I think you heard sarcasm."

Margaret smirked. "Same thing."

Evelyn sat beside her, suddenly aware of how fragile she looked despite the sharpness in her eyes. "I am glad you are home."

Margaret studied her face for a long moment then smiled. "I knew you would come."

Pauline excused herself quietly, heading into the kitchen, leaving the two of them alone.

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then Margaret said casually, "You look tired."

Evelyn exhaled. "I think everything is happening too fast."

Margaret hummed. "Life does that when it decides you are ready."

Evelyn smiled faintly but her fingers twisted together in her lap. "Alexander left the city yesterday."

Margaret’s gaze sharpened just a fraction. "Heinberg, I know." She leaned back slightly. "The project is a mess but he will handle it."

Evelyn didn’t respond immediately. She stared out the window, watching dust motes drift in the sunlight. "I didn’t understand it properly," she admitted. "But I can tell it’s serious."

Margaret sighed, slow and measured. "The company is under pressure. That tends to make ugly things surface."

Evelyn hesitated. "And Jack—"

Margaret turned to her fully now.

"Yes," she said calmly. "There is also Jack."

Evelyn swallowed. "He has been acting strange."

Margaret let out a quiet, humorless chuckle. "That boy has never done anything without an agenda."

Evelyn looked at her, conflicted. "Do you think he is involved?"

Margaret didn’t answer right away. Instead, she reached for her teacup, took a small sip and said, "I think when chaos breaks out, you watch who benefits from confusion."

And Evelyn couldn’t agree more. "Alexander is trying to hold everything together. I can see it."

"And does he tell you everything?" Margaret asked gently.

"No," Evelyn admitted. "But he doesn’t shut me out either."

Margaret nodded, satisfied. "That’s the balance."

She reached out and placed her hand over Evelyn’s. Her grip was warm and firm.

"Listen to me," Margaret said quietly. "You are not marrying into chaos. Chaos already existed, you just walked into it with open eyes."

Evelyn’s throat tightened. "Sometimes I wonder if I complicate his life."

Margaret’s eyes hardened instantly. "Never say that again."

Evelyn blinked.

"You are not a burden," Margaret continued with her voice calm but absolute. "You are an anchor. Men like Alexander don’t need rescuing, they need something real to come back to."

Evelyn felt something loosen in her chest.

Margaret softened again. "Whatever is happening in Heinberg will pass. Schemes always collapse under their own weight."

She squeezed Evelyn’s hand once. "And Jack?"

Margaret smiled faintly. "Jack will reveal himself. People like him always do."

Evelyn nodded slowly.

From the kitchen, Pauline’s voice drifted in. "Tea is ready."

Margaret glanced toward the sound, then back at Evelyn. "Stay for a bit. You look like you need stillness."

Evelyn smiled. "I think I do."

And for the first time that day, the weight on her chest felt lighter.

.....