Chapter 292
Julian stepped closer to Isabella, his eyes alight with a blend of excitement and nostalgia, as if he were reliving their first meeting all over again.
“Isabella, you have no idea how much I’ve missed you!” If Julian Whitmore’s warmth had been like a gentle summer breeze, Julian’s smile was the first golden ray of sunlight after a storm—radiant, disarming, and brimming with boyish charm.
Especially after those heartfelt words, he looked almost heartbreakingly vulnerable.
But Alexander, standing steadfast beside her, didn’t loosen his grip on Isabella’s hand.
“No matter who you think you are, that doesn’t give you the right to act impulsively or touch someone without permission,” Alexander countered, his dark gaze locking onto Julian’s.
Julian, however, remained unfazed.
With effortless ease, he reached for Isabella’s other wrist, his smile still bright and carefree.
“Impulsive? Hardly,” he replied smoothly. “Isabella and I go way back. What’s wrong with catching up with an old friend?” His expression was all innocence as he turned back to her. “Right, Isabella? We are good friends, after all.”
At that moment, both men held her wrists lightly—neither forceful, yet the tension between them was undeniable. Their gazes clashed like blades, sharp and unyielding. The air around them thickened with unspoken words, the dim lighting casting long shadows over their silent standoff.
Isabella’s face remained composed, but the tension was palpable. Alexander and Julian stood as polar opposites, their eyes fixed on her, waiting in the heavy silence for her decision.
But Isabella chose neither.
“If you two have this much energy to argue, maybe you should stay here and get to know each other,” she said dryly, effortlessly slipping her hands free. “I have more important matters to attend to.”
With that, she turned on her heel, waving dismissively. “Enjoy yourselves.”
As she moved to leave, Julian froze for a split second, realization dawning.
“Isabella, wait—I’m sorry,” he blurted, his voice uncharacteristically earnest. “I was just… so happy to see you. I got carried away. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
It was the most genuine thing he’d said all night.
Over the years, Julian’s feelings for her had shifted—what had once been playful defiance had deepened into something far more intense. When whispers reached him that Isabella had married, it had shattered him. But it had also forced him to confront his emotions.
In some twisted corner of his mind, he’d even entertained the idea of being her secret lover. Morality had never mattered when it came to her.
And when news of her divorce finally reached him, it felt like fate was giving him another chance.
Now, standing before her, it was almost surreal.
The night masked Isabella’s expression, making it impossible to read her thoughts. She didn’t respond directly.
“Go enjoy the dinner,” she said finally. “We’ll discuss your… matter later.”
Julian’s face brightened instantly. “Okay!”
Anyone who knew him would have been stunned by his sudden eagerness. Julian had a reputation as a troublemaker, yet in front of Isabella, he was as pliant as clay.
Alexander downed his drink in one smooth motion, the glass clinking sharply against the table.
“I have nothing to discuss with a stranger,” he said coolly. “Dinner’s about to start. Let’s go.”
Julian’s innocent expression only deepened at Alexander’s remark.
“I must admit, Mr. Kingsley, I envy you,” he sighed dramatically. “I have no talents—not even something as simple as dancing. I don’t even have a date for tonight’s event.”
His long lashes fluttered as he turned to Isabella, his eyes wide with subtle pleading.
“So, Isabella… would you mind if I joined you?”
