Gossip Girl Reborn (Isabella and Alexander)
Gossip 184

Chapter 184 A Monthly Salary Of Five Hundred Thousand

Perhaps the atmosphere turned a bit eerie briefly, for the two individuals with the most amiable personalities voluntarily spoke up to break the awkward silence.

"We've only seen each other a handful of times. Have you forgotten us, Isabella? Haha... I'm Ines Deleon. Do you still remember me?"

Ines happened to be sitting next to Isabella, both enthusiastic and outgoing.

Those at the table were actually four to five years older than Isabella. Thus, Ines spoke as if she was teasing a young girl.

However, her youthful and sweet appearance had Isabella feel she appeared even younger than her.

Ines was a classic rich young lady, naive and innocent. Raised in a sheltered environment, she was pampered by her parents from young. She was the epitome of a kind girl with a good lot in life, naturally endearing to all.

The last time Isabella caused a scene and flipped the table, Ines was nearly caught in the crossfire and was traumatized. The fact that she could still treat Isabella enthusiastically then was due to Alexander and her curiosity about the latter, who had experienced a drastic change in temperament.

"I'm Aiden Burke, her boyfriend and your husband's former roommate during university." Aiden hugged Ines from behind, all smiles, handsome and cheerful.

He appeared carefree like Ines, but in reality, he was sensitive due to the early death of his birth mother and his continuous stream of stepmothers. Before he met Ines, he was a gloomy lad. However, after falling in love with Ines at first sight, he was changed completely, becoming part of the infamous dummy lovers.

From their university days until then, even with a long-distance relationship in between, they had always been passionately in love. They were considered a well-matched couple within their circle, lovers everyone blessed and acknowledged. The sight of them truly lifted one's spirits.

"Hello. I remember you both. Your bond is still as strong as ever."

Oh, not bad. Aside from the inconvenience of Aiden's good-for-nothing father deciding to have a new wife and forcing them to return for the wedding, this couple has no worries. They're even planning to discuss marriage.

The dummy couple loved it most when people praised their relationship, so they instantly felt more amicable toward Isabella.

Ines grinned widely and remarked, "You both are also getting along better now."

Initially, Alexander had been listening to Isabella's thoughts. When he suddenly heard Ines' words, an inexplicable sense of joy filled him.

His expression softened almost imperceptibly.

Others at the table thought Ines spoke too impulsively at first. But upon seeing Alexander's reaction then, they were stunned.

Isabella didn't refute that remark. After all, compared to the host, she had made considerable effort to avoid being hated by Alexander, all for the sake of alimony.

However, Ines certainly didn't mean it that way, and Isabella understood her meaning.

She's saying this now... but when Eleanor arrives later, will she feel awkward when she realizes her blunder? After all, she used to be quite close with Eleanor. With her so cute and innocent, it would surely be exciting to see her flustered in a while. Hehe... Words eluded Alexander.

Looking at Ines, who was still oblivious, Alexander felt that Isabella was bullying her, but he had no proof.

Meanwhile, Aiden recalled that Eleanor would be coming over. To save his girlfriend from feeling awkward later, he quickly changed the subject, saying to Isabella, "Do you still remember the others? I can do the introductions." Isabella had already turned to look at others since there wasn't much gossip concerning the couple before her.

"I don't need you to introduce me. I can handle it myself. It's been a while. I'm Damien Winters."

The person who first greeted her was a refined gentleman with glasses. He appeared amiable, his expression appropriate, but his gaze was unfathomable. He was seated next to Aiden, his other side vacant. It seemed like he was the only bachelor at the table. But right after Isabella had greeted him in return, she immediately turned her attention to the woman diagonally across from her. The woman looked calm and quiet, her sitting posture elegant. She wore unique jewelry that was stunning yet not ostentatious. Upon seeing Isabella suddenly look her way, she was taken aback, puzzled as to why her attention abruptly shifted to her.

Damien, who remained seated, shifted slightly because of that unexpected occurrence.

"You still remember Deborah? I get it now. You've heard that she'll soon be Damien's cousin-in-law, so you looked at her, huh? We'll all be attending their wedding before long," Ines said with a laugh. Alexander recalled the information Isabella previously disclosed-a person whose crush was about to marry his cousin.

Speaking of cousin, he immediately remembered that Damien's cousin was about to get married. However, the person marrying his cousin was none other than their good friend, Deborah.

Although they were friends within the same circle, their relationships varied in closeness. As far as he remembered, even during their university years, Damien and Deborah barely spoke one-on-one. After graduation, they never met privately unless it was a group gathering.

Therefore, even after speculating about it, he still couldn't be entirely certain.

Well, not until that Isabella's thoughts played at that moment.

Holy cr*p! This is unbelievable. Damien has been secretly in love with Deborah for almost a decade, but in Deborah's eyes, they're practically strangers. Not only does she think so, but everyone in their circle surprisingly thinks that they're unfamiliar with each other, their connection merely a coincidence due to a marriage alliance. Good heavens! Is Damien some secret agent?

Shock inundated Alexander.

So, it's actually true! Never mind that I hadn't noticed it in the past decade, but has everyone else also been oblivious? I don't understand. Why had Damien been crushing on her for so long yet never attempted to confess his feelings?

Just then, Isabella's thought rang out again. Oh, I see... So, that's how it is? Good heavens... I'm at a loss for words... Forget it. Let him watch as the woman he loves marries someone else.

No, don't just sigh and say nothing! What's the reason exactly?

For once, Alexander was eager for gossip.

Both Damien and Deborah looked at Isabella in puzzlement as the look in her eyes when she gazed at them was undeniably peculiar.

However, it wasn't long before Isabella changed targets because someone called out to her.

"Hey, do you still remember me?" Clifford raised an eyebrow. His tone wasn't exactly friendly but not provocative either. Isabella once scolded him, so he was still somewhat bothered. He was somewhat curious to see her awkwardness when facing him then.

Unexpectedly, she merely glanced at him before shifting her attention to the girl beside him.

Her intrigued scrutiny instantly triggered him.

"What are you looking at?" he demanded.

"Who is this?" Isabella asked curiously right away.

"She's Zendaya Hebert," Clifford said without mentioning that she was his girlfriend. He nudged the girl, signaling her to greet Isabella.

The expressions of the others changed in an instant. Only Alexander, driven by curiosity, looked over. He immediately understood who Isabella had been going on about previously.

Zendaya Hebert was very young, but it seemed as if she had purposefully put on makeup, somewhat deliberately crafting an appearance. She greatly resembled one of their classmates.

Isabella's thoughts promptly echoed. Oh, she's the stand-in of his first crush, huh? Holy cr*p! A monthly salary of five hundred thousand! What a... pretty good job! Wait. What? Haha... Clifford thinks that even though she accepts the money, she actually has feelings for him! She only takes the money to hide her true feelings because of their agreement-he forbade her from falling in love with him! Seriously, where did he get his confidence from? Pfft! He has no idea that she's almost done saving up, planning to end their collaboration once she gets her salary this month!