THE JANITOR HUSBAND IS NOW A CENTIMILLIONAIRE KING

CHAPTER 5

The gleaming black sedan pulled up to the entrance of the Grand Meridian Hotel, its imposing facade lit by golden lights that cast dancing shadows across the red carpet.

Elegantly dressed guests streamed through the entrance, their designer gowns and tailored suits a testament to the exclusive nature of the charity dinner.

Alexander stepped out of the car first while Sophia remained inside, speaking in hushed, urgent tones on her phone.

The evening air was crisp, carrying the scent of expensive perfumes and the distant sound of classical music drifting from the ballroom.

He adjusted his newly purchased suit—a simple but well-tailored black ensemble that Sophia had insisted on during their brief shopping detour.

As he approached the entrance, a familiar voice made him freeze.

"Alexander? What are you doing here?"

He turned to see Lila standing near the hotel's ornate fountain, her arm linked with Victor Holt's.

She wore a stunning emerald green gown that complemented her dark hair, which was swept up in an elegant chignon.

Her eyes were wide with shock and something that might have been concern.

Victor, resplendent in a custom tuxedo with diamond cufflinks catching the light, looked Alexander up and down with obvious disdain.

His perfectly styled blonde hair and confident smirk gave him the appearance of someone who had never faced real adversity in his privileged life.

"Well, well," Victor drawled, his voice dripping with condescension.

"If it isn't the disgraced janitor. I heard about your little performance at the bank today. Quite the show, from what I understand."

Alexander's jaw tightened, but he kept his voice level. "Victor. Lila."

Lila stepped closer, her eyes searching his face. "Alexander, why are you here? Please tell me you're not... are you following me? This is getting concerning."

"Following you?" Alexander's eyebrows rose. "The world doesn't revolve around you, Lila. I'm here for the auction."

Victor burst into laughter, a harsh sound that drew disapproving glances from nearby guests.

"The auction? Oh, that's rich! Do you have any idea what kind of money changes hands here tonight? We're talking about items worth millions, not the pocket change you'd find in a janitor's closet."

Lila's expression shifted from concern to disappointment, her voice taking on a lecturing tone.

"Alexander, this is exactly what I was afraid of. Ever since our divorce, you've been making increasingly poor decisions. First the fraud attempt with that fake black card, now this. Are you so devastated by our separation that you're completely losing touch with reality?"

"Fraud attempt?" Alexander's voice was dangerously quiet.

"Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about," Lila continued, her frustration evident.

"My mother told me everything. How you attacked her, how you tried to scam the bank with that ridiculous fake card. Alexander, whatever criminal organization you've gotten involved with, whatever they've promised you, it's not worth it. Please, just return the card before this gets any worse. Before you end up in prison."

Victor nodded sagely, as if he were dispensing wisdom to a wayward child.

"She's right, you know. The charity dinner tonight is for the city's elite—people with real money, real influence. You don't belong here, and frankly, your presence is embarrassing. For Lila's sake, you should leave before you humiliate yourself further."

"I'm not going anywhere," Alexander said firmly. "And I haven't done anything wrong."

Lila's eyes flashed with anger. "Stop being so stubborn! Can't you see that I'm trying to help you? Whatever misguided revenge fantasy you're living out because of our divorce, it needs to stop. You're going to destroy your life over nothing!"

"Don't flatter yourself," Alexander replied coldly. "My being here has nothing to do with you or our marriage. Some of us have moved on."

Victor's face reddened at the perceived slight. "Listen here, you pathetic—"

"Is there a problem here?"

The voice was like silk wrapped around steel, commanding immediate attention.

All three of them turned to see Sophia Sterling approaching, having finally finished her phone call.

She moved with the fluid grace of someone completely comfortable in high society, her midnight blue gown complementing her platinum hair perfectly.

The subtle shimmer of her dress caught the light as she walked, and several male guests openly stared as she passed.

Alexander felt an unexpected flutter in his chest as she drew near.

