Chapter 195: Fairy Tales of Love Are All Lies

Vites Mexander resolutely stated his piece, plunging the entire table into silence. For a moment, Eleanor trembled, staring at Alexander in disbelief. She hadn't expected him to speak so frankly about their past relationship. The implications of his words were clear: she was never his first crush, and their relationship was never a bittersweet romance. It was all a fabrication, a figment of everyone's imagination.

This revelation shocked the room. Everyone wondered if everything they'd witnessed between Alexander and Eleanor was fake, obsessing over it as the biggest campus drama. The gossip of the business industry's high society seemed to pale in comparison. The restaurant buzzed with activity; people at nearby tables whispered among themselves.

"Cho! It seems their image as a loving couple was purely rumor or forum speculation," one person commented. "Thinking back, I honestly don't think I've ever seen them embracing on campus."

Another chimed in, "I saw Alexander every day after the breakup, and he never seemed upset. I thought he was emotionally resilient, but he genuinely wasn't bothered at all!"

"All these fairy tales about love are lies! I'm disillusioned," someone else exclaimed.

Even Isabella could contain herself no longer. "What's going on? Did he really never love Eleanor? Were Ms. Gates's detailed revelations all lies? Was she brainwashed by the shippers? No wonder the rest of the Quirk family never mentioned Eleanor—they seemed to know little about Alexander's past. Turns out, they weren't influenced by the rumors."

Alexander paused, then a realization dawned on him. "No wonder Isabella stubbornly believed Eleanor was my first crush and convinced we would divorce. Even when I explained myself, she claimed to believe me, but I think she secretly thought I was stubborn. She must have heard gossip from Hannah, leading her to believe Eleanor and I were deeply in love. Then, she let her imagination run wild."

So, not only did he feel nothing for Eleanor now, but he never had! Isabella thought, aghast. What a monumental mistake! Does this mean the thing I've been waiting for will never happen? Alexander grinned, feeling a wave of relief and satisfaction.

Everyone at the table gaped, first at Alexander, then at Eleanor, reeling from the truth. Alexander's gaze swept across the table, silently conveying that his words were intended for them all. He was defending Isabella against Eleanor.

In the past, Alexander had mechanically fulfilled his obligations to Isabella, a fact easily sensed by his friends. While not openly hostile, they didn't favor her—she had, after all, schemed against their friend. Even without Eleanor, they wouldn't have shown Isabella much respect. Yet, by bringing Isabella to this formal gathering, Alexander was sending a powerful message: he valued her greatly. His friends, therefore, were obligated to respect Isabella.

Reactions varied: surprise, calm acceptance, and unsurprised anticipation. Naturally, some, like Audrey, refused to accept it. Isabella had recently offended Audrey.

Seeing Lily and Eleanor's shock, Audrey muttered a curse at their uselessness. "Alexander," she said, "you've gone too far. Even if you can't be with Eleanor to save your marriage, you can't deny your past love like that—"

Alexander furrowed his brows, interrupting. "There's no need to deny a love that never existed. I'm stating facts. Perhaps you can mention something specific so I can recall it?"

Audrey was speechless. Even Josiah advised her to be quiet; Alexander's stance was clear.

Lily, regaining her composure, exclaimed shrilly, "How could you deny it? You were so in love with Eleanor! Look at this photo! That snowy night in our sophomore year!" She showed everyone a picture of Alexander under a streetlight, seemingly waiting, as Eleanor ran toward him.

Alexander felt Isabella shift in his arms. He'd only embraced her initially, but he sensed her movement. Isabella, though emotionally shaken, suppressed her feelings to relish the gossip. For her, a lack of gossip was unsettling. She curiously examined the photo.

"Enough!" Eleanor interrupted loudly, flustered. She gasped for breath, her eyes trembling. Then, lifting her head, tear-filled eyes fixed on Alexander. For once, her distress seemed genuine and pitiable. Isabella raised an eyebrow. Wow, she looks like she's about to fall apart. With those acting skills, she could make it in the entertainment industry!

Lily, eyes reddened, pleaded, "Eleanor, we should confront him!"

Eleanor took a deep breath, composing herself. Here we go again! Isabella thought, Another performance. How will she make a comeback? I'm enjoying the show. This almost made Alexander laugh.

Eleanor then spoke, "There's no need. Mr. Alexander is right. It was all wishful thinking. I was deluding myself."

The onlookers' expressions changed.

Alexander, however, had run out of patience. "You staged and spread rumors about us being the perfect couple. You flaunted our relationship publicly, creating our image as a couple. I didn't care whether you did it for your satisfaction or your family's benefit; we were in a relationship. That's why I didn't mind the rumors. But your actions are disrupting my wife and me. I won't tolerate your attempts to make us appear as the aggressors." He calmly analyzed the situation.

His gaze intensified as he addressed the tearful Eleanor. "You're making that face, saying those things, hoping people reach a specific conclusion. Do you think I'm a fool?"

Eleanor stiffened, realizing she'd been outsmarted by a shrewd businessman.

The crowd snapped to attention, realizing their conclusion contradicted Alexander's statements.

"We had a harmonious relationship, but it was never intensely romantic. You know this better than anyone," Alexander stated calmly, ignoring Eleanor's pale face. Turning to Lily, he asked, "How did this photo get circulated?"