Chapter 139
No.1
Lillian froze. Dread washed over her. He was exiling her? “Mr. Blackwood, why?” she cried. “I’ve done nothing wrong!”
Nathaniel didn’t bother to look back. A cold scoff was his only reply. His presence was absolute as he walked away.
Dominic dragged her out of the main hall. “The boss isn’t stupid,” he hissed. “You know exactly what you did. Get ready to live on the streets.”
He threw her out past the iron gates. His final words were a death sentence. The Blackwood family’s protection was gone. No one would ever hire her again.
Betraying Nathaniel Blackwood always ended in ruin.
Back inside the estate, in the kitchen…
Isabella had disposed of Lillian’s phone. She returned to preparing the lobsters.
Oliver stood beside her, confused. “Mommy, how did the snakes get out? Why were they chasing her?”
Isabella’s eyes darkened. The truth was simple. Lillian had planted a pouch of pheromone powder on her. A scent designed to enrage the pythons.
A quick flick of her wrist had sent the powder right back into Lillian’s own pocket.
No.2
But Oliver didn’t need to know the cruel calculations of adults. “Perhaps she annoyed them,” Isabella said softly. “Or did something she shouldn’t have. Don’t worry, sweetheart. If you’re good, you have nothing to fear.”
She turned to the stove. “Now step back, my love. The oil might splash. I’d be heartbroken if you got hurt.”
“Okay, Mommy!” Oliver’s worry vanished. The promise of lobster made him retreat with a happy smile.
Isabella cranked the flame to high. Oil shimmered in the wok. She tossed in garlic, scallions, and dried chilies.
The air filled with an aromatic sizzle.
Then came the lobsters. They hit the hot oil and turned a brilliant crimson. They looked utterly delicious.
Her phone rang sharply.
She answered. Julian’s voice was tense and direct. “We have another problem. The organizer of the Celestial Gala is causing a scene at SilverPeak. You need to get here now.”
Another issue? What now?
Isabella glanced at the sizzling lobsters in the pan, then at Christopher’s wide, expectant eyes. “Two hours,” she told Julian Hawthorne firmly. “I’ll be at the office by then.”
No.3
“Understood.”
She ended the call and turned back to the stove. “Plates, sweetheart. Dinner’s almost ready.”
“Yes, Mommy!” Christopher hurried to help, his small hands carefully setting the table.
Only when he stepped away did Isabella pull out her phone. Her screen flooded with notifications.
[TitanTech Founder Slams Isabella and Arabella]
[Genius Vivienne Delacroix and Top Model Seraphina Delacroix Back Genevieve]
[Genevieve and Daughter Break Down in Tears]
Every headline twisted the narrative against her and Arabella Fontaine. Her Twitter DMs overflowed with rage. Followers demanded why she’d protect someone like Arabella.
Then Johnson Spencer—no, Harrison Winslow—chose to speak. His post made her blood boil.
[I acknowledge my weakness. I gave in to temptation. I vow to become a better man and spend my life making amends to my wife, Genevieve, and our daughter.]
No.4
He painted Arabella as the seductress. The homewrecker.
His tweet exploded. Retweets, quotes, outrage. It nearly broke the platform. Then someone leaked Arabella’s location: GoldenPhoenix, under Isabella’s protection.
The mob descended on Isabella’s social media.
Shameless company! Hand over the mistress!
Apologize!
How could you choose money over morals?
I was a fan, Boss Montgomery. This is disgusting!
Boycott GoldenPhoenix! Bankrupt Isabella!
Drive her out of the industry!
It felt coordinated. Manufactured fury. Every brand Isabella worked with faced backlash. Chanel, Gucci—they scrubbed her from their pages. Production companies cut ties with GoldenPhoenix artists. Anything linked to her was toxic.
No.5
GoldenPhoenix teetered on the edge.
Isabella’s jaw tightened. The clock was ticking. Her team was still gathering evidence. Without it, Arabella was finished. So was her company.
She called Maxwell Carter. “Use the badge. Mobilize everyone. I need answers. Now.”
The lobster rolls were ready. She filled them carefully. Despite the chaos, she sat down to eat with Christopher and Nathaniel.
It was Christopher’s first time trying lobster. Nathaniel usually forbade it. The boy’s face lit up with each bite.
Nathaniel barely touched his food. His eyes stayed on Isabella. “Let me handle this.”
“No.” Her voice was soft but firm. “I’ve got it.”
She knew Vivienne Delacroix was behind this. Seraphina wanted to crush GoldenPhoenix. Vivienne wanted to destroy her.
If Nathaniel stepped in, Vivienne would only sneer. She had to prove she didn’t need his power. She could fight this battle alone.
After dinner, she checked the time. Almost there. “Time for your nap, sweetie. Mommy has to go to the office. I’ll be back soon.”
No.6
Christopher put down his half-eaten roll. “I want to come with you, Mommy.”
Isabella glanced at Oliver. "I'm taking the motorcycle today. Can't bring a passenger. If you leave now, all these lobster rolls get tossed."
The Blackwood Estate had strict rules. No leftovers permitted. Uneaten food went straight to the trash.
Oliver snatched a roll. "No! Momo loves Mommy! My heart goes with Mommy! My stomach stays to finish these!"
"Good boy." Isabella ruffled his hair. She stood to leave.
Oliver kicked Nathaniel under the table. Nathaniel wiped his mouth. He rose to escort her.
"Let me drive you," Nathaniel offered.
"Unnecessary. GoldenPhoenix will be crowded. Too much exposure risk." Isabella pulled on her gloves.
Nathaniel frowned. His expression turned serious. "Exposure doesn't concern me."
His words stunned her. He didn't care? He was Nathaniel Blackwood! Why did he act like a lovesick teenager sometimes? Their relationship wasn't even official yet. How would she explain this to everyone?
No.7
"We'll discuss it after you've properly courted me." She secured her helmet. The motorcycle roared to life. She sped away.
Nathaniel watched her disappear. A thoughtful gaze settled on his face. Court her? How does one court a wild she-wolf? Taming an actual wolf might be easier...
Sebastian pulled up just then. His car halted before Nathaniel. "Brother. Progress. They collected skin cells from thirty women. All from the presidential suite's bedside. DNA investigation starts immediately."
Nathaniel remained impassive. No joy touched his features. This news would have thrilled him once. But now he had Isabella. What did finding that woman matter anymore?