ALEX—!!

The suite remained deathly silent except for Isabella’s uneven breathing.

Alexander sat quietly on the edge of the bed while the girl stayed curled weakly against him, her trembling fingers clutching tightly onto his shirt as though terrified he would disappear the moment she let go.

The scarlet rose petals scattered across the white sheets now looked almost ironic.

Alexander lowered his gaze toward the top of her head.

Her body still trembled from time to time.

The drugs hadn’t completely worn off yet.

His eyes darkened slightly.

“Bella,” he called softly.

No response.

Only a faint hiccup.

Alexander carefully brushed away the damp strands of hair stuck to her tear-stained face. Her swollen red eyes and the slap mark lingering on her cheek made the coldness in his gaze deepen instantly.

However, when he spoke again, his voice remained unbelievably gentle.

“Can you stand?”

Isabella remained silent for a few seconds before giving a tiny nod against his shoulder.

Alexander slowly helped her sit upright.

The moment his hold loosened slightly, her fingers subconsciously tightened around his sleeves again.

As if panicking.

As if she feared he would leave her alone in this room.

His movements paused briefly.

Then, without saying a word, he picked up his coat and carefully wrapped it around her exposed shoulders before lifting her effortlessly into his arms.

Isabella startled softly.

Instinctively, her arms wrapped around his neck once more.

Alexander carried her toward the sofa area of the suite.

The moment he sat down, she unconsciously curled closer into his chest like a frightened kitten finally finding warmth after wandering in the cold for too long.

Alexander lowered his eyes silently.

If Julian were present right now, he would probably be horrified.

Because the expression on Alexander Sterling’s face at this moment was frighteningly soft.

“Julian. Water,” he said quietly toward the door.

Outside, Julian nearly jumped before hurrying off immediately.

Not a single person dared enter the room.

The atmosphere surrounding Alexander earlier had already frightened everyone half to death.

A few moments later, Julian returned with a bottle of water.

Alexander took it before lowering his head slightly toward the girl in his arms.

“Drink a little.”

Julian stared at his brother in disbelief.

“…I never knew you could be this soft. What a sight for sore eyes.”

Alexander massaged his temples as if trying not to murder him.

“Why are you still here?”

Julian immediately shut up.

Isabella’s lashes trembled lightly.

Only now did she seem slightly more conscious than before.

Her dazed gaze slowly lifted toward Alexander’s face.

For several seconds, she simply stared blankly at him.

As though confirming he was really there.

Something inside Alexander’s chest tightened strangely.

Then—

Her eyes reddened again.

Alexander: “…”

He lowered the glass helplessly.

“Why are you crying again?”

His tone sounded unusually awkward.

Honestly, throughout his life, Alexander Sterling had handled billion-dollar negotiations more calmly than this.

But Isabella’s tears genuinely made him panic.

“I’m not crying…” she muttered weakly despite the tears gathering once more.

Her voice sounded hoarse and pitiful from crying too much earlier.

Alexander sighed softly.

Then he carefully wiped away the tears sliding down her face with his thumb.

Isabella forced out a faint smile before stammering weakly,

“It’s just… you don’t know how horrible today was…”

Her lashes lowered slightly.

“Before I saw you… I was already starting to doubt life. I almost gave up all hope in this world…”

She had always believed she was strong enough.

She thought nothing could shake her anymore.

But when the nightmare from five years ago almost repeated itself tonight, she realized she still couldn’t escape the fear buried deep inside her heart.

Back then, she had already guessed it.

Even if Edwin Durges didn’t intend to touch her personally, he would probably hand her over to someone else.

Birds of a feather flock together.

A man who associated with Edwin would definitely be even filthier.

Right now, she was only grateful she had guessed wrongly.

What she hadn’t expected… was that the person Edwin wanted to curry favor with was actually Alexander.

Killing intent flashed briefly through Alexander’s eyes.

However, his tone remained low and gentle.

“Sorry. I was the one who dragged you into this.”

Isabella looked up at him blankly.

“That night at the hotel, I interfered because I wanted to help you. Durges probably misunderstood our relationship because of it.” His eyes darkened coldly. “I didn’t expect him to do something this disgusting.”

“How is it your fault?” Isabella shook her head weakly. “You were trying to help me…”

Only then did she suddenly realize she was still practically sprawled across his body.

Embarrassment instantly surfaced on her face.

“I-I’m sorry… I wrinkled your clothes…”

The girl knelt awkwardly before him with tear-stained eyes while the thin silk nightgown clung damply to her body after all the chaos earlier.

Without the flower petals covering her anymore, the fabric did almost nothing to hide her figure.

Alexander immediately coughed lightly and shifted his gaze elsewhere.

“It’s alright.”

Isabella tried to straighten herself up properly, but the moment she moved, dizziness hit her hard.

Her body swayed weakly.

