Chapter 472

The dim corridor was bathed in silver moonlight, casting long shadows against the walls. Two figures stood entwined in a heated embrace, their breaths mingling in the quiet space.

"Ouch. That hurts. Seriously, it hurts."

"Sorry, Isabella. I'll be more careful."

Isabella Sinclair leaned against the cold wall, her porcelain skin glistening with a faint sheen of sweat. Her long lashes fluttered like delicate wings, and her lips—lightly bitten—only enhanced her ethereal beauty.

Kneeling before her, Alexander Kingsley carefully removed her crimson stilettos, his large hands cradling her slender ankle while the other gently massaged her sore toes.

"You're such a menace, dancing like that. You made me twist my ankle. Don't you know how to treat me gently?" Isabella pouted, her voice laced with playful accusation.

"Blame me all you want, darling. Take it out on me when we get home—however you like. Or start now if you prefer."

Alexander looked genuinely remorseful. At a loss, he tapped his chest. "Go on, hit me right here."

Isabella raised her fist, then let it drop with a sigh. "Forget it. Your chest is like a brick wall. I'd only hurt my hand."

Alexander glanced up, his lips curving into a knowing smirk. He knew she could never bring herself to hurt him.

His skilled fingers worked their magic, easing the pain in Isabella's ankle until only a soothing warmth remained.

As he studied her delicate feet, his Adam's apple bobbed visibly.

She was like a celestial being—her skin flawless, her toes perfectly shaped. He couldn't help but adore them.

"Isabella, your feet are exquisite."

"Wow, you're such a weirdo. Who obsesses over a woman's feet like you do?"

Her cheeks flushed, and her toes curled instinctively in his palm. "Just admit it, Alexander—you're a total rogue!"

"Oh? Is that so?" His voice dropped to a husky murmur. "Do nice guys really finish last? Still sore?"

"My personal masseur has quite the touch," she teased, her lips quirking into a sly smile. "Consider yourself forgiven."

After slipping her heels back on, Alexander rose, bracing one arm against the wall beside her head while the other circled her waist possessively. Without hesitation, he captured her lips in a searing kiss.

He had been holding back for too long, his restraint burning away with each passing second.

Isabella's lashes fluttered shut as she melted into him, her arms winding around his neck, matching his passion with equal fervor.

Their kiss deepened, tongues tangling in a desperate dance, each touch igniting a fire neither could extinguish.

When she finally pulled away, breathless, Alexander wasn't satisfied. He caught her chin, reclaiming her lips with a growl.

"Maybe we shouldn't go public tonight."

Alexander stilled, his expression tightening. "Isabella, what's wrong?"

"Don't overthink it. I just feel that for tonight's occasion, there's no need to make our relationship the center of attention."

She pressed her lips together, then reached up to straighten his tie. "When Nathan made advances earlier, and Emeric shut him down by announcing I was engaged—that was already a blow to them. And I know he was watching you. When he said 'fiancé,' he meant you."

Alexander's pulse spiked at her words.

"So, there's no rush. Everyone knows I'm yours. As long as we understand each other, that's all that matters."

Rising onto her toes, she brushed a featherlight kiss against his lips. "I don't care about words—only actions. We just need to live our lives well. I'm not one for grand displays."

Alexander's voice roughened with emotion. "Isabella, what are you planning?"

"Nothing."

"Are you worried that going public might upset William and his son, affecting your father's deal with the J Corporation?"

This woman was utterly fixated on business—her mind was a steel trap of strategy.

Isabella's gaze flickered. "Only a fool would pass up a profitable opportunity. The racetrack hotel is the first of its kind in the country—a goldmine. If the Sinclair family secures this project, it'll solidify our foothold in Elmsworth. By then, K Corporation can swallow the Chambers Group's market share, weakening them until they can't fight back."

Her jaw clenched as she calculated ruthlessly. "Once that happens, the Chambers Group won't even compare to your Abernathy Group. And I will trample them into the ground."

Alexander understood her intent. Pulling her into a tight embrace, he murmured, "I know you're doing this for your sister. Everything is to stop her marriage to the Chambers family."

His insight struck a chord. She buried her face against his chest, her voice muffled. "I hate that I'm not strong enough. This is the only way I can think of. Do you think I'm ridiculous?"

His heart ached. "No. I think you're brilliant. And right now, this is the best approach. William won't hold a grudge over something so trivial—he's a businessman. He'll choose K Corporation. And even if you don't partner with J Corporation, don't worry. With me by your side, the Chambers Group won't have it easy."

