Bound To The Broken Alpha (Amy and Daniel) novel Chapter 96

Chapter 96 A Simple Compliment

AMY

69%

+5 Pearls

Breakfast at the Carter estate is usually serene, but on this occasion there was something different about the stillness in the air. The staff moved as quickly and efficiently as always, pouring coffee and laying out the table, while Daniel and I sat across from one another with a silence hanging between us.

My mind was already partially in work mode, thinking about the reports I still needed to catch up on, when I heard Mrs. Carter clear her throat.

“I’ve been having thoughts,” she said, now opening her napkin and folding it up neatly. “I think it’s time for a public renewal of vows between you and Daniel.”

The fork in my hand paused midway

my mouth. “A renewal of vows?” I repeated slowly.

“Yes,” she said with a calm smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “It would send the right message to the council, to the board, to the public. After all that’s happened, it will reinforce unity and silence unnecessary talk. I need the both of you to act like you love each other.”

I glanced at Daniel. He didn’t look surprised. Instead, he looked more resigned than anything. His mother’s tone made it clear it wasn’t a suggestion but a strategic move. He didn’t refuse because he understood his obligation as a son.

“Of course, it’s not mandatory,” she added, though we all knew that wasn’t true. “But these things matter in politics and business alike.”

I nodded slowly, trying to seem agreeable. “If it helps stabilize things, then… fine.”

Mrs. Carter smiled, in satisfaction. “Good. I’ll have the staff start arrangements. We’ll keep it tasteful, nothing extravagant. Just enough to show the world that everything is in order. The media will be present too, so that they can make a story out of it.”

I managed a polite smile, but the idea really annoyed me. Keeping up a show for te public. After breakfast, I excused myself quickly, saying I had early work at the company.

When I arrived, the office was busy, the usual hum of printers and keyboards filling t conference room, sorting through some documents. He looked up when I walked in.

“You look tense,” he said.

ian was in the

“Do I?” I replied, forcing a small laugh as I dropped my bag on the chair. “It’s been a long morning.”

He leaned back, studying me. “Something happened at the estate?”

I hesitated before answering. “Mrs. Carter thinks Daniel and I should do a public renewal of vows. For business optics.”

Brian raised a brow. “And what do you

think?”

“I think it’s unnecessary,” I said. “But saying no feels… complicated.”

“Because of her?”

I nodded. “She means well. It’s just… I don’t like pretending for people who already think they know our story.”

10:17 Tue, Dec 30 DO

Chapter 96 A Simple Compliment

Brian let out a small smile. “Then don’t pretend. You’ve spent enough of your lif others comfortable. Maybe it’s time to make choices that make sense to you.”

I met his eyes, surprised by how easily he said it. “That’s easier said than done.”

“Most good things are,” he replied quietly. “But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.”

林念69% 69%

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ings to make

I looked down at the files, trying to hide the small smile tugging at my lips. “You’re starting to sound like someone who gives good advice.”

“Don’t get used to it,” he said, grinning. “I charge extra for that.”

That simple exchange made the thought I’d been carrying ease a little. For all the chaos surrounding us, I was grateful to have someone I could speak to honestly.

Work helped me focus. I spent most of the day reviewing financial reports and cross–checking council fund allocations. By the time I left the office, the sun was already setting, the sky washed in muted orange and

grey.

Back at the estate, I found Daniel in the living room, going through some files of his own. He looked up as I walked in.

“You’re late,” he said mildly.

“I stayed back to finish the quarterly reviews,” I replied. “Your mother wants updates by tomorrow.”

He nodded. “She mentioned it.” He hesitated, then added, “She also talked about the vow renewal, again.”

I stopped, half–turning toward him. “She did?”

He set the papers aside and leaned back slightly. “Yeah. She thinks it’s good for image–our image, the company’s reputation, the council’s unity, the whole package.”

There was a short silence before he asked, “Do you actually want to do it?”

The question caught me off guard. I looked at him properly this time. “I don’t know if word,” I said carefully. “I just thought it might help… appearances.”

Daniel studied me for a long moment. “That’s not a reason,” he said.

“It’s reason enough if it keeps things calm.”

>

the right

He shook his head slightly. “You shouldn’t agree to something that makes you uncomfortable just because my mother suggested it.”

That surprised me. “You’re disagreeing with her?”

He gave a faint smile. “It’s rare, I know. But I mean it. If this feels wrong to you, then it’s wrong. You don’t have to do it for show.”

His tone was gentle but certain, and that made it harder to keep my guard up. “It’s not that I don’t care about the family’s image,” I said quietly. “I just don’t like being treated like a symbol.”

“I get that,” he said. “Believe it or not, I’m tired of symbols too.”

10:17 Tue, Dec 30 R

Chapter 96 A Simple Compliment

There was something honest and almost vulnerable in his eyes. The man who h now the only person in that house who seemed to understand how heavy prete

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