There was something about her presence that made him feel more confident, more like the person he was supposed to be rather than the person he'd been pretending to be for three years.

Lila's eyes widened as she took in Sophia's obvious beauty and expensive attire. Even Victor seemed momentarily speechless, his usual smirk faltering as he tried to process this new development.

"Darling," Sophia said, sliding her arm through Alexander's with practiced ease, "I'm sorry I kept you waiting. The bank's Tokyo branch had some urgent matters to discuss."

She turned to face Lila and Victor with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "And who might these be?"

"I... we..." Lila stammered, clearly thrown off balance by Sophia's sudden appearance and obvious intimacy with Alexander.

Alexander felt Sophia's fingers tighten slightly on his arm, a silent message of support.

"This is my ex-wife, Lila, and her... companion, Victor Holt."

"Ah," Sophia's smile grew sharper.

"How interesting. I couldn't help but overhear some rather unpleasant accusations being thrown around. Something about fraud and criminal organizations?"

Victor, recovering some of his composure, stepped forward with his characteristic arrogance.

"And you are?"

"Sophia Sterling, Senior Director of Private Banking at Dominion Trust," she replied smoothly, her voice carrying the authority of her position. "Perhaps you've heard of it?"

The effect was immediate and dramatic. Victor's face went pale, and even Lila took a half-step backward.

Dominion Trust wasn't just the largest bank in the country—it was a financial powerhouse with tentacles reaching across multiple continents.

The position of Senior Director wielded enormous influence, with the power to approve or deny investments worth billions.

"Ms. Sterling," Victor said, his voice suddenly much more respectful, "I... that is to say... we didn't realize..."

Sophia tilted her head, studying him with the interest of an entomologist examining a particularly unappealing insect. "Didn't realize what, exactly?"

"That Alexander was... that you two were..." Victor gestured helplessly between them.

"That we're together?" Sophia finished sweetly, moving even closer to Alexander and resting her hand on his chest in a gesture that was both protective and possessive.

"Oh yes, very much so. Alexander is quite special to me."

Alexander felt a strange warmth spread through him at her touch, a sensation that had nothing to do with their pretense and everything to do with her proximity.

Her perfume was subtle but intoxicating, and when she looked up at him, her green eyes held a spark that seemed genuine.

Lila's face had gone through several shades of emotion—surprise, anger, and something that looked suspiciously like jealousy.

"Alexander, how could you... we've only been divorced for two days!"

"Some of us don't waste time dwelling on failed relationships," Sophia said with false sympathy.

"Life is far too short, don't you think?"

Victor, meanwhile, was staring at Alexander with a mixture of disbelief and newfound respect.

His platinum card at Dominion Trust had always been a source of pride, a symbol of his family's wealth and influence. But customers at his level rarely even met branch managers, let alone senior directors.

The idea that Alexander—a janitor!—was romantically involved with someone of Sophia's stature was almost incomprehensible.

"I see," Victor said slowly, his wheels clearly turning.

"So when the bank incident happened today... Ms. Sterling, you must have used your influence to... help Alexander out of his predicament?"

Sophia's laugh was like crystal bells, beautiful but with an edge that suggested mockery.

"Predicament? I'm afraid I don't follow."

"The black card situation," Victor pressed, confidence growing as he thought he'd figured out the puzzle.

"Obviously, you used your connections to prevent Alexander from being arrested for fraud. And tonight, you're bringing him here as your guest because of your... relationship."

"How perceptive of you," Sophia murmured, though her tone suggested Victor had missed the point entirely.

"Alexander is indeed here as my guest. We wouldn't want him to miss such an important evening, would we?"

Alexander looked at his ex-wife, feeling a cold satisfaction at her discomfort. For three years, she had been ashamed of him, embarrassed by his humble job and modest income.

Now, seeing him with a woman who was not only more beautiful than her but also more powerful and successful, she was finally getting a taste of what he had felt every day of their marriage.

The pieces were falling into place for Victor as well, though not in the way he imagined.

"Clever," he said, nodding with grudging admiration. "Very clever indeed."