Chapter 227: Providing for Someone Else
Roland and Sasha's marriage wasn't legally binding; they hadn't even obtained their marriage certificate. Sasha's reluctance to finalize the paperwork, preferring to proceed with the wedding ceremony first, fueled suspicions. Stopping the wedding became paramount.
Isabella asked Alexander if she should inform Roland about the recent father-son conversation. Alexander advised waiting for concrete evidence. Isabella hoped Alexander could uncover problems with Sasha. An illegitimate child, while significant, wouldn't likely be addressed before the wedding; it would be discussed afterward. Even mentioning it beforehand wouldn't necessarily prevent the wedding.
Alexander agreed. He believed revealing an illegitimate child would only disgust Roland. Their deep-seated feelings, cultivated over years, wouldn't be easily swayed by casual accusations. Concrete evidence remained crucial.
Returning to the ballroom, Isabella and Alexander observed Ethan and Stephanie greeting Owen and Daphne. Their respectful demeanor was impeccable, even Daphne, who didn't know them, maintained perfect etiquette. Owen's gaze, fixed on Stephanie, expressed considerable satisfaction.
The scene was appalling: two men deceiving two innocent women. The Quirk family, gathered nearby, overheard Isabella's thoughts and regarded Owen and Ethan with disdain. Their silent communication was infuriating. The calculating exchange of glances between father and son was especially unsettling.
Initially, it was surprising that Owen, unlike Daphne, readily accepted Roland's marriage to Sasha. Heads of prominent families usually prioritize advantageous marriages. However, it now seemed Owen had a backup plan. If Roland refused the family business to pursue his police career, Owen wouldn't risk his legacy passing to his nephews; his own son would be the heir. Therefore, Roland marrying Sasha wasn't a significant problem.
Owen intended to leverage his poor health to pressure his wife's family into legitimizing his illegitimate son. Ethan, having found a wealthy girlfriend, was also scheming; if his situation in Stonkania faltered, he would advance his plans and return home. The Ford family's success stemmed largely from Daphne's family's military connections. Owen's plan to leave his legacy to his illegitimate child was sickening. Ethan, too, had devised a cunning, multifaceted plan.
Selena wanted to warn Daphne, but her family forbade it, fearing an outsider's accusation would be dismissed as unbelievable. However, Alexander, Roland's close friend, would be a more credible source.
After greeting Owen and Daphne, Ethan mingled with others. Selena, though sympathetic to Stephanie, hesitated to interfere. Isabella and Alexander found themselves watching Stephanie, commenting on her beauty and naiveté regarding men.
Ethan had pursued Stephanie relentlessly since they met at university. The Nor family, prioritizing Stephanie's happiness, disregarded social status and wealth, making them indifferent to Ethan's background. This made Stephanie's situation tragic; her first love, Ethan, was unlikely to be deterred by the revelation of an illegitimate child; only discovering his affair with Sasha might end their relationship. Alexander, however, remained focused on Ethan, casting a cold glance his way.
They found Roland among his friends, laughing and chatting. Upon their arrival, they were teased about a possible date. Isabella subtly steered the conversation to Sasha, noting her unwell appearance. Roland attributed it to pregnancy-related anxiety and lack of sleep.
Isabella then asked about the pregnancy's duration. Roland revealed Sasha was almost four months pregnant. Alexander then pointedly asked, "Weren't you outstation for half a year previously?"
This unexpected question silenced the group. Alexander's unusual behavior—he rarely involved himself in such matters—piqued their curiosity. Roland, assuming Alexander's question stemmed from simple curiosity, rather than suspicion of infidelity, readily explained Sasha's surprise visit, her pale appearance, and tearful confession of missing him.
His friends teased him good-naturedly. Isabella, however, felt a jolt. She realized Sasha had likely traveled to get Roland to register the child. More shockingly, Roland hadn't even slept with Sasha; he had been supporting another man's girlfriend and child. The Quirk family, listening nearby, gasped.
Alexander was stunned. Roland, naive and patient, hadn't progressed their relationship due to Sasha's resistance, mistakenly attributing it to the warehouse incident. Sasha's resistance stemmed from her relationship with Ethan; only after sleeping with him did she feel a sense of romantic loyalty that prevented her from accepting Roland. She got Roland drunk to simulate intimacy for the child's registration.
The Quirk family was aghast. Roland, blinded by love, hadn't questioned the circumstances of the conception, thinking himself so irresistible. Now, with a child, Sasha could reject Roland, leaving him to raise another man's child. Roland, oblivious, continued his cheerful conversation. Alexander's phone buzzed incessantly with incoming messages.