Chapter 1067 |
He stood there in a neat coat, tall and clean, his brows drawn together in shock. His gaze flicked from Vanessa's raised hand… to Isabella's reddened cheek.
Vanessa felt the blood drain from her face.
She had invited Brandon to the art exhibition today, yes, but she never imagined he would appear here, at this exact moment, at the worst possible second.
It felt like fate had reached down just to strangle her.
Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
Because she suddenly remembered something she didn't want to remember.
Isabella was the woman Brandon had loved for years.
Even if he claimed he was over her.
Even if he said he only cared about Vanessa now.
How could she be sure?
She couldn't gamble.
Not when her entire future depended on him.
Not when she had already betrayed too many people for this position.
Vanessa's breathing became shallow, her eyes darting around, unable to meet Brandon's gaze. She felt like a criminal caught at the scene, exposed under bright lights.
Brandon walked in.
Each step felt like a hammer striking her nerves.
His shadow fell over her, tall and heavy, blocking the light.
Then, to the surprise of everyone watching, Brandon didn't look at Isabella first.
He looked at Vanessa.
His expression softened immediately, concern written plainly on his face.
"Vanessa," he asked gently, "what happened?"
The students in the room exchanged looks, whispering even louder now.
Of course.
The mistress got the man.
The man protects her.
How typical.
But Vanessa's eyes widened.
Because she noticed something that made her stomach twist.
Brandon's concern wasn't fake.
And that was exactly what terrified her.
If his concern was real… then everything he said last night might have been real too.
And if that was true…
Then she had just slapped the woman he once treasured the most.
Her throat went dry.
Her lips trembled, but she forced herself to speak, forcing tears into her eyes like she'd practiced a thousand times.
"Brandon… I… maybe sister misunderstood me…"
Her voice cracked perfectly, fragile enough to make people pity her. "I was just explaining things, but she wouldn't listen. She scolded my mother, and I… I couldn't control myself. I didn't mean to…"
As she spoke, she looked up at him with trembling lashes, like a helpless girl clinging to the only person who could save her.
But inside, her heart was pounding like thunder.
Because she didn't know what Brandon would do next.
And she didn't dare to look at Isabella.
She was afraid she'd see that same smile again.
That smile that said…
I've already won.
His lips pressed into a line, and the veins on the back of his hand slowly bulged as his fingers clenched.
The atmosphere became heavy, suffocating.
Vanessa Cruz's heart beat wildly again.
She was afraid.
Terrified.
Because she saw something in Brandon Hughes's eyes that she couldn't control.
That flash of pain… that flash of instinctive anger…
It wasn't for her.
It was for Isabella.
Vanessa Cruz's fingers tightened on his sleeve, almost begging without words.
Brandon Hughes stared at the mark on Isabella's face for a long time.
Then he suddenly laughed softly.
It was a strange laugh, cold, almost bitter.
He turned his head and looked down at Vanessa Cruz again. His voice was gentle, but the gentleness felt like a blade wrapped in velvet.
"Vanessa."
Vanessa Cruz's eyes lit up slightly, as if she had finally grabbed a lifeline.
"Yes… Brandon…"
Brandon Hughes raised his hand.
Vanessa Cruz instinctively leaned forward, thinking he was about to comfort her, thinking he was going to wipe her tears like a lover in a romance drama.
But instead…
Brandon Hughes's hand passed her face.
And landed on her wrist.
He grabbed her wrist firmly.
Not painful enough to leave bruises, but strong enough to make her blood run cold.
"Did you slap her?" he asked quietly.
Vanessa Cruz's face stiffened.
She forced herself to smile through tears.
"Brandon… I…"
Brandon Hughes's grip tightened slightly, his eyes dark. "I asked you a question."
Vanessa Cruz's lips trembled.
"I… yes…" she whispered.
The room fell silent again.
Isabella's eyes narrowed slightly.
She was curious.
She really wanted to see how far Brandon Hughes's so-called "loyalty" to Vanessa Cruz could go.
Brandon Hughes stared at Vanessa for a moment, then suddenly released her wrist.
Vanessa Cruz's heart leapt.
But before she could feel relieved, Brandon Hughes turned toward Isabella.
His eyes met hers.
For a moment, it felt like time had paused.
