Marching directly into the room was a small high-powered delegation.

Three stern-faced corporate lawyers in immaculate charcoal suits led the way followed closely by Arthur Sinclair himself.

Walking right behind her father was Stella—the psychotic driver—looking entirely unharmed apart from a few minor scratches and a designer bandage on her forehead.

The moment they stepped up to the bedside the entire group froze dead in their tracks.

Stella’s eyes widened to the size of saucers her gaze instantly locking straight onto Alexander’s exposed groin her jaw dropping slightly as she stared at the sheer size of the man who had dragged her from the burning wreckage.

The three lawyers immediately looked up at the ceiling coughing uncomfortably into their hands as the professional tension in the room plummeted into absolute ridiculous absurdity.

Arthur Sinclair’s face twisted into a deep furious scowl his aristocratic dignity severely wounded by the view.

He aggressively cleared his throat "Ahem!" barked Arthur Sinclair pointing a stiff trembling finger at the hospital gown "If you would be so kind as to cover yourself young man we have highly urgent legal matters to discuss."

"Does this view make you feel uncomfortable Mr. Sinclair?" asked Alexander leaning his head back against the pillows with a cold mocking smile "Or does staring at it just make you doubt your own orientation?"

He hadn’t officially pressed the button on his phone yet but in his mind he had already accepted Julian’s corporate bounty.

He was going to completely screw these people over.

But to play his cards right he needed to establish a perfect motive—something that made him look like an ordinary protective citizen rather than a calculated corporate assassin acting on behalf of TMC.

Alexander casually pulled the light hospital blanket over his waist completely unfazed by the sudden drop in the room’s temperature.

He shifted his gaze toward the young woman standing behind the billionaire "Hello there young lady" said Alexander his tone dripping with smooth patronizing calm "What a complete disaster this morning was right? Who could have guessed all of this would happen? I’m genuinely glad you’re okay I really am. But you should probably drive a little slower next time. You could cause an acci—"

"We are actually here to discuss exactly that sir" interrupted the lead attorney stepping forward aggressively and cutting Alexander off mid-sentence.

The lawyer opened a sleek leather briefcase snapped his fingers and pulled out a thick physical document laying it flat onto the bedside tray table.

Alexander glanced down at the pages.

A wave of recognition washed over him.

It was the exact same non-disclosure agreement and release form that Julian had just shown him on the digital tablet hours prior.

The lines the clauses the twelve-thousand-five-hundred-dollar figure—it was identical.

A sudden realization struck Alexander making his mind race beneath his calm exterior.

The physical contract in front of him belonged entirely to the Sinclair legal team which meant TMC had actively intercepted hacked or stolen the digital blueprints of this document the exact moment it was drafted.

Did Julian’s people move that incredibly fast just to find a way to mess with the Sinclairs? thought Alexander a chill running down his spine as he realized the terrifying efficiency of his handler’s network.

Why the hell is this family so important to them?

"This is a standard confidentiality agreement" the lead attorney continued tapping his gold fountain pen against the paper "It states that you will not discuss the events of this morning with the media on social media or with any legal authority. In return Mr. Sinclair is prepared to offer you twelve thousand five hundred dollars as well as covering your current medical expenses as a gesture of goodwill."

Alexander let out a sharp cynical laugh that echoed off the sterile walls "A gesture of goodwill? Twelve grand for pulling your daughter out of a burning coffin while absorbing the blast myself?" He looked directly at Arthur Sinclair his eyes narrowing "You must think my life is as cheap as your daughter’s driving skills."

"Watch your mouth boy" Arthur Sinclair snapped his face darkening with rage as he took a step forward his expensive leather shoes clicking loudly on the linoleum "That amount is more than enough for someone of your station. You’re a college student driving a sports car you probably can’t even afford to maintain. Take the check shut your mouth and be grateful I don’t sue you for getting your blood on my daughter’s clothes."

Stella stood behind her father crossing her arms.

She looked at Alexander with a mixture of intense irritation and a bizarre lingering curiosity but she remained silent letting the older man do the talking.

"Sir let’s keep this professional" the lawyer intervened gently placing a hand out to calm the billionaire before turning his cold calculated gaze back to the bed "Mr. Alexander let me be entirely realistic with you. If you refuse to sign this you will receive absolutely nothing. The police report has already been finalized. It was a single-vehicle accident caused by environmental hazards. Your testimony means nothing without proof and we have the resources to ensure your voice is never heard. Sign the paper."

Alexander stared at the physical contract on the tray table thinking of the $250,000 bounty waiting for him on his phone if he rejected it.

He looked back up at the high-powered team a calm untouchable expression settling over his features "Environmental hazards? Is that what we’re calling a spoiled brat playing GTA on public roads now?" Alexander said smoothly leaning forward "Here is my counter-offer Mr. Sinclair. You take this piece of paper you fold it neatly and you shove it right up your aristocratic ass. I’m not signing a single thing."

The room went dead silent.

The three lawyers froze completely unaccustomed to anyone speaking to their employer with such absolute disrespect.

"You arrogant little piece of garbage" Arthur Sinclair whispered his voice shaking with pure unbridled malice as he turned sharply to his legal team "We’re done here. Crush him. I want his insurance canceled I want his car impounded for whatever legal loophole you can find and if he breathes a word to anyone I want him tied up in court until he’s bankrupt and begging for scraps."

"With pleasure sir" the lead lawyer replied snapping his briefcase shut with a heavy definitive click.

Arthur Sinclair turned on his heel and marched toward the exit his security guards instantly opening the double doors for him.

Stella lingered for just a fraction of a second locking eyes with Alexander one last time with a look that was a chaotic mix of anger and fascination before she hurried out behind her father.

The heavy doors clicked shut leaving Alexander alone in the VIP suite.

He reached over to his nightstand grabbed his phone and without a single moment of hesitation firmly pressed the "ACCEPT" button on the TMC application.

The screen flashed green confirming his commitment to the $250,000 bounty to systematically dismantle the Sinclair family.

The war was officially on.