Chapter 145

Alexander’s POV.

Heads turned, conversations stopped, and the soft music playing in the background seemed to fade.

I rose from my seat instinctively, my stomach twisting into knots. Sebastian, seated next to me, froze. He looked like a deer caught in headlights, his gaze darting to me, silently pleading for some kind of guidance. I knew he felt out of place….how could he not? This wasn’t supposed to happen, not like this.

“Mother,” I began, trying to keep my voice calm, “what are you doing here?”

She stopped at our table, her hands trembling with rage. “What am I doing here? I should be asking you that, Alexander! You’ve been hiding things from me, haven’t you?”

“Mother, please,” I said, holding my hands up, trying to de–escalate the situation.

But she wasn’t having any of it. Her eyes shifted to Sebastian, narrowing with contempt. “And this must be him.” Her voice was full of venom. “The bastard son of your father.”

Sebastian stiffened, his shoulders squaring as he tried to maintain composure. He didn’t speak, but the look on his face said it all…hurt, embarrassment, and a desperate need to disappear.

“Mother, stop,” I said firmly, stepping between them. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t know?” she snapped, her voice rising even further. “I’ve had to piece it all together because my own son couldn’t tell me the truth! You’ve been protecting him…this shame to our family…while keeping me in the dark!”

I clenched my jaw, my patience wearing thin. “I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d react like this. You’re proving me right.” She let out a bitter laugh. “React like this? How else am I supposed to react, Alexander? My husband cheated on me, fathered this… this mistake“—she gestured harshly toward Sebastian-“and you thought it was fine to keep it hidden from me?”

“Enough!” I barked, my voice sharper than I intended. “Sebastian is not a mistake. He’s my brother, and you will not talk about him like that.”

Sebastian shifted uncomfortably behind me, his face pale. He was completely silent, clearly unsure how to handle the scene unfolding before him.

Madam Margret grabbed a glass of wine from a nearby table, her hand trembling. “This bastard doesn’t belong here. He’s a stain on our name!”

Before I could react, she raised the glass, her intention clear. “You have no place here, you-”

I stepped forward, shielding Sebastian just as she flung the wine in his direction. The liquid splashed across my chest, soaking my suit. Gasps rippled through the room as diners watched the spectacle unfold.

“Alexander!” she shrieked, her face a mask of disbelief.

I wiped the wine from my face, glaring at her. “If you want to throw wine, throw it at me. But you will not touch him. Not now, not ever.”

and Sebastian. Before she could launch into another tirade, Christiana

here?” she asked,

you!” she spat, pointing a finger at Christiana. “You

173

Wed, Nov

Chapter 145

and said nothing! Leading my

61%

the chaos like a blade. She stepped forward, her posture straight, her chin high. “Your have no

Christiana didn’t stop. Sebastian is not at fault for what happened between your husband and some other woman. He is a good man, and

words were calm but laced with steel, her eyes firm as she stared

Margret hissed, her

is,” Christiana countered. “You’re attacking my family. I won’t stand by

finally found his voice, stepping forward hesitantly.

kind

he nodded, his eyes filled with

but smile at Christiana, my chest swelling with pride and love. She had a way of standing her ground, of making you

was red, her fury simmering just beneath the surface. She opened her mouth to say something but thought better of it. Instead, she spun on her heel and stormed out, her heels clicking against the marble

room remained silent for a moment, the tension hanging thick in the air. Then, Christiana turned to Sebastian and smiled warmly. “Are

barely

my shoulders relaxing as I looked at Christiana. “You handled that better than I ever

me, brushing her fingers against my arm. “That’s

fade, replaced by the quiet strength that Christiana always seemed

heavy as the murmur of conversations returned around the restaurant. Eyes lingered on us, no doubt drawn by the dramatic exit of Madam Margret Alistair. I glanced at Sebastian, who stood awkwardly beside me, his hands shoved into his pockets, looking as though he wanted to melt into

said quietly, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Ignore her. She’s angry, but it’s misplaced. You’ve done nothing

pressed into a thin line. “I know,” he muttered. “It’s

stepped

a shadow of discomfort. “Thanks,” he said, his

fingers tightening slightly on his shoulder. “Let’s sit back down.

My suit was still damp from the wine Madam Margret had thrown, but I hardly cared. I flagged down a waiter and asked for a napkin, wiping myself off

14:34 Wed, Nov 27

Chapter 145

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255