The two of them stood facing each other, separated by only a few steps, but it felt like a lifetime had passed between them.
Then Brandon Hughes spoke.
His voice was hoarse, and there was a strange restraint inside it. "Does it hurt?"
Vanessa Cruz's entire body stiffened.
Her blood instantly froze.
The students around them gasped softly.
Isabella looked at Brandon Hughes, her expression still calm, still indifferent. She raised her hand again and lightly touched her cheek.
Then she smiled faintly. "It doesn't hurt."
She paused, her eyes cold. "After all, compared to what she and her mother did… this slap is nothing."
Brandon Hughes's brows relaxed slightly. His gaze softened. "It's good that you're okay."
Then he turned his head, looking toward Isabella, his tone suddenly becoming colder, sharper. "However… even Isabella has to know her limits."
His voice was calm, but the meaning was like a slap in itself.
"When it comes to insulting Ms. Chloe, you shouldn't go too far. Ms. Chloe is now Madam Cruz. Vanessa's slap just now… wasn't excessive."
The room instantly became silent.
A few students widened their eyes.
Someone even unconsciously held their breath.
Vanessa Cruz's entire body trembled.
Not from fear.
From ecstasy.
She almost couldn't believe her ears.
Was this really Brandon Hughes?
Was this really the man who once protected Isabella like his life depended on it?
Now… he was defending her?
He was saying she didn't slap Isabella too hard?
Vanessa Cruz's lips quivered. She tried to suppress the smile, but the corners of her mouth still rose uncontrollably.
Her heart was practically floating.
She wanted to laugh, to cry, to scream.
She wanted to tell the whole world that she had finally won.
But when she looked at Isabella again, she felt that satisfaction instantly collapse into frustration.
Because Isabella still looked indifferent.
Still calm.
Still unbothered.
It was as if Brandon Hughes's words were nothing more than wind passing by.
That indifference stabbed Vanessa Cruz's pride.
She didn't want to just win.
She wanted Isabella to hurt.
She wanted to see her jealous, frantic, desperate.
But Isabella didn't even look like she cared.
Just as Vanessa Cruz was desperately thinking of what to do next, Brandon Hughes spoke again, his voice firm, righteous, almost noble.
"Isabella."
His gaze pinned her in place like a nail.
"I don't know what happened between you and Vanessa, but Vanessa has endured so much in the Cruz family for all these years. Now she's finally free."
"And you still insult them like this."
He took a step forward, his tone carrying a sharp edge.
"What are your intentions?"
The surrounding people began whispering.
Some were confused.
Some looked at Vanessa Cruz with sympathy.
Some even began to question whether the rumors about Isabella were true.
Brandon Hughes continued, every word sounding like a verdict.
"Even if Uncle Cruz kicked you and Miss Valente out, it's because you weren't doing well enough. Why take it out on Vanessa?"
His eyes turned colder.
"Since I saw this today, I won't stand by and watch."
"I'll get justice for Vanessa."
Then, in front of everyone, he said the words that made Vanessa Cruz's heart burst with triumph.
"Isabella. Apologize to Vanessa."
The air froze.
For the first time, Isabella's expression shifted slightly.
It was only a tiny crack, a fleeting pause.
But Vanessa Cruz caught it.
She saw it clearly.
That small crack was enough to make her feel like she had finally grabbed Isabella by the throat.
Vanessa Cruz's eyes gleamed.
So she was affected after all.
She still cared.
Even if she had Victor now, Brandon Hughes was still the one she couldn't ignore.
But before Vanessa Cruz could enjoy it further, Isabella's expression returned to calm again, as if that moment of weakness had never existed.
She slowly raised her eyes and looked at Brandon Hughes.
Then she smiled.
It was a faint smile, elegant, cold, and full of mockery.
"For the sake of your fiance…"
Her voice was light, almost amused.
"The dignified eldest young master of the Hughes family doesn't hesitate to disregard justice and truth again."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Aren't you afraid that if this spreads out, you'll become the biggest joke in Averton City?"
Her words landed like a knife.
Brandon Hughes's expression darkened instantly.
Vanessa Cruz's smile froze on her lips.
And the entire room suddenly realized…
This wasn't going to end with an apology.
This was about to become a war.
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