Chapter 248

The heat from Alexander's palm seared through Isabella's skin like wildfire.

Her thoughts were sharp. This lunatic! What's his problem now? Get your filthy hand off me!

As if sensing her resistance, his fingers dug deeper into her shoulder, locking her in place with an iron grip.

The sight of the ex-couple in such close proximity stunned everyone in the room.

Only their grandfather, Reginald, wore a knowing grin. His previously tense expression melted into pure delight, his lips parting in silent joy.

Well, well. Has Alexander finally come to his senses? Though Isabella doesn’t look too thrilled about it.

Whether it was relentless pursuit or sheer stubbornness, at least his thick-headed grandson was finally making a move! Any progress between them deserved a celebration—preferably with fireworks.

Isabella had had enough. Seizing the moment, she lifted her foot and slammed her stiletto down—hard.

A barely audible grunt escaped Alexander’s lips, his brows twitching in pain.

Only she heard it.

A smirk curled her lips as she twisted her heel against the polished leather of his designer shoes.

Ah. Satisfaction.

Alexander’s jaw clenched, his lips trembling from the sharp sting.

The pain was so intense it nearly knocked the breath out of him.

His dark eyes flickered down to the woman in his arms, her smug expression lighting up her face.

Against his will, the tension in his expression softened.

Does tormenting me really make her this happy?

Fine. If it did, he’d let her do it again.

"Grandpa! I’m being framed!"

Glynnis, realizing the ex-couple’s display was turning the tide against her, yanked Cedric forward to plead her innocence. "If I were guilty, not even Mr. Cedric could have gotten me acquitted! The police aren’t idiots—they’d have found evidence by now! This is all Isabella’s doing!"

"Mr. Hamilton, the legal system follows strict procedures," Cedric interjected smoothly, stepping in as her knight in shining armor. "As Miss Glynnis’s lawyer, my duty is to protect her rights—not manipulate the truth."

His gaze then slid to Isabella, cool and calculating. "Ms. Sinclair, whatever personal vendetta you hold against my client, resorting to underhanded tactics is beneath you. As the daughter of the magnanimous Emeric Sinclair, shouldn’t you be more forgiving?"

Isabella’s eyes narrowed, a scoff escaping her lips.

This man must live off tabloid gossip. Does he forget how his father groveled at Emeric’s feet when he was a boy?

Cedric had masterfully shifted the blame, turning the tables on her.

Then—

A low, chilling laugh cut through the tension.

Even Isabella shivered at the sound.

"Mr. Cedric," Alexander’s voice was velvet laced with steel, "you seem to have mistaken my patience for weakness."

His crimson-tinged gaze pinned Cedric in place. "What did I tell you before you walked in here? Or has your memory failed you already?"

Isabella’s pulse jumped.

He spoke to Cedric before this?

About what?

Elspeth and Glynnis recoiled, the weight of Alexander’s presence pressing down like a suffocating shadow.

Cedric’s polished facade cracked, his expression twisting between shock and fury.

"Alexander!" Frederic snapped. "Mind your tone! Mr. Cedric is our guest!"

He still needed Cedric’s connections. His son was sabotaging his plans.

"He’s your guest," Alexander corrected icily, his gaze never leaving Isabella’s.

When their eyes met, the world around them blurred.

Only she existed.

"I warned you," he murmured, his voice a dark promise. "Anyone who dares hurt Isabella will answer to me."

Her breath hitched.

Cedric’s throat bobbed, his fists clenching at his sides.

"Mr. Cedric," Alexander purred, "do you remember now?"