Chapter 1462
No.1
Maxwell frowned. "I'm afraid it's too late..."
Isabella ate and drank continuously–one had to admit, the wine handmade by a professor like Silas was truly unique.
It had a sweet, cooling texture with a lasting, exquisite aftertaste. It was as refreshing as fruit juice.
Yet, the more she drank, the dizzier she became.
Her vision blurred. Nathaniel, once one person, now appeared as two, then three... She was seeing double!
Was she drunk?
Isabella never usually got drunk on Silas's wine. She eyed Nathaniel suspiciously. "D-Did you put something in my wine, Nathaniel?"
"Am I that kind of man in your eyes?" Nathaniel refuted.
Isabella had no response to that.
No.2
Of course not.
Nathaniel had ample opportunity to take advantage of her before, yet he never did.
Perhaps she really was just drunk.
As the thought crossed her mind, Isabella's body went limp, and she slumped onto the table.
Nathaniel set down his fork and walked over to carry her back to her room.
Finally, Oliver jumped up from the sofa and ran upstairs to open the door for them.
Once Nathaniel entered the room, he heard a loud 'click' from outside.
That sound...
Undoubtedly, Oliver was messing with them again!
No.3
Oliver loved inventing things, including an anti-opening device.
Once that device was secured on both sides of the door, no one inside could open it, no matter their strength.
Nathaniel didn't get angry at Oliver's actions. He simply smiled. The boy was actually less irritating than usual.
Outside the door, Oliver examined the anti-opening device he had installed. He dusted off his hands with satisfaction. Finally! After resisting his hunger for so long, he could finally enjoy his dinner. Now his father and mother could have some quality time together. Maybe he would get a little sister soon! He happily ran downstairs. He ate with impeccable table manners, behaving like a proper little gentleman.
Back inside the room...
Nathaniel laid Isabella down on the bed before settling beside her. A soft blush colored her cheeks. It gave her a completely different allure compared to her usual icy demeanor.
His hand instinctively reached out to caress her face. But just before his fingers made contact, he paused. He gently played with a stray strand of her hair instead. "Oh, Isabella..." he murmured. "When will you finally celebrate with me?" She was always so consumed by her past and her enemies. He often felt overlooked. Suddenly, Isabella turned over in her sleep. Her arm wrapped around his waist.
The distance between them vanished completely.
Her intoxicating feminine scent, mixed with a hint of alcohol, filled his senses. It was utterly arousing.
No.4
Nathaniel's eyes darkened. "My little wildcat," he whispered huskily. "Do you even realize you're playing with fire?" Isabella remained asleep, offering no response. Her arm stayed firmly around him. Nathaniel sighed. He was talking to a completely intoxicated woman. It was pointless.
He pulled her closer, wrapping his arm around her waist. A satisfied smile touched his lips as she nestled against him. With him, she was always so vulnerable and trusting. He could feel her walls slowly crumbling down.
However...
A shadow crossed his face as memories from five years ago resurfaced. Would Isabella leave him if she ever discovered the truth? Would she think he was a monster? He knew how much she despised that kind of man. He desperately hoped to keep it hidden a little longer. At least until after they were officially married. Once she was legally his, she could never escape.
Isabella slept soundly, completely oblivious. In her drunken state, she had forgotten all about Benjamin.
Benjamin had attended Victoria's wedding. He had been genuinely happy for his sister. Then that video played on the big screen. It shattered his image of her pure and gentle nature. He got blindingly drunk. He didn't even bother going home. Coincidentally, Takashi Yamamoto sent his men to bring Benjamin to Westhaven. Benjamin boarded the plane without a second thought.
At the Montgomery Manor, Victoria finally woke up. She dragged herself to the window and picked up her phone. She sent a text to Takashi Yamamoto: [Do this one thing for me. I'll agree to any condition you demand.]
In Westhaven...
Takashi smirked at the message. So, Victoria had finally been broken. So what if she had slept with Alexander and Harrison? Her beauty remained untouched. She was still utterly bewitching! That once untouchable, pure woman was now begging him for help? He replied: [Are you certain? You'll agree to share my bed?]
No.5
Victoria: [Yes. I will come to Westhaven to meet you after this is done.]
Takashi: [Very well. It's a deal.]
Victoria received the files from Takashi almost immediately. When Eleanor and Richard were not in the living room, she forced her weak body out of bed. She walked deep into the estate's grounds. Theodore Montgomery lived in a separate, two-story house there. After the scandal, he had sent all the maids away. He sat alone in his living room, trying to clear his mind.
His door was pushed open gently at that moment. He turned around, furious. He saw Victoria standing there. "What are you doing here? Get out!" he demanded, his voice cold and harsh.
Victoria was the absolute last person he wanted to see.
Theodore Montgomery held affection for Isabella, but he also cared deeply for Victoria.
She was his biological granddaughter, after all.
He had placed great hopes in her future.
That was why he allowed Richard and Eleanor to transfer their shares to her.
No.6
Even knowing it threatened his own controlling stake.
To him, Victoria's past mistakes were common among ambitious women.
What woman didn't fight for status and love?
The important thing was her genuine desire to change.
To uphold the family's honor.
Her scandal with Alexander's assistant shocked him deeply.
She had Alexander, yet she betrayed him with his own staff.
Victoria destroyed the Montgomery family's reputation.
They became the laughingstock of high society.
No.7
Theodore felt utterly devastated.
To him, this granddaughter was already dead.
Victoria approached him despite his visible anger.
She stood directly before him.
"I came to discuss something important."
"I heard you plan to revoke my shares?"
"That's correct." His expression remained stormy. "After such a disgrace, you deserve nothing. The Montgomery legacy will not be destroyed by you."
Tears welled in Victoria's eyes instantly.
They streamed down her cheeks in practiced sobs.