Chapter 1075
No.1
She let her most loyal agent, Isadora, take the full blame.
The thought made his skin crawl. His image of the sweet, gentle Victoria was shattered forever.
The Montgomery family butler approached him. “Mr. Whitmore,” he said politely. “Would you care to stay for lunch?”
Alexander glanced toward the dining hall. His eyes immediately found Isabella seated beside William.
Her outfit wasn’t particularly flashy today. Yet her powerful, striking presence was impossible to ignore.
For the first time, he looked at her without disgust. He almost found her… compelling.
He adjusted his suit jacket and walked over.
A maid promptly set a place for him. Eleanor noticed him and spoke in a concerned tone. “You’re here, Alexander? I assume you’ve heard what happened?”
Alexander nodded as he took his seat. The family members exchanged uneasy glances.
No.2
Alexander was known as the ‘National Husband’ throughout Westchester. He was the most sought-after bachelor in the city… after the Blackwood men, of course.
The Blackwoods were in a league of their own. Their family’s wealth spanned over a century.
Even if they retired from all business ventures, their assets would still dwarf every other wealthy family in Westchester.
While others scrambled for resources, the Blackwoods never broke a sweat. Everyone wanted to partner with them.
They were the elite among elites. Far beyond the reach of a family like the Montgomerys.
That made Alexander the ideal son-in-law for the Montgomery family. A marriage between them would bring significant benefits to both sides.
Eleanor sighed and tried to smooth things over. “Alexander, please don’t take this to heart. I know Victoria made a mistake, but hasn’t everyone? This is her first serious error since she was a child. I’m sure she’ll learn from it.”
“Yes,” Penelope agreed quickly. “Victoria is a good girl. She’s always been kind and virtuous. Maybe she just had a momentary lapse… I hope you can overlook it.”
Penelope had to side with Eleanor. Her daughter, Sophia, was confined to the estate. Her husband was useless. If Victoria’s engagement to Alexander fell through, their situation would become even more difficult.
No.3
Alexander wanted to forget the whole thing. But once the topic was raised, he couldn’t help recalling Victoria’s sinister expression. It was nothing like the Victoria he thought he knew.
He took a sip of soup. “Don’t worry. I grew up with Victoria. I’ve always seen her as a younger sister. Why would I look down on her?”
The atmosphere at the table shifted immediately. Even William frowned. “A sister? Alexander, are you joking?”
After what happened to Isabella, Alexander had spent most of his time with Victoria. He had proposed to her multiple times. And now he called her a ‘little sister’?
Isabella leaned back in her chair, looking thoroughly amused. ‘This idiot is about to stir the pot again. Where’s my popcorn?’
As predicted, Alexander’s gaze swept toward Isabella before addressing the room. “Everyone here knows Isabella Montgomery was once my fiancée. I’ve loved her since we were children. Had it not been for… certain events, we would already be married.”
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. “After everything happened, I was lost. Victoria was there for me. I mistook that comfort for love.” His voice grew softer, more intimate. “But seeing Isabella again made me realize the truth. My heart has always belonged to her.” His eyes, full of manufactured tenderness, locked onto Isabella. “This isn’t a sudden decision. I even confessed my true feelings to Victoria weeks ago.”
He was effectively using Victoria to validate his fabricated narrative.
Isabella nearly scoffed aloud. The audacity of this man, lying with such conviction. He was utterly repulsive.
No.4
Before she could interject, William Kensington’s voice cut through the tension. “You proposed to Victoria! You can’t just oscillate between sisters. It’s disrespectful!”
“Grandfather Kensington,” Alexander implored, his expression the picture of solemn sincerity. “You’ve known me my whole life. You know my character. I would never intentionally toy with anyone’s affections. My history with Isabella… our engagement, the tokens we exchanged… it spans fifteen years. From when she was just a child. What I had with Victoria was brief in comparison.” His performance was masterful, dripping with a pain that felt almost real.
Even William, initially furious, seemed momentarily swayed by the emotional display. “So,” he asked, his tone gentler, “you truly hold no regard for the incident five years ago against her?”
Alexander drew himself up, embodying noble forgiveness. “None whatsoever. As Mrs. Kensington said, everyone makes mistakes. Isabella was young. I was immature. It’s in the past.”
William sighed, turning his attention to his granddaughter. “Isabella? What are your thoughts on this?”
He knew of her long-held affection for this man. Her feelings had to be considered.
Eleanor Kensington watched, her emotions conflicted. Both were her daughters, though she favored Victoria. She knew a marriage without genuine love was a hollow cage. “If Isabella can move past it,” she ventured, “perhaps it’s for the best. Given the scandal from before… others might not be so accepting.” She looked directly at Isabella. “Well? You were engaged once. If you’re willing, we can begin preparations immediately.”
“How very considerate,” Isabella replied, a slight, icy arch to her brow. Her gaze was flat and dismissive as it landed on Alexander. “But no. I don’t go back for trash I’ve already taken out.”
