Chapter 125

No.1

Maxwell added, “If you want everyone, Boss, we must strike during their annual gathering. That happens at year’s end.”

The Syndicate’s annual dinner was at the end of the year. It was only June. A plan began to form in her mind.

“Understood. I’ll handle the arrangements. Stand down for now and await my orders.” She ended the call and gazed out the window, deep in thought.

She had a mission tonight. Since they’d identified the Blackthorns, she might as well pay their base a visit later.

Meanwhile…

Victoria awoke filled with anticipation, only to find Harrison lying beside her.

“Ahhh!” A piercing scream tore from her throat. She bolted upright, clutching the sheets to her chest.

Harrison jolted awake. Taking in the scene, his eyes widened in horror.

What had happened? Alexander had sent him to fetch Victoria. How did he end up in bed with her? She was his boss’s woman!

“Why are you here?!” Victoria snarled, her voice tight with rage. “When did you get here? What did you do?!”

No.2

“Ms. Kensington, I’m sorry! I… I don’t know what happened! Mr. Whitmore sent me to get you. I came into the room and then…” He trailed off, too terrified to continue.

Victoria’s fists clenched. Was it the perfume? Had Harrison come in and been affected by its scent? She could have sworn it was Nathaniel!

The perfume’s label mentioned hallucinations, including mistaking one person for another. Had she been under its influence, thinking he was Nathaniel?

That meant Nathaniel never came. It was Harrison all along. She had slept with an assistant!

Seeing the murderous look in her eyes, Harrison scrambled off the bed and dropped to his knees, begging.

“Strike me or scream at me all you want, Ms. Kensington. I’ll contact Mr. Whitmore immediately. I accept full responsibility.”

Oliver retrieved his phone with trembling hands.

Victoria snatched it and smashed it against the wall. Her eyes burned with fury. “Why tell him? Haven’t you humiliated me enough? Do you want Alexander to discard me?”

“That… wasn’t my intention.” Harrison looked utterly bewildered.

Rage consumed Victoria as she stared at his pathetic expression. She forced herself to breathe deeply. The damage was done. She needed containment. Silence was essential. Her mind raced. “No one hears about today. Act like it never occurred. Understood?”

No.3

“But—”

“But what? If I’m not making it an issue, why are you? Do you aspire to marry me?” She hurled his clothes at him.

Harrison shook his head frantically. “No! I wouldn’t dare. I’m leaving now!” He scrambled to gather his garments.

Victoria’s glare was icy. “If a single word leaks, I’ll charge you with rape. Your family will suffer. Is that clear?”

“Yes! Absolutely, Ms. Kensington. Nothing happened today!” he vowed, trembling.

She dismissed him with a wave. Hatred simmered in her veins as she watched him flee. She, Victoria Kensington, slept with a mere assistant! The disgrace was unbearable.

Thankfully, The Ivy was automated. Robots handled everything. No human staff. She just needed to destroy the hidden camera she’d planted. No evidence would remain.

But why did Nathaniel abandon her?

She checked her phone. Messages from her new assistant, Penelope, flooded the screen.

[Ms. Victoria, emergency! Mr. Blackwood left abruptly! He entered the parking lot but drove off moments later!]

No.4

[I investigated. Isabella Montgomery called him. She demanded he return home immediately.]

[What’s the next step? Should we proceed with the alternate plan?]

[Ms. Victoria?]

Victoria’s fists clenched until her knuckles turned white. Isabella! That witch again!

Was this a deliberate trap? If Isabella discovered what transpired here, Victoria’s life would be over. Panic surged. She quickly messaged her hacker, Maxwell.

[Erase all my footage from The Ivy. Investigate if Isabella has any records related to this incident.]

[Acknowledged.]

Maxwell was a renowned hacker. His skills were impeccable. Some tension eased from her shoulders, but hatred festered. If this was Isabella’s doing, revenge would be swift and brutal.

Later that night, at the Blackwood Estate…

Oliver tugged on Isabella’s hand. “Mommy, let’s wear matching pajamas tonight! Christopher wants to match with both of you!”

No.5

Isabella smiled gently. “Alright, sweetheart. But I didn’t buy any today. I’ll get us some tomorrow, okay?” She ruffled his soft hair.

Oliver grinned mischievously. “No need! I was bored today and bought a set for us! Ta-da!” He produced three identical pajama sets from behind his back like a magician.

Isabella’s smile faltered. A slight frown creased her forehead as she examined the clothing. The pajamas…

Three sets of pajamas lay on the bed. Each featured a simple cartoon illustration right in the center. It was immediately obvious who they depicted.

Two sets were white short-sleeved tees with matching shorts. Hers, the female version, was a V-neck shirt without bottoms. The shirt was so short it barely reached mid-thigh. The cute drawing couldn't distract from that dangerously low neckline.

Sleeping next to Nathaniel while wearing this? Absolutely not.

Isabella immediately rejected the idea. "Sweetie, you and Daddy should wear these. Mommy will wear something else, okay?"

Oliver's face fell. His lower lip trembled. "But why? I picked these specially for us. I designed them myself. Even drew the pictures."

Her heart squeezed. She hadn't realized he'd put so much effort into this. Crushing his enthusiasm was impossible. She scooped him onto the bed. "You're so talented, my love! Mommy adores what you made. It's just... Mommy feels a bit chilly lately. I might need something warmer."

"I'll fix it!" He scrambled off the bed, tiny feet pattering toward the thermostat.

No.6

Isabella was speechless.

Since when was her son so stubborn?

Just then, Nathaniel emerged from the shower. A plush robe was tied around his waist. A chill filled the room. Oliver rushed to him, thrusting the pajamas into his hands. "Daddy, wear these! Mommy said yes to matching outfits tonight! We're waiting for you!"

Nathaniel's skeptical gaze found Isabella. The pajamas were... juvenile. Would she really wear them? Yet the set lay beside her. He didn't question it, simply heading to the dressing room.

Oliver bounded back to her, buzzing with excitement. "Mommy! Mommy! Daddy's changing! It's your turn now!"

She sighed in defeat.

She meant to scold him for manipulation. But those sparkling, hopeful eyes disarmed her completely. Gently, she pinched his chubby cheek. "You clever little fox. Alright. Mommy will wear it."

"Yay!" He jumped for joy.

Isabella retrieved a tube top and tight shorts from her wardrobe. She slipped into the dressing room.

Oliver waited on the bed, swinging his legs. Daddy and Mommy needed a push. He was just helping!

No.7

Two doors opened simultaneously.

Nathaniel stepped out. His eyes instantly locked on Isabella. The oversized shirt drowned her frame. Lace trimmed the hem. The childish cartoon on the front should have looked silly. Instead, it was oddly endearing. The shirt stopped high on her thighs. Those long, toned legs were utterly captivating. His gaze lingered a moment too long.

Isabella's breath hitched. Nathaniel usually slept in dark, silk pajamas. Now, he wore stark white. The same ridiculous cartoon was plastered on his chest. It softened his usual severity, making him seem almost approachable. A small red heart was stitched over his right pec. The matching detail felt intensely intimate.

Flustered, she moved toward the bed. "It's past eleven, sweetie. Time for sleep."