Alexander immediately reached out to steady her.

“Are you alright? I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Her cheeks flushed slightly as she shook her head weakly.

“With this kind of drug… going to the hospital won’t help much…”

Then she hesitated before speaking softly.

“Alex… can I ask you for a favor?”

“What is it?” he asked immediately.

“That cloth covering my eyes earlier…” Isabella bit her lip lightly. “Can you help me put it back on?”

A trace of astonishment flashed across Alexander’s face.

“Why?”

Isabella smiled helplessly.

“There’s aphrodisiac in my system, Alex.”

Her voice became quieter.

“Out of sight… out of mind.”

Alexander instantly understood.

His throat tightened slightly before he bent down to pick up the strip of black lace discarded on the floor earlier.

Then he carefully tied it around her eyes once again.

The moment he leaned close—

The heat inside Isabella’s body suddenly flared violently again.

“Ugh…”

She bit the corner of her lips lightly.

“Is it just me… or is it suddenly hot in here…?”

Alexander’s expression stiffened instantly.

“…This girl…”

He coughed lightly and stepped back.

“Are you alright?”

Isabella nodded weakly.

“There’s one more thing…”

“What is it?”

“I don’t have any strength left…” she admitted softly. “Could you help me to the bathroom? I’ll probably feel better after soaking in cold water.”

“Alright.”

Alexander immediately stood up.

“I’ll help you prepare the bath.”

“Thank you…”

Soon, the distinct sound of running water echoed throughout the quiet suite.

Although Isabella was blindfolded again, this time, she strangely felt safe.

Completely different from before.

After some time, the water finally stopped running.

Footsteps approached.

“Can you walk?” Alexander asked softly.

“I think so… just support me a little.”

Alexander carefully helped her toward the bathroom.

Even while supporting her, he deliberately maintained some distance between them. Only his arms lightly touched her.

The moment Isabella’s body submerged into the icy water, she let out a soft relieved sigh.

“Mmm…”

Alexander’s expression tightened instantly.

“I’ll wait outside,” he said quickly.

“If you need anything, call me. And don’t stay too long.”

“Okay.”

Alexander turned around immediately and left the bathroom.

The speed of his departure almost looked like escaping from danger.

The moment he opened the suite door—

THUD.

A figure nearly crashed into the room.

Julian stumbled forward awkwardly after losing the support of the door he had clearly been leaning against while eavesdropping.

He dusted himself off before coughing lightly.

“Heh… I was only worried about you guys…”

He raised both hands innocently.

“Definitely not gossiping. I swear.”

Alexander looked at his ridiculous younger brother expressionlessly, as though he had already expected this.

“This,” he said coldly, “is why you’re still single.”

Julian looked personally attacked.

“The fuck, bro? That was low.”

Then he narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

“Wait. Aren’t YOU single too?”

Alexander rolled his eyes lazily.

“I’m single because I choose to be.”

Then his lips curved slightly into a smirk.

“As for you…” He patted Julian’s shoulder sympathetically. “Your ex-girlfriends only dated you to get closer to me.”

Julian clutched his chest dramatically.

“Yooo… alright, I give up! You don’t have to keep reopening old wounds!”

Alexander’s expression suddenly turned cold again.

“Go to the car and bring me the documents.”

Julian blinked.

“…Documents?”

Alexander adjusted his sleeves slowly.

“I think I’ve given Durges too much breathing room.”

Julian’s mouth slowly fell open.

“Alex… are you seriously planning to read documents in this kind of situation?”

He looked utterly horrified.

“Are you even a man?”

Alexander’s cold gaze swept toward him.

“Do you need me to prove it to you?”

Julian instantly backed away.

“No no no! Absolutely not! I’m leaving immediately!”

A violent beating was definitely not the kind of proof he wanted.

After Julian brought the documents over, he heard the faint sounds of water splashing inside the bathroom.

Then he sighed dramatically.

“What a waste…”

Alexander didn’t even lift his head from the papers in his hands.

“Leave.”

Julian clicked his tongue bitterly.

“Why take a cold bath? Why don’t you just offer yourself as the antidote? Such a waste…”

Alexander’s expression darkened.

“You can leave now.”

Julian immediately started singing dramatically while retreating toward the door.

“Actually, I don’t wanna leave~ Actually, I want to stay~ Stay and accompany you every season~~~”

The suite door slammed shut behind him.

Silence returned once more.

Alexander lowered his gaze toward the document in his hands and forced himself to concentrate.

Unfortunately—

Behind the frosted bathroom door was the faint silhouette of a woman submerged in water.

And his concentration was clearly failing.

Hm.

Julian was surprisingly efficient tonight.

In thirty minutes, Alexander had successfully finished reading… two pages.

Just then—

“ALEX—!”

Isabella’s anxious voice suddenly rang out from inside the bathroom.