Alexander’s face tightened imperceptibly. She was publicly humiliating him. After he’d offered her this gracious way back in? Now that she was Nathaniel Blackwood’s mistress, she thought she could act with such impunity?
No.5
A stunned silence fell over the room. No one had expected such a blunt, brutal rejection from the woman once known for her hopeless devotion.
Penelope Sinclair, whose daughter was still confined because of Isabella, seized the moment to sneer. “Of course. Our Isabella is the Diamond Boss now, swimming in assets. Why would she settle? She certainly has the attitude to match now.”
“Attitude?” Isabella’s retort was sharp and immediate. “Victoria wronged me repeatedly. I possessed evidence I could have handed to the police and the media. I showed restraint.” She let that hang in the air before continuing, her tone shifting to one of mock concern. “My refusal has nothing to do with Alexander himself. It’s out of consideration for Victoria. She is, after all, still my sister. How would it look if I took her discarded fiancé? What would that do to her?”
“Victoria stayed with you for five entire years. She gave you her most precious youth. Just because she made one terrible mistake, you want to come back to me? How do you think that makes her feel?” Isabella spoke with convincing emotion, every word dripping with feigned sincerity.
‘Hypocrisy is a language Victoria understands well. Now that her reputation is in ruins, it’s time to strip her of everything she has left,’ Isabella thought coldly.
As anticipated, the expressions of William, Frederick, and Eleanor shifted instantly. They had always viewed Isabella as ruthless and unfeeling. They never imagined she possessed such empathy.
Alexander grew visibly irritated. How could she twist his intentions like this? He couldn’t tolerate her narrative.
“I already discussed this with Victoria. She said herself she wants us to be happy. We had a history long before her, so she understands. I know you kept our engagement ring. You never returned it, even after you came back. You must still cherish what we had, don’t you?”
“The ring? I’d forgotten all about it until you mentioned it. I tossed it into a garbage bin somewhere in Africa. If you need it for another proposal, I can send people to look for it,” Isabella replied dismissively. “I’ll ensure you and Victoria can be together properly.”
No.6
Her tone then sharpened into a warning. “Even if Victoria tells you she understands, it doesn’t mean she isn’t hurting inside. She’s always been kind and self-sacrificing, bearing her pain alone. Her willingness to let you go only confirms my decision. I will never be with you again.”
Alexander was rendered speechless. How did she always manage to turn the situation around so effortlessly?
Eleanor felt a pang of sympathy. She never thought Isabella could be so considerate. Even Frederick sided with Isabella for once. He turned to Alexander. “Victoria hasn’t been herself lately. How would she feel about you abandoning her for Isabella?”
“Alexander, you’ve been with Victoria for five years. Since Isabella clearly has no feelings for you, you should make your choice clear and treat Victoria better. If you hurt her, I will not forgive you.”
With the momentum against him, Alexander had no choice. “Of course,” he conceded.
He still had time to execute his plan.
After lunch, Isabella had other matters to attend to. She bid the family farewell and left the manor.
Alexander quickly followed her. He caught up and grabbed her arm. “Isabella, we’re alone now. You can drop the act. Have you considered what I said? Do you truly believe Nathaniel is in love with you?”
“Huh? Is there a dog barking? I hear incessant yapping. It’s so annoying!” Isabella sneered, pulling her arm from his grasp. She walked away without looking back.
No.7
Alexander’s face darkened. He glared at her retreating figure, his fists clenched tightly.
‘Isabella, you leave me no choice...!’ he seethed silently.
Isabella walked out through the main gates toward the road. She was about to call for a taxi when she noticed a sleek black car parked nearby. Wasn't that Nathaniel’s car? Why was he still here? Frowning, she began walking toward it.
Isabella approached the vehicle, her steps slowing as she took in the scene. Nathaniel sat motionless in the driver's seat, eyes closed, while Oliver slept soundly in the back. Dappled sunlight filtered through the canopy above, casting shifting patterns across Nathaniel's sharp features. The crisp white shirt he wore seemed to glow under the golden light, enhancing his aristocratic bearing.
An unexpected warmth bloomed in her chest. How long had they been waiting? Her meeting had lasted nearly four hours. "Nathaniel?" she called softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
His eyes opened instantly, dark and alert. Recognizing her, he straightened in his seat. "Finished?"
She nodded, studying him closely. "You waited here the whole time? Without eating?"
"Oliver insisted on staying. My schedule was clear today anyway." His tone was casual, dismissive. He moved to exit the car, but as his feet touched the pavement, his legs buckled. He stumbled forward, catching himself against her.
Isabella reacted instinctively, her hands flying to his waist to steady him. For a moment they stood frozen, her cheek pressed against the solid wall of his chest, his body leaning into hers. The scent of his cologne filled her senses—clean and masculine.