Chapter 1639

No.1

Nathaniel watched her disappear. A thoughtful gaze settled on his face. Court her? How does one court a wild she-wolf? Taming an actual wolf might be easier...

Sebastian pulled up just then. His car halted before Nathaniel. "Brother. Progress. They collected skin cells from thirty women. All from the presidential suite's bedside. DNA investigation starts immediately."

Nathaniel remained impassive. No joy touched his features. This news would have thrilled him once. But now he had Isabella. What did finding that woman matter anymore?

What if that woman demanded responsibility? What if Isabella discovered his past? He accepted her history. But would she accept his?

His brow furrowed. "Continue the investigation. Report the findings."

"Understood." Sebastian sensed something off. Why did his brother seem displeased?

At GoldenPhoenix...

Isabella parked in the underground garage. She took the elevator directly to the top-floor conference room.

Adrian spotted her. He hurried over. "Isabella. The situation escalates. Celestial Gala's organizer refuses to engage. I exhausted all options. Even offered a luxury cruise. She declined. Julian is still negotiating. She appears immovable. Three of our artists have contracts with them. The total penalty approaches ten billion!"

No.2

Ten billion. Even as the Diamond Boss, that sum made her wince.

"I'll handle it." Isabella strode toward the conference room.

Inside, Julian pleaded with Beatrice Worthington. "Isabella will resolve this. She'll provide a satisfactory answer within days."

"Days? I'm terminating the contracts today! The clauses are clear. Artists must maintain clean reputations. Your entire management and artists failed! So what if she fixes it? A former mistress leading our show? Celestial Gala is no ordinary event! It's government-funded! Globally advertised! International audience! A mistress as Lead would create a global joke! Embarrass our nation! The contracts end today! Pay the penalties!" Beatrice's tone brooked no argument.

Isabella pushed the door open and stepped inside. Her voice remained steady. “Ms. Worthington wishes to terminate the contracts?”

She paused for a brief moment. “That is acceptable.”

“Acceptable?”

Did Isabella Montgomery just say it was acceptable?

Adrian Sinclair stared at her in disbelief. He quickly moved to her side, his voice a hushed, urgent whisper. “Have you completely lost your mind, Isabella?”

No.3

Julian Hawthorne looked equally distressed, his face etched with a deep frown. Terminating these contracts meant a staggering ten-billion-dollar loss. Their artists would also lose their chance to attend the prestigious event.

There seemed to be no way to recover from this.

Isabella walked calmly to the head of the conference table and took the president’s seat. Her gaze was fixed on Beatrice. “Ten billion is not a problem for me. I can arrange the payment immediately.”

She leaned forward slightly. “However, you should consider this. I will only be losing ten billion. You, Ms. Worthington, will be losing an invaluable opportunity at the Celestial Gala in three days.”

With a sharp flick of her wrist, she pushed a proposal folder across the polished table.

Skreet.

The folder slid smoothly directly toward Beatrice. Beatrice picked it up and opened it. Her eyes widened as she scanned the contents.

The proposal was… exceptional.

Even under immense pressure, Isabella had devised a truly ingenious strategy.

No.4

The entire plan, however, hinged on Arabella’s innocence. Beatrice lifted her eyes to meet Isabella’s. “Harrison Winslow has already given his public statement. How can you claim Arabella was deceived? Do you possess any proof?”

“The evidence will be here within the next forty-eight hours. You should review my track record, Ms. Worthington. I have never failed to deliver on my word,” Isabella stated, her confidence radiating an almost regal authority.

It was intimidating.

“Under different circumstances, I would not hesitate to take this risk,” Beatrice conceded. “But the Celestial Gala is different.”

She placed the proposal back on the table. “Every costume for that event is custom-made for each specific artist. My team would need to work non-stop for a minimum of three days to produce just one garment. This is precisely why the liquidation damages are so extraordinarily high.”

Her tone was final. “Therefore, I must terminate the contracts with your artists today. I need to immediately begin searching for suitable replacements. I apologize, but this is the only logical course of action.”

Isabella’s expression darkened. She had not anticipated such stubbornness. Beatrice doubted her capabilities and distrusted her guarantee. The apprehension was understandable; even a one percent chance of failure could catastrophically damage the Celestial Gala.

It seemed termination was the only option left. Just as Isabella was about to reluctantly agree…

“Ms. Worthington, surely there’s no need for such haste? Can we not discuss this further?” A deep, magnetic voice cut through the tense atmosphere.

No.5

All heads turned toward the door.

Alexander Whitmore walked into the room, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit.

Isabella frowned. What was Alexander doing at her company?

Beatrice, however, immediately stood up, a surprised smile gracing her features. “Alexander! What a pleasant surprise. What brings you here?”

“I heard you were paying a visit, Ms. Worthington. It seemed only right that I stop by to say hello. You are an exceptionally busy woman. You never seem to have time for me these days.” His tone was warm, laced with a hint of playful humor.

Beatrice chuckled softly. “Look at you, still such a charmer! I wouldn’t be where I am today without your help all those years ago. I’ve just been preoccupied with some minor issues recently.”

There was a history between them. Years ago, Beatrice had been hiking in a remote wilderness area. She had run out of oxygen near a mountain peak and was close to death. Alexander had been there. He provided her with an oxygen tank and stayed with her until she recovered.

Isabella had felt indebted to Alexander ever since the rescue incident. His tarnished reputation did nothing to diminish her respect for him.

Alexander glanced at the proposal on the table. "These are minor adjustments with minimal costs. I'm confident Isabella can handle them. If you remain unsatisfied, I'll secure top-tier artists for the show." He produced a list and handed it to Beatrice. "I've already prepared potential candidates."

No.6

Beatrice scanned the document, recognizing renowned SilverPeak artists. Their measurements aligned perfectly with Arabella's team, eliminating need for costume modifications.

Her expression softened considerably. "Excellent work! You've always been so thorough. I'll allow two more days then."

"Thank you, Ms. Worthington," Alexander responded with polished grace.

"Continue your efforts, young man. Remember—it's never too late to cherish what matters. Isabella deserves your devotion." Beatrice gave his shoulder an approving pat before exiting.

Alexander offered a polite nod before turning his attention to Isabella. He anticipated gratitude, but she rose without acknowledgment, moving toward the exit.

"Isabella." He reached for her, but Adrian intercepted with a protective stance. "Mr. Whitmore, maintain appropriate boundaries. The contract termination severs all ties. Do not touch her."

Alexander withdrew his hovering hand awkwardly. "I only wish to speak. Ms. Worthington was right—we learn through errors. Won't you grant me one opportunity?"

Errors? He reduced their history to mere mistakes?

"What purpose exists in sparing a murderer?" Isabella's scoff carried glacial sharpness. "If mistakes taught lessons, why would law enforcement exist?"

No.7

Her words landed with precise, brutal clarity.

Alexander's kick had killed her unborn child. Though not his, it remained a life extinguished. How dared he seek redemption after such brutality?

Did he truly believe she couldn't discern his motives? Marriage. Domination. Asset acquisition.

Delusional arrogance.

"Security!" Her command echoed.

Ten guards immediately flooded the room, forming a barrier around Isabella. Shielded by their presence, she exited with an icy, untamable aura.

Alexander stood cornered under the guards' vigilant stares. His gaze hardened as he watched her retreat.

The timid girl who once trailed after him had transformed into an unattainable force.