Chapter 495 Hard to Deal With
Kirk cleared his throat with a fist raised to his mouth.
"Mrs. Howard," he said awkwardly, "Mr. Howard still has injuries and just woke up from surgery. He shouldn't engage in... vigorous activities. The stitches might tear."
He fled immediately after delivering this delicate warning.
Victoria, still pinned beneath Alexander on the bed, was mortified.
This was beyond embarrassing.
Alexander, however, seemed completely untroubled, even grinning.
"How can you still be smiling?" she asked incredulously.
She stopped struggling, adopting an attitude of resignation. They'd been caught, but they were married after all. If he wasn't embarrassed, why should she be?
"Darling, don't be angry with me, please?" Alexander gazed down at her, then buried his face against her ear, whispering softly.
His warm breath against her sensitive skin sent waves of heat coursing through her body, creating tingling sensations along every nerve.
He knew perfectly well this was her most sensitive spot.
"Stop that, it tickles," she said, instinctively tilting her head away.
He was deliberately trying to seduce her, wasn't he?
"I'm not angry," she answered while trying to evade him.
She truly wasn't upset—just a bit conflicted earlier.
As she tried to dodge, he followed.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"But you've been ignoring me."
"When have I ignored you?"
"Last night, you left me all alone."
Alexander's deep, magnetic voice was pure seduction for her.
"I didn't. You didn't recognize me, so what was I supposed to do? Stay and stare at each other awkwardly?"
Alexander fell silent, knowing he was in the wrong.
He changed the subject to save face.
Looking up, he said, "Darling, there's something you should know—Lavinia isn't someone who gives up easily."
"What?" Victoria turned to face him. "What do you mean?" Then she added, "Do you know her well?"
"I know you much better—every inch of your body, in fact," Alexander replied with a mischievous smile.
Victoria gave him a look. "Be serious."
Alexander, fearing her displeasure, quickly clarified, "Let me be clear—I don't know Lavinia well at all."
Then he continued, "Yes, she saved me, but it wasn't coincidence that she happened to be on that road. She had actually been following my car."
Victoria raised an eyebrow, prompting him to continue.
"Dylan discovered this afterward. She wasn't involved in the attack—she was simply following me because she was interested in me. She just happened to be there to save me when my enemies struck. From what I understand, she's been infatuated with me for quite some time."
Victoria had expected a more elaborate story. "That's it? That's all?"
"That's all."
"So what exactly are you trying to tell me? What does this have to do with Lavinia being persistent?"
She was genuinely puzzled.
Alexander countered, "What do you think I'm trying to say?"
Victoria paused, then had a realization: "You're not suggesting that Lavinia has some deep obsession with you, are you?"
"Exactly!" Alexander confirmed, his Adam's apple bobbing as he spoke.
Victoria remained silent.
She thought that even if Lavinia was obsessed, surely she wouldn't be irrational about it.
But after returning to Ridgewood, she would discover just how disturbing Lavinia's "obsession" truly was—beyond anything she could have imagined.
The next day.
The "family introduction dinner" that Zephyr had announced was scheduled for 5 PM that afternoon.
As the time for the event approached, Gideon and the others came to visit Alexander again. They were surprised to find Victoria still sitting on the sofa in the hospital room.
They had wanted to attend the dinner for entertainment, but without invitations, they'd decided to keep the "lonely" Alexander company instead—and perhaps enjoy his misfortune a bit.
But now, seeing Victoria still there...
"Victoria, why are you still sitting here?" Gideon asked, puzzled.
Victoria looked up from her phone, raising an eyebrow. Her voice was cool and measured, "Where else should I be?"
Caleb quickly interjected, "At the matchmaking dinner, of course. Didn't Mr. Windsor arrange a 'family introduction' for you?"
Victoria's temple twitched slightly at the conflicting terms. She smiled faintly. "Caleb, you know I'm married to Alexander. Do you think I'm eligible for a matchmaking dinner?"
Caleb scratched his head awkwardly.
"He did arrange it, but I'm not interested," she said dismissively.
Then she glanced toward Alexander in the hospital bed, adding with some resignation, "Besides, I have this jealous, possessive husband to deal with."
The men fell silent.
Was that a compliment? An insult? Or just showing off their relationship?
Gideon asked cautiously, "Victoria, have you and Alexander reconciled?"
Alexander, hearing this from his bed, wanted to kick Gideon.
Victoria looked at him, confused. "Did we ever fight? How can we reconcile if we never fought?"
Caleb slapped Gideon's shoulder and clarified, "What he should have asked is: 'Has Alexander's amnesia improved? Is his brain functioning normally again?' Otherwise, given Alexander's 25-year habit of avoiding women like the plague, how could he possibly allow Victoria to stay here? Marcus would have surely thrown her out by now."
Before arriving, they'd heard from Marcus that Lavinia had visited yesterday and confronted Victoria directly.
However, even if Lavinia and Victoria had faced off, it wouldn't affect the relationship between Victoria and Alexander.
After all, Lavinia had only saved Alexander's life once. For someone like him, marriage and love were never going to be used as repayment—otherwise, Lavinia would have been his wife years ago.
They had always known Alexander had someone he cared for, though they hadn't known who until Victoria appeared.
They had witnessed Alexander's remarkable transformation. All his usual prohibitions remained in place—with Victoria being the sole exception.
So Caleb's statement served a dual purpose: mocking Alexander's "fake amnesia" prank while also building up his image in Victoria's eyes.
Victoria understood his meaning perfectly.
Just then, an icy voice filled the room, carrying a terrifying coldness that seemed to rise from the depths of a dark swamp. "I hear that while I was unconscious, you gave my beloved some bad advice—telling her to say harsh things to shock me awake. Is that true?"
Caleb looked confused. What?
Gideon remained silent. He'd thought about it, but never had the chance to suggest it.
Garrett said nothing. He hadn't been involved at all!
But Alexander's tone and words had already convicted them of their "crime."
Victoria returned her attention to her phone, pretending she wasn't part of this conversation.
She deliberately ignored their pleading looks for help.
Meanwhile, at Hearst Castle.
A black SUV pulled up to the main entrance.
"Weren't many people invited today? Why does it seem so quiet?" Eric asked, puzzled after stepping out of the car.
The grand entrance appeared deserted except for two security guards diligently standing at their posts.
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