Alex White let out a cold, dismissive laugh.

Isabella Austin pressed her lips together, her voice gentle as she said, "Your faces look... You should both clean up and treat those wounds, okay?"

Benjamin Gomez replied evenly, "It's nothing. Just a scratch."

Alex White's tone was sharp. "Get the gear loaded."

Emily Blair raised an eyebrow.

Well, here we go again. Looks like they're about to start another round.

Isabella frowned, scolding in a hushed voice, “Alex, don't talk like that."

Alex looked even more annoyed. "And you're taking his side now?"

A faint smile tugged at Benjamin's lips, which only seemed to rile Alex up more.

Isabella quickly tried to smooth things over. "No, I'm not taking sides! I just want you both to put some ointment on those cuts. Please, don't start fighting again."

Benjamin's gaze lingered on Isabella. "Isabella, why don't you come with me? It'll be easier with your help."

The words had barely left his mouth before Alex gritted his teeth. "Feeling brave again, are you?"

Benjamin shot him a cold look. "If you want another round, I'm right here."

"Daddy! Daddy!"

Before Emily Blair could react, a tiny figure darted past her and threw herself at Benjamin, wrapping small arms tightly around his leg and bursting into tears. “Daddy, you got hurt! Someone hit you!"

Emily's brows shot up.

Wait, hadn't she left Ashley at the nurse's station just a moment ago?

She glanced back and saw the nurse-Emily, as well-standing a short distance away, hands raised in helpless apology.

Emily Blair rubbed her forehead.

That was on her.

Benjamin didn't bother to question why Ashley had turned up here. Instead, he immediately knelt down to gather his little girl into a comforting hug.

"Sweetheart, you've got it all wrong. Nobody hit me these marks are just from a marker. See?" He smiled, trying to reassure her.

Ashley pouted, tears still streaking her cheeks. "You're lying, Daddy."

Benjamin's voice was warm and soothing. "I promise, I'm not lying. Daddy's tough; no one could hurt me, remember? And I told you I'd never lie to you..."

Off to the side, Alex was watching Ashley closely, his frown deepening the longer he stared.

Ashley was still so little, her features soft and innocent. There was nothing in her face that looked particularly like Isabella's, but her age, the timing of it all-Alex's mind started racing.

Isabella herself had frozen for a split second when she saw Ashley.

Then she abruptly looked up, catching Alex's eye.

Seeing the suspicion on his face, Isabella's heart skipped a beat, her palms suddenly clammy.

“Alex,” she said, her tone gentle but edged with a hint of urgency, “let me help you with your wounds, all right?"

Alex hesitated, searching her face. "Right now?"

Isabella forced a smile. "Of course. The sooner, the better."

Dennis Lane blinked up at Alex. "Mr. White, just listen to Mom and get cleaned up."

When Andrew Lane and Isabella married five years ago, Alex had gone abroad for further studies. Even after Dennis was born, Alex visited the Lane family every year to see Isabella and Dennis. As a result, Dennis felt comfortable with Alex-this uncle had always been kind to him.

Alex hovered, clearly wrestling with some unspoken question, but finally nodded. "Fine. Let's go."

Benjamin had just managed to calm Ashley when he overheard Isabella offering to help Alex with his wounds.

He nearly laughed out loud in disbelief. "Isabella, are you sure you want to take care of him?"

Isabella had already started toward Alex, but Benjamin's words made her pause, her steps faltering. She turned back, giving Benjamin a pleading look. “Benjamin... would you mind taking care of it yourself?"

Benjamin raised an eyebrow. “What do you think?"