Chapter 1186
No.1
Strangely, she cared deeply about what he thought of her...
Just as she braced for his disgust, Nathaniel's words shocked her. "It wasn't your fault."
Not her fault?
Isabella stared at him in disbelief. Was she hearing correctly? Were her senses deceiving her?
Nathaniel's voice remained firm and mature as he continued, "Loving someone and fighting for them isn't wrong. The fault lies with him. But..."
He looked deeply into her eyes. "Fortunately, he made a mistake. Fortunately, he didn't appreciate you."
His husky voice carried sincerity and magnetism, incredibly soothing to hear.
Isabella's heart skipped a beat. She understood his meaning perfectly: Nathaniel got his chance because Alexander had thrown her away.
Anyone else seeing those photos would have mocked her relentlessly. Yet Nathaniel said it wasn't her fault...
No.2
She studied the man before her. "Nathaniel, you're too good to me. How can I ever repay you?"
Nathaniel sat down opposite her and began gathering the checkers from the table. "Maybe spend more time with me? Treat me half as well as you treated Alexander."
Half as well?
Nathaniel Blackwood, settling for only half of her affection?
Isabella's red lips curved into a smile. "Sorry, but no."
No?
Nathaniel's expression darkened immediately.
Was Alexander still that important to her? Would she not even give him half of what she gave to Alexander?
"Isabella, tell me what percentage of your attention you can give me."
No.3
If she couldn't give half, couldn't she spare him at least some fraction? Isabella looked at him, her lips slowly curling upward.
The message was sent.
Alexander waited for Isabella to beg him not to release those scandalous photos.
Instead, his phone buzzed with a reply from an entirely different number.
[If these images ever surface, Whitmore Enterprises will cease to exist.]
The number was a chilling sequence of eleven identical digits—66666666666.
A custom account. The kind money couldn't buy.
A cold, severe face flashed in Alexander's mind. Him. It had to be Nathaniel.
They were still together. He hadn't left her.
No.4
Isabella’s confidence, her audacity… it all made sense now. She had Nathaniel Blackwood backing her. She feared nothing with his power behind her.
A dark, bitter hatred coiled in Alexander’s gut.
She played the victim online while secretly entangled with Nathaniel. What a cunning, calculating woman.
Spoiled. She was utterly, completely spoiled.
He snatched his phone, dialing a number. “Harrison. Southern Cemetery. Genevieve Beaumont’s grave. It’s time to act.”
Genevieve Beaumont. The Montgomery family’s longtime nanny. She raised Isabella from a child. When the world mocked Isabella as the adopted daughter, Genevieve was her sole protector.
Disturb that grave, and Isabella would drop everything. She would rush there immediately. And knowing her connection to Nathaniel now… he would surely go with her.
A cruel smirk twisted Alexander’s lips. Let’s see who calls me a douchebag then, when her affair with Nathaniel Blackwood is exposed for all to see.
And when the powerful Blackwood family discovers their heir is involved with a woman like her? They would never approve. They would despise her.
No.5
Nathaniel would have to choose. His family… or her. He would drop her. He had to.
The image of Nathaniel discarding Isabella filled Alexander with grim satisfaction. The thought of her crawling back to him, begging.
He craved it. He wanted to see it happen.
Nearby, Victoria pretended to browse jewelry. She observed Alexander’s every move. She heard his phone call.
Perfect. Alexander was plotting against Isabella. Her days were numbered.
But…
A nagging worry pricked at Victoria. Alexander and his parents still looked down on her. Her shares in the Montgomery empire were pitifully small. They knew she was the true adopted daughter, not Isabella.
Once she married into the Whitmore family, her time to win over the Montgomerys would vanish. Her bonds with Eleanor and Richard would weaken.
What good were such meager shares then?
No.6
She needed more. She needed a larger stake before the wedding. With more shares, Alexander and his parents would finally respect her. They would value her.
A sharp glint of malice lit her eyes. She excused herself, heading for the restroom.
Inside a locked stall, she pulled out her phone. She opened her chat with Takashi Yamamoto.
[Mr. Yamamoto, I heard you’ve connected with my brother. Yet I understand you haven’t begun his lessons? Please, let me know if there is anything I can assist with.]
The reply was instant.
[Victoria, my admiration for you remains. Since our encounter in Westhaven, you are all I can think of.]
Victoria’s lip curled in distaste. [Your flattery is noted, Mr. Yamamoto. But I am to be married soon. We can, however, remain… good friends.]
Takashi Yamamoto's message glowed on the screen. [Don't worry. I have no intention of disrupting your wedding. I simply desire five photographs of you. Similar in nature to the one that gained such notoriety.]
She could still feel the stares. Everywhere she went. Burning into her. Some men even had the audacity to ask for more. Those images were a permanent stain. A brand on her reputation. They would follow her forever.
No.7
And now Takashi wanted his own private collection? He had to be joking.
She was finally marrying Alexander Whitmore. Her wedding was so close. Why was he demanding these photos? Photos that could obliterate everything she had built.
Her fingers trembled as she typed a reply. [Mr. Yamamoto, I must apologize. I am to be married. This is simply impossible. Please. Ask for anything else.]
His response was immediate. Cold. [I want nothing else. If you cannot provide this, then our arrangement is terminated.]
Terminated?
No. He couldn't do that.
This deal was everything. Her entire plan hinged on using Takashi to control Benjamin. To secure the remaining family shares. It was the most critical piece. The cornerstone of her strategy.
She typed frantically. [Mr. Yamamoto, there must be another way I can repay you. Please, reconsider. My brother idolizes you. He dreams of learning from you.]