My CEO Ex: Let Me Go.-Chapter 78

Victor Sinclair quickly spoke up, "Alexander, bro, don’t say that. Of course, I consider you a friend!"

"Then tell me the truth."

"Before I answer, I have a question for you."

"Go ahead."

"After you left yesterday, Vivienne said she married you—that you two are husband and wife. Is that true?"

"Yes," I answered quietly.

Victor Sinclair was stunned, clearly not expecting it to be true. "Bro, what’s going on? When did this happen? Why didn’t I know about it?"

"Three years ago."

"Th-three years ago?" Victor Sinclair was incredulous. That meant they’d been married for three years. How was that even possible?

"So, what you’re saying is... Alexander, you’re... cheating?"

"Answer my question first. Who told you to go find me yesterday? Who told you about Isabella’s injuries?"

"I’ll tell you, but please don’t sell me out. Yeah, Isabella asked me to find you. She was worried you wouldn’t come, so she asked me to exaggerate a bit."

"Isabella?"

"Yeah."

"After she got hurt yesterday, did you see her?"

"No. She called me. She said your phone wasn’t working. Bro, this isn’t my fault. Isabella was crying, begging me to help her because she was afraid you wouldn’t want her anymore. What was I supposed to do?"

"Do you know what day it was yesterday?"

Of course, it was Isabella’s birthday. But Victor Sinclair knew I wasn’t asking for that answer.

He recalled the scene when he found us at the Michelin restaurant—the candlelit dinner with roses. Could it be...?

"Your anniversary?" Victor Sinclair guessed weakly.

"Yes."

"Well... what a coincidence, everything lined up..." Victor Sinclair forced a dry laugh.

He realized he’d been used by Isabella. Isabella must have known that Alexander and Vivienne were already married, and she knew it was their wedding anniversary. That’s why she had him go find Alexander at just that moment.

Luckily, even though Alexander and Vivienne were having dinner together, it was clear from his demeanor that Alexander was still somewhat on Isabella’s side. If it had been the other way around, Victor Sinclair helping her would’ve backfired.

He had known Isabella for years and didn’t want to think ill of her, but the facts were clear. Sometimes, it was better not to get involved in other people’s matters.

"You didn’t know this time, so I’ll let you off the hook. Apologize to Vivienne next time, and don’t let it happen again."

"I understand, bro," Victor Sinclair replied immediately.

He got it. No matter how much Alexander liked Isabella, the legal wife had to be respected.

Jane was efficient, quickly sending me the footage from the set, along with a note: "CEO Hawthorne, the set’s surveillance system conveniently broke down, but this footage was accidentally captured by the behind-the-scenes photographer."

A flicker of thought crossed my mind.

The surveillance broke down—was it really a coincidence, or...?

After watching the video, I already had a judgment. I headed straight to Isabella’s attending physician’s office.

The doctor was on a break and looked a bit flustered when he saw me. "CEO Hawthorne, what brings you here at this time?"

"Doctor, I have a question."

"It’s about Miss Isabella’s injury, right? Ask away, I’ll be honest with you, no secrets."

"I want to know the actual extent of Miss Isabella’s burns."

The doctor’s face shifted, but he kept his composure. "CEO Hawthorne, I don’t know what you mean. The medical record clearly states her burn area." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

I remained calm, my eyes sharp, a small smile playing on my lips. "Dr. Wang, choose—offend Isabella or offend me."

"I’ll tell you," the doctor stammered. "Miss Isabella’s actual burn area is less than 1%. She only had two blisters on her legs. I didn’t want to say this, but she and her talent agent asked me to do it. The medical record wasn’t signed or stamped, so it’s not valid."

"So, Miss Isabella wasn’t actually unconscious?"

"Right. When she was brought to the hospital yesterday, she was fully conscious."

"Alright, I understand. Thank you."

I stood up and left the office.

I remembered that when I arrived at the hospital yesterday, it was already past nine, almost ten in the evening. Isabella’s waking time was in the morning, giving her a full night to cover up the lie.

I stood outside the hospital room in the corridor, gazing at the distant sky.

If I hadn’t asked directly, I would never have believed it. Isabella, together with her talent agent, had deceived me.

But why?

I had a pretty good guess in my heart, but I wanted to hear Isabella’s explanation.

I walked into the room.

Isabella smiled at me. “Alexander, you’re back. Actually, you didn’t have to stay out so long. The crew left a while ago.”

I gave a faint expression. “Just took a walk. How are you feeling now? Does it still hurt?”

“It hurts, really badly. That’s why I need you here with me. If you’re with me, the pain goes away.”

If I didn’t know better, I’d have stayed with her and comforted her.

But now that I understood she was acting, from an outsider’s perspective, it all felt a bit fake.

Her acting skills weren’t quite there; she needed more practice.

I remained calm. “Where does it hurt?”

Isabella replied, “My back, waist, thighs, and calves all hurt.”

“Your back? Did you burn your back too? But last night, Eliza said the burn was on your abdomen.”

Isabella’s expression froze for a moment, then she quickly corrected herself. “I... I also have burns on my abdomen, and it hurts too.”

“Really?”

I looked at Isabella with a scrutinizing gaze.

My eyes were sharp, almost like I could see right through her.

“Yes.”

Isabella met my eyes, forcing herself to nod, avoiding direct eye contact.

“But I think I made a mistake.”

“Eliza didn’t say the burn was on your abdomen. She said it was on your arm. Does your arm hurt?”

Isabella froze, immediately realizing she’d made a slip-up.

“Alexander, you know, don’t you? I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have lied to you.” Isabella’s face twisted with grievance, tears welling up in her eyes. “It’s all my fault. I was so scared. I was afraid you’d fall in love with Vivienne, that you’d leave me. Last night, you only sent me a text, and I thought you wouldn’t come to see me, so I did this. I missed you so much. I... I love you so much, Alexander. I can’t live without you.”

I stood there, expressionless, watching her cry in front of me.

By now, I no longer knew if her tears were real or just another act.

The last time we had a status update call, her words were nearly identical: she was scared because she loved me too much, so she made mistakes.

When you hear the same excuse too many times, it starts to lose its impact.

Seeing my lack of reaction, Isabella’s heart sank. She threw off the blanket, leaping into my arms, crying bitterly. “I’m sorry, Alexander. Please forgive me. I’ll listen to you from now on!”

I gently held her with one hand, then pulled out a small box from my pocket and placed it on the table. “Actually, I’ve already prepared a gift for you. Even if none of this had happened, I would’ve come to see you last night.”

Isabella sniffled, her voice thick with regret. “I was wrong. I’m so insecure, I shouldn’t have lied to you. Alexander, please forgive me. I’ll listen to you from now on.”

I glanced down at her. “Isabella, you shouldn’t be thinking like this. You don’t need to listen to me. You’re your own person. You’ve been living well on your own these past few years abroad. No one is indispensable.”

Isabella’s panic was evident. “Alexander, what do you mean by that? Do you not want to divorce Vivienne anymore? Do you not want me?”