Chapter 1440
No.1
Yet she lay protectively cradling the contract and laptop. Despite her severe injuries, the documents were completely unharmed.
Richard’s eyes stung with emotion. “Victoria! Why… why would you be so reckless?!”
“My Victoria! Oh, my poor girl!” Eleanor Kensington helped lift Victoria from the debris. She carried her out carefully.
Victoria moaned painfully as consciousness flickered. She lay limp in Eleanor’s arms, dazed and confused. Her voice emerged as a strained whisper. “The contract… Father’s contract…”
Though barely audible, her sole concern was the document.
Eleanor’s heart clenched at the raw worry in her voice. “The contract is safe. You saved it,” she soothed. “Don’t speak now… The doctor is coming.” Victoria relaxed hearing this. Her eyes fluttered shut as darkness took her.
"Victoria...? Victoria?! Doctor! Someone get a doctor!" Eleanor screamed in pure panic.
Medical staff rushed into the room immediately. After a thorough examination, the lead physician announced, "She's extremely fortunate to have received immediate medical attention. Any delay could have resulted in severe burns. She has a minor spinal fracture, but considering the circumstances, it could have been fatal. Her survival is nothing short of miraculous."
Richard and Eleanor both collapsed into nearby chairs, overwhelmed with relief.
No.2
Just then, Benjamin's excited call came through. "Father! I'm going to Westhaven! Takashi Yamamoto himself agreed to train me! He said he'll make me the next gaming champion! I'll leave right after my sister's wedding ceremony. I'll return as a champion and make our family proud!"
Richard's expression darkened instantly. Westhaven? Now of all times?
While he was drowning in corporate responsibilities and family affairs, his son wanted to chase gaming dreams in Westhaven?
"Are you deliberately trying to provoke me?" Richard's voice turned icy. "Do you have any awareness of our current situation? Your sister is holding our company together while you, a grown man, waste your life on games! What could possibly be going through that empty head of yours?"
"What's wrong with pursuing gaming? It's a legitimate career path! Do you think traditional business is the only way to succeed? I'll bring honor to the Kensington name! You'll all regret underestimating me!" Benjamin ended the call abruptly.
The dial tone echoed in the silent room. Richard's face contorted with fury. "Useless! Absolutely worthless!" he roared. "What did I do to deserve such a failure of a son?"
"Unbelievable!" Eleanor seethed, her anger palpable. "He keeps sinking lower every day! Not only is he addicted to those ridiculous games, but now he's abandoning us for Westhaven? We never should have had him! He's nothing like Victoria—not even comparable!"
She paused, watching Victoria's unconscious form on the hospital bed. "Richard, we can't rely on Benjamin anymore, and Isabella isn't our biological daughter. We should transfer our shares to Victoria. She promised to continue managing the company even after marrying Alexander, and we know she's capable. If we transfer the shares now, they'll be considered pre-marriage assets, so they'll remain solely hers rather than becoming marital property."
After a long silence, Richard glanced at the fire-damaged document that had miraculously survived intact. "Very well," he agreed finally.
No.3
Victoria lay perfectly still, internally celebrating her triumphant success.
At long last... She had done it!
Meanwhile...
Isabella sat in the luxury vehicle with Nathaniel and Oliver heading toward Southern Cemetery. Both father and son had insisted on accompanying her despite her initial objections, leaving her no choice but to accept their presence.
As they neared the cemetery grounds, Isabella received a text from Maxwell: [Ms. Montgomery, numerous reporters have surrounded Southern Cemetery. They're positioned to capture photos of you and Mr. Blackwood together.]
Isabella's brow furrowed. Had this been a setup all along?
Was someone deliberately trying to photograph her and Nathaniel together?
Was Vivienne behind this again?
Her eyes narrowed dangerously as she turned to Nathaniel. "Stay in the car with the curtains drawn. I'll go alone."
No.4
Nathaniel saw the message on her phone screen. "We're already here, and she was important to you. It's only proper that we pay our respects together."
"Yes! I want to meet Mommy's aunt! I brought flowers for her!" Oliver added enthusiastically, clutching a bouquet.
Isabella hesitated. "But the reporters... I'm not ready to publicize our relationship yet."
"Don't worry," Nathaniel assured her with his characteristically firm tone as the car came to a stop. "I'll handle this."
He opened the door and stepped out before she could stop him.
Isabella's heart raced. What was he planning? With so many reporters watching, was Nathaniel about to officially reveal their relationship to the world?
Isabella's mind raced with chaotic thoughts.
Nathaniel had already circled the car to her side.
He opened the passenger door for her.
No.5
She remained frozen in her seat, studying him cautiously.
"Nathaniel," she said, her voice laced with warning. "You know I'm not ready for them to find out yet."
His gaze remained steady and unyielding.
"Trust me," he insisted, his tone firm yet reassuring.
Hesitation flickered across her features before she finally relented.
She stepped out of the vehicle, deciding to take the leap of faith.
His calm demeanor provided a strange sense of security.
He had asked for her trust, and she would give him that chance.
She wondered how he would handle the situation with the paparazzi reportedly swarming the area.
No.6
The hidden photographers gaped in disbelief at the sight before them.
They had received tips about Isabella Montgomery arriving at Southern Cemetery with Nathaniel Blackwood.
Yet they had dismissed it as false information until this moment.
The reality left them stunned.
Nathaniel Blackwood was indeed involved with Isabella Montgomery!
Their interactions suggested deep affection between them.
Cameras immediately began clicking from various angles.
Some photographers shot from the sides, others from behind.
A few bold ones even captured frontal shots despite the risk.
No.7
The sweltering heat became irrelevant in their excitement.
Isabella walked beside Nathaniel toward the cemetery entrance.
Oliver trailed slightly behind them on his short legs.
His large, observant eyes scanned their surroundings carefully.
After a moment, he spoke softly. "Daddy, eleven o'clock. Nine paparazzi behind the bushes. That's most of them."
Nathaniel showed no reaction to this information.
Instead, he took Isabella's hand and placed it firmly on his arm.
She lowered her voice. "Nathaniel, what are you doing?"
This posture clearly signaled their relationship status.