hapter 294
The night was breathtaking, the sea shimmering under the moonlight like liquid silver.
“Planning on taking a midnight swim?” Alexander’s voice was smooth, almost lazy, as he looked up, his dark eyes reflecting the endless expanse of the ocean. But beneath the casual tone lay an unspoken warning.
Alexander was certain now—Isabella and this young man were far from strangers. Their interaction carried a weight, a secret history that intrigued him.
Isabella was always guarded around people she didn’t know—polite, yes, but with an invisible wall. Yet around those she trusted, her posture softened ever so slightly. Most wouldn’t notice, but Alexander had trained himself to see the subtleties.
And Julian Whitmore? He was no stranger to her.
There was something between them, something unspoken but undeniable.
“Swimming?” Julian finally acknowledged Alexander’s presence, his tone light but edged with challenge. The unspoken rivalry between men was something Julian understood well. Intimidation, however, wasn’t in his nature.
“Actually,” Julian continued, flashing a grin, “I was hoping Isabella might give me a few pointers. But alas, I have a banquet to attend.”
Neither man had bothered with introductions. Names didn’t matter here—this wasn’t about curiosity. It was a silent battle, a test of wills.
Julian knew exactly who Alexander was—the formidable CEO of Kingsley Group, the man who controlled the luxury market with an iron grip.
So what? He had known Isabella far longer. And in his eyes, his family’s influence was just as powerful as the Kingsleys’.
For the first time, Alexander found himself facing someone younger, bolder, and utterly unyielding. Unlike others who might retreat under his gaze, Julian only seemed amused, pushing boundaries without hesitation.
Alexander suppressed his irritation, refusing to escalate things in Isabella’s presence. Not out of mere courtesy, but out of respect for her right to choose her own company.
Still, Isabella wasn’t one to let things slide.
“Cut the act,” she said dryly. “If you don’t know how to swim, no one does.”
Julian chuckled, unfazed. “You swim better than I do. If I could have the honor of your personal coaching, I’d die a happy man.”
He ignored Alexander’s piercing stare.
Back when he worked with Cobweb, Isabella had occasionally asked him to look into matters concerning the Kingsley family. Since then, Julian had kept tabs on Alexander—wealthy, powerful, and undeniably attractive. A rival worth acknowledging.
Then, unexpectedly, Alexander smirked.
“So, you’re fond of Ms. Sinclair, are you?” His voice was deceptively light, but the question was sharp as a blade.
Julian didn’t flinch. “Of course. Only a fool wouldn’t be.” Leaning forward, he rested his chin on his hand, eyes gleaming with mischief. “A woman as extraordinary as her is bound to draw attention. But then again, the men around her… well, their only purpose is to entertain her, isn’t it?”
The jab was deliberate, aimed straight at Alexander.
But Alexander’s expression remained unreadable, his gaze cool—though something dangerous flickered in his eyes.
“Is that so?” he replied smoothly. “Pity, then, that Ms. Sinclair already has company for the evening.”
Julian’s grin only widened. “So? The best thing a man can offer is his ability to… share.”
