Talab - Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Early Morning
Beep... beep... beep...
John's phone rang relentlessly. Still half-asleep, he grabbed it from the side table and answered without checking the caller ID.
"Hello? Who is this?"
There was a moment of silence. Then a cold, firm voice replied—
"Come to your mansion office. Now."
The line went dead.
John frowned, now fully awake.
"What the hell..."
He threw on a hoodie and rushed downstairs to his mansion office.
But the moment he stepped inside—
THUD!
A fist landed hard on his jaw, knocking him back.
"WHAT THE FUCK?!" John roared, trying to regain his balance.
Before he could react, his hand curled into a fist, ready to retaliate—until he heard the voice.
"Do you still think she's a whore? A gold-digger, John?"
It was Alex. His best friend.
John's fist froze in mid-air. His breathing was heavy, his lip bleeding. Then, rage took over.
He grabbed Alex by the collar, pulling him close.
"Don't you dare say another word."
He shoved him away, his chest heaving.
Alex didn't flinch.
"Mr. Elliot," he said coldly, straightening his coat,
"I consider Arohi my sister. And if I ever see another tear in her eyes—because of you—I swear, I'll forget we were ever friends."
His words hit harder than the punch.
John's rage dissolved into guilt.
"I'm sorry, Alex. I... I know I was a complete jerk in the beginning. I judged her without reason. I let my past ruin her peace."
"But it's been a month... and I've changed. I want to give this marriage a real chance."
Alex narrowed his eyes, testing his sincerity.
"You better mean that."
Before he could finish, a loud thud interrupted them.
Both men turned toward the office door.
Arohi stood there.
Her face was pale, her eyes wide with disbelief.
She had heard everything.
"Arohi..." John's voice cracked, stepping forward.
"Listen to me... please."