Isabella was surprised he knew she suspected Alexander of murder.
Then again, it wasn't strange. If his guess was correct, Alexander had faked Jacob's death to keep them apart. It was easy to assume Jacob had witnessed the murder, prompting Alexander's actions.
Julian glanced at her, explaining her doubt. "The reason I stayed here instead of returning to England is because Xavier told me you once told the police you suspected him of killing your husband."
"I started investigating from the hospital's death certificate. I quickly discovered both children from the accident were taken to the hospital together. I searched for news reports about the crash. Strangely, there was nothing online or in newspapers. I finally managed to buy a photo of the child from a former journalist who took pictures at the time."
"I tracked down the child's family through that photo. But they had taken Alexander's money. I couldn't get any information from them. So I set up a scheme. I sent you and my brother to Denver. Then I had a charlatan trick Zheng Qiang into meeting him at the ice sculpture exhibition. They indeed had dealings."
Isabella looked at him briefly, then turned her gaze to the windshield.
Julian clenched his fist, his eyes stinging slightly. He laughed. "At a time like this, shouldn't you be trying harder to seduce me? To get me on your side and help you uncover the truth? Did you suddenly grow a conscience? Are you considering my立场, my feelings, before betraying my brother?" He chuckled. "Don't you think it's a bit late? Or do you think if my brother really is the murderer, I would protect him and ruin your plans?"
Both concerns were indeed on Isabella's mind.
Julian grabbed her arm. "Don't think about shaking me off. The moment I found out you suspected my brother of murder, you know what? A part of me actually hoped it was true. I've been insane since the moment I decided to stay."
Isabella turned to look at him.
She saw the tears streaming down his face.
Her heart ached. Just like the first time she saw him, she felt an inexplicable fondness. How could there be such a pure, sunny boy in this world? Now, she felt the same inexplicable attraction and heartache.
She cupped his face and kissed his lips.
The familiar, faint scent of mint was fresh and delicious. She unconsciously wanted more.
Julian, of course, kissed her back. They licked and sucked on each other.
The temperature inside the car seemed to rise significantly.
The kiss ended. As they parted, a strand of silvery saliva stretched between their mouths,来不及 swallowed. They saw desire mirrored in each other's eyes. Julian said to her, "Drive somewhere more secluded."
Isabella released him, straightened up, and started the car.
She found a secluded alley, drove in, and parked. They got out and moved to the back seat.
They kissed fiercely, as if trying to devour each other.
Their heavy coats were discarded. Their thin base layers were removed. Her bra was pulled open. Julian laid her on the back seat. He slowly and meticulously kissed every inch of her body. He folded her legs, exposing her flower core. He lowered his head and used his tongue to lap at the juices at her entrance.
"Mmm..." Isabella threw her head back, her fingers tangling in his hair, wanting him to lick and taste more. "Julian..."
His tongue mimicked a phallus, thrusting in and out of her flower core. Her honey continuously flowed out, all of which he drank.
"...Enough." Isabella pushed him away, pulled him to sit on the seat. She knelt down, squeezed between his legs, lowered her head, and took the thick, long member into her mouth.
She licked and played with the shaft while gently massaging the balls below with her hand.
A pleasurable hiss came from his lips. "Oh—"
Her mouth grew sore from the sucking and thrusting. She released him. Placing her feet on either side of his thighs, Julian held her waist with one hand and guided his member to her entrance with the other. She lowered herself onto him. Their bodies fit together with perfect tacit understanding.
"...Do you like it?" Hooking her arms around his neck, she lifted her hips, riding him. Her eyes were hazy, like after being drunk. Her stunning face was flushed with intense desire.
"Every time. Each time. Every day. All day. I want to fuck you like this..." Julian gazed at her obsessively.
This was the position they first made love in.
She kissed him deeply again.
They continued until they were both exhausted. Only after Julian had filled her with his seed did they stop.
—
Alexander did not return that night. By the time Isabella got back, the late-night supper Margaret had prepared was cold. Margaret asked why she was back so late. She said she had gone out with colleagues for a while. Margaret asked if she wanted something to eat. Isabella asked her to heat up some food.
Margaret stayed with her while she ate. As Isabella was about to go upstairs, Margaret stopped her. "Miss Isabella, there are mice in the second young master's room on the third floor. When I went up to clean today, I saw a cardboard box had been chewed. The mice even had babies inside! It's so dirty! The things inside are all chewed up. Could you take a look? If it's nothing important, I'll just throw the whole box away."
Isabella nodded. "Understood."
She was so tired her legs felt weak. She really didn't have the energy to climb to the third floor to check some box. She didn't even shower and went straight to her room to sleep.
The next morning, she woke up with a slight headache. She looked at the alarm clock. She had overslept past her usual waking time.
She decided to be lazy. She called the shop and said she would return in the afternoon.
Margaret made her breakfast. While she was eating, Margaret brought up the mouse-chewed box again. Isabella agreed. "I'll go take a look later. It's probably nothing important. Julian's things have been stored there for a long time."
After breakfast, she went up to the third floor.
The last time Julian and Lena stayed, they used a different guest room, not the one storing his old things. Those items had probably been sealed away since Julian went abroad at age ten.
Isabella found the cardboard box Margaret mentioned. She looked through the contents. Indeed, it was nothing important. Mostly Julian's old school books and workbooks from his childhood, along with some old toys. They were all chewed to pieces by the mice. Probably useless.
She dusted off her hands and stood up, about to leave. Suddenly, she saw something. She crouched down again, picked up a book, and opened it. A photograph was tucked between the pages. She looked at the photo. The person in the photo—
Alexander returned from his business trip, arriving home around 10 a.m. As soon as he entered, Margaret pulled him aside. "Mr. Sullivan, Miss Isabella didn't go to the coffee shop today. She's still home."
"Is she unwell?"
"Not sure what's wrong," Margaret told him about asking Isabella to check the box on the third floor that morning. "After Miss Isabella went up, she seemed a bit off. I went to ask if she wanted to keep the box or not, but she didn't say anything. She just kept staring at one spot."
Alexander frowned. "I'll go see."