Chapter 207

"Alexander." The single word sent an electric current down Alexander Kingsley's spine.

His throat tightened unexpectedly at the sound of his name from her lips.

Tears spilled from her bloodshot eyes, tracing delicate paths down her flushed cheeks. Each droplet seemed to pierce his chest, sending shockwaves through his heart.

All thoughts of her previous disappearance evaporated instantly.

"From your sister-in-law, Evelyn?" Alexander's eyes narrowed as he brushed away her tears with rough fingertips.

Isabella Sinclair nodded, her nose turning an adorable shade of pink.

"Where did you lose it? Here?"

Another timid nod, her lashes fluttering like wounded butterflies.

"Don't worry, little mouse. I'll find it."

Alexander clasped Isabella's trembling hand and led her toward the stage under hundreds of curious stares. A halo of soft pink light followed their path, framing them like subjects in a Renaissance painting.

Isabella kept her gaze lowered but couldn't resist stealing glances at his profile.

Despite his intimidating aura, Alexander was undeniably striking. His chiseled features belonged on a marble statue, too perfect for this mortal world.

She bit her lower lip, committing every angle of his face to memory.

"Music. Off."

Alexander's command at the DJ booth silenced the entire club instantly.

Vanessa Sterling and Gabrielle Moreau were mid-laugh when someone nudged them to look at the screens.

Vanessa shot upright with a shriek that made several people spill their drinks.

Seeing Isabella standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Alexander, their hands entwined like lovers, Gabrielle saw red. Her manicured nails dug into her palms.

That little witch Isabella dared touch what was hers? She'd make her pay.

"What the actual hell? Why is Alexander with that airhead?" Vanessa screeched, rounding on her bodyguard. "I told you to watch her! How did this happen?"

The bodyguard stammered, "M-Ms. Sterling, I did! But Mr. Kingsley wasn't supposed to be at Club Éclat tonight! She was running around like—"

"Useless!"

Vanessa's kick missed and sent her tumbling onto the VIP couch, drawing snickers from her so-called friends.

Meanwhile, Alexander's lips curled into a wicked smile as he addressed the crowd. "Having fun tonight? Let's play a game. My little sister here lost her teddy bear."

The screen displayed the stuffed animal's photo from Isabella's phone.

Murmurs erupted.

"Little sister? Alexander's actual sister is that concert pianist. This girl looks nothing like her."

"Code for 'future girlfriend,' clearly. And you were calling that old man 'brother' earlier. What, distant cousins?"

"She looks so young! Please tell me she's legal."

"Rich guys love the shy, bookish types. Don't you know anything?"

Isabella's cheeks burned. She tried pulling her hand free, her flight instinct kicking in.

But Alexander's grip was iron.

"Whoever finds the bear gets free drinks at Éclat for a year."

The announcement caused pandemonium.

Alexander smirked at Isabella's wide, startled eyes—like a deer caught in headlights.

"Come, little mouse. We'll wait in VIP. Your bear will turn up soon."

He guided her to another private lounge filled with his elite social circle.

The moment they entered, wolf whistles and catcalls erupted.

"Damn, Isabella! Snagging Alexander at your age? Impressive!"

She froze, her face draining of color.

"Shut your mouths. She's my sister. One more word and I'll have you thrown out."

Their laughter died instantly under Alexander's glacial stare.

"So, Alexander," a socialite drawled, "this teddy must be worth a fortune if you're offering a year's worth of Dom Pérignon for it. Could buy a thousand replacements."

"My sister treasures it. It was a gift from my first love. Sentimental value—not that you'd understand." Alexander rolled his eyes at these spoiled brats.

"First love? You mean my sister-in-law?" Isabella gasped.

"Evelyn was my first love, yes." Alexander's smirk held no shame.

He'd fallen hard for Evelyn. Even though she'd chosen Thaddeus, loving such an extraordinary woman was an honor he'd carve on his tombstone.

Isabella exploded. "No! Evelyn belongs to Thaddeus! You're Thaddeus's friend! How could you—" She balled her fists. "If you take her away, I'll never speak to you again!"

Dead silence. Then uproarious laughter.

Isabella turned scarlet, fidgeting with her dress hem.

Alexander chuckled at her adorable outrage before silencing the room with a look.

"Didn't know you had such strong principles, little mouse." He ruffled her hair. "People might think you're jealous."

"Why would I be jealous? I hate bitter things."

Alexander blinked.

Right. They were from different planets.

Yet her world fascinated him.

Club Éclat had descended into chaos, everyone hunting for the stuffed animal.

On the terrace, Isabella wrung her hands while Alexander smoked nearby, the ember glowing like a tiny hellfire.

"Found it! In the men's room toilet tank!" a woman shouted from the stage.

Isabella jumped with joy, her smile brighter than the club's chandeliers.

"Money talks," Alexander muttered, exhaling smoke. "They'd sell their grandmothers for the right price."

"I need to get it!"

She tried to slip past, but Alexander blocked her. After last time, he wasn't letting her vanish again.

"Patience. It's soaking wet. They're drying it first."

"Thank you," she mumbled, avoiding his amused gaze.

"Congratulations!" the hostess announced. "Free drinks for a year!"

The winner nearly fainted. The crowd groaned with envy.

Alexander flicked his cigarette and signaled.

"Mr. Kingsley is covering everyone's tab tonight!"

The resulting cheers shook the building's foundations.