Isabella's eyes shimmered with emotion.

She had always been fiercely independent, solving problems alone, never wanting to burden her family.

Alexander was the first person she wanted to rely on—for the rest of her life.

Suddenly, a noise shattered the moment.

"Someone's there!"

Both their expressions darkened instantly as they turned toward the sound.

A shadowy figure darted away.

"Alexander, we have to catch that eavesdropper!"

Isabella's gaze turned icy. "Our conversation involved business secrets. If the Chambers family hears, we're in trouble."

Alexander nodded sharply. Moving like lightning, he chased after the fleeing figure.

Thanks to his sharp reflexes, it didn't take long to corner the intruder.

"Stop. Don't make me get rough."

The figure stood hunched, breathing heavily—clearly in poor condition.

Alexander frowned. The silhouette was eerily familiar.

"Who are you?"

"Mr. Kingsley."

The man turned slowly.

Moonlight revealed his battered face—bruised, bloodied, his left eye swollen shut.

Alexander's pupils constricted in shock.

"Jason?"

Isabella arrived just in time.

Her stomach lurched at the sight of Jason—his suit torn, his handsome face marred by injuries, his left eye a gruesome mess.

"Jason!"

She rushed to him, her hands trembling as she gripped his shoulders. "What happened? Who did this to you?"

Jason turned his face away, ashamed.

"Talk to me!" Her voice cracked with urgency as she shook him.

"Isabella, calm down!" Alexander wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back. "You'll hurt him more!"

Her chest heaved with rage, her breaths coming in sharp gasps.

"Jason, at this point, speak," Alexander demanded firmly. "Do you think hiding this helps her? She's suffering because of it!"

"Please," Jason choked out, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Don't let Nydia marry Byron. I'll do anything."

Isabella's blood ran cold. "The Chambers Group did this to you, didn't they?"

Alexander's fists clenched.

Only a handful knew about Nydia and Jason's relationship—and the Chambers Group was one of them.

They had dared to lay hands on him.

"Jason, how did you get in here?" Alexander asked tightly.

"I was ambushed by their men, but I fought my way out. Stole a guard's pass." Jason's voice was hoarse with pain.

Alexander's eyes burned with fury. "The Chambers family really went all out to stop you."

Keeping his composure, he said calmly, "You're badly hurt. Gordon will take you to the hospital—now."

"No! I have to see Nydia—I have to take her away!" Jason's desperation was palpable.

"Jason, think," Alexander snapped. "Isabella's efforts gave you a chance. But if you act recklessly tonight, you'll lose everything."

"Chance?" Jason laughed bitterly. "Emeric already agreed to the marriage. It's over! And Nydia—she's too gentle. She'll obey her family. If I don't fight for her now, there is no chance!"

Alexander understood his despair all too well. Even with his power and influence, he had risked it all for Isabella.

Jason was just a subordinate—his background insignificant compared to the Sinclairs. His love for Nydia faced impossible odds.

"Jason," Isabella demanded, her voice deadly calm, "who ordered this?"

Jason shook his head. "I tried to force my way in, but Bertha and her people stopped me. Byron's secretary was there too. I don't know if it was Byron or Bertha who gave the order."

Isabella's gaze turned glacial. "All Chambers, all the same rotten blood. If we can't pinpoint the culprit, we'll bring down the whole family."

Meanwhile, Nydia remained oblivious to Jason's suffering.

Lost in thought, she barely registered Byron's attempts at conversation.

Her mind was filled with only one person—Jason.

As she bent to pick up her dropped phone, Byron's hand brushed against hers.

She recoiled instantly.

But Byron seized her wrist.

"Ah!"

She gasped in shock.

"Byron, what the hell are you doing?"

"I'm sorry—truly." His voice dripped with false remorse. "Your hand is just so beautiful. I couldn't help myself. Please forgive me."

His eyes gleamed with crocodile tears. "Avery has always loved your sister—you know that. Marrying him would ruin your life. But I genuinely care for you. Why not choose me? It's the best outcome!"

"Enough!"

Nydia's face burned with humiliation. "My mother may not have been my father's wife, but that doesn't mean you can disrespect me like this!"

Her voice shook with fury. "I'm not interested in you or Avery. But at least Avery never laid hands on me. He's better than you. Don't waste your time—I'm not choosing you!"

With that, she stormed out of the banquet hall.

He's better than you.

The words struck Byron like a whip.

His face twisted with rage.

Trembling, he pulled out his phone and texted his secretary:

[Tonight, I will have her.]