Chapter 1331
No.1
Many in the industry feared her dominance.
If they boycotted her now, their artists would defect to GoldenPhoenix.
And her company was giving away Dovegg diamond rings.
Every artist chased profit.
No one would refuse free luxury.
Suddenly, endorsement offers flooded in.
Everyone wanted to collaborate with her again.
“Killing two birds with one stone. Well done.
I’ve filtered the endorsement invites.
Made a first-round selection.
You can choose from the shortlist,” Julian said.
“Now that Victoria is out, it’s your time to shine.”
“Don’t worry. When she returns,
No.2
I’ll make sure she has nowhere left to go.”
A dangerous smile touched her lips as she ended the call.
Seconds later, Julian sent the list.
Top brands from cosmetics, fashion, eyewear, and more.
His note followed:
[Amor Group’s shoot is at Greenwish Park.
Close to The Grand Monarch.
You’ll stay there overnight.]
Isabella’s hand trembled slightly.
The Grand Monarch.
Five years had passed.
Could she face the ghosts of that night?
Maybe she could find clues about what really happened.
No.3
She steadied herself.
Researched Amor Group.
Amor was a luxury fashion powerhouse.
Specialized in bridal wear.
Their designers were elite, obsessive.
Victoria had been their ambassador.
Victoria had the figure of a goddess.
The grace of a storybook princess.
Her noble aura captivated millions.
Isabella’s smile turned icy.
She would replace Victoria.
No matter what.
She told herself she was strong enough.
No.4
Strong enough to survive one night at The Grand Monarch.
Isabella sent her final terms to Julian Hawthorne. (Amor Group deal is confirmed.)
Julian immediately executed the arrangements upon her acceptance.
She stepped back inside from the balcony. The matter was settled.
Her eyes fell on Christopher. The boy sat staring blankly at his open textbook.
He seemed deeply troubled.
She moved closer to him. Her voice was soft. "What's wrong, sweetheart? Do you need help?"
He looked up, his small face creased with worry. "It's my assignment. I have to write about 'family'. About Daddy, Mommy, Grandpa, and Grandma." He sighed. "I have Mommy. But I don't have a grandpa or a grandma."
Isabella was taken aback. "That can't be right, Christopher. You have wonderful grandparents. Mommy remembers them."
She knew Nathaniel's father came from a long line of renowned physicians. A man decorated with countless medical awards. His mother was born into an elite perfumery dynasty. Her family's signature fragrance once sold for a staggering nine figures.
"They don't love me, though," Christopher mumbled, his voice barely a whisper. It was filled with a sadness that shouldn't belong to a child.
This was new. Isabella had never heard him speak like this before. Her brow furrowed.
"Listen to me," she said firmly, kneeling to his level. "Everyone loves you. You are a wonderful, lovely boy. You know that, right?"
No.5
Any trace of happiness vanished from his face. "Grandpa and Grandma don't like me. They said my mommy was a bad woman. So they think I'm bad, too." His lower lip trembled. "They called me a jinx. They said I won't live past eight years old."
Her heart shattered into a million pieces. She quickly gathered him into her arms, holding him tight.
"You are the sweetest, most amazing boy in the entire world," she whispered fiercely into his hair. "If they can't see that, then that is their loss. Their problem. Not yours. You are going to get better. I promise you. God loves you just as much as I do. He will let you live to be a hundred. We don't listen to cruel words from others, understand?"
He looked up at her, his big eyes wide and hopeful. "Really? I'm not a jinx?"
"Of course not," she assured him, stroking his cheek. "You are the best. Promise me you will never be sad because of what other people say. You live for yourself. Remember that. One day, when you are strong and powerful, they will regret ever saying those things."
"Yes, Mommy! I promise!" he chirped, his usual cheerfulness flooding back. A bright, adorable smile spread across his face.
"That's my boy. Now, finish your homework. You can write all about Daddy and Mommy. For the part about Grandpa and Grandma... just write a little. It's okay."
"Okay, Mom!" He wriggled out of her embrace and scampered back to the table, pencil in hand.
Her heart ached as she watched him.
He was only five. Yet he was diligently tackling fourth-grade work during his summer break. She had assumed all Blackwood children were born with silver spoons.
She never imagined Christopher, a Blackwood, would lack a mother's love. Let alone face such cruelty from his own grandparents.
The more she thought about it, the heavier her heart felt.
'It must be because of his condition. I need to talk to Nathaniel.'
No.6
"Mommy is going to get some fruit for you. You keep working, alright?" she said, heading for the stairs.
She found Nathaniel in his study. He was focused intently on his work at the large desk. His expression was serious, his gaze sharp.
She paused, momentarily captivated. It was the first time she'd seen him emanate such a solemn, powerful aura. His beauty wasn't just in his features, but in the intense light of his concentration.
He looked up as she knocked gently on the doorframe. "Come in," he invited.
Isabella stepped into the study and settled onto the plush leather sofa.
She met Nathaniel’s gaze directly. “I want to talk about Oliver’s grandparents,” she began. “He’s mentioned things to me. It sounds like they don’t approve of him. I believe his seizures might be connected to that emotional distress. To truly help him heal, we need to address the pain he’s carrying inside.”
Logically, a child conceived through IVF surrogacy would still be a Blackwood. He would still be their grandchild. There was no reason for such deep-seated animosity.
Nathaniel’s expression darkened instantly. The world believed Oliver was a surrogate child, but he knew the painful truth.
Five years ago, under the influence of a powerful drug, he had spent a night with a mysterious girl at The Grand Monarch hotel.
High society deemed the incident a sordid scandal. His grandparents and parents were utterly disgusted by the unknown woman he had been with.
He could still vividly recall her: fragile, sweet, and trembling like a frightened dove. He had been completely captivated.
Afterward, he had searched for her relentlessly. He turned the city upside down. His efforts yielded nothing.
He found Oliver later that same year, during a bitterly cold winter. The infant was in a morgue, his breathing faint. Nathaniel’s heart shattered. He brought the baby home. Oliver clung to life inside an incubator.
No.7
A subsequent blood transfusion confirmed the shocking truth: Oliver was his biological son.
Nathaniel was certain the girl from that night was the mother. She was the only one. The discovery tore the Blackwood family apart.
They viewed the sickly child as a burden. They believed his mother was a curse. Some were convinced it was a calculated scheme to exploit the Blackwood fortune.
The Blackwoods were pillars of aristocracy. Oliver’s existence was seen as a stain on their legacy. The family pressured Nathaniel relentlessly to send the boy away, overseas.
He fought them all, defiant. He kept Oliver by his side. This was the reason he now avoided the family estate entirely.
Isabella’s question left him speechless. Should he confess that Oliver was his biological son? Should he reveal the truth about that night and the other woman?
Would she be able to accept his past? The fear that the truth would make her despise him was paralyzing.
“It’s nothing serious,” he finally said, his voice tight. He took a slow sip of coffee. “They are just traditional. They disapprove of the concept of IVF. Oliver has had seizures since infancy. They see it as a bad omen.”
‘Is that all?’ Isabella frowned, unconvinced. “Mr. Blackwood, you must resolve this. It’s difficult enough for a child to grow up without a mother. Having his own family reject him is too heavy a burden for a young heart. A child needs a real family, not just a father.”
Nathaniel nodded slowly. “You’re right, Ms. Montgomery. I will speak with them. I will try to change their minds.”
Isabella trusted he would keep his word. Satisfied, she left to prepare a fruit platter for Oliver.
The moment the door closed, Nathaniel’s composure broke.
A wave of anxiety crashed over him.