Chapter 247
Alexander was adjusting his mask when a sudden movement on the field caught his eye. Narrowing his gaze, he was taken aback to see Isabella—who had been on a brief hiatus—now standing there, poised and ready.
Turning to Dominic, who had just arrived, Alexander remarked dryly, “Seems you’re getting awfully familiar with that Montgomery girl.”
Dominic shrugged, flashing a lazy grin. “Mr. Kingsley, spare me the teasing. You know my father’s been shoving blind dates with the Montgomery family down my throat every other week.” He exhaled dramatically. “But all that matchmaking nonsense? Completely lost on me. I wasn’t exactly in the right headspace last time, and I ended up offending Miss Montgomery. Tried to apologize, but she’d already blocked me.”
Alexander’s lips curled into a faint, knowing smirk. “No surprise she stomped all over you.”
Dominic rolled his eyes, silently cursing how insufferable Alexander could be. It was a mystery how anyone, especially Isabella, tolerated him. “Man, keep that mask on. That smirk of yours is downright unsettling.” Their playful banter was routine—neither took it seriously.
“By the way,” Dominic added, “Ms. Sinclair seems pretty close to you. Why didn’t you step in earlier when she got into that mess?” He already knew the answer but enjoyed poking at Alexander’s icy exterior.
“Ah, right,” Dominic continued, shaking his head. “You’re colder than a winter storm. No wonder the women in Ontdale keep their distance. You’ve got zero initiative.”
Alexander’s expression remained unreadable, his voice slow and deliberate. “Sometimes, jumping in just gets you burned—like what you just witnessed.”
Truthfully, Alexander had kept the secret of his legs hidden for years, even competing under an alias. Though he’d recently revealed part of the truth, he never showed his full hand. And now, more than ever, he trusted that Isabella and Olivia could handle things without his interference.
Dominic smirked, nudging him. “Is that so? Then explain why you’re always asking me to help Ms. Sinclair with her problems. Seems like you’re not far from getting tangled up yourself.” He left the thought hanging, amused by Alexander’s evasive heart, wondering when it would finally crack.
Inside the arena, Isabella stood ready, her stance confident. Though she’d competed internationally, this was her first appearance in Ontdale. Across the field, Ethan glared daggers at her, his hostility palpable.
Olivia, irritated, muttered under her breath, “Why does that idiot keep staring at us? Makes me want to pluck his eyes out.”
Isabella remained unfazed, her voice cool. “Don’t bother. He’s not worth the effort. Men like him—give them attention, and they latch on like parasites.” Her tone dripped with irony.
For three years of marriage, Ethan had barely spared her a glance. Yet now, post-divorce, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
Before she could finish her thought, Ethan, seething at being ignored, finally snapped. “Isabella, I’m not here to take what isn’t mine. If you have any decency left, return the jade.” He wasn’t sure if it was the jade or Isabella herself that gnawed at him—only that one look from her unsettled him to his core.
Isabella let out a soft, mocking laugh. “If the jade truly belongs to the Blackwood family, I’d gladly return it to the rightful heir.” Her gaze locked onto his, steady and unflinching, as if she could see straight through his bravado. “But tell me, Ethan… are you really the heir?”
