Chapter 424
Brotherly Protection
“What’s going on here?” Alfred’s voice carried an edge of irritation.
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He’d only stepped away for a minute to grab Arabella a drink, and already these guys swarmed around her.
had
“Nothing, man. We just saw your friend standing here alone and thought she might be bored, so we figured we’d keep her company,” one of them explained quickly.
Alfred’s tone was flat. “She doesn’t need company. Back off.”
“Alright, alright. We’re gone.” The group scattered immediately, none of them stupid enough to risk getting decked.
“You okay?” Alfred asked Arabella, his voice softening with concern.
Arabella shook her head. “I’m fine.”
“Here.” He handed her the glass. “Just hang on a little longer. Grandpa and Grandma are catching up with some old friends. We’ll go say hi when they’re free, and then we can take off.”
Arabella’s eyes widened in surprise. “How did you know?”
How could he possibly read her mind like that?
Alfred smiled, the kind of warm, doting smile he only ever had for her. “You’re my sister. Of course I know what you’re thinking. If you weren’t worried about hurting Grandpa and Grandma’s feelings, you probably wouldn’t have shown up at all today.”
He could see it in her face–the boredom, the way she was just enduring it. She didn’t belong in this kind of scene, and she knew it.
Arabella smiled softly. “Yeah. If I didn’t come, I was afraid they’d overthink it. Worry that I’m unhappy, or that something’s wrong.”
Otherwise, she really wouldn’t have bothered. Besides, she figured Naomi would probably prefer it if she weren’t here anyway.
“I still don’t get why you won’t let Mom and Dad tell everyone who you really are.” Alfred’s curiosity got the better of him. “Then you wouldn’t have to hide in the corner like this. You could just walk over and say hi. Grandpa and Grandma actually wanted to introduce you to those old friends of theirs.”
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Chapter 424 Brotherly Protection
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Arabella shook her head. “Alfred, I’m just not comfortable with that. I like things the way they are. And honestly, I have my own stuff going on. If everyone knew I was a Hamilton, it would just make things complicated.”
Without that label attached to her, it was easier to move around, handle her own business. Once people knew, once she was on everyone’s radar, things would get a lot more restricted.
Alfred let out a low laugh. “Complicated? Having the Hamilton name behind you would only make things casier.”
Arabella raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing at her lips. “Then how come you’ve never gone public about being a Hamilton?
“And Frank, and Ethan–no one knows who they really are either, right?” She looked him straight in the eye, letting the question hang.
Alfred paused, then smiled, shaking his head. “Fair point.”
He wanted her life to be casier, but if that wasn’t what she wanted, he’d back her choice no matter what.
“Who are those people over there?” Arabella shifted the subject.
Alfred glanced over. “Sons of some of the top families in Doranor City. Business giants, old money.”
Arabella nodded. Anyone invited here was close to the Hamiltons, so they definitely weren’t nobodies.
“You don’t need to pay them any attention. They might be a big deal elsewhere, but here? They don’t measure up. No one’s really worth your time,” Alfred said dismissively.
Arabella laughed. “So who do you think would be good enough for me?”
Alfred thought for a second, then scowled. “Honestly? No one.”
Who could possibly deserve his sister? He couldn’t think of a single person.
Arabella laughed out loud, genuinely amused. “Then I’ll just stay single. Sounds pretty good to
me.”
“Wait–no.” Alfred’s expression shifted immediately. “That’s not happening.”
“Why not?” Arabella raised an eyebrow. He’d just said no one was good enough.
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Chapter 424 Brotherly Protection
Alfred leaned in, lowering his voice. “At the very least, don’t ever tell Mom I said that.”
Arabella blinked, then burst out laughing again as she caught his meaning.
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Watching her light up like that, Alfred muttered, “Whoever ends up with you better treat you right. Otherwise, I’ll knock his teeth out.”
“Okay.” Arabella smiled, warmth in her eyes. “With you watching my back, I don’t think anyone would dare mess with me, no matter who it is.”
She knew how much he loved her, how protective he was. She didn’t want him worrying too much.
“Damn right. I’ll always have your back.” Alfred thumped his chest.
Not far away, the group of guys who’d been shooed off were watching the whole scene, jaws practically on the floor.
“Is that really Alfred Hamilton? The cold, unfeeling one?”
“Yeah… I think so.”
“This is insane. I don’t even trust my own eyes anymore.”
No one really knew exactly what Alfred did for a living, but everyone knew his reputation. Cold. Distant. Untouchable. Who had ever seen him smile like that?
“I told you that girl was more than just some random friend to him, but nobody believed me.” One of them puffed up smugly, proud of his read on the situation.
“Man, that’s rough. Girls like that don’t come around often.”
“Shut up. You know how protective Alfred is. If he hears you talking like that, he’ll knock you into next week.”
The group went dead quiet.
Across the room, Naomi and Ruby watched from a distance, their expressions sour, their eyes dark with resentment.