Chapter 268: Effortlessly Saying Sweet Nothings

Isabella was convinced she was blameless; a pure-hearted, enthusiastic gossip lover, always eager to be in the know. However, the recipient of her news was quite taken aback. Silence followed on the other end of the phone. Yet, one could easily imagine the simmering rage beneath that silence.

Damien wasn't the only one shocked. Alexander, too, was bewildered by the news. Finding them together at that time struck him as peculiar, especially since he saw no inappropriate behavior between them. Upon learning the truth, however, he was repulsed.

"Damien," Alexander cautioned, still driving, "don't do anything rash."

Damien's voice was hoarse. "Thank you for letting me know. I'll handle it privately."

After the call ended, Isabella mused, "Damien's furious. Anyone would be upset if their closest sister was treated like a lover by their cousin. Even without blood ties, it's distasteful."

"There's more to it," Alexander said.

"What do you mean?" Isabella asked directly, skipping a check of the system.

Alexander was happy to share. "Oliver and Damien have been enemies since childhood, devoid of brotherly affection. Madam Lydia often favored Damien, even naming him her heir, so Oliver, from a young age, took things from Damien only to destroy them—a form of retaliation."

Immediately, Isabella asked, "Could Deborah also?"

Alexander shook his head. "He hid it so well; Oliver had no idea."

Isabella had an epiphany: perhaps Oliver's secrecy was meant to protect Deborah.

"So, Oliver's lasciviousness wasn't just lust, but a ploy to upset Damien by making Ruby his lover? His sister's a fool to be so easily deceived. Couldn't she see the man was unfriendly toward her brother?"

Alexander explained, "Damien lived with the Winters family; Ruby, with the Willises. Despite sharing a mother, they weren't close. Damien's attentiveness stemmed from their mother's wishes, but Ruby didn't like him."

"She dislikes Damien, her brother, but likes that playboy? Did she damage her brain?"

Alexander's gaze shifted. "Strained relationships between half-siblings are normal, don't you think? Mutual rejection of each other's fathers and competition for their mother's affection can easily create tension. Elaine and Zendaya's bond is rare."

Isabella recalled their closeness. "It truly depends on the person," she agreed.

Alexander continued, "Due to their ten-year age gap, Damien felt responsible for Ruby, yet she was arrogant, disrespectful, and often lashed out. So, she may not have been deceived."

This time, Isabella sensed it herself. She cursed inwardly. Damn! They were two villains conspiring against Damien. Unbelievable! But Alexander revealed a reason for Ruby's actions.

Alexander's eyes flickered. "It's just that Damien's never spoken of it. I didn't feel it was appropriate to expose something he tried so hard to hide. Besides, he…"

His grip tightened on the steering wheel; his breath hitched. Isabella's thoughts quickly snapped him back.

Mrs. Willis disliked Damien due to his difficult birth, which had caused her great suffering. A fortune teller blamed Damien for the family's misfortunes, fueling her resentment, even leading to abuse, which Madam Lydia stopped. The Winters family took custody of Damien. Fearing a curse, Mrs. Willis remarried. Despite outward peace, Damien suffered long-term emotional neglect. His mother blamed him for her misfortunes, using guilt trips to force him to clean up messes caused by her or Ruby. Damien, well-educated, merely fulfilled his responsibilities; their relationship was a continuous game. A troublemaking mother, an unruly sister, and now, Ruby, becoming another man's wife… the shattered Damien. Why did he seem so tragically handsome and capable?

Isabella found her thoughts amusing.

They arrived at the shopping mall. Alexander usually opened her door, but this time, he unbuckled both their seatbelts and pulled her into a hug.

The unexpected embrace stunned Isabella. It was tight; they felt each other's heavy breathing. Isabella felt he was clinging to her for dear life.

"What's wrong?" Even oblivious Isabella sensed something was amiss.

"I want to hold you," Alexander's voice was deep and alluring.

Isabella was swept away. Is he flirting? We sleep together every day. I heard your heart flutters when you like someone… Could I be that charming? She giggled inwardly. The thought tugged at Alexander's lips.

"I want to hold you forever," he said.

Isabella was dumbfounded. The cold CEO warmed up fast! He's effortlessly whispering sweet nothings, leaving me flustered.

Others might think she was ruining the moment, but to Alexander, it was touching, even though his ears were burning.

He didn't need a response; he placed no pressure on her. It was a simple expression of love before resuming their routines. He broke the hug, opened her door, and they went shopping, gossiping.

Later, over a meal, Isabella caught up on what happened next. Damien had hit Oliver, a sneaky blow, making Oliver cry. Ruby, the ingrate, had sided with Oliver and hit her brother!