The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover - Chapter 175

Chapter 175: Jealous?
At Apex Tower, the CEO’s office.

Axel stared at Dylan for a moment, suspicion flickering in his sharp gaze, before taking the iPad his secretary was nervously holding out.

“What’s this?” he asked, his voice calm but dangerous in that quiet, familiar way that made Dylan slightly worry.

“It’s about Lady Boss, sir,” Dylan said carefully, taking a small step back as if distance might save him from whatever storm was coming.

Axel’s eyes dropped to the screen.

At first, his expression was unreadable, but within seconds, his face hardened, his jaw locking as the headline glared back at him.

[Evelyn Walters Caught Walking with a Handsome Man]

[Who Is the Mystery Gentleman Beside the Elegant Heiress?]

[Secret Romance? Evelyn Walters Seen Smiling Lovingly at Unknown Man Outside Restaurant]

[Internet in Chaos as Evelyn’s ‘Boyfriend’ Photo Goes Viral]

Axel’s brows furrowed deeper with each line. And then, he saw the picture.

At first glance, it might have looked harmless, Evelyn walking out of a restaurant, her face glowing, eyes bright with laughter.

But beside her stood a tall man in a black suit, his hand protectively hovering near her back. His head was slightly turned away from the camera, but Axel recognized him instantly.

Liam.

His own bodyguard.

He could almost hear the headlines screaming again in his head, each one more irritating than the last. He scrolled down, reading the comments section.

“He’s definitely her boyfriend.”

“No! He might be her husband.”

“This guy’s so fucking tall and hotter.”

“Their chemistry looks real. Look at her smile!”

“Kiyaa… Let’s ship them!”

Axel’s temple throbbed.

He immediately shut off the screen, gripping the iPad so tightly that Dylan actually took a step back, eyes wide.

“What the hell is going on here?” Axel finally asked, his tone sharp and icy.

Dylan cleared his throat, fumbling for words.

“Sir, I think it’s just the paparazzi exaggerating again. It’s not like the lady boss did anything inappropriate. It’s just… the angle of the photo makes it look a little… Well… romantic?”

“Romantic?” Axel repeated slowly, his eyes narrowing.

Sharp enough to make Dylan think the iPad on the table will end up in his face. How lovely!

“Or friendly!?” Dylan corrected quickly, raising both hands. “Very friendly… Extremely platonic!? The lighting must’ve been bad, you know how the media loves a scandal.”

Axel exhaled sharply through his nose, leaning back in his chair.

His fingers tapped the armrest in slow, controlled rhythm, a clear warning sign that his patience was slipping.

“Did Liam say anything about this? How can someone take photos of them? I already told him clearly to ensure the area is clear.”

Dylan shook his head.

“No, sir. But I’m guessing he’s currently wishing he were invisible.”

Axel gave a humorless chuckle. “He better be.”

For a moment, silence stretched between them.

Then Axel stood, walked toward the window, and looked out at the city skyline below, his jaw tightening again.

“She’s my wife,” he said flatly, though more to himself than to Dylan. “And now the entire internet thinks she’s dating her bodyguard.”

Dylan hesitated, then cautiously said, “Well, sir, maybe you could fix that by… you know…”

Axel turned slightly.

“By what?”

Dylan swallowed.

“By officially announcing your marriage to Madam Evelyn?”

Axel raised an eyebrow.

“Announce it?”

“Yes,” Dylan said, gathering courage. “I mean, it would shut everyone up instantly. The press loves you both. And, honestly, it’s not like it’s a bad thing. It might even help Walters Group’s image. People love the whole ‘mysterious billionaire and his elegant wife’ thing. Very romantic, very marketable—”

“Dylan,” Axel interrupted, voice low but sharp enough to slice through the air.

“Yes, sir?”

Axel’s gaze was dark, thoughtful.

“Do you remember what happened the last time you suggested something similar?”

Dylan blinked.

“You mean when you threatened to fire me?”

Axel gave him a slow, dangerous smile. “Exactly.”

Dylan coughed lightly, deciding to retreat while he still had his job.

“Understood, sir. Just a thought.”

Axel turned back toward the window, his expression unreadable now.

For a long moment, he said nothing.

He wanted to tell the world she was his. To silence every rumor, every article, every idiotic comment that dared to suggest otherwise. But it wasn’t that simple.

If he went public now, Evelyn would be furious. She hated attention, hated gossip, and especially hated when people pried into her private life.

And with the current chaos surrounding Maxime and the Martinez family, timing couldn’t be worse.

Ethan’s warning still echoed in his mind.

“Maxime is getting too close to the Martinez Group.”

The last thing Axel needed was more publicity. He needed to keep things quiet, hidden, and controlled… especially the parts of his life that involved Evelyn.

He rubbed his temple.

“It’s not the right time,” he muttered.

Dylan, who had been standing awkwardly in front of his desk, tilted his head.

“Sorry, sir?”

Axel turned, his tone softer now. “If I announce our marriage, the media will dig into her past. Into me. Into everything. And right now, I have more important problems than a few gossip articles.”

Dylan nodded quickly. “Yes, of course. Like the Martinez issue.”

Axel gave him a sharp look.

“Exactly. So, for now, no announcements. But make sure those photos disappear from every major site, ask Collins to do that!”

“Yes, sir.” Dylan scribbled notes on his tablet, then hesitated. “Should I also… talk to Liam?”

Axel smirked faintly, his tone dry. “You can tell him I want a word tonight. Or better yet, tell him to start running laps before I get home.”

Dylan winced. “Poor guy.”

Axel’s smirk deepened. “He’ll survive. Maybe.”

Dylan took that as his cue to escape before his boss’s mood shifted again. As he turned toward the door, Axel’s voice stopped him.

“Dylan.”

He froze. “Yes, sir?”

Axel’s tone was deceptively calm. “If another article like this comes out, I’ll assume you’re the one who leaked it.”

Dylan paled instantly. “Understood, sir. Noted. Absolutely not me.”

When the door finally closed behind him, Axel sank into his chair and exhaled slowly.

His fingers traced the edge of his phone. He wanted to call her.

But,

He could almost hear her teasing him if she ever found out he was jealous of Liam.

A small, reluctant smile curved his lips. “Should I call her now? Or wait… and discuss it at home?”