Chapter 225: Why Did You Interfere?

The socializing Quirk family members scattered, startled. What had they just heard? Even from a distance, the words were shocking: Stephanie's boyfriend—the man they'd just seen—was Owen Ford's illegitimate son?

David and Selena happened to be facing Daphne, who, with a laugh, engaged Selena in conversation, feigning obliviousness. In the circles of the wealthy and influential, both David and Owen were considered upstanding men. Yet, Owen’s illegitimate child was nearly Roland’s age—a revelation that was simply astounding.

Evian and Rosalie saw Rosalie escorting the new bride downstairs, his face beaming. Meanwhile, Christopher, outside, saw Ethan casually returning.

"It's no wonder he looks weird," someone muttered. "Did he get surgery after Roland ruined his face?"

But Roland didn't know about Ethan's parentage, so why would he have attacked him? Besides, Roland wouldn't act rashly, even if he knew the truth. It wasn't the illegitimate child's fault. Roland was actually quite compassionate.

Then, Isabella’s piercing scream cut through the air. The Quirk family tensed. What was wrong? What secret could be bigger than an illegitimate child?

Isabella: "It can't be! This is impossible!"

The Quirks: "What? What's impossible?!"

Isabella: "Roland's wife is pregnant… with Ethan's child!"

Stunned silence followed.

"Wait a minute… what did you just say? Whose wife? Whose child?"

Alexander, standing beside Isabella, was equally astonished, his gaze fixed on her. Lost in the shock of the gossip, Isabella didn't notice.

Isabella: "Ethan bullied Sasha in high school, and Roland saved her! How could Sasha possibly…"

The Quirks: "Was she threatened or coerced? Poor girl! That's a nightmare."

Alexander: "That doesn't make sense. Given Roland's status, there's no way Sasha would have been bullied so severely. Roland could have easily dealt with Ethan if Sasha had spoken up."

Isabella: "Blackmail! Ethan must have had something on Sasha. That's the only reason…"

Isabella, who always viewed Sasha as timid, couldn't understand how Sasha could be carrying Ethan's child. She felt like she was missing vital information, and began to analyze the situation.

Isabella: "No coercion, no blackmail, no… ugh."

She trailed off. The Quirks waited, breathless, only to be met with silence.

"What on earth happened? The silence is killing me!"

Then, a gasp escaped Isabella.

Isabella: "Roland, you really are the most unfortunate soul in the universe!"

The Quirks' hearts pounded.

Isabella: "Why did you interfere? She actually wanted to be treated that way!"

The Quirks were speechless as their assumptions crumbled.

"Could it be…? Could Sasha have actually enjoyed the bullying? Is this a mental illness?"

Isabella: "Sasha had just started school when she spilled water on Ethan, attracting his attention. Her shabby clothes, quiet demeanor, and lack of parental supervision fueled his arrogance. The torment escalated to physical abuse—punches and kicks became commonplace. At first, she complained to the teacher, but Ethan retaliated worse each time. Eventually, her classmates isolated her out of fear."

Isabella: "Then, Roland, a senior, witnessed Ethan attacking Sasha with other girls. He intervened, took her to the infirmary, helped her, reported the incident, and ensured Ethan's parents were called to school." The Quirk family was confused. Wasn't this a classic hero saving the damsel?

"But even if Sasha didn't fall for the hero, she couldn't possibly love her tormentor… right?"

Isabella: "Sasha felt fear and resentment toward Ethan, but gratitude for Roland. Later, she overheard Ethan arguing with Owen (who she only knew as Ethan's father, not realizing he was also Roland's father). Owen harshly reprimanded Ethan, even slapping him, warning him about his status as an illegitimate child and threatening to send him away. Ethan called him 'Dad,' but was silenced."

The Quirks: "Okay… and? How does this relate to Sasha's affection for Ethan?"

Isabella: "After Owen left, Ethan cried in the rain. Sasha, feeling compassion, offered him her umbrella. He was initially hostile, but her pity eventually broke him. He embraced her and cried, then impulsively kissed her. She resisted at first, but eventually stopped struggling. And that's how Sasha found a place for Ethan in her heart."

The Quirks: "Is this… some kind of coming-of-age story? They started a campus romance. But how did Roland get involved?"

Isabella: "Ethan felt embarrassed afterward and wanted to forget it. Sasha wasn't demanding either, so their relationship remained unchanged on the surface. Ethan, rebellious and wanting to compete with Roland for their father's attention, retaliated even more fiercely against Sasha because Roland was protecting her."

Isabella: "But Roland thought the initial lesson was enough. Sasha also didn't want Ethan expelled, so she endured his abuse and kept it from Roland. When Ethan realized Roland wasn't paying Sasha much attention, he lost interest in her and pursued other women who liked Roland. This made Sasha anxious and she subconsciously revealed her distress to Roland, who noticed something was wrong."