The CEO's Secret Obsession-Chapter 150: Meeting before the Wedding

Lucas obeyed, curiosity flickering. "I assume this isn’t about scolding me."

Margaret arched her brow. "Don’t be dramatic. If I wanted to scold you, you would know."

Alexander suppressed a smile and looked at Lucas.

Margaret reached for the velvet box and opened it carefully and inside lay two brooches.

They were old antique gold, understated but unmistakably refined. Each carried a subtle insignia worked into the metal and the craftsmanship was unmistakable. Time had dulled their shine but not their presence.

Lucas leaned forward instinctively. "These are old but very pretty."

"Very," Margaret said. "They belonged to Alexander’s grandfather and his younger brother."

Alexander’s breath caught slightly.

"They wore them on their wedding days," she continued. "It was tradition then, a quiet one where the groom wears one and the other one is worn by the next most trusted man."

She picked up the first brooch and held it out to Alexander.

"This one," she said softly, "was your grandfather’s."

Alexander stared at it for a moment before reaching out. His fingers closed around the cool metal, reverent.

"I thought I lost these years ago," Margaret admitted. "But one of the helpers found them while cleaning my cupboard last week, tucked away and almost forgotten." She paused. "Some things wait until they are needed again."

Her gaze lingered on Alexander.

"If you wear this," she said, voice steady but gentle, "it will be like he is with you, watching and standing where he should have been."

Alexander swallowed.

"I wish he could see this," he said quietly.

Margaret smiled. "He would have liked her," she said. "And he would have been proud of you."

Then she turned to Lucas, lifting the second brooch.

"And this," she said, offering it to him, "was his brother’s."

Lucas blinked, startled. "Me?"

"You are family," Margaret said simply. "Whether you acknowledge it or not."

For once, Lucas didn’t joke.

He accepted the brooch carefully, his expression became uncharacteristically serious.

"I don’t know if I deserve this," he muttered.

Margaret’s eyes sharpened. "Nonsense. You have stood beside Alexander when it mattered and that counts."

Alexander looked at Lucas then and something unspoken passed between them.

Margaret closed the box gently.

"You will both wear them at the wedding," she said. "Not for tradition or appearance."

She looked between them.

"But to remember that none of us walk into the future alone."

Silence settled between them which was warm, heavy and meaningful.

Lucas cleared his throat, forcing a crooked smile. "You do realize you just made this emotional."

Margaret sniffed. "Good, that builds character."

Alexander laughed quietly but his eyes were bright.

.....

They stepped out of Margaret’s room quietly.

Lucas didn’t joke this time, he didn’t tease like he always did. In fact, he didn’t say anything at all.

He walked beside Alexander with his fingers still wrapped around the brooch like he was afraid it might disappear if he let go.

Alexander noticed.

He slowed his steps slightly. "You are awfully quiet for someone who usually won’t shut up."

Lucas huffed under his breath. "Give me five minutes. That thing in my hand just emotionally assaulted me."

That earned a small smile from Alexander.

They stopped near the tall window overlooking the garden.

Alexander leaned his shoulder against the wall, careful with his still-healing side.

"You know," he said lightly, "Margaret doesn’t hand out sentimental heirlooms unless she means it."

Lucas glanced down at the brooch again. "Yeah. That’s what scares me."

Alexander’s smile softened. "She trusts you."

Lucas swallowed. "That woman has terrifying standards."

They stood in silence for a beat before Alexander spoke again, this time more gently.

"Evelyn told me Patricia stayed over in her place last night."

Lucas exhaled slowly. "I figured."

"She was angry," Alexander said.

Lucas laughed quietly, tired and strained. "God. I really dragged her into a mess, didn’t I?"

"You didn’t drag her," Alexander replied. "You reached for someone real when everything else in your life feels staged."

Lucas stared at him for a moment. "Since when did you get so observant?"

Alexander shrugged. "Almost dying does things to your perspective."

That shut Lucas up.

"I did apologize," Lucas said after a moment. "But I think I have to do it again. properly."

"That will be ," Alexander said simply. No judgment. No doubt.

Lucas rubbed a hand over his face. "I hate that my mother even looked at her like she was something to be evaluated."

Alexander’s voice dropped. "Then don’t let her turn Patricia into a battlefield."

Lucas nodded. "I won’t."

Alexander pushed off the wall. "Good because if this happens again—"

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "You will what?"

Alexander smirked. "Nothing dramatic, Evelyn will handle it and I will just watch."

Lucas snorted despite himself. "Terrifying."

They started walking again.

Lucas glanced sideways. "Hey."

Alexander hummed in response.

"Thanks," Lucas said quietly. "For not making this a lecture."

Alexander bumped his shoulder lightly. "You are my brother, not a project."

Lucas looked down at the brooch once more, then straightened.

"Alright," he said. "Let’s survive tonight properly."

Alexander smiled, real this time. "Together."

....

[Reid Mansion—Evening]

The Reid mansion glowed against the darkening sky.

Lights spilled from every window, warm and deliberate, illuminating the long driveway as the Carter car slowed at the gates.

The iron bars slid open silently, as if the house itself had been expecting them.

Evelyn’s fingers tightened briefly around her clutch and Ursula noticed immediately.

"Breathe," she said calmly, not looking at her. "You are not entering enemy territory, you are entering your second home."

Gregory said nothing, his gaze already fixed ahead. The mansion looked exactly as it always had, imposing, immaculate, unyielding but tonight, there was something different about it.

The car came to a smooth stop at the entrance.

Before the chauffeur could move, the front doors opened.

Pauline stood there.

She wasn’t overdressed but she was immaculate and graceful in a way that didn’t demand attention yet claimed it effortlessly.

Beside her stood Margaret with a cane in hand, her posture straight and eyes sharp as ever.

Behind them, staff lined the entrance quietly, respectful and still.

Evelyn stepped out first and Pauline’s expression softened instantly.

"There you are," she said, warmth threading through her voice as she reached for Evelyn’s hands. "You look beautiful."

Evelyn smiled, the tension easing from her shoulders. "Thank you."

Margaret’s gaze swept over Evelyn with approval. "On time," she said. "A very good start."

Then, Ursula stepped forward next.

....