Chapter 1177
No.1
She was already one month pregnant, and all he offered was an engagement? Victoria knew Alexander too well. This was just a tactic to placate everyone in the room. Once the pressure eased, he would find a way to back out.
Alexander… Oh, Alexander!
“Do you take us for fools, Alexander?” Senior Theodore scoffed. “Victoria is pregnant, and you’re talking about an engagement? Do you want everyone to think she’s being forced into this?”
“Our Victoria isn’t some toy for you to play with and discard!” Eleanor insisted. “If you truly love her, the wedding must happen immediately!”
Alexander frowned. If he married Victoria, any chance with Isabella would vanish.
He needed to buy time. Calmly, he explained, “Of course. Precisely because I love Victoria, I want to plan every detail carefully. I intend to give her the most perfect wedding. Victoria, what do you think?”
His gentle eyes settled on her.
Victoria smiled bitterly. Love? What a convenient excuse!
Despite her resentment, she couldn’t expose him. She couldn’t let Alexander feel coerced. That would ruin her next move.
No.2
“Mother, Grandpa,” Victoria said weakly, “I’m exhausted. I don’t want to pressure Alexander. It’s fine if he doesn’t want to get engaged.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! Alexander said he would, and he will! I’ll handle everything and invite all of Westchester! It will be spectacular!” Margaret declared.
All of Westchester? That would be a massive event.
Alexander’s expression shifted. He had hoped for something low-key. Inviting the entire city…
Senior Theodore glared at him. “Your face says it all, Alexander. Do you want this engagement? With all of Westchester invited?”
His tone was heavy with authority.
Alexander knew better than to act impulsively. As for Isabella… He would find a way later.
“Yes,” Alexander replied.
Senior Theodore’s expression softened slightly. “Good. Make it grand!”
No.3
A faint smile touched Victoria’s lips. It wasn’t a marriage, but with all of Westchester watching, it might as well be. She would be announced as Alexander’s official fiancée!
“No! They can’t get engaged!” A sharp, clear voice cut through the room.
Everyone turned to see Isabella walking into the ward.
Victoria clenched her fists. Why was Isabella here? To ruin things again?!
Alexander’s eyes lit up. Isabella came… She actually came!
Did she finally have feelings for him? Enough to object to his engagement?
Worried that Isabella would stop the engagement, Eleanor quickly said, “Isabella, you’re just in time. Your sister is pregnant with Alexander’s child. They must get engaged and be together.”
What she really meant was: the engagement must proceed. Isabella should not interfere.
Benjamin glared at her and snapped, “I don’t care about your feelings for Alexander. Victoria is pregnant. They belong together. You need to accept that.”
No.4
“Exactly, Isabella. You’ve lost your opportunity with Alexander. You didn’t act during the ceremony—now it’s far too late to reclaim him,” Margaret Whitmore sneered.
Isabella only laughed softly. “Who told you I came to take him back?”
“Then why are you here?” Margaret demanded, her expression puzzled.
In silence, Isabella’s eyes shifted toward Victoria.
Victoria’s heart dropped. That gaze was icy and penetrating, like a surgeon’s blade poised to slice her open.
She felt a surge of guilt. What did Isabella know? Could she possibly be aware the baby wasn’t…
Would Isabella expose her?
Just as panic began to churn in Victoria’s stomach, Isabella’s attention suddenly turned to Alexander.
Alexander met her eyes. This was not the timid girl from five years ago. Her stare was fierce and commanding.
No.5
It stirred in him a raw desire to dominate her, to claim her. But he knew Victoria carried his child…
As Alexander opened his mouth to speak, Isabella looked toward Theodore Montgomery. “Grandfather, Victoria is pregnant. What’s the purpose of a grand engagement? Her belly will only swell in the coming months. People will assume Alexander was coerced into this. An engagement is pointless—a waste. They should marry immediately.”
What?
A wedding? Now?
Everyone stared, certain they had misheard.
Isabella Montgomery, Alexander’s former lover, was advocating for a swift marriage instead of sabotaging it?
Victoria was equally stunned. What game was Isabella playing?
Isabella continued calmly, “Even if we want a spectacular event, we must arrange the wedding as soon as possible. Today, Alexander pressures Victoria to abort. Who’s to say he won’t push her down the stairs tomorrow? Have you forgotten what he did to me five years ago? If he truly cherished this child, he would never have suggested termination.”
Her words were measured, yet they sent a chill through the Montgomery family. She had a point.
No.6
If Alexander truly loved Victoria, why would he do such a thing? He had seemed reluctant to even visit!
Theodore Montgomery made the final decision. “I don’t care about the details. The wedding will take place in three days. That is final.”
Alexander’s fists clenched tightly. A wedding in three days?
Did Isabella truly wish to see him marry another woman? Was she genuinely ensuring he was bound to another in just seventy-two hours?
“Three days is too rushed,” Alexander interjected quickly. “I doubt I can arrange a proper ceremony—”
“Don’t worry. My associate is highly skilled at event planning. They could organize it by tomorrow,” Isabella cut him off.
Alexander’s face darkened. She was forcing his hand.
Unexpectedly, Margaret Whitmore agreed. “Fine. The wedding will be in three days.”
Since Victoria was already carrying Alexander’s child, marriage was inevitable. Why delay and invite more scandal?
No.7
Margaret instructed Alexander, “Begin preparations immediately. Select an auspicious time to take Victoria dress shopping.”
Alexander seethed, but under the circumstances, he had no choice.
“Understood.”
He shot a furious glare at Isabella and turned to leave.
Victoria watched Isabella, her brow furrowed. Why would she help her? Why show such kindness?
It made no sense. Isabella was scheming—Victoria felt it in her bones.
The moment Alexander left, Margaret Whitmore finally spoke. “Alright then. Should we begin the wedding preparations immediately? I hope Victoria can get some proper rest now.”
“Of course.” Eleanor Kensington gave her daughter’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “You’ll stay right here, Victoria. I’ll handle everything. Don’t you worry about a thing.”
“Okay,” Victoria replied with a compliant nod.