Mag-log inSince Saviee was around, Isabella didn’t drink that night. After finishing her meal, she sat by the table, a little bored.
“Baby, do you want to play video games over there?” she asked, pointing toward the console.
Jason’s face immediately filled with resentment.
That was his gaming setup—the one he had specially brought back. And now she wanted to use it… to play with another man?
He wouldn’t accept it—even if that man was only five years old.
After two hours, despite Julian’s valiant efforts, he failed to extract anything useful before collapsing drunkenly.
In truth, Jason had already been on his last breath long ago. But knowing Julian wanted to interrogate him, he stubbornly held on until now.
Having such a gossipy uncle was exhausting…
Somewhere in his muddled mind, he felt like there was a deeper reason behind Julian’s persistence.
But his brain was completely mush now.
He couldn’t think.
The only one still sober at the table was Alexander.
He called the butler to take Julian home, then stood up and walked toward the living room.
His gaze landed on the sofa—
Isabella and the little bun lay side by side, fast asleep.
He unconsciously lightened his footsteps as he approached.
The girl held the child gently in her arms.
Her sleeping expression was soft… peaceful.
So peaceful that it stirred a dangerous thought—
The kind that made a man want to abandon everything… just to stay in that quiet moment with her.
Back in the dining area, Jason—half-conscious—watched as Alexander bent slightly toward Isabella.
His pupils shrank.
He instantly sobered.
Alexander turned to Saviee first, gently waking him.
The little bun rubbed his eyes, his hair sticking up adorably.
“Can you walk by yourself?” Alexander asked.
The child nodded.
A faint look of satisfaction crossed Alexander’s face.
Then—
He bent down and picked Isabella up.
Effortlessly.
He met Saviee’s gaze.
“Let’s go.”
The little bun obediently followed behind his father, as though nothing was strange about this scene.
Jason stared.
“…? !”
What the hell?!
He rubbed his eyes vigorously.
He had to be hallucinating.
He had to be.
Why were Alexander’s actions so… strange?
He woke his son gently.
Called someone else to handle Julian.
But carried Isabella himself?
Without even waking her?
As Alexander walked out, carrying Isabella, with the little bun trailing quietly behind…
Jason remained frozen.
Then finally—
He collapsed face-first onto the table.
Villa No. 8 — Platinum Palace
The little bun wanted to sleep with Isabella.
Alexander looked at him calmly.
“Men should keep their distance from women.”
Saviee raised five fingers.
Indicating—
He was only five.
Alexander nodded.
“Very good. You’re no longer a three-year-old child. You’re a five-year-old adult.”
A pause.
“Go back to your room.”
Little bun: “!!!”
He pouted, deeply aggrieved, and looked at Isabella unwillingly.
Step by step—
He walked out.
Turning back three times.
Alexander exhaled softly.
He placed Isabella carefully on the bed, removing her shoes with quiet precision before calling a maid to help her change.
Late Night — Longster Entertainment PR Department
Blake Cyprus was already overwhelmed dealing with Gracelyn Swat’s drunk driving scandal when his personal phone rang.
He was ready to ignore it—
Until he saw the caller ID.
Cold sweat broke out instantly.
He sat up straight.
“Hello, CEO Sterling! We’re already handling the matter—it’ll be resolved by tomorrow night at the latest!”
“What matter?” Alexander’s cold voice came through.
Blake froze.
“…Gracelyn Swat’s incident… You’re not calling about that?”
“No.”
Blake exhaled in relief.
Then froze again.
If not that…
Then what?
“Then… what do you need me for, sir?”
Alexander didn’t hesitate.
“Get Vivienne Kade out of the entertainment industry within 24 hours.”
Blake blinked.
“…Vivienne Kade? Which—”
“Starlight Entertainment.”
Silence.
Blake’s expression shifted to shock.
That Vivienne?
Out of all people?
“…Understood, sir.”
He quickly composed himself.
“She already has enemies. There’s blackmail material circulating. With the right push—”
“Too much talk.”
Alexander’s tone turned colder.
“Do it quietly.”
“…Yes, sir.”
After the call ended, Blake immediately reassigned his tasks and took over personally.
This wasn’t difficult.
Most of the groundwork had already been done.
He only needed to… finish it.
Still—
He couldn’t help but wonder.
What exactly had Vivienne done…
To warrant this level of attention?
The Next Morning
When Isabella woke up, she was momentarily disoriented.
Where was she?
Last night—
She had been playing games with Saviee…
Then she had fallen asleep on Jason’s sofa…
So why—
She pushed herself up slowly and stepped out of the room.
The hallway was unfamiliar.
Too quiet.
Too… refined.
Her steps slowed.
Then—
She turned the corner—
And froze.
Alexander had just stepped inside.
Fresh from his morning run.
His shirt clung slightly to his body, damp with sweat, outlining his frame. His sleeves were pushed up, his breathing steady, his hair slightly disheveled.
For a brief second—
He looked less like the composed CEO everyone knew…
And more like something dangerously real.
Isabella blinked.
“…Alex?”
His gaze lifted.
No surprise.
As if he had expected her to be there.
“You’re awake.”
She frowned slightly, looking around again.
“…Wait.”
A pause.
“…This is your house?”
“Yes.”
Her expression changed.
“…I slept here?”
“Yes.”
Another pause.
She pressed her fingers lightly to her temple.
“…You brought me here?”
“You were asleep.”
“…So you just carried me?” she narrowed her eyes.
“Yes.”
No hesitation.
No shame.
Just facts.
Isabella stared at him for a moment—
Then exhaled.
“…You’re unbelievable.”
Alexander didn’t respond.
Instead—
“You should freshen up,” he said calmly. “Come downstairs for breakfast.”
She crossed her arms slightly.
