Chapter 14
In this moment, Bailey couldn’t help but acknowledge how correct Julian’s words had been
She thought she understood Alexander fairly well, yet never imagined he would resort to ambushing her outside a restroom.
Clearly, Julian’s interference in the ballroom hadn’t deterred Alexander–it had only piqued his interest further
Alexander stared at Bailey intensely, as if looking through her at someone else!]
Bailey kept her eyes lowered, attempting to walk past him.]
Just as she brushed by, he grabbed her wrist.]
Bailey feigned alarm: “Mr. Winters, please show some respect… or Fill have t
respect… or I’ll have to call my
my cousin.“]]
Alexander gazed at her. “You’re really not Bailey?
Dailey met his eyes briefly before hastily looking away.
Tm Renee Mitchell,” she stated firmly.
Alexander released her hand.
“I apologize for my rudeness earlier,” he said softly, his voice heavy with sorrow. “You look remarkably like my missing wife.”
Bailey observed his mournful expression without feeling any sympathy, only finding it darkly ironic
When ‘Bailey‘ hadn’t been ‘missing,’ he had sent his six–month pregnant wife to the operating table, literally cutting out her child for Stella’s son. Later, he had invited her, three days after miscarriage, to attend his son’s celebration party. Based on Stella’s single lie, he had tied her in an attic and allowed her to be assaulted. Even after she survived the fire, he hadn’t sought justice for her.
Every single act represented the most despicable, heartless behavior imaginable–yet here he stood, pretending to be a devoted husband before a stranger.
It was laughable
But at this moment, she couldn’t reveal a hint of her loathing. She simply stepped aside, walking away from him.
Behind her, Alexander stared at her retreating figure, his eyes filled with longing
Moments later, he made a phone call:[]
I need you to investigate someone.“]
“Her name is Renee Mitchell supposedly Julian Hayes’s cousin.”
“Check her background thoroughly, and find out what relationship they really have.”
After hanging up, he returned to the party]
The celebration continued until ten o’clock that night.
After saying his goodbyes, Alexander left with Stella.
A stretched Lincoln waited silently for them in the darkness[]
Alexander opened his own door and got in
Stoll, in her long mermaid gown, struggled to the other side and climbed into the backseat [
Inside the car, Alexander closed his eyes, resting
After a while, Stella spoke: “Alexander, there’s something I wanted to discuss. Evan will be starting elementary school soon, and I’ve been wondering which school to send him to.“[]
She studied his expression, tentatively continuing: “I’ve looked at some private schools. The better ones require meeting with parents, not just the child. But Ivan’s residence registration…”
When Evan was born, she had been abroad, and the child was registered without a father
Since returning. Alexander still hadn’t arranged for Evan’s registration to be updated
To this day, legally speaking. Evan remained her child born out of wedlock, without a legally recognized father.
What Stella wanted was for Alexander to officially acknowledge this child.]
Alexander loosened his tie, his tone tinged with impatience: “Just send him to an international school. He’ll be going abroad eventually anyway.”
Stella’s carefully crafted smile froze, her fingers unconsciously fidgeting with the gold sequins on her dress hem
“Alright, whatever you think is best.”
She carefully leaned against Alexander’s shoulder: “After six months, when Evan starts school, I’ll have more free time. Then, we could go on honeymoon together, okay?”
Her voice filled with anticipation: “When I was eighteen, we passed that bridal shop downtown. The wedding dress in the window was absolutely gorgeous. I remember thinking how wonderful it would be to wear such a dress someday
However, her fantasy was abruptly shattered by Alexander’s response.]
“That was so many years ago. No point dwelling on it now.”
Stella faltered. her happy smile stiffening at the corners
Then she fell silent, not speaking again.||
The car interior remained deathly quiet, the couple physically close yet mentally worlds apart.
They returned to the villa in silence
Evan was still watching television in the living room]
Alexander looked at the child with annoyance, questioning the tutor: “Why isn’t he in bed at this hour?”
The tutor, seeing his anger building, quickly turned off the television.
Evan immediately burst into tears, shouting: “Bad daddy! Bad daddy?”
Stella rushed to comfort her son, picking him up: There, there, don’t cry. Daddy’s just worried you’ll hurt your eyes watching too much TV. Be good now, time for bed, okay?”
Alexander pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling utterly exhausted.
In the past, when he was with Bailey, he occasionally visited Evan. Back then, he had found everything about Evan endearing–after all, this was his child with his first love and had suffered so march from a young age!]
But after discovering Evan had never actually been ill, that everything had been Stella’s scheme… everything had changed in his heart]
He abandoned this irritating domestic scene, leaving the house late at night for a private club
Chapter 15
