Twisted Ties of Love novel Chapter 515

"You're the ruthless, heartless one! Do you think everyone in the world is like you, Brett?"

Izabella, weathered by countless trials, had mastered the art of hiding her emotions. Her face, now, was merely a shade paler, betraying no sign of turmoil. But her dark eyes were icy as they bore into Brett, brimming with a fierce determination that was almost suffocating.

"Not the whole world, just every single member of the Windham family, just like you said. We're all like rats, crawling in the dark and dirty sewers of life," Brett retorted, his voice cold and somber.

Izabella had grown up in such an environment, and thus, she failed to understand his fear. In the Windham family, people would stop at nothing to gain power and status, using even the vilest means imaginable.

As the saying goes, "a leopard can't change its spots," and such is true for the Windhams. Their reputation over the years has been built on ruthlessness.

Izabella often called him heartless, a demon devoid of emotions. But growing up in such an environment, any hint of emotion would only serve as a fatal weakness.

Who wouldn't want to grow up surrounded by warmth and affection? But his parents had been murdered by his own uncle. Patrick Windham, his heart knew the truth, but without any evidence, he chose to stand aside, coldly watching the events unfold.

Brett had survived in such an environment, living in the darkness without his parents' protection. He stumbled along, doing whatever it took to survive, to get what he wanted.

The Windham family had maintained their status over the years by stepping over bodies, the blood of their victims staining their path to power.

His Aunt Casey, her mother, was also brought up under such teachings. Growing up in such an environment, how could Brett ever trust a Windham?

If a person is born in darkness and never sees the light, they'll come to believe the whole world is dark.

He was diagnosed with lung cancer, with not much time left. He loved Izabella, whether it was due to possessiveness or a need for control, he didn't care. If he didn't love her so much, why would he hold onto something that was clearly impossible?

After his death, there would be no one else for Izabella in this world. She could meet people even more troublesome than him. If the Dempsey family gave up on Izabella this time, and Casey couldn't fully protect her, he would never give these people a chance to get close to Izabella again.

The most difficult test in life is human nature. If Izabella didn't want to do it, he would take the gamble and show her the reality.

If Izabella won the bet, and the Dempsey family, or Casey, stayed by her side, not using her, not abandoning her, loving and cherishing her, he would die content, even if Izabella never understood him and hated him.

Izabella stepped forward, stopping three seconds in front of him before suddenly slapping him in the face.

"Smack!" The force was mutual. Whether Brett felt the pain, Izabella didn't know, but her palm was tingling.

"Brett, you really are a leopard that can't change its spots."

In Brett's calm heart, it felt as if a sharp stone had fallen, causing a dull ache.

"Ms. Salotti." Liam began, but Brett waved him off.

Izabella always felt Brett hadn't changed. He was still as obsessed and crazy as before.

But if it were the old him, he wouldn't waste so much time. He would have directly ordered someone to take Izabella back. Why would her emotions matter to him?

But now, even the slightest change in Izabella's expression would tug at his heart.

"Izabella, I'll be waiting for you to come find me. One day, you'll understand why I did what I did."

Sure, Izabella was successful, but her 80 billion-dollar company couldn't save the Dempsey family, especially with Brett's constant pressure.

As the ambulance arrived, Izabella unexpectedly met Brett's cold gaze, as distant as ever.

In the end, Izabella ran to Casey, while Brett stood quietly, as if everything around him didn't concern him. He watched her fiery figure disappear into the distance.

Finally, Liam spoke, "President Windham, let's go."

Brett turned and walked away, the cool night breeze causing him to shiver. He looked up at the night sky.