Chapter 1027
No.1
“You’re too generous. Far better than that wretched Isabella! Remembering how she pursued me makes my skin crawl.”
As he spoke, inspiration struck. Isabella had adored Alexander from age three to eighteen. A fifteen-year infatuation! How could she just stop? Her targeted tweets about him were clearly attention-seeking ploys!
If Victoria used Alexander to manipulate Isabella, turning her into a docile housewife…
The idea thrilled her, but she masked it with a guilty demeanor, lowering her head.
“Oh… That’s right. Alexander, darling, Grandpa already transferred fifteen percent to Isabella. I’m afraid I can’t help you secure the shares anymore.”
Alexander frowned. Already? So fast?
Five years ago, the Whitmore and Montgomery families forced him to marry the grotesque Isabella. He loathed her, but always coveted the Montgomery shares. Marrying her would have granted him control.
Noticing his concern, Victoria gently cautioned, “Alexander, darling, I believe Isabella still loves you. Think: Why is she still single despite being the Diamond Queen? Her tweets focus on you, despite her massive following. She’s likely seeking your attention!
“If we revive our five-year plan—making her obsessed with you—she’ll probably transfer her shares and the diamond mine to you!”
No.2
Alexander’s eyes darkened. Victoria was right. Marrying Isabella would grant him the shares and the mine. Coordinating with Victoria, they could seize the remaining shares and take over the entire Montgomery empire!
He looked at her in awe. “Victoria, you’re genius! Are you sure you’re comfortable with me marrying her?”
They had Grandpa’s permission. Once they obtained the engagement token, they could wed.
Victoria replied softly, “Alexander, darling, I’ll miss you, but I believe in our future beyond this pain. I trust you won’t fall for her.”
Even if he did, Victoria had contingency plans. Everything would proceed as she orchestrated.
She continued, “Once you marry Isabella, you’ll get her diamond mine plus the family shares. You’ll become Westchester’s wealthiest. I’d sacrifice anything for you, even temporary separation,” she murmured, nestling into his arms.
Warmth flooded Alexander. He felt blessed to have such an understanding fiancée.
“Don’t worry, Victoria. I won’t fail you,” he vowed sincerely.
Dusk settled. Isabella had conversed with her grandfather extensively but still couldn’t uncover his secret. She departed only after he fell asleep. Approaching her motorcycle, a sleek black Rolls-Royce pulled alongside.
No.3
The window lowered, revealing Alexander in the backseat. He wore a tailored white suit, his appearance refined and aristocratic.
“Get in. I’ll take you home,” he commanded, as if bestowing a favor.
Isabella gave him a cold stare. “You? Drive me? Overestimate yourself much?” She rolled her eyes, swinging onto her bike.
Alexander was stunned. Since when did this once-devoted follower address him with such arrogance? She sounded contemptuous. Furious, he recalled the plan.
He exited the car. “Isabella, can we talk?”
“Talk? About when you’ll eat shit?” She scoffed, igniting the engine.
As she prepared to leave, he dashed in front of the bike. “Isabella, can’t we communicate? I know you’re angry about five years ago, but it’s been ages. Why hold a grudge? Can’t we discuss this civilly? Why be so petty?”
“Me? Petty? Ha!” She laughed derisively. “You’re right. I’m petty. Anyone who hurts me gets run over.” She revved the accelerator, aiming directly at him.
The motorcycle lunged forward like a predator, speeding toward where Alexander stood.
No.4
“Oh… that’s right, Alexander darling. Grandpa already transferred fifteen percent of the Montgomery shares to Isabella. I’m afraid I can’t help you secure them anymore.”
Alexander frowned. Already? So soon?
Five years ago, the Whitmore and Montgomery families pressured him into marrying the unattractive and uncultured Isabella.
He resented her for it, but he always intended to seize the Montgomery family shares and take over their business. He believed marriage would grant him control of her inheritance.
