Chapter 330: Not Having Children

Isabella slipped away early, wanting to avoid being treated like a celebrity on display. Aiden, equally eager to escape the elders' lectures, left early with Ines, inviting their group to join them for a belated dinner.

At the private dining restaurant, Aiden was joyful, anticipating toasting Alexander and Isabella. The others teased and laughed, but Isabella was frustrated, having already seen herself in various gossip columns.

"I thought today would be uneventful, but I've become a charlatan!" she grumbled, sipping her wine. Everyone assumed she was reluctant to be labeled as such. "It's going to be tough being an observer! I just wanted to be quiet, yet they somehow associated me with everything!"

Laughter erupted. Alexander, tenderhearted, let Isabella cling to him and complain.

"How do you always stumble into major gossip?" Elaine asked. "It's quite the coincidence."

Isabella stammered, "Well… coincidences. I like gossip, so I'm perceptive."

That made sense; people wouldn't believe in metaphysics. It was merely a coincidence that her keen perception uncovered the problem. Her strong sense of justice led to the current situation.

While others were indifferent, Elaine enthusiastically expressed her desire to join Isabella's "fandom."

When Aiden announced his farewell, everyone remembered his earlier plan to leave immediately after the wedding with Ines—their plane tickets were already booked. Their surprise at his insistence was evident.

"The truth is out, and you still want to leave?" Roland asked.

"Is it the childless marriage issue? Worried about your family?" Damien inquired.

Elaine asked absentmindedly, "Are you really planning on not having children? Have you discussed this with Ines?" Deborah watched curiously.

(This section needs more contextual information to be fully cleaned. The narrative jumps abruptly.)

It seems Aiden's goal is to prevent Yvonne from revealing Ines' secrets. He wants to leave early to protect Ines. He's fiercely protective of her.

Ines felt guilty, but Aiden interrupted her by taking her hand. This time, however, Ines felt wronged on Aiden's behalf and spoke up. "Actually…"

After Ines revealed the truth, silence fell. Isabella, anticipating this, felt a strange urge to laugh. "I bet they're drowning in guilt now," she thought. "Hilarious!" Alexander, initially unmoved, nearly laughed at her sarcastic remark.

Aiden, embracing Ines, chuckled. "I want to treat Ines as my precious child. Let's make a bet on whose child you'll be godmother to first."

Elaine immediately declared, "I'll likely have children first."

"You're not even married," Aiden replied.

"Who says you can't have children without marriage?" Elaine retorted. "I can have them whenever I want—faster than courtship, romance, and marriage!" Roland laughed.

"What's so funny? You're single and heartbroken!" Elaine shot back. "I can't say who'll have children first, but you'll be last!"

Roland clutched his chest. "No need to rub salt in the wound! I'm not the only single one!"

Attention shifted to Damien and Deborah.

Deborah said, "I've considered not having children."

Damien, surprised, replied, "I'll respect my partner's wishes. I haven't decided. You should probably bet on Alexander and Isabella."