Chapter 1016

She was a little too moody! One moment she was conversing and laughing softly with him; the next, she could turn and snap his neck. He couldn't bear to remain with such a woman. "When have I offended you?" Ralph asked, blowing on his fingers.

"Okay, if Alexander hurt you—if it were him—I'd accept all the anger you've thrown at me. I can't choose who my nephew is. No matter what he's done, he's still my nephew. I'll apologize on his behalf."

"However, Heather, we're still to be married. We're a family. Alexander and I have never gotten along. Could he have sought you out because of me? Could he have threatened you because of me?"

He was trying to reason with himself about her anger. If Alexander truly injured her, Ralph wanted to know why. A thought flashed across his mind. "Heather, could it be that Alexander is trying to ask for your hand in marriage?"

"What?"

"He must be jealous that I'm marrying you. His place in this family might be jeopardized if I joined forces with you. Maybe that's why he wants to take you away from me. This kid has robbed me of many things since he was young. He was my father's favorite and the next heir of the Russell family. He has everything, and it's still not enough. Now, he's trying to take you away from me as well! I've had enough!"

Heather was speechless.

"Did you refuse to fight him? Is that why he hurt you?"

The more Ralph reasoned, the more it made sense. "He's gone too far! Don't worry. I'll seek justice for you!" After an angry grumble, he stood and prepared to leave. After a few steps, he realized Heather hadn't called out to him, not even when he reached the door.

He stopped and turned. "Heather?"

"Go on, now!" she said casually, raising her eyebrows. "Aren't you going to avenge me and seek justice? I'll be here, waiting for you!" She crossed her arms, settling back into her show. She had no intention of dissuading him.

Since he'd already said so much, backing down would be embarrassing. Through gritted teeth, he said, "Wait for me!" This time, he left.

As the corners of Heather's lips curled up, the sparkle in her eyes dimmed. She knew something about the Russells. She knew Ralph couldn't do much more than argue with Alexander for a few minutes. However, since he'd offered, she would let him. Otherwise, he might think she was easily bullied.

Thinking back to Ralph's words, it seemed Alexander had started kickboxing as a child. Still, he shouldn't have practiced as long as she had. She didn't know where he'd learned it, but his skills were terrifying. Now, she was even more eager to obtain the handbook. Whatever she wanted, she had to get! Lost in thought, she didn't realize Hannah was hiding in the corner, watching her with clenched fists.