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The Surrogate He Discarded

Chapter 175: Their Protectiveness · Oct 11, 2026

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Chapter List (283)

Page number / 6

151 Chapter 151: The Weight Of Blood 2026-10-11
152 Chapter 152: Setting Him Up 2026-10-11
153 Chapter 153: His Memories of the Little Isobel 2026-10-11
154 Chapter 154: Her Decisive Act 2026-10-11
155 Chapter 155: The Weight Of A Confession 2026-10-11
156 Chapter 156: The Deep Connection 2026-10-11
157 Chapter 157: A Brother Or A Lover? 2026-10-11
158 Chapter 158: Charlotte’s Schemes 2026-10-11
159 Chapter 159: Charlotte’s Comeuppance 2026-10-11
160 Chapter 160: Baby Alex Took Offense 2026-10-11
161 Chapter 161: Trouble In The Family 2026-10-11
162 Chapter 162: The One Who Paid The Price 2026-10-11
163 Chapter 163: Charlotte’s Troubles 2026-10-11
164 Chapter 164: He Is Drifting Away 2026-10-11
165 Chapter 165: The Confession 2026-10-11
166 Chapter 166: Was He Wrong All Along? 2026-10-11
167 Chapter 167: The Truth Behind the Crash 2026-10-11
168 Chapter 168: The Storm That Was Kristoff 2026-10-11
169 Chapter 169: Forever Hold Your Peace 2026-10-11
170 Chapter 170: She Is Trending! 2026-10-11
171 Chapter 171: Breaking The Engagement 2026-10-11
172 Chapter 172: Charlotte’s Game 2026-10-11
173 Chapter 173: Kristoff’s Resolve 2026-10-11
174 Chapter 174: The Morning Guest 2026-10-11
175 Chapter 175: Their Protectiveness 2026-10-11
176 Chapter 176: Strangers in the Alley 2026-10-11
177 Chapter 177: Strangers in the Alley 2 2026-10-11
178 Chapter 178: Angels Without Wings 2026-10-11
179 Chapter 179: Angels Without Wings 2 2026-10-11
180 Chapter 180: Their Home 2026-10-11
181 Chapter 181: The Grandfather 2026-10-11
182 Chapter 182: A Name From The Past 2026-10-11
183 Chapter 183: A Daughter Returned 2026-10-11
184 Chapter 184: Emergency Room 2026-10-11
185 Chapter 185: The Plot Against Kristoff 2026-10-11
186 Chapter 186: The Man Who Was Kristoff 2026-10-11
187 Chapter 187: The Man That Was Kristoff 2 2026-10-11
188 Chapter 188: Attacked In The Hospital 2026-10-11
189 Chapter 189: Attacked In The Hospital 2 2026-10-11
190 Chapter 190: The Power Play Between Two CEOs 2026-10-11
191 Chapter 191: Scolded! 2026-10-11
192 Chapter 192: The Truth Came To Light 2026-10-11
193 Chapter 193: The Truth Came To Light 2 2026-10-11
194 Chapter 194: Who Is He? 2026-10-11
195 Chapter 195: The Man In The Shadows 2026-10-11
196 Chapter 196: Love Turned Hate 2026-10-11
197 Chapter 197: Unholy Alliance 2026-10-11
198 Chapter 198: Unholy Alliance 2 2026-10-11
199 Chapter 199: His Wolfish Ambition 2026-10-11
200 Chapter 200: The Visitors 2026-10-11

Richard couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

He glanced at Morgan, hoping to find some clue in the younger man’s expression, but Morgan’s face revealed nothing.

His arms were folded across his chest, his stance guarded, his eyes fixed on Richard with the unmistakable scrutiny of a man who was measuring whether he could be trusted.

Richard turned back to Julian.

Why is he acting like Isobel’s father?

He cleared his throat.

”Sir Julian, Isobel isn’t a child anymore. She’s already an adult. She can take care of herself.”

He offered a small, reassuring smile.

”She’s tough. She grew up in an orphanage, after all. She’s learned how to survive on her own.”

Julian’s expression remained unreadable.

”Is that what you think?”

Richard’s smile faded. There was no anger in Julian’s voice. That somehow made it worse.

Julian’s gaze settled on him, calm and unwavering.

”And yet, she was kidnapped.”

Richard’s face stiffened.

”She almost died, there.”

The words landed like a blow.

Richard’s eyes dropped.

”I’m sorry, Sir. I was out of line.”

For a moment, none of them spoke. The silence stretched between them.

Richard looked at Julian again.

And for the first time, he noticed something beneath the older man’s composed exterior.

Fear.

It was there only for a fleeting second, buried beneath years of discipline and restraint.

But Richard saw it.

It wasn’t fear for himself.