“…You’re very comfortable giving orders.”
A faint pause.
Then—
“You can refuse.”
She looked at him.
Then turned away.
“…I’ll come down.”
As she walked off—
Alexander remained where he stood.
Watching.
Quietly.
“Because they couldn’t make it back to the city in time, she was sent to the only hospital in the town. That night, another pregnant woman was also sent in…” What happened then? ” Alexander asked, even though he had roughly guessed what had happened next. Isabella shrugged, “It caused a drama! That small hospital had very few staff and a disorganised system, so the two female babies were swapped… and this mistake continued for 18 years! Did you know? Vanessa even has the same blood type as me, so this matter stayed hidden! ” “Then how was it discovered later on? ” She turned and smiled at Alex, “About that, well, I should thank that unbridled uncle of mine! ” “Arthur Hartley? Alex had some impression of him, but didn’t know much. He only knew that he was one of the more well-known people amongst the younger generation back then in the capital. “That’s right. My uncle was a playboy. Even after marriage, he continued sowing his wild oats outside and even caused quite a few deaths…
After getting the medicine, Alexander was just about to knock on the door when the bathroom door was abruptly pulled open by the person inside. Tightly wrapped up in a large bath towel, Isabella hopped out like a furry little bunny. “Careful! ” Anxious that she would trip and fall, he quickly stepped forward and supported her. Isabella sighed and spoke sincerely, “I’m not that fragile, you're being dramatic! ” Alexander looked at her and sighed helplessly. “I brought the medicine. Do you need my help? ” Alexander asked. “Ohh, no thank you, I'll apply it myself! ” Isabella spoke calmly as she smiled.She continued hesitantly, “About that, I’m not wearing any clothing underneath. ” Alexander nodded and handed her the medicine. Then, he took the initiative to leave, “I’ll wait for you outside. ” “Sounds good. Oh, right! Along the way, please help me check to see if my clothing, purse, and other belongings are out there! ” “Okay. ” Alexander walked into the living room. After lo
“Alex!! Alexander!!” He hastily threw aside what he was holding and ran next to the bathroom door, “Bella, what’s wrong? ” “Alex!! ” Isabella screamed with obvious pain in her voice “I’m here!. Come inside ” “Hurry up! Hurry, hurry up! Ahhhh…” “You… are you alright? What happened?” Alex was getting more and more nervous, but he didn’t dare to simply push the door open and enter. “My leg is cramping! It’s cramping! Hurry up, shut up, get in here and help me! Oww…” “…” Alexander facepalmed in both relief and helplessness before quickly pushing open the door and entering. The water was cold so there wasn’t any vapor inside. After being thoroughly soaked, her clothing had become completely transparent. He swallowed slightly. Even though he hadn’t been drugged, his degree of suffering wasn’t any less than Isabella’s.“Alex….. Alexander?” Isabella’s calling brought him back to reality. He quickly walked over, “Which leg is it? ” “The right leg! The right leg! ” her face had turned
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
Julian stood lazily by the doorway with the room card still dangling between his fingers.The suite lights were dim.Soft music played quietly in the background while the scent of roses and expensive perfume lingered heavily in the air.“Tsk… Durges really went all out…” he muttered under his breath.The woman on the bed remained motionless.Rose petals were scattered across the sheets and over her body, partially covering the thin silk nightgown clinging tightly to her skin.From where he stood, all he could see clearly were her legs.Long. Pale. Barely concealed beneath the translucent fabric.Julian clicked his tongue.“No wonder that old bastard looked so nervous…”He stepped further into the room casually, intending to take one look before leaving.After all, no matter how beautiful she was, he had no interest in touching a woman another man had prepared.Too troublesome.However, just as he approached the bed, the woman shifted slightly.A weak sound escaped her lips.“Mmh…”Jul
When Isabella walked out of the hospital, it was already late into the night.There were no stars in the sky, and even the moon hid behind layers of dark clouds. Only a few scattered cars moved along the empty streets.She had to admit that although Vanessa’s plan had been crude and reckless, it had still achieved its purpose in the end.Reputation damage.Vanessa always attacked the things Isabella cared about most.Gabriel, for example.Her parents.Sometimes, Isabella even found herself doubting her own existence, wondering if everything truly was her fault. Was she really that unbearable? Was she truly so terrible that everyone around her eventually grew to hate her, despise her, and abandon her?For the first time in a long while, exhaustion seeped into her bones.Even if she eventually achieved all her dreams… even if she climbed to the top someday…Would anyone genuinely care?In the end, she was still alone.Isabella wandered absentmindedly along the roadside, completely lost
Vanessa immediately switched to a bashful expression the moment she saw Gabriel approaching.“It’s because of you…” she complained softly, hitting his chest in a flirtatious manner.Gabriel looked completely helpless. “You were clearly the one seducing me.”Then he lifted the plastic bags in his ha
The couple returned to the dressing room with depressed and dejected expressions.Vanessa stood silently in front of Gabriel before a tear slipped down her cheek. Her voice trembled softly, fragile and pitiful.“Baby… do you blame me? Do you blame me for not agreeing to Bella’s request…?”Gabriel’s
“I’ll be honest with you,” Vanessa said coldly. “That night, you drank the wine I spiked. Out of kindness, I even arranged two strong gigolos for you so you could ‘enjoy yourself.’ Who knew you’d be so foolish? You walked into some stranger’s room instead…”Disgust dripped from her voice.“Gabriel
Heat flooded her body.She clung to the cool firmness beneath her palms, caught somewhere between resistance and surrender. Pain blurred into pleasure, rising and falling like waves she couldn’t escape. Her thoughts scattered, dissolving into a haze of sensation.“Hey… wake up. It’s cold here. Don’







