Chapter 1431
No.1
Isabella Montgomery reached for the ignition when she sensed movement behind her. She turned to find Benjamin Kensington seated there. Her brow furrowed instantly.
"What are you doing here?"
"The estate is unbearable today. I'm staying with you for a couple days." Benjamin stated it plainly, without pretense.
Isabella found it odd. Even if the Montgomery manor was chaotic, he had other options. Friends. Hotels. Why choose her?
Victoria must have made her move. Isabella's curiosity prickled. What was her adopted sister planning now?
She secured her helmet and handed Benjamin a spare one.
He blinked, surprised. He had expected resistance, not immediate compliance.
This was going better than anticipated. Benjamin fastened the helmet.
Isabella revved the engine. The motorcycle surged forward, accelerating at a breathtaking pace.
No.2
Benjamin grabbed the rear handle, caught off guard. His mind flashed to the old Isabella. The pretentious, clumsy girl who trailed after Alexander Whitmore. The constant embarrassment.
Now, she was this. Formidable. Impressive. He had to admit, she looked incredibly cool.
Meanwhile, at the Blackwood Estate...
A lavish celebration was in full swing. Industry elites mingled throughout the opulent halls. Their conversations were a low, refined hum.
Vivienne Delacroix stood apart even here. A crystal wine glass dangled from her fingers. She sat near an elaborate floral arrangement.
Her strapless gown was a masterpiece. The hem was a river of inlaid diamonds. They caught the light with her slightest movement, sparkling from every angle.
She was beauty. She was class. She was utterly singular.
A cluster of women orbited her. Admiring gazes from men followed her. But Vivienne's attention was fixed on one figure alone.
Nathaniel Blackwood stood by the champagne tower. His tailored suit accentuated his powerful frame. He was surrounded by businessmen, yet he held a quiet command.
No.3
He didn't need to speak. His presence alone radiated an aura of exquisite authority.
A slow smile touched Vivienne's lips. The plan was in motion. By now, Alexander should have had his way with Isabella. She could barely contain her anticipation.
She imagined Nathaniel's face when he saw the photos. The delicious shock. The betrayal.
Just then, her assistant, Cassandra Delacroix, rushed over. "Madam, an urgent matter."
Vivienne offered a brief apology to her companions. They dispersed immediately, not daring to linger.
Cassandra leaned in, her voice a hushed whisper. "Alexander's plan failed. Victoria is pregnant. They're announcing their engagement."
What? Vivienne's grip on the glass tightened. The stem threatened to snap.
How could Alexander let such a perfect chance slip through his fingers and end up engaged to Victoria instead?
What a useless pawn he turned out to be.
No.4
“Get back immediately and drive it to Vivienne,” she ordered in a low, sharp tone. “Reginald Worthington.”
Reginald was the CEO of Fortune Entertainment who had conspired with SilverPeak to attack Isabella.
But after being publicly humiliated by Isabella, he had kept a low profile.
Since Isabella possessed evidence of his affairs, his company had been forced into seclusion.
He harbored a deep hatred for Isabella. He craved revenge. If he got his hands on this pill, he would make sure Isabella paid dearly.
“Probably not today,” said Cassandra. “Isabella’s brother, Benjamin, is going back to Rosewood Manor with her.”
That meant Isabella would have both a child and her brother living with her!
Damn it!
Her grip tightened violently. The stem of the wine glass snapped with a loud crack.
No.5
Anthony’s mother, Beatrice Blackwood, approached her at that moment. “Vivienne, what’s wrong? Why are you sitting here all alone?”
“It’s nothing,” Vivienne said, quickly recomposing herself. She put on a worried expression. “I’m just ashamed I couldn’t complete the task you gave me.”
Vivienne was supposed to spend this month building a closer relationship with Nathaniel, aiming for an engagement announcement today. But she had made zero progress with him.
Beatrice sighed. “What a pity. With so many important people here, it would have been the perfect occasion for an announcement. Sadly…”
She shook her head. “Never mind. There’s still time. Come with me. Let’s go talk to Nathaniel. You two need more contact!”
She offered her hand to Vivienne.
Vivienne stood up gracefully and followed her toward Nathaniel.
Hah! So what if Nathaniel liked Isabella? His parents favored her. Only she, in her exquisite gown, deserved to stand by his side.
Just as they neared him, his phone rang.
No.6
Nathaniel answered. It was Dominic. “Boss, we have a problem. Ms. Montgomery is bringing a man back to the mansion. The man is riding on the back of her motorcycle!”
Nathaniel’s face instantly turned to ice. He ended the call without a word.
He had told Isabella to stay home and look after Oliver. Instead, she went out and was bringing another man back to his property?!
He pocketed his phone and approached his father. “I have an urgent matter to attend to. You’ll have to excuse me.”
Reginald Blackwood frowned. Excuse him? The celebration had only just begun. Lunch hadn't even been served. He was leaving already?
Despite the tension that had existed between them since the incident five years ago, Nathaniel was still his most accomplished son. His presence at the birthday celebration was a point of pride. How could he just leave?
Beatrice walked over, pulling Vivienne along. “What could possibly be more important than your father’s birthday? Can’t it wait until tomorrow? You haven’t been home in ages. There are still relatives who want to see you.”
She nudged Vivienne forward.
Vivienne stood there, the picture of elegance and composure. Gorgeous. Dignified. She was certain she was the most beautiful woman in the room. Surely Nathaniel would finally look at her.
No.7
However…
“Another time,” Nathaniel replied curtly. He turned and walked away.
His stride was steady and cold, utterly merciless. He didn’t even glance at Vivienne as he passed her.
The other society heiresses had always looked up to Vivienne, believing she was the only woman who could hold Nathaniel’s attention. That illusion was shattered in that moment.
What a humiliating scene!
Isabella clenched her fists, feeling the weight of everyone's mocking stares.
Why would Nathaniel do this to her? Why publicly embarrass her like that?
Thankfully, Beatrice was quick to smooth things over. "Oh dear... Nathaniel has always been this way, completely consumed by work. It's all business with him!"
"Quite understandable! That's precisely why Blackwood Corporation thrives," the guests chimed in politely.