Entangled With My Rival CEO

Chapter 12

Alexander let out a heavy sigh as he stared at the red-haired journalist, seated in front of him.

"Five million dollars. Who's your source?" he asked, his tone measured but firm.

Mariah's eyes widened in surprise, "Five what?!" she exclaimed, her hand quickly covering her mouth in shock.

"I'll pay you five million dollars and make Camilla drop the lawsuit if you tell me who your source is. Who told you that Camilla and I were in that hotel room that morning?" Alexander asked calmly, but Mariah was still staring at him in disbelief.

Alexander let out another sigh and rubbed his temples. "Or did you know about us being there yourself?" he asked, his patience wearing thin.

At this point, he couldn't shake the growing feeling that Mariah might have orchestrated the whole thing, walking in on them that fateful morning to get a photo for the sake of her magazine.

Mariah finally spoke, her voice low and resolute. "Mr. Cena, I'm not the kind of person who takes bribes for information. And I do have a source, but even if I take your offer now, it won't make me tell you who that person is."

Alexander didn't flinch, "Fine. Eight million dollars and Camilla also drops the lawsuit." He offered.

Mariah stared at him, seemingly unable to believe the magnitude of the offer. When she didn't respond, Alexander raised the stakes, "Ten million dollars and Camilla drops the lawsuit." He said, and there was a moment of silence.

"Twenty million dollars and-" he started but Mariah cut him off, her voice resolute.

"I am not for sale, Mr. Cena. My principles and integrity are worth more than any amount of money you can offer." She responded firmly, her annoyance growing by the second.

Alexander's voice was low, "Everyone has a price. Just name it, and I'll make it happen. All you have to do is give me what I want."

Mariah glared at Alexander, he was starting to become too much to bear.

"It seems like you don't understand, Mr. Cena. I've already told you that I am not that kind of person. Even without the money and the offer to make Miss Kings drop the lawsuit against me, I wouldn't tell you who my source is, because I don't know who it is!" She explained, her frustration clear in her voice.

Alexander's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "You don't know who your source is?"

Mariah nodded, "I have no idea."

Alexander leaned in, "How am I supposed to believe that? Are you trying to protect his or her identity?"

Mariah was taken aback, "Protect their identities? Why would I risk my own reputation to do that? I genuinely don't know who the person is," she insisted, but Alexander's skepticism was clear.

He pressed further, "So you're telling me that someone just called you out of the blue and told you to go to my hotel room and you just happened to have a key card to get in?"

Mariah shook her head, "No, I didn't have a key card. The door was open. I knocked a few times, but when I noticed that the door wasn't even closed, that's when I let myself in," she explained, wanting to point out his own mistake of not closing the door.

Alexander's expression was skeptical, "Do you take me for a fool, Mrs. Collins?"

Mariah shook her head, "No, of course not. I'm telling you the truth. I was sitting in my hotel room, drinking my coffee when a private number called and told me something was waiting for me in room 109. When I got there, I knocked but the door was open, so I let myself in."

Despite her explanations, Alexander's skepticism remained, "I find it hard to believe that someone would just randomly call you and give you information like that," He said.

"Mr. Cena, please believe me. I honestly don't know who the person was. All I know is that it was a male voice with an Italian accent."

"I think." She added after a brief pause, and Alexander frowned.

"A male with an Italian accent?" He asked slowly, studying her expression for any signs of deception.

Mariah nodded, but added, "I'm not completely sure, but the voice did sound Italian."

Alexander nodded, his mind drifting back to his suspicions about Fernando Kings. "I see," he muttered, lost in thought.

Mariah's voice pulled him back to the present. "You see what?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Alexander ignored her question, instead asking, "Do you have any other information on this mysterious source? Or did you notice anything aside from his accent and gender?"

Mariah shook her head, her expression apologetic. "No, nothing else."

Alexander's mind whirled with possibilities, trying to make sense of Mariah's words. She seemed genuine, but he couldn't be sure. As a blogger, he knew she would do anything to get information and would protect her sources for future stories.

He let out a sigh, "Thank you for your time, Mrs. Collins." He said politely, and Mariah smiled, getting up from her chair. She picked up her floppy hat and put it on along with her dark shades, then grabbed her bag.

As she prepared to depart, she turned to Alexander and inquired, "Regarding your assistance in discussing the lawsuit with Miss Kings, is it still in effect?"

Alexander gave a self-assured smirk and reassured her, "Absolutely, I stand by my word." He watched her leave before quickly retrieving his mobile phone and placing a call.

"Hello, Sir," the voice on the other end answered.

"Have you discovered any new information?" Alexander asked with eagerness.

"Not exactly sir. I just went through the CCTV and there's no footage of you or Miss Kings entering your hotel suite that night." The man reported.

Alexander struggled to keep his composure. "It's clear that someone tampered with it," he hissed. "What about Mariah Collins, did you find anything suspicious about her?"

The individual on the other end replied, "No, Sir. She appears to be uninvolved."

Alexander thought for a moment before speaking,"Keep an eye on her." He concluded.

After the call, Alexander sat in thought for a moment before a call came through.

He answered curtly, "What is it, James?"

"Sir, Mrs. Smith said she'll be at the office tomorrow so you two can talk about the lawsuit." His PA reported.

Alexander sighed in fatigue,"Is there a reason why she wants to come to the office instead?" He asked.

"Not really. She just said it would be more convenient for both of you." James replied.

"Okay. Is that all?" Alexander asked.

"Yes, sir," James replied.

"Alright." Alexander said and ended the call, rubbing his forehead in exhaustion.

"If the Kings planned this, then their actions suggest a calculated plan. But what could their motivation be?" He ruminated.