Chapter 22 Breakup
It was a deep and passionate kiss.
Isabel’s eyes widened in shock as the sensation of Xander’s kiss electrified her senses.
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He was actually kissing her, not just a peck but a deep, engaging kiss that seemed to pull her entire being into the moment.
This was no simple brush of lips she had initiated before.
This time, he was fully pressing into her, their closeness leaving little to the imagination.
This was so exceedingly bold and thrilling.
He even drew her tightly against him, leaving her feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the physical closeness.
In comparison, she felt as if she had been taken advantage of!
“You…” Tiffany’s voice trembled with a mix of panic and fury, her complexion cycling through shades of red and purple.
Isabel subtly nudged Xander’s shoulder, signaling that their performance might have reached its peak. Xander slowly loosened his grip around Isabel’s waist, although his hand lingered for a moment longer than necessary before finally letting go.
Isabel glanced at his hand still on her waist, but considering their act, she brushed off any deeper meaning.
“Let’s leave now.”
“Sure.”
Together, Isabel and Xander walked away in sync.
Behind them, Tiffany watched with eyes that could ignite fires, filled with venomous jealousy.
She could not bear the thought of Isabel walking away with Xander.
Just then, Morris approached.
“I tried to get you two to meet earlier, but you refused. Feeling any regrets now?”
“Dad, please help me! I must marry him! And don’t you also want to be Xander’s father–in–law?” Tiffany implored.
“Don’t worry, you’re my treasure. How could I not take care of this for you?” Morris assured her with confidence.
“Dad, do you already have a plan?” Tiffany pressed, eager for a resolution.
Morris’s lips curled into a sly grin. “That marriage certificate might just be a facade. Remember, it’s widely
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Chapter 22 Breakup
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known that Xander avoids women. My guess? He brought that woman here today simply to embarrass you as payback for ditching him earlier.”
Tiffany had considered this possibility herself.
“But what if the marriage is legitimate? What if they truly are married?”
“Real or fake, it makes no difference. I have my ways to deal with it,” Morris boasted.
Relieved, Tiffany urged him, “Dad, stop holding out on me. Tell me!”
Morris outlined his scheme, “We’ll hire a few vagrants to … Given Xander’s known aversion to filth, how long do you think he’ll stand someone ‘used‘?”
“Dad, that’s ingenious! How did I not think of that?” Tiffany was eager to witness Isabel’s downfall.
Who told Isabel to strip Tiffany of her dignity, slap her, and steal her man? This was the price for crossing Tiffany.
“Make sure they’re hideous! The more repulsive, the better!”
Furthermore, she planned to document the ordeal with photos and videos, eager to see if Xander would still hold Isabel in the same regard once he saw them.
“Ah–choo!” Isabel sneezed suddenly.
Is someone gossiping about me?
Stepping out of the car, Isabel rubbed her nose just as Xander, ever the gentleman, offered his suit jacket fo shield her from the chill.
“Thank you.”
As she thanked him, she noticed Samuel rolling out of the villa in his wheelchair.
“Hey, why are you wearing my brother’s clothes again?”
Clutching the jacket closer around her, Isabel shot back. “I didn’t bring a jacket. Should I wear yours instead? It’s quite chilly out here, okay?”
In Samuel’s view, Isabel was craftily omitting her jacket just to have an excuse to borrow one from his brother.
Observing this, Samuel promptly removed his own jacket and offered it to her.
“Here, wear mine instead of my brother’s!” he insisted, eager to prevent any further contact between Isabel and his brother’s belongings.
Isabel eyed Samuel’s more relaxed, casual jacket which indeed looked more comfortable than Xander’s formal suit jacket.
“Fine, I’ll… “Isabel began, but before she could finish her sentence, Xander had already snatched Samuel’s jacket away.
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He tossed the jacket back to Samuel and, with a firm push on the wheelchair, headed swiftly into the villa.
This left Isabel a bit bewildered by the swift turn of events.
A cold breeze whipped around her, causing her to wrap her arms around herself for warmth.
Despite the confusing actions of the men, Isabel realized the urgency of getting indoors due to the chill.
A week later, Isabel stepped out in a laid–back shirt for the day, Samuel trailing closely behind her.
Samuel was deeply protective of his brother and kept a vigilant watch over Isabel, fearful she might elope with his brother.
However, Isabel was not one to be easily tracked, and within minutes, she had completely lost Samuel.
“Where did she go? How did she vanish like that?”
Samuel fretted, pulling out his phone to check in with his team.
“Mr. Samuel, we’ve lost sight of her as well!” came the reply.
Samuel was baffled. He had deployed his family’s top bodyguards who were skilled in surveillance to follow her.
Clearly, Isabel was no ordinary woman; her ability to evade such seasoned professionals marked her as truly remarkable.
Meanwhile, at the Perkins residence, Morris was on the phone.
“She’s gone to the hospital? Okay, make sure you guys keep an eye on the entrance.”
Tiffany, barely containing her excitement, chimed in, “Has she finally made an appearance?”
“Yes, today she’ll meet her downfall,” Morris muttered, his mind on Isabel’s captivating beauty–a regrettable thought crossed his mind about sampling her charms if not for the mess with Xander. “Such a waste.”
“I’m going to see for myself,” Tiffany declared, getting to her feet.
“Just be discreet, don’t get spotted,” Morris cautioned.
“Understood, Dad, I’m on it. It’s about Xander getting cheated on, so I’ll be cautious.”
“Make sure you do.”
At the hospital, Isabel, carrying a fruit basket, paused at the entrance to a ward upon catching a sharp, unwelcome voice inside.
“Reggie, I can’t bear this any longer!”
The voice was too familiar. Peeking inside, Isabel spotted a woman by the bedside, hands on her hips–it was Jessica, her brother’s girlfriend since university.
They had been close until her brother’s accident disfigured him, after which Jessica grew distant and cold.
Reggie was silent, his expression pained.
“Reggie, just look at yourself. What have you turned into all because of your reckless sister? You were the heartthrob of our university, and now? You’re barely recognizable!” Jessica’s tone was scathing.
Reggie’s hand tightened, but he managed a weak adjustment of his blanket before looking up. “Jessica, you can yell at me, but this has nothing to do with Isabel.”
Jessica’s anger flared even more.
“Look at you, a shadow of your former self, and still defending her? You’re just obsessed with your sister!”
From her spot by the door, Isabel’s heart sank with guilt.
“Reggie, despite your transformation into what some might call a monster, I’ve never looked down on you. But now, Lhear that your father has disowned you, is that right?” Jessica probed, her voice edged with accusation.
Reggie’s response was a tight–lipped silence.
“You’re quiet again! Silence always means agreement with you. It must be your sister’s fault again, isn’t it?” Jessica’s frustration was palpable, her voice rising with each word.
“I’m telling you now, you have to make your way back to your family, or we’re through!” Jessica’s ultimatum was clear, her tone implying that Reggie’s value lay in his status as the Zimmermans‘ heir.
“No,” Reggie replied firmly, shaking his head. “I won’t return to the family. If I go back, what about Isabel? I can’t just abandon her.”
Overhearing this, Isabel felt a pang in her heart, her eyes moistening.
“Always Isabel! Reggie, who matters more to you, Isabel or me? You need to give me an answer today! If you choose your family, I’ll marry you. If not, we end things today! Make your choice!” Jessica demanded.
