Chapter 264
Dominic Sterling was, in reality, far more perceptive and distrustful than Alexander Kingsley.
At this moment, he couldn’t shake the unsettling suspicion that something about Isabella Sinclair wasn’t adding up.
“I heard she remained perfectly composed during the crisis today,” Dominic remarked, his tone laced with intrigue. “She pinpointed the assassins in record time. And though she didn’t engage directly, she somehow disabled that bomb’s remote detonator. That’s not a skill just anyone possesses.”
Alexander responded with a casual shrug. “She was invaluable. Without her, the bomb would’ve detonated. Clearly, she had control over it.”
There was a subtle edge to his voice as he added, “Cracking encryption that quickly requires serious expertise. There aren’t many hackers capable of pulling that off.”
He recalled the time Isabella had effortlessly restored the firewall and repelled a cyberattack targeting the company’s main servers. Even then, her abilities had caught him off guard.
Who would’ve guessed her talents extended beyond computers? She dismantled explosive devices as effortlessly as diffusing a petty argument.
“She’s a master of deception,” Alexander mused inwardly, his eyes narrowing. “Always keeping everyone guessing.”
Dominic gave a light chuckle. “True, she’s secretive. In the past, you wouldn’t have let someone that dangerous get close.”
Alexander’s lips curved slightly. “She is dangerous… but also fascinating. The most intriguing ones are often the deadliest.”
Dominic smirked knowingly but didn’t press further. “Still, Ms. Sinclair is unlike any other woman. If she’d truly wanted you dead today, she wouldn’t have gone through the trouble of saving your life.”
The memory of the incident replayed in their minds. The kidnappers’ intent had been clear—no survivors. Most would’ve fled, but Isabella had stayed. More than that, she’d insisted on helping.
Dominic arched a brow, amusement glinting in his eyes. “Could it be she’s interested in you?”
Alexander fell silent, uncharacteristically so. He’d tried deciphering Isabella’s motives before, but she never gave a straight answer.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he muttered finally, his voice low. “She’s just protecting Amelia.”
Yet as he spoke, frustration coiled inside him. Despite everything they’d shared—the vulnerability, the intimacy—there remained an invisible barrier between them, one neither could cross.
Alexander struggled to define this feeling. He only knew that Isabella harbored countless secrets and could vanish at any moment, as she pleased.
“Whatever you say,” Dominic murmured, studying Alexander’s expression. “But the two of you aren’t just acquaintances anymore. You’re allies who’ve faced life and death together.”
He exhaled thoughtfully. “High society is quick to toast a man’s success, but few will extend a hand when he stumbles. Risking one’s life for another? That’s rare.”
Dominic’s smile faded, his brow furrowing as realization struck. “Those weren’t just any mercenaries. They were professionals, willing to die to complete their mission. That’s not just loyalty—it’s desperation. They knew failure meant death, and they intended to drag you down with them. Whoever hired them is ruthless beyond measure.”
Alexander’s gaze hardened. “Our enemy leaves no loose ends. This level of precision… it reminds me of someone.”
“Anyone in mind?” Dominic asked.
“My half-brothers.”
Dominic scoffed. “Really? I doubt they have the intellect for something this calculated.”
Alexander’s expression darkened. “They might not, but they have powerful backing—especially from my father’s mistresses. None of them are weak.”
The irony wasn’t lost on him. In their world, loyalty was scarce, and fidelity even rarer. Perhaps that was why Alexander had kept women at arm’s length for so long—why he recoiled at their touch.
Isabella, however, was the exception.
“After today’s failure, whoever’s behind this will grow desperate,” Alexander said coldly. “They’ll be gathering intel, probing for weaknesses. It’s only a matter of time before they make another move.”
Dominic nodded grimly. “Then we’d better be ready.”
