Chapter 462

At first, Sebastian Winslow assumed arranging a meeting with Alexander Kensington would be simple.

He never anticipated being turned down flat.

Rejected? Him?

"I understand you're swamped, but surely you can carve out thirty minutes? Any slot from noon till evening works for me—I'll adjust my schedule!" Sebastian offered generously.

Alexander didn't even glance up from his planner. "Not possible."

"That can't be right. Tomorrow at noon?" Sebastian refused to believe the CEO's calendar was completely full.

"Prior engagement with Seraphina—booked three weeks ago."

"Tomorrow night then?"

"Dinner with Mr. Wellington at The Grand Pavilion."

"The day after?"

"Regional branch audits."

"Two days later?" Sebastian pressed.

Alexander snapped his planner shut. "Give it up. My next fortnight is wall-to-wall commitments. There's literally no opening for you."

A heavy silence followed. Then, plaintively: "Not even a lunch break? I could bring takeout to your office—we'll talk while you eat!"

"No. I'm eating right now, and you're cutting into that time. Speak now or never."

This wasn't phone conversation material. Face-to-face was essential—Alexander would never reveal anything substantive over a call.

"Fine. I'm coming to Celestia Tower now. I'll camp in your lobby until you finish work. You do eat dinner, don't you?" Sebastian grabbed his blazer mid-sentence.

"Family dinner at home. I'm leaving promptly at six." Alexander checked his Patek Philippe. "Time's up—board meeting in ninety seconds. Goodbye."

"Wait, you can't just—" The dial tone cut him off.

Was the man truly that busy? The Winslow conglomerate might pale next to Celestia Group's empire, but Sebastian still managed meal breaks.

This had to be deliberate avoidance. Alexander clearly suspected his motives.

The suspicion only fueled Sebastian's determination.

"Clear my afternoon," he barked at his assistant while striding toward the elevators. "All of it. Emergencies only."

"But sir, your 3PM with Ms. Sterling—"

"Reschedule!" The elevator doors swallowed him whole.

Nothing mattered more than uncovering Alexander's secrets. Not today.