008 - One Of Many

Daniel's party mood soured in an instant. He gently pulled Izabella to his side, the latter's shorter stature perfectly hidden behind him. Daniel was acting like a knight shielding his princess, and it did not make Seara any happier.

"And what are you doing here?"

Seara gasped a second time, offended by the mere question.

"I am around, so of course I am invited!"

Brandon leaned closer to Daniel and whispered through gritted teeth, "She happens to be in the area, so she invited herself to our beach party..."

Daniel sighed inwardly. If he knew that Seara was here, he wouldn't come in the first place.

The barbecue party on the beach, expected to cheer Izabella up, had devolved into another battleground between two women.

"We should go," he softly whispered to Izabella. "I will take you somewhere else."

"No, no, no."

Brandon held onto Izabella's free arm, not without awkwardly fidding with the crutch.

"It's Bella's first party after exiting the hospital. I didn't even know that you two keep in touch with each other. I want to hear everything. Hey, Seara, grab a drumstick and get lost. Don't cause a ruckus over here."

Seara's nostrils flared in fury. After shooting every single one of them icy glares, she turned on her heel and headed toward the grill area.

Izabella, whose arms were held by Daniel and Brandon each, kept looking at the blood brothers in confusion.

"Uh..."

"Are you hurt?" Daniel asked.

"Daniel, you are so insensitive!" Brandon exclaimed. "Her leg is hurt! Of course she can't stand around for so long! Come, Bella, come and sit near the campfire."

Brandon was friendly by nature, but he was especially friendly to Bella tonight. Daniel couldn't help but wonder if there was more to this than met the eye.

It turned out that he was right.

After setting Izabella up with food and drinks on a cozy spot next to the campfire, Brandon dragged Daniel to the side and whispered to him urgently, "So, have you taken a fancy on her after saving her life? Is this serious or is she only a summer fling?"

"..."

Daniel shot Brandon a dirty look.

"Do you really have such a low opinion about me?"

"Nooo!"

Brandon gave his elder brother a hearty pat on the shoulder.

"In fact, I have a very high opinion about you. During our three years in university, although you have girls batting their eyelids at you from every corner, you have never once given them your attention.

You have even earned yourself a nickname, 'The Frosty Prince of Hillsbrook City'."

Daniel scowled. As if he didn't know that.

The girls at the university never called him by that nickname in the face, but he still found out in the end.

"So tell me, what's the deal with you and Bella?"

"There is no deal, just an employment agreement," Daniel smoothly answered.

Brandon's excitement was extinguished in a flash.

"Huh?"

"Listen up, Li'l Bro, she is going to be Mr. Bennett's assistant. Mr. Bennett is always busy surveying the fields and the workers. He doesn't have time to handle the ranch's internal matters. Bella is neat, meticulous, and hardworking. She will be a great addition to the ranch."

"..."

It turned out that Young Master Daniel Prescott was not on the look for a girlfriend, but a capable help.

Brandon didn't know whether to admire or pity his handsome elder brother.

"Are you sure that there's not something else to it?" Brandon asked again.

"Like what?"

"I mean... Daniel, look."

Brandon grabbed Daniel by the shoulders and turned him around for a better look at Izabella.

"Bella is a pretty girl, isn't she? Dark blond, wavy hair like a sun-kissed wheat field, eyes the color of the ocean surrounding a tropical island, and a smile as sweet and innocent as a summer breeze.

Sure, she is dressed like 18th-century's governess, but we can fix that. Well? Does she not make your heart throb?"

"..."

Certainly, the girl sitting by the campfire was a beauty.

Izabella's beauty transcended superficial adornments.

Her eyes, sparkling with an inner light, outshone any diamond necklace.

And her smile, sweeter than honey, possessed an undeniable, unique charm.

All boys in vicinity couldn't help but take a second look when they passed by her.

If they had not seen her coming with Daniel, they might have struck up a conversation or two.

Yes, Daniel agreed that Izabella was enchanting in her own way.

"Hillsbrook City is full of beautiful women from all over the world," Daniel quipped. "She is only one of many."

Beauty alone could not move Daniel's heart.

Brandon cut a grimace behind his elder brother's back.

Maybe Daniel was gay.

There was no other explanation to it.

Straight men would develop heart flutter just by looking at Izabella.

Izabella stretched her arms in the fire's direction to warm herself.

She was minding her own business, but trouble came knocking soon enough.

Seara made her appearance again, but this time she wasn't alone. She had an entourage consisting of five other girls with her. All of them belonged to Daniel Prescott's inofficial fan group.

"Uh, oh..."

Brandon stepped forward to diffuse the situation, but Daniel held him back.

"...?"

"Wait a little bit," Daniel said, his eyes locked onto Izabella. "I want to see if she can handle it."

"..."

Brandon swallowed hard.

He was all for a sexy girl fight, but nothing was sexy if Seara and her cronies were involved.

Seara towered over Izabella and sneered, "Aren't you the shameless one?"

"Pardon me?" Izabella narrowed her eyes at her opponent.

"Is this a commoner's ruse to get a wealthy man?" Seara scoffed, and the other girls followed suit with their own unique insults.

"I mean, what do you expect from someone with such a low status?"

"Daniel Prescott is too kind for his own good."

"He was deceived by her looks."

Seara whipped around and glared at the girl who just spoke.

"Are you suggesting that she looks good?"

The girl gasped.

"No, of course not!" She snapped. "This... This bitch is uglier than the ugliest dog I had ever seen!"

Brandon pulled a grimace.

Daniel narrowed his eyes in distaste.

Izabella, on the other hand, remained indifferent. But if one looked closer, one would notice anger flickering in the depth of her pupils.

Izabella's lack of reaction did not please Seara at all.

"Are you mute, stupid maid???" Seara snapped. One of her hands was raised to strike Izabella, but the slap never landed.

Her wrist was seized before her fingers made contact with Izabella's cheek.

Seara raised her eyes and stared at Daniel's cold facial expression.

"Have you forgotten what I told you today, Seara?"