Chapter 223

Alexander's gaze turned icy as he watched the surveillance footage.

The audacious young man in the video had dared to disrespect his wife.

Even after being rejected, the fool persisted with threats and harassment.

Utter lawlessness.

His attention shifted to the woman wielding a leather belt.

Her tailored suit was immaculate, every hair perfectly in place.

The way she swung the belt was precise and graceful, exuding a lethal elegance.

Alexander arched an eyebrow.

He was accustomed to delicate socialites, not this kind of formidable woman.

It was... intriguing.

But Adrian's pained screams snapped him back to reality.

Though troublesome, this younger brother was his responsibility.

Vincent Valdemar had been a philandering father who neglected his lawful wife and heir.

His mother, shattered by betrayal, succumbed to mental illness.

Sweet as honey in her lucid moments, but a raving lunatic during episodes.

His childhood echoed with paternal indifference and maternal hysteria.

At least he'd tasted fleeting maternal warmth.

Adrian... had never been wanted.

Alexander still remembered that stormy night - his mother's hands around the infant's throat.

He'd fought desperately to save that tiny life.

His reasoning had been simple - a brother would ease the loneliness.

With the Patriarch preoccupied by business, Adrian became his charge.

Perhaps his indulgence had fostered such recklessness.

"Mr. Valdemar..." Henry ventured cautiously, "Madam already gave Young Master Adrian a chance."

Alexander shot him a glacial look.

"Too much free time?"

Henry awkwardly rubbed his nose.

He'd expected outrage from this notorious brother-protector, not this calm detachment.

Alexander forwarded the video to his phone and tossed the device aside.

The frozen image showed Sophia mid-lash.

That striking poise lingered in his mind.