Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 172: Althea’s offer

Chapter 172: Althea’s offer

On their way out, a servant bumped into them, and Althea asked where Knoa was. After knowing that the kid was playing with Loki and Shawn in the indoor garden, Althea and Knox decided to talk while heading to the mentioned place, at a slow and calm pace.

The female alpha’s expression was a mix of concern and relief.

As they passed the glass corridor leading to the roofed garden, they saw the rain letting up a little, and it was as though the afternoon sky was opening up after that tense and nerve-wracking discussion, smiling at what they had achieved.

Althea asked, her voice gentle, "Are you okay, Knox?"

Knox sighed, smiling weakly at his older sister, he faintly replied, "I’m okay. I’m perfectly fine, though just a bit drained. So much happened lately that I’m getting tired too easily. I...never expected that it would come to this. I thought that father would...kick me out immediately."

He said the last words with a light laugh. Althea placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and gently patted him, "That won’t happen. You moved him. Your boyfriend made him understand how strong your connection and relationship are. You’re also strong, Knox. I admire you."

The female alpha’s voice lowered and sounded envious and nostalgic. The kind smile in her eyes turned sadder in a blink and even without Knox asking, he could tell that Althea must have remembered her past relationship.

A relationship that lacked faith yet overflowing with love, still crumbled and broken.

Knox was about to take his sister’s hand to extend comfort, but Althea’s expression returned to normal immediately.

She sighed and continued, "Just keep believing in what you and your boyfriend have. By the way, this is the first time I have seen you together and I must say, you look good together. So, how did you bag such a handsome, dominant, and dangerous man that you only often get to meet in books?"

Knox laughed. "If he’s someone you can only find in the books, sister, then everyone in this whole family are book characters too."

Althea agreed with him, modestly. Honestly speaking, everyone Knox met in Azrael’s circle was gorgeous and exuded a main-character aura.

His thoughts automatically wandered on Azrael again, just like a dam suddenly broken, his mind ran like waters rushing with questions about what Azrael was doing that moment, what Azrael was discussing with his father and brother, or even what Azrael was thinking.

Althea watched his younger brother lose in thought again. She shook her head and stated, "You’re thinking about him again, aren’t you?"

Knox halted. His face turned obviously red after getting caught. He avoided his sister’s teasing look and cleared his thoughts, to change the topic, he asked, "You said there’s something you want to talk about with me?"

"Ah," Althea nodded. "The reason I was present in the study was because of that. I figured that if I knew what Dad’s decision would be, I’d base it on that."

Knox gave her a baffled look, "I don’t understand...?"

Althea replied, stopping before the glass doors of the indoor garden, "It’s about the Horizon Foundation. The board of directors is asking me to take up the position of executive director after Anton was stripped of the position by Dad."

Knox’s eyes widened. Shock, he asked, "Anton was the executive director? I thought it was you..." he was lost. He never really paid attention to Horace’s businesses, except the one he was working at.

Althea waved her hand and explained, "It’s him, before. I’m a deputy, acting as the executive director since he never really wanted to handle the foundation, but it was something that our father asked him to do, to teach Anton a lesson and pull him down to earth again. But that jerk did something that finally earned our father’s wrath."

’Is that the reason why he came back with Geraldine?’ Knox wondered, which was confirmed by Althea immediately.

"That was the reason why he tagged along with Mom. After the official transfer of the title, I will be the executive director and Horace’s representative on the Board of Directors," Althea looked at him hopefully, "There are also changes in the management since those who sided with Anton and blindly followed his orders was dispatch to the smaller organizations affiliated with the HF. I want you to take the position of Chief Operating Officer, Knox. I believe you are the most suited for that position."

Knox was overwhelmed. He was skeptical, knowing that it would be another gossip for the company, favoring him over the other employees.

Althea saw his hesitation and somehow understood what was holding back his younger brother. "Is the privilege of being a Horace too much to carry?" she asked jokingly.

Knox was rendered speechless. Is he that easy to read? He pondered.

Althea sighed and stated, "If you think that way, then I feel bad now that I’m accepting the position of the CEO without struggles at all."

"What? Why would you feel bad? You deserve it!" Knox exclaimed, forgetting his own worries.

Althea then stared at him, her eyes filled with amusement, "Because I’m the chairman’s daughter?"

Knox immediately answered, "Of course not! You are..."

His words stopped when he finally realized what Althea was doing. Althea looked ahead, her eyes darted to the plants and flowers in the indoor garden, as she spoke, "Knox, sometimes, you have to accept some things that are easily served right in front of you. Whether you deserve it or not. It’s something called privilege, yes, but a privilege linked with duty and responsibility."

She turned to Knox and added, "The first time I entered the workforce, I was ridiculed for rising to one of the highest positions in just a month. Not because I was qualified, but because I was privileged. I’m the daughter of the chairman, so what can they do about that?"

Althea laughed a little, remembering those distant memories, "Only when we hold power that exceeds our capabilities do we improve and reach, or maybe go beyond our limits. It’s about discipline and how you take it, being privileged that is. Take it, but don’t take it for granted."

Knox answered after a few minutes of silence, "I’ll think about it."

Althea nodded. She opened the glass doors and walked in, shouting enthusiastically, "Knoa, my cutest nephew, Aunt Althea is here! Where are you?"

A shriek came from the distance. Althea followed the sound and saw Knoa lying on the ground playing getting tickled with Loki and Shawn. He was laughing so much that his eyes watered, but when he caught sight of two figures approaching upside down due to his lying position, his face beamed.

He shouted merrily, "Papa! Aunt Thea!"

The kid rose to the ground and giggled in joy after Althea swooped him off the floor and raised him to the air, praising how adorable he was. Knox collapsed on the blanket spread on the ground and looked at the dark sky.

Shawn came to him and touched his forehead, startling him. Shawn apologetically said, "Sorry. I heard from Athan about what happened to you, so I checked if you’re fine since you look so tired. If you are, you can leave Knoa to us, and go rest inside."

Knox smiled gratefully, but he shook his head in reply. His head might only throb harder if he bumps into Geraldine. It was better to surround himself with people that make him feel comfortable.

"I just didn’t get much sleep last night thinking about today, then I woke up early too, so I’m kind of sleepy now." Slowly, his eyes closed, and his breathing even. On his fading consciousness, he could hear Shawn asking Knoa and Althea to lower their voices.