Chapter 225

Slater immediately complained with a pout, "Isaac,you can't imagine how much he despised me. I pretended to twist my ankle and deliberately fell against him, but he only shoved me aside. Later, I held his hand and even asked for his number. Not only did he refuse, but he also shook me off with such disgust-as though he had swallowed something bitter."

Isaac's eyes flickered slightly. He had always harbored doubts about Simon's inclination toward men,yet after this attempt, even he found himself somewhat taken aback.

"That's hardly the whole story," Bobby interjected mysteriously, lifting his brow. "You didn't see what happened after that."

Slater knitted his brows, curiosity aroused. "What else happened?"

Bobby straightened and turned to Isaac. "After Slater tested Simon, I grew curious and trailed him into the underground garage. Guess what?" He paused deliberately before continuing. "The very first thing Simon did was toss his jacket into the trash, and then rush to scrub his hands, muttering under his breath,'Hell no. That guy is definitely into men. That's just messed up.'"

Before Isaac could speak, Slater erupted.

"Unbelievable! I forced myself to swallow my revulsion and didn't despise him, yet he dared to despise me!"

Bobby burst into gleeful laughter, almost bending over with the force of it.

But when lsaac's face hardened, Bobby quickly sobered,cleared his throat, and asked seriously,"Isaac,why did you send Slater to test him? What's the real purpose here? Does this man threaten you somehow?"

Isaac did not wish to drag Bobby into tangled conflicts.With a calm glance, he replied, "Mind your studies instead of poking your nose into matters better left alone."

Bobby fell silent, stung into wordlessness.

Earlier, he had asked Slater about Isaac's reasons,but Slater admitted Isaac had explained nothing.

Now, even pressing lsaac directly, he met the same wall.

Catching the disappointment etched across Bobby's face,Isaac said firmly, "That's enough. You both may leave now." Slater nodded. "Alright, Isaac. We'll see you later."

With that, he tugged Bobby's sleeve, leading him from the office.

Once the door closed, silence settled back into the room.

Isaac clasped his hands together, fingers tapping lightly against the desk as his expression deepened in thought.

Earlier,he had asked Stevie to investigate Simon,who had even produced photos of Simon with a former male partner.

Yet,judging by what Slater and Bobby/had described,Simon's reactions made little sense.

If he truly had once desired men, even if his heart had shifted toward women later, he would not have denounced his own past so harshly.

For desire of that kind was not a coat to be worn and shed at whim; it was etched into one's nature.

A man who had once loved men would not recoil in such disgust-especially when faced with someone like Slater, who fit the very type Simon had preferred.

Isaac pondered quietly. Something suspicious lurked beneath the surface.

His lips pressed into a thin line, brows furrowing,though his gaze remained unnervingly steady.

What could twist a person's nature so dramatically?

Isaac blinked, his eyes dark and contemplative.

Two possibilities emerged: perhaps Simon had suffered deep wounds from a same-sex relationshipin the past, or perhaps the man standing before them now was not Simon at all.

...

After Verena fainted,she remained in the hospital for two days.

During that time, Danica visited frequently,each time arriving with a pot of nourishing soup she had carefully prepared.

Though Verena grew weary of drinking them, she couldn't turn away Danica's kindness in the face of such earnest care.

In truth, on the first afternoon after she collapsed,Verena wanted to return to her work once the IV drip ended.

But under Danica and Isaac's unyielding insistence,she had no choice but to rest those two days.

Finally, on the afternoon of the second day, she was cleared for discharge.

Isaac peeled an apple with quiet patience and handed it to Verena. She bit into it, her smile blooming like sunlight.

Her bright eyes curved with joy, and Isaac felt a gentle stirring in his chest. "You look truly happy," he said softly.

Verena nodded, her grin unwavering. "At last, I can go back to work. My grandmother's matter has already been delayed two days-it mustn't wait any longer."

Though she promised to care for herself, Isaac knew her mind had been tied to Shawna's murder the entire time.

Taking her hand, he said gently, "Verena, Shawna's case is complicated. It won't be solved overnight.Even if you return to work, put your health first. Leave Shawna's matter to me. You just look after yourself -and our baby."

Her gaze softened, brimming with warmth and happiness.

Isaac considered everything on her behalf,arranging every detail, making her truly feel the essence of happiness.

Outside the room, Simon arrived to visit. Yet just as he was about to enter, his eyes fell on the tender sight within: Isaac pressing Verena's hand against his face,the two wrapped in intimacy.

Simon froze, pulling back into the shadow of the doorframe, his gaze fixed upon them, his heart twisting as theirs entwined.

Verena lowered her eyes, stroking her belly tenderly.In a hushed tone, she whispered, "Baby." Then, looking at lsaac, she asked, "What name shall we give our child?"

Isaac pondered, and then shook his head with a faint smile. "No name comes to mind yet. But they are ours,and I'll be sure to give them a name like no other."

He leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead."One day,we'll watch them grow-babbling,taking their first steps, falling in love, marrying, and starting a family. The three of us will know the truest joy this world has to offer."

Their smiles met in quiet harmony.

Meanwhile,Simon's hand clamped onto the doorframe,his knuckles whitening as his nails dug deep into the wood. His eyes widened, his face contorted in a twisted rage.

What foolish dream was this? What fantasy was Isaac weaving?

Simon was certain Verena's future belonged to him alone.

His glare burned into Isaac, so full of venom it seemed capable of tearing him apart.

Jaw clenched,Simon swore silently to himself.

This time, Isaac would be crushed. Whether his proud name or his fragile life-Simon vowed to strip it all away.