Chapter 300: Elijah Suspects the Child Is His

Meanwhile, Aiden was disgusted. Yvonne, his stepmother, had slept with his father. He wouldn't accept her outrageous proposal! Though Yvonne was his age, he considered her old. The thought of sleeping with her was a nightmare. However, Yvonne knew his weakness: if he refused, she'd reveal the truth about the miscarriage.

Revealing Ines's role in Yvonne's miscarriage would enrage Ralph, who valued the child greatly. The Burkes' emphasis on lineage would brand Ines a jinx.

A dark expression clouded Aiden's face. He wouldn't let Ines get hurt. "I can't take this risk. I must appease this psychopath."

Yvonne gazed at him melancholically. Her eyes held heartbreak and disappointment, but no resentment. "I can give you time, but we don't have much. If we waste time, suspicions will arise even if I get pregnant. Aiden, I've made concessions. You can't treat me like this. I have feelings," she said pitifully.

Reject her! Criticize her! Isabella shrieked inwardly.

The Quirks were puzzled by Isabella's sharp thoughts. Why is she so invested?

Aiden, grim-faced, hesitated, then said, "Let me think. I'll answer after the wedding."

Yvonne's eyes lit up; she nodded. Aiden fled.

The Quirks anxiously awaited Isabella's thoughts. Aiden, you're done for! You agreed to think about it! They were in disbelief.

Alexander frowned. Impossible! Aiden wouldn't do this. He didn't care about his father or the Burkes. How could he agree? He then heard Isabella's sarcastic inner monologue.

He's stalling, appeasing her. If this can't be resolved, he'll run away with Ines. He'll leave the country after the wedding, without telling anyone.

The Quirks sighed in relief, even smiling. As expected of…

However, Alexander found it odd. If that's the case, why is Isabella so agitated? He felt Isabella stirring, wanting to get up.

Aiden messed up! Doesn't he know walls have ears? Ines heard everything! The Quirks gasped. What?

Alexander remembered the mansion's layout: each upstairs room had an open balcony. Open windows and doors meant conversations could be overheard. Because of the wedding, the upstairs rooms were empty. Aiden and Yvonne knew this, so they didn't worry about the open balcony door. Fate played a cruel joke.

Aiden's hasty departure meant he didn't notice Ines in the next room, crying on the balcony. I can't do nothing. I hate misunderstandings in romantic TV series. I have to make them talk. Ines is innocent; she can't hide anything.

The Quirks also found the misunderstanding upsetting. They couldn't ignore it.

"I…" Isabella searched for an excuse when Alexander said, "Wherever you want to go, I'll go with you."

They locked eyes. Isabella felt no need to hide anything. "I'm going to look for Ines and Aiden," she confessed. Alexander…should be someone I can share secrets with.

(This was Isabella's subconscious thought.) Alexander didn't question her, so she proceeded. With Alexander's intelligence, he'll see the truth. He can handle it. Pulling Isabella up, Alexander excused himself, a smug smile playing on his lips. Great. She's relying on me. She cares. I'm happy!

Aiden had left with the bride, so Ines would be in the bride's room. They easily found her. She was upstairs. They avoided Aiden, who was heading downstairs.

Isabella remained calm. She knew Ines was hiding, sobbing. She would get Ines first.

Chapter 300: Elijah Suspects the Child Is His

They paused, exchanging a glance.

"Is that…" Isabella wasn't sure. She'd only glimpsed the man's profile.

"He's Elijah, Aiden's uncle," Alexander said, his tone peculiar. He saw Elijah's angry expression as he stormed in.

Isabella revealed the reason. Damn, he was eavesdropping! Aiden, be more cautious! Alexander was speechless.

The Quirks were confused. Who was eavesdropping?

Isabella was curious. Is he going to threaten Yvonne? Let me check…

Alexander took Isabella to Ines's room. The door was open. Intuition told him something was wrong with Elijah, so he quietly entered with Isabella.

Ines was on the balcony, a surprised expression on her face. She hadn't reacted to their arrival.

Isabella screamed internally. Oh my goodness, they're having an affair! Elijah suspects Yvonne's child is his. He learned the child was gone, heard about a replacement child, and demanded an explanation!

Chapter 301: Secret Discovered

Isabella was taken aback. She hadn't expected another person in this web of relationships.

The Quirks were stunned by her thoughts. What?

The youngest son of the Barbe family's patriarch…involved with his older brother's new wife?

Initially, everyone thought Yvonne was delusional. Only now did they realize the affair between in-laws.

The reception ended; Ralph returned, displeased, grumbling. He blamed his son and brother for their unreliability. He hadn't noticed the Quirk family's sympathetic glances. It was pitiful that he'd married such a cheater.

Isabella sorted through the gossip. Much was incomplete, as she hadn't met Yvonne. Alexander guided her to the balcony.

Ines had regained composure, her eyes wet. Alexander hushed her.

She was still naive, engrossed in her emotions. She didn't suspect anything when they appeared; she was eavesdropping. She thought about Aiden having a child with someone else. Next door, Elijah questioned the same thing.

She knew she caused the trouble. She was ready to compensate Yvonne, but not about Aiden. She didn't want to give him up.

Yet, she wavered. She trusted Aiden's loyalty and love. Perhaps Aiden yearns for…

This cleaned-up version addresses grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and removes unnecessary repetition and filler words. It also maintains the original narrative flow. The excessive use of italics representing inner thoughts has been preserved but could be further refined stylistically depending on the desired effect.