Noticing his troubled expression, Victoria gently advised, “Alexander darling, I think Isabella still loves you. Why else would someone of her status—the Diamond Boss—remain unmarried all this time?
“Her social media is still filled with posts about you, despite her massive following. She might be trying to get your attention.
“If we restart our original plan—making her obsessed with you again—she’ll likely transfer her shares and the diamond mine to you!”
Alexander’s gaze sharpened. Victoria was right. If he could marry Isabella, the shares and the mine would become his. Then, working with Victoria, they could secure the remaining family shares and take over the entire Montgomery empire!
He looked at her with admiration. “Victoria, you’re brilliant! But are you truly comfortable with me marrying her?”
No.5
Alexander and Victoria already had Grandpa’s approval. Once they retrieved the engagement token, they could proceed.
Victoria replied in a soft, understanding tone, “Alexander darling, of course I’ll miss you, but this temporary sacrifice will lead to our forever. I trust you won’t actually fall for her.”
Even if he did, Victoria had contingency plans to eliminate Isabella. She would ensure everything unfolded as she designed.
She continued, “Once you marry Isabella, you’ll control her diamond mine plus the family shares we acquire. You’ll become the wealthiest man in Westchester. I’d do anything for your success, even endure this separation.” She nestled into his arms.
A warm feeling spread through Alexander. He felt fortunate to have such a supportive fiancée.
“Don’t worry, Victoria. I won’t let you down,” he vowed sincerely.
Night had fallen. Isabella had spent hours conversing with her grandfather but still couldn’t uncover what he was hiding. She finally left the manor after he fell asleep. As she approached her motorcycle, a sleek black Rolls-Royce pulled up beside her.
The window lowered, revealing Alexander in the backseat. He wore a tailored white suit, looking every bit the distinguished gentleman.
“Get in. I’ll take you home,” he said, his tone condescending, as if bestowing a favor.
No.6
Isabella stared back coldly. “You? Drive me? You overestimate your importance.” She rolled her eyes and swung her leg over the bike.
Alexander was taken aback. Since when did the girl who once followed him everywhere speak to him with such contempt? It felt like she was looking down on him. Furious, he remembered the plan.
He stepped out of the car. “Isabella, can we talk?”
“Talk? About when you’ll eat sh*t?” she scoffed, starting the engine.
Seeing her prepare to leave, he rushed in front of the motorcycle. “Isabella, can’t we have a conversation? I know you’re still angry about what happened five years ago, but it’s been so long. Why hold a grudge? Can’t we discuss this calmly? Why be so petty?”
“Me? Petty? Ha!” She laughed mockingly. “You’re right, I am petty. I crush anyone who crosses me.” With that, she revved the engine and sped directly toward him.
The motorcycle surged forward like a predator, heading straight for Alexander.
Maxwell and his team watched from the shadows, their eyes wide with disbelief. Was their boss really going to hit him?
Isabella showed no hesitation. She revved the motorcycle's engine and charged straight toward him.
No.7
When Alexander realized she wasn't bluffing, that she was mere inches away, he instinctively leaped aside. The bike moved so fast it nearly caught his sleeve, forcing him to stumble backward.
Isabella glanced at him from the corner of her eye. A mocking smile curled her lips as she flipped him off.
Her wild hair streamed behind her in the night wind. She was fearless.
On the other side, Alexander stood pale with rage. The veins on his forehead throbbed with fury. The woman who once adored him had nearly run him over and then insulted him!
Why had she changed? How could she stop loving him?
No, it was impossible! This was just another one of her games to get his attention!
Alexander watched as Isabella disappeared into the distance.
"Isabella, if you wanted my attention, you've got it!" He turned to his assistant in the car and ordered, "Prepare a bouquet of roses. Send them to her shooting location tomorrow."
Alexander knew better than anyone that roses had been her favorite for eighteen years. Back when she followed him everywhere, she always begged him for roses.