Chapter 429

"Alexander, I appreciate your continued concern for me." A faint smile touched Frederic's lips as he spoke.

"Not just me, Isabella and Sebastian are thinking about you too." Alexander's eyes crinkled into crescents, his words dripping with sweetness. This wasn't just about impressing his future father-in-law—it was also about scoring points for his best friend.

"I haven't seen Isabella in a while. Both of you, follow me to the study. Let's sit and catch up." Frederic's voice softened as he beckoned Isabella closer. "Come here, sweetheart."

As Isabella had grown older, her interactions with her father had lessened. But in her memories, he had always been the one who doted on her the most.

"Daddy." Her doe-like eyes shimmered as she released Alexander's hand and walked toward Frederic.

For some inexplicable reason, Alexander's eyes reddened, a bitter taste rising in his throat. No matter how much he loved her, no matter how devoted he was, he could never replace her family in her heart.

Perhaps in this world, many could live without love—but no one could bear the pain of losing their family, of being torn from their flesh and blood.

When Isabella reached him, Frederic opened his arms, enveloping her petite frame. His large, gentle hand stroked her silky raven hair as he held his long-absent daughter close to his chest.

She pressed her face into his shirt, and suddenly, her heart fluttered. A bitter emotion welled up, and tears trickled down, dampening Frederic's crisp dress shirt.

At that moment, Glynnis' rage finally boiled over. As Frederic's firstborn, she had always been the apple of the Abernathy family's eye. Proud of her intelligence and beauty, her competitive nature had ensured she remained the center of her parents' attention, overshadowing Isabella's existence. But now—Hamilton, Elspeth, and now Alexander. Isabella was stealing everything that had once been hers!

Even Frederic's affection had been stolen.

She was consumed by fury—an unbearable, seething fury.

Meanwhile, Elspeth, confined to the house, had been terrified by the news about Ward and the online rumors. Panic clawed at her, leaving her paralyzed with fear.

Frantically, she found the medication Victor had left her and injected herself twice. Only then did her convulsing nerves finally settle, allowing her to think clearly.

She had never expected Ward, who had fled to Country T, to be caught. Even less had she anticipated that the public outcry over Erica's death would implicate her.

The police hadn't summoned her yet, which meant Ward hadn't given her up. But she couldn't guarantee he wouldn't crack under pressure and reveal everything—how she had hired him to kill Erica. If that happened, it would be too late.

Currently, her movements were restricted by Frederic's house arrest. The only person who could run errands for her was Glynnis.

Glynnis, her eyes swollen from crying, came to see Elspeth, sobbing uncontrollably. But Elspeth had no patience for her daughter's emotional turmoil. She cut straight to the point.

"Ward's been captured. He might expose us. That man—he can't be allowed to live."

"Expose us? What did I do?" Glynnis sniffed, a cold glint in her eyes. "Wasn't it all your doing? Don't drag me into this."

"You ungrateful brat!" Elspeth's voice turned venomous. "You're trying to wash your hands of this now? Your own mother is in trouble, and instead of helping, you just want to hide? If I go down, you won't have a peaceful life either!"

They were far from mother and daughter—they were accomplices in crime.

"What do you want me to do?" Glynnis gritted her teeth, her voice laced with irritation.

Elspeth's expression darkened. "I want Ward dead."

"Dead? He's under police custody! How are we supposed to do that?" Glynnis, hardened by Elspeth's influence, didn't even flinch at the mention of murder. Her first thought was execution.

"Prisons are full of people willing to do dirty work for money. With so many inmates, it's easy to arrange an 'accident.'" Elspeth tossed a bank card toward Glynnis. "There's enough in here to handle it. Get it done quickly. I won't wait long."

Glynnis clutched the card like a blade.

"I'll do it," she said slowly. "But I have one condition."

"You dare bargain with your own mother? Have you no conscience left?" Elspeth sneered, her finger jabbing at Glynnis' face.

"Mom, let's be honest—Dad's tired of you. Isabella is always with Alexander, cozying up to Evadne. She's unreliable. You only have me now." Glynnis smirked.

Elspeth's brows furrowed. Her daughter was too much like her—and that resemblance sent a chill down her spine. "What do you want?"

"I know Alexander despises me. There's no chance for us. But if I can't have him, then Isabella won't either!" Glynnis' voice dripped with venom. "Tonight, Alexander brought her to see Dad. They were all so happy together. It's clear Dad approves of their relationship. You have to find a way to stop her from marrying into the Fairhaven family!"

Elspeth scoffed. "Alexander is obsessed with your sister. What can I do?"

"Then I suppose Ward stays alive." Glynnis' lips curled into a predator's smile. "Mom, you know as well as I do—you're stuck here. Who else can you rely on but me?"

Elspeth's eyes burned with fury. This insolent wretch was challenging her!

Seeing her mother's hesitation, Glynnis pressed on. "You want to ride Alexander's coattails to higher status. But think—even if Isabella marries him, what can she do for you? Alexander is Sebastian's best friend. Isabella is Evadne's little pet. Since your downfall, I've been the one looking after you. What has Isabella done besides frolicking with Alexander? She hasn't even married into the Fairhavens yet, and she's already forgotten the mother who raised her!"

Elspeth was stunned into silence.

Whether Isabella's marriage would benefit her was irrelevant. Right now, she was trapped, barely able to protect herself—let alone meddle in her daughter's love life.

Children were flesh and blood, but eventually, they became someone else's spouse. Survival was all that mattered.

"Fine. I agree!" Elspeth's voice was hollow, her teeth grinding. "As long as you deal with Ward, I swear—the Fairhavens will never accept Isabella!"

A vicious light sparked in Glynnis' eyes.

Even if Alexander insisted on marrying that fool, so what? If she couldn't enter the Fairhaven family properly, she'd forever be nothing more than a mistress.

In the study, the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

Frederic and Alexander chatted idly. As the elder, Frederic inquired about his business ventures. Alexander, having prepared extensively for this meeting, answered smoothly.

He had grown up with Sebastian and knew the Windermere Estate better than his own home. But facing his future father-in-law, even the usually composed Alexander felt a flicker of nerves.

"Mr. Fairhaven, your tea. Miss Isabella, your favorite orange juice." Dennis approached with a tray.

"Thank you, Dennis." Isabella took the glass, her smile as innocent and radiant as spring flowers—unchanged from her childhood.

A warmth spread through Dennis' chest.

Glynnis and Isabella, though sisters, were night and day. Glynnis lacked the grace expected of a lady, behaving more like a wild child. But Isabella—she was pure, untouched by the world's cruelty.

He had once worried about her future, fearing her autism would condemn her to loneliness. But now, with Alexander's devotion, her happiness was assured.

Isabella took a sip of her juice, her lips glistening.

Alexander chuckled, pulling out a handkerchief to gently wipe her mouth. The practiced motion suggested he did this often.

"Ahem." Frederic cleared his throat, having indulged the sweet scene long enough. "Alexander, after everything, it's clear you care for Isabella. I've watched you grow up. If you wish to date my daughter, I won't stand in your way."

He paused, his expression turning serious. "But Isabella is young, sheltered. This is her first relationship—her first time spending nights away from home. She's never been out after dark, and you've broken our family rules."

"I apologize, Mr. Abernathy." Alexander grinned cheekily. "But with Isabella at my place, I can't let her go out at night. The world is full of dangerous men. How could I rest easy?"

Frederic shook his head. "I'm not talking about her safety. I'm talking about propriety. You're not married yet. If word spreads that you're living together, it won't affect you—but my daughter's reputation will suffer."