Chapter 467

Brandon watched helplessly as the car entered Imperial Hills. Imperial Hills boasted stringent, well-equipped security. Only residents and their guests were permitted entry.

The guards didn't recognize Brandon, and despite his attempts to reason with them, he was denied access. But Brandon wasn't easily deterred. Alexander's secretive behavior fueled his curiosity; he had to see the woman who'd captivated his friend, or he wouldn't sleep.

After ensuring he was unobserved, Brandon examined the perimeter fence. It wasn't particularly high. He found a secluded spot, checked for visibility, and pretended to leave. Returning to the same spot, he attempted to climb the fence.

The moment his hands grasped the railing, and he launched himself upward, blinding floodlights illuminated him, and the security alarm blared, "Intruder alert! Intruder alert!" Already momentarily blinded, Brandon was now assaulted by the piercing alarm.

He had no choice but to let go. The alarm and lights soon ceased, restoring a semblance of peace. Climbing the fence was clearly impossible; Imperial Hills's security system proved more formidable than it appeared.

At the base of the fence, arms crossed, Brandon grumbled at Alexander, "Alex, you heartless wretch! Since finding love, you've become a terrible friend! You won't even let me into your house! This stupid neighborhood—just because you have security systems doesn't mean you can stop me! Just watch!"

Unable to scale the fence, Brandon called several friends. Instead of breaking in, he'd leverage his connections. Ten minutes later, he smoothly entered the residential area. The guards eyed him suspiciously, recognizing him from security footage, but after receiving confirmation from a resident, they reluctantly allowed him entry.

Knowing Alexander's block from previous visits, Brandon still resented his exclusion. By the time he reached Alexander's detached villa, he was breathless.

"Damn it! Why is this place so huge? How many people can even afford this?" he panted, hands on his thighs, hunched over. Finally at Alexander's house, he'd learned his lesson. Instead of the front door, he planned to enter via the garden.

Approaching the front door would only result in rejection. The garden, however, offered a stealthier approach, and the foliage would provide cover.

Backing up for momentum, he took a deep breath and ran. Just as he pushed off the garden wall, numbness washed over him, and he collapsed face-first.

A shockwave coursed through his body as he lay twitching on the ground, his limbs stiff and powerless.

"Mr. Oakley?" Edward's magnified face loomed over him in shock.

Brandon could only blink; his facial muscles were rigid, preventing even a smile.