Chapter 36: Your Wife Bullied Me

I didn't expect Isabella to be so adept at using a marketing account to spread gossip. Christopher was devastated.

Isabella said guiltily, "I'm sorry! We're all family here, and they just care about your situation with Luna. Besides, think about it—if you and Luna do end up together, this video might actually become a cherished memory."

"Wow, gee! Thanks!" Christopher was speechless.

Even though I'm sure they won't have a happy ending, let's just tell a white lie to appease him for now and get myself out of this. (This is a narrator's aside; it might be better integrated differently depending on the overall style.)

Christopher was livid. "Damn you! Your apology isn't even sincere!"

"Right, about Bianca…" Isabella noticed Christopher's grim expression and quickly changed the subject. How should I put this? It's a matter of life and death. But how can I justify where I got my information? (Again, this is a narrator's aside.)

Christopher cast an irritated glance at Isabella but let it go. "There's something wrong with Bianca. Hayden just told me to keep my distance from her in the future, lest she does something reckless."

Christopher kept things to himself. Neither Hayden nor Isabella would suspect anything.

Isabella was surprised, not expecting them to already know. This reassured her.

Isabella beamed. "Thankfully, you managed to… ahem… evade a crisis."

"Go to sleep!" Christopher's face fell. He was so irritated by Isabella that he wanted her to disappear.

Isabella shrugged. "Why are you so mad? Is it such a disgrace to be a virgin? Both you and your brother are virgins. You don't see him feeling ashamed. Ah, I see. So this runs in the family, huh?"

Christopher looked at her in bewilderment.

Did I just hear that right? Did she just spill the beans? So that incident back then was really just a hoax? Wait! That's not the point! The point is, Alex is a virgin like me! So those exclamation marks in the chat weren't just about me? (Again, narrator's aside; consider reworking for better flow.)

He felt comforted knowing he wasn't alone and that Alexander was just like him. That was probably the only good news from that night.

At the Quirk manor, Alexander, having just finished his work, suddenly felt uneasy. He seemed to hear whispers from somewhere within the usually quiet residence.

Are they all awake in the dead of night? (Narrator's aside.)

Puzzled, Alexander checked his phone's memo before bed, only to discover a video his mother had forwarded to him. Curious, he clicked on it and was speechless.

Later that night, Christopher, exhausted, returned to his room and received a call from Alexander. Christopher suspected Alexander had also seen the video, which is why he called so late.

He was embarrassed to face others, but not his brother, who was in a similar situation. Hah! He's been a virgin longer than me, and he has a wife! (Narrator's aside; consider stylistic changes.)

Driven by an inexplicable smugness, Christopher confidently answered.

Alexander had initially called to check on Christopher, who had cried and even gotten on his knees, only to hear his complaints.

"Did you watch the video?" "Yes." "Alex, your wife has been bullying me." "But I think you sound fine." "You've changed. Are you even my brother?"

Alexander was speechless, wondering why his brother had become so dramatic after his outing with Isabella.

"Wait. You are my brother. Just now, Isabella mentioned that we are both virgins and that it runs in the family."

Alexander was irked, feeling tempted to beat up his younger brother. "I'm hanging up."

"Hey, wait a minute! I've got something important to discuss with you." Christopher, no longer concerned about his virginity, quickly seized the opportunity to discuss the investment.

"Isabella mentioned it to me. How about this? I'll come by to pick you up tomorrow and sort this out." "Oh, you don't have to make a trip here yourself. I can handle it." "This is a brand new area for Quirk Group that we've never ventured into before."

Christopher became anxious. "I'm serious. You can't show up, or you'll steal my thunder. I was planning to use this method to impress Luna!"

Alexander paused and said, "You can't resort to threats." "Do you think I'm a fool? Of course I won't!" "So, you're really not giving up?"

Christopher fell silent for a moment and sighed. "I don't want to give up. I really don't. I like her a lot. Why do I only realize now that I've been in love with her for so long?"

Alexander was speechless, listening to his brother's tearful voice. Christopher eventually regained his composure.

"Right, about Bianca…" Christopher briefly explained the situation to Alexander before his tone turned solemn. "Since she wants to harm me, I'll ruin her reputation in high society."

Alexander hadn't anticipated Bianca's malicious attempt. Immediately, he exuded a cold, intimidating aura. "Got it. I'll handle this."

The following morning, Christopher arranged a meeting with the professor, acting as if nothing had happened. They agreed to meet in the hotel restaurant's breakfast buffet.

The entire research team was there except Anais, which made the professor wonder where she was. Anais had a friend in town and, unable to face everyone the previous night, had left the hotel to stay with her.

The professor didn't dwell on it. Her face lit up when she heard about the investment, and she happily introduced the project to Christopher.

Christopher expressed his approval and promised to bring them to Quirk Group to sign the contract once they prepared the reports and documents.

Everyone was in disbelief, thinking it was too easy and too good to be true. Aside from the professor, everyone looked at Luna, knowing it was because of her.

Luna felt uneasy but was happy for the professor. She had finally fulfilled her lifelong ambition. Lifting her gaze, she looked at Christopher, whose shoulder was bathed in sunlight. Their eyes met, and Luna offered a serene smile. "Thank you."

Christopher was stunned, but Luna's amicable demeanor didn't cheer him up.

So much had happened yesterday. Luna could have chosen to hide from him, feel repulsed by him, or even embarrassed to be around him—all of which would indicate she treated him differently and that he still held a place in her heart. What he feared the most was her indifference, which shattered his illusions and hopes like an invisible fist. (Again, consider restructuring this narrator's aside.)

Deep down, he understood that although Isabella was harsh and straightforward, her words were brutally honest. She was right. The possibility of them being together was almost nonexistent. But all he could do was escape the truth. Even getting to look at her one more time was enough for him.

Meanwhile, Thalia, at the buffet, spotted them. Accustomed to gossip, she immediately messaged Isabella, who was still asleep: "I saw Mr. Christopher and Ms. Cowell."

When Isabella woke up and saw the message, she quickly asked, "Which Cowell are we talking about?"

Thalia: "The beautiful researcher."

Isabella chided herself for asking. How could it have been Bianca? (Narrator's aside.) She quickly got up to freshen up, wanting to see the drama firsthand. She typed, "Save me a spot. I'll be there shortly."

Thalia: "But they're almost done eating."

Isabella didn't respond. Thalia monitored the situation.

After discussing the investment, the professor wanted to prepare the report, so they all left after breakfast. Thalia messaged Isabella. Soon, Isabella called. Thalia could hear her running.

"Hurry! There's danger!" Isabella yelled. "Stop them from leaving!"

Stunned, Thalia rushed out. The hotel was huge, and she didn't know which way they'd gone.

Isabella stepped off the elevator, her face pale. She saw a group heading toward the elevator. Just as she breathed a sigh of relief, she saw a dark shadow approaching them from behind. She couldn't see who it was and yelled, "Luna, watch out! Behind you!"

Everyone stopped and turned. Only Christopher reacted quickly, rushing forward to shield Luna.

(The final "Search the FindNovel.net" is a website plug and should be removed from the story itself.)