《Sinful Obsession: My Billionaire Stepbrother 》全部章節：第 41 章 - 第 50 章

~Isabel~ That dining room had always been way too big for just four people. I sat there pushing the same piece of chicken around my plate like it owed me money. Across from me William looked like he’d been carved out of ice. He’d changed into a fresh shirt, not a single crease out of place. Mom was the one who finally broke the quiet. She looked so bright and happy under the lights it almost hurt to watch. "Mrs. Davis told me a lovely secret earlier," she said, beaming at me. "She said you were a huge help in the kitchen tonight. That was so sweet of you Isabel." Arthur looked up from his plate with a warm smile. He always looked at me like he was trying his best to be a good dad, and every time he did I felt a fresh wave of guilt over the mess I was tangled up in with his son. "That is wonderful to hear," he said gently. "We haven’t really had a proper chance to catch up lately. How is university treating you? Are the classes everything you hoped for?" I felt William’s eyes s

~Isabel~ "Who knows what you have in mind, step-brother? You’ve touched me in ways no one else ever has." The second the words were out I wanted to snatch them right back out of the air. My face burned hot, and it had nothing to do with the car heater. I’d just handed him exactly what he wanted. Fed his ego, admitted he’d gotten under my skin, basically told him he was the only one who could make me feel this way. William didn’t say anything right away. He kept his eyes fixed on the dark road, but the corner of his mouth tugged up. That tiny knowing smirk. I knew then he’d won this round. We drove another ten minutes, leaving the city glow behind for something quieter and more exclusive. The smell of salt and damp wood drifted through the vents. We pulled into a private dock where the water was dotted with gleaming yachts that looked like floating palaces. I stared out at the rows of bright white hulls. I couldn’t even wrap my head around the kind of money sitting right here. If I

~Isabel~ "Let's go into one of the rooms inside." He pulled back just an inch, his eyes searched mine. He looked hesitant, almost like he was giving me one last chance to run back to the safety of the car. "You're sure?" "You said it yourself just a moment ago, Will. Out here on this yacht, there are no rules. It’s just you and me." A slow, dark smirk spread across his face. It wasn't the cold business smile I saw at the dinner table. This was different. His eyes turned a shade darker, the hunger in them grew deeper making my stomach flip. "Fine. Follow me." He grabbed my hand, his grip firm and warm, and led me back through the sliding doors. We moved through the white-and-gold hallway, past the art and the memories of his mother, toward a door at the far left corner. My heart was beating faster now, but it wasn't fear, it was that crazy, buzzing excitement you get when you’re about to do something you know you’ll get in trouble for. It felt like we were two kids

~Isabel~ "Have you seen William this morning?" I asked Mr. Robert the butler as he adjusted a vase of lilies on the sideboard. I tried to sound casual like I was just asking about the weather, but just saying his name made my whole skin prickle. I’d snuck back into the mansion around ten last night and luck had actually been on my side. My mom’s door was shut tight and Arthur’s study was dark. He was still stuck in meetings somewhere. Mr. Robert looked up politely. "Mr. Sterling left for the office very early Miss Mayfield. Long before the sun came up I believe." He paused for a beat. "Is there anything else you need?" "No it’s… it’s fine," I stammered, tugging at my sweater sleeves. "I just wanted to catch him before school. I checked his room and his study but I couldn’t find him." "He is a very busy man Miss," Robert replied, already turning back to his task. I felt a little silly and disappointed. What had I expected anyway? A morning kiss? A secret smile over toast?

~Isabel~ "Mom, is this really worth the hassle?" I asked, my voice sounded small through the roar of the engine as I slid into the passenger seat, "Any dress will go just fine." My mother looked at me quickly then back on the road. Her hands gripped the steering wheel so tight her knuckles were white. "You can't just wear any dress, Bel. You’re representing the Sterling name. Arthur is introducing you to people who can make your career and you need these connections. You will meet very influential individuals. Do you get how big this is?" I nodded, my head bobbing like a doll's. I saw the reason in her eyes, the desperation. If a dress was the price of a law career and a better life, I’d wear it if I had to. She turned up the soprano music, High screeching notes that felt like they were trying to scrape my skin off. My mother had changed. Her taste, her clothes, even the way she sat, it all looked different, really different from how I knew her when I was younger. It