It was the fear of a man who had come dangerously close to losing someone he loved—and who had no intention of ever experiencing that helplessness again.

Julian’s expression hardened.

”So forgive me if I don’t find the fact that she’s an adult particularly reassuring.”

Richard swallowed.

He finally understood that this wasn’t simply about whether Isobel could take care of herself.

It was about the people who cared about her.

And there was clearly far more to the relationship between Isobel and the Fosters than he knew.

Julian’s gaze softened by the slightest degree.

”Take good care of her.”

Richard nodded.

”I will.”

”And bring her home safely.”

”I will, Mr. Foster.”

Julian held his gaze for another moment. It was a silent assessment.

Then, apparently satisfied, he stepped aside.

Morgan didn’t move.

Richard looked at him.

The younger man unfolded his arms.

”One more thing.”

Morgan stepped closer.

Close enough that his next words were meant for Richard alone.

”Your Aunt Su visited me at my office.”

Richard’s brows drew together.

”She confessed.”

Morgan’s voice was quiet, but there was nothing gentle about it.

”She admitted that she was behind Isobel’s kidnapping.”

Richard went rigid.

For a moment, he could only stare at him.

My aunt confessed to Morgan?

Morgan’s eyes remained cold. There was no need to raise his voice. The fury beneath it was enough.

Richard met his gaze and nearly took a step backward.

”I’m sorry.”

His voice came out strained.

”I dragged Isobel into this. I never imagined my aunt could do something like that.”

Morgan’s expression didn’t soften.

”Don’t worry.”

He paused.

”Isobel will be compensated.”

Richard frowned.

”Compensated?”

”Ask your aunt about it.”

Something about Morgan’s tone told Richard there was more to that statement than he was willing to explain.

Richard nodded slowly.

Then Morgan’s expression changed.

Not drastically. Just enough for Richard to realize the next words were about the past.

”I saw how much you helped Isobel back then. You were there for her when she needed someone.”

Richard remained silent.

”If it hadn’t been for that,” Morgan continued, ”do you think you’d be standing here now, asking to take Isobel out?”

Richard’s breath caught.

The question wasn’t rhetorical.

Morgan was telling him, in the most indirect way possible, that Richard had earned the privilege of being trusted with Isobel—but that privilege could just as easily be lost.

Richard lowered his gaze for a moment. Then he looked back at Morgan.

”I understand.”

Morgan studied him for another second. Apparently, that answer was enough.

He turned and followed Julian toward the dining room.

Before disappearing through the doorway, however, he glanced back one last time.

The message in his eyes was unmistakable.

Don’t hurt her.

Richard remained standing in the living room, watching them disappear.

His mind raced.

There was something about the Foster family and Isobel that he didn’t understand.

Something deeper. Something personal.

I need to find out what their relationship with Isobel really is.

...

Back in the dining hall, Isobel was still struggling to finish her breakfast.

She had already eaten half her toast and was hurriedly working her way through her milk when Leanne gently touched her arm.

”Dear, don’t eat so quickly.”

Isobel glanced toward the doorway.

”But they’ve been gone for so long.”

Leanne smiled knowingly.

”They’re meeting your friend.”

Isobel sighed.

”That’s what worries me.”

Leanne laughed softly.

”You don’t know how protective your father can be.”

She cast an amused glance toward Judy.

”Your brother-in-law had a very difficult time pursuing your sister because of him.”

”Mom, stop saying nonsense.”

Judy, who had been quietly eating, finally looked up.

Leanne merely laughed.

Isobel shook her head, trying not to smile.

Of course, she did not know her father well.

She did not know yet, that when Julian Foster became protective, there was very little anyone could do about it.

...

Meanwhile, in the living room, Richard stood before one of the large landscape paintings hanging on the wall.

He had been staring at it for several minutes.

He couldn’t remember a single detail of the painting.

His mind was still occupied with the strange conversation he had just endured.

Julian’s warning.

Morgan’s threat.

His aunt’s confession.

And, most troubling of all, the inexplicable way both men seemed to care about Isobel.

Who exactly is she to them?

Footsteps suddenly echoed across the marble floor.

Richard straightened. He turned toward the sound.

For one absurd moment, he expected to see Julian and Morgan returning to finish what felt suspiciously like an interrogation.

Instead—

Isobel appeared at the entrance.

Richard forgot everything.

She was dressed simply in black jeans and a crisp white shirt. Her long hair fell freely over her shoulders, cascading down her back like a curtain of black silk.

There was nothing elaborate about her appearance.

And yet, to Richard, she had never looked more beautiful.

Then she smiled.

A warm, effortless smile meant only for him.

Richard’s heart slammed against his chest. Then it began pounding like a war drum.

All the questions he had been asking himself moments ago vanished.

The strange relationship between Isobel and the Foster family could wait.

For now, all Richard could think about was her.

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