Chapter 1428

No.1

A bodyguard immediately handed Alexander a velvet box. Inside was the heirloom diamond ring from his engagement to Isabella—passed down for generations. How many times had he imagined slipping this very ring onto Victoria's finger? But now...

Putting it on her meant losing Isabella forever. Isabella would never take him back.

What choice did he have?

Tears of heartache glistened in her eyes. "Alexander, I meant what I said. I'll be mature. I won't force you. I won't be your burden."

With a sudden, violent movement, she clenched her fist and struck her own abdomen.

"Victoria!" Eleanor screamed, rushing to stop her.

"Let me go, Mother! I beg you! I'll be fine—I don't want this baby! I don't want it...! I don't!"

Victoria screamed in agony, her fists pounding relentlessly against her own stomach. Despair and sorrow consumed her completely.

Alexander watched her breakdown, his resolve finally crumbling. "Victoria, stop this!" His voice was sharp and commanding. "Get ahold of yourself!"

No.2

Even as he tried to calm her, Alexander made no move to take the ring she had offered.

"Enough!"

Theodore Montgomery had remained silent until now. He suddenly slammed his walking cane hard against the hospital floor.

The loud crack echoed ominously through the private ward. Everyone froze. Even Victoria's violent assault on her own body ceased.

Theodore declared, "Victoria will have this baby. The Montgomery family will raise it. Effective immediately, all business contracts with the Whitmore family are terminated. This is your final warning, Alexander... Your reputation will be destroyed!"

Theodore's words left no room for negotiation. The engagement was off. The alliance between their families was over.

Victor Whitmore paled. Their families had been business partners for generations. While their resources were comparable, Theodore's influence was immense.

Especially since the wedding day when Nathaniel Blackwood had publicly supported them. Now with Isabella on their side, how could the Whitmores afford to anger the Montgomerys?

He stepped toward Theodore. "Mr. Montgomery, please reconsider. This should be a happy occasion. Let's not make hasty decisions. Alexander, come here! Explain yourself!"

No.3

"Save your breath. I'm not blind! My granddaughter does not need to beg your son to marry her!" Theodore scoffed. He turned to Victoria. "No matter what mistakes you've made, remember you are a Montgomery. We do not grovel. If Alexander doesn't love you, you won't marry him! Even pregnant, I will find you a better husband!"

Forcing a marriage now would make them look desperate and pathetic.

Theodore despised weakness. He could see Alexander's reluctance clearly. Victoria was no match for him.

Despite his disappointment in Victoria, she was still his granddaughter. He would not allow her to be humiliated this way.

Victoria felt utterly hopeless. Who else could she marry besides Alexander? He was the most successful man in all of Westchester—except for the Blackwood men, of course.

But the Blackwoods were untouchable. Isabella had already ensnared Nathaniel. Victoria held no illusions about winning him over.

Her grandfather claimed to protect her, but he was being utterly thoughtless. His decision would ruin her completely!

Still, Victoria forced herself to say, "Grandfather, I'll obey you. But must we become enemies? I was a willing participant. We can't blame Alexander or the Whitmore family entirely. Business and personal matters should remain separate."

Her words sounded incredibly gracious. The Whitmores looked at her with newfound respect.

No.4

They hadn't expected such maturity from Victoria, even in this situation. She was proving to be a remarkable woman.

Margaret Whitmore moved to her son's side. "Alexander, did you hear that? Victoria is still defending you! What is wrong with you? Why are you still hesitating?"

Alexander's gaze settled on Victoria. She appeared so fragile and pitiful. Truthfully, she had never intentionally harmed him.

In fact, she had always stood by him, protecting him.

Yet, his feelings for her had fundamentally shifted. He no longer desired to marry her, to love her... Perhaps...

Alexander’s eyes narrowed as he stepped closer. “Senior Theodore, you misunderstand. It’s not that I don’t love Victoria. I was simply overwhelmed and didn’t know how to respond. But my mind is made up now. Victoria and I will be engaged in three days. I won’t fail her.” His voice was firm, carrying a polished gravity.

Victoria’s gaze flickered at his words. An engagement. Not a marriage.

That was his promise.

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.

No.5

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.

“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.”

No.6

“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!”

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.7

“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.”