Chapter 1564
No.1
The press release hit every major outlet by noon.
Isabella Montgomery resided in South Africa for five years.
She held no operational role within Montgomery Group.
Shares were granted based on family status alone.
Due to her recent criminal actions...
The board has voted unanimously for removal.
All shares are hereby forfeited.
Montgomery Group severs all ties with Isabella Montgomery.
Her future actions are her own responsibility.
No.2
Public approval was immediate and overwhelming.
Twitter ignited with supportive comments.
Every local branch amplified the message.
Small towns received the news within hours.
Isabella's name became synonymous with poison.
Her reputation dissolved into mud.
Public favor evaporated completely.
She was utterly notorious.
The detention room held an unnatural quiet.
No.3
Isabella slept deeply on the narrow cot.
She showed no concern for the world outside.
Nathaniel Blackwood arrived with Oliver in tow.
The scene gave him immediate pause.
He gestured for Oliver to wait down the hall.
Nathaniel entered alone.
An exquisite lunch box weighed in his hand.
"Your trial is tomorrow."
His voice cut the silence.
No.4
"Are you truly prepared?"
Isabella didn't bother opening her eyes.
"Everything is handled."
Her tone remained flat.
Nathaniel's frown deepened.
Discomfort prickled under his skin.
"By Julian Hawthorne?"
The name felt like acid on his tongue.
"Is that who you mean?"
No.5
Isabella's eyes snapped open.
She caught his jealous tone immediately.
Nathaniel moved to her bedside.
"Eric."
He whispered the name.
Gravel laced with clear displeasure.
Isabella frowned at his possessiveness.
Why would he even care?
Julian hadn't visited once during her incarceration...
No.6
Nathaniel misread her silence completely.
His hands shot out abruptly.
He gripped her shoulders with sudden force.
He pulled her upright from the cot.
Nathaniel remained seated beside Isabella’s bed.
His gaze was fixed on her. “Anything Julian can do, I can do too,” he said. “Next time something like this happens, you should think of me first.”
His voice was low, but it carried an undeniable authority.
He held her shoulders firmly, their proximity making the air between them feel charged.
All she could breathe in was his distinct, masculine scent.
No.7
For reasons she couldn't explain, her heart began to race, thumping erratically in her chest.
She pushed his hands away. “If I ever star in a drama and need someone to play a human leech, I’ll definitely consider you.”
Nathaniel fell silent for a moment.
Then a faint smile touched his lips. “If you’re the female lead, I’ll do it for free. Consider it a friends-and-family discount.”
Isabella had no comeback.
Internally, she thought, ‘When he decides to be bold, he really has no shame.’
“Why are you here?” she asked. “I was about to go to sleep early.”
“I brought you dinner,” Nathaniel replied.
He stood and uncovered the food container, then placed it in front of her.