Chapter 260: Clifford Digs His Own Grave

Part 1:

Even now, Clifford couldn't accept the situation. His eyes darted wildly between Alexander and Isabella. He was about to speak when someone yelled, "Is Clifford there?"

Everyone turned to see four burly men at the pool entrance. They looked vaguely familiar. Clifford's head was still buzzing. Spotting a familiar face, he impatiently snapped, "Whatever it is, tell me later!"

"Indeed, you're here! We're Lily's brothers. We need to talk to you!"

The four men approached. Lily's brothers! Oh no, Clifford was in serious trouble. Lily, it turned out, had four fiercely protective brothers with shady backgrounds. Hearing about Clifford's callous treatment of their sister—ignoring her advances, then using and cruelly discarding her—they'd arrived to retaliate, unconcerned with the social implications for the wealthy families involved. Lily, it seemed, had finally seen through him. Wait had I splashed that alcohol earlier?

Alexander immediately sensed trouble. He saw malice in the men's eyes. Without attracting attention, he moved Isabella behind him, summoned a server, and discreetly called security. Better safe than sorry. Before the guards arrived, the four men attacked.

The first punch sent Clifford sprawling, knocking over a wine table. Screams erupted as guests scattered. Alexander, Damien, Aiden, and Roland couldn't stand idly by, though their friend deserved some punishment. They intervened, but Clifford still ended up with a swollen, bruised, beet-red face, on the verge of tears. It would be a night he never forgot.

Security arrived and restrained Lily's brothers, who continued their verbal assault. The situation escalated, requiring police intervention. Both the Deckers and Lily's family rushed to the scene, turning the chaos into a spectacle. The party ended, but the gossip certainly didn't. High society was in for another shock.

Part 2:

After changing, everyone waited for their cars outside the nightclub. Elaine and Zendaya left, leaving the others bewildered.

"They really are sisters," Damien observed.

"Elaine seems happy," Deborah remarked. "She even mentioned bringing Zendaya to my engagement party."

Ines's eyes widened. "Do you think Clifford will dare show up next week?"

"I doubt it," Aiden said skeptically.

Roland chuckled. "Play with fire, get burned. Clifford dug his own grave."

A louder conversation broke out nearby.

"It's her! The Justice Upholder! The Gossip Queen of the elite!"

"Unbelievable! She was at the Ford wedding, which was called off, and now she causes this commotion at a small party? Terrifying!"

"No wonder her fans adore her. She knows everything!"

"I'm smitten! I want to gossip with her! Today was thrilling! I could talk about this for a year!"

"I want to know what event she'll attend next!"

"There's a wedding she'll definitely be at"

Alexander's friends glanced at Isabella and Alexander, then Deborah, looking perplexed.

"What's wrong?" Isabella asked, noticing their odd expressions.

Ines, ever blunt, exclaimed, "Bella, did you work your magic today?"

Isabella was stunned.

Aiden chuckled. "Careful! Clifford might come looking for you! Hahaha."

Isabella realized they were joking. She hadn't caused the trouble; she'd simply known what was coming and watched. She looked falsely accused. "It had nothing to do with me!"

Ines and Aiden, teasingly disbelieving, hoped she'd attend Aiden's father's next wedding. Roland cleared his throat, reminding them that Deborah might be sensitive to such "metaphysical" suggestions. Even if it was somehow metaphysical, he was grateful to Isabella, though he chalked it up to coincidence. She loved gossip and excitement.

Alexander also looked at Deborah.

Deborah said frankly, "If it was you, Elaine should reward you handsomely. But my engagement party's soon, so I need to be cautious." An awkward silence followed; they thought she was serious.

"My fiancé has a checkered past. I don't care, as long as it doesn't cause a scandal that impacts our families' business. So, Angel of Justice, let's keep things quiet, shall we?" Deborah's raised pitch indicated she was joking.

There'd been a sense of triumphant justice in the earlier gossip, but not between her and her fiancé, Oliver. Even if Isabella revealed something terrible, Deborah wouldn't care. She'd accepted the marriage alliance in exchange for pursuing her own passions. It was a fair trade; a business arrangement that allowed her freedom. She had no interest in romance.

Everyone laughed at Deborah's rare humor. Damien's expression, however, grew troubled.

Cars arrived to take people home, leaving only Damien, Isabella, and Alexander. Damien stepped toward Isabella, seeming to want to speak but hesitating.

"Something you need?" Alexander asked.

Damien seemed to snap back to reality, panic flashing in his eyes as his jaw clenched. He remained silent.

Isabella raised an eyebrow. "Worried about the engagement party? Afraid I'll ruin Oliver and Deborah's future?"

Damien looked embarrassed, self-mocking. He felt ridiculous, like a desperate man believing in deities. Before he could deny it, Isabella added sarcastically, "Or hoping I'll show up, cause chaos, and spice things up?"