Chapter 1689

No.1

Back in the living room, Isabella continued her confession. "There were more photos. I wore four different costumes that day."

After Alexander rejected her first rabbit costume, Victoria had suggested, "He didn't like that one? Try more styles—one of them will definitely catch his attention. Don't worry, I'll make sure nobody in the family finds out."

Five years ago, Isabella had been so naive. She had believed every word Victoria told her!

Foolishly, she had tried on various costumes, including some that were nearly transparent.

True to Victoria's promise, the family never found out. However, Alexander refused to see her for over two weeks afterward. He preferred innocent, pure girls like Victoria, not someone who seemed desperate. If not for Isabella's fifteen percent stake in the Montgomery family shares, Alexander would have broken off their engagement immediately!

Isabella pushed the memories aside and met Nathaniel's intense gaze. "Four costumes, each more revealing than the last. You'll regret loving me. It's not too late to walk away now."

Isabella preferred brutal honesty over sugarcoating the truth. She would take responsibility for her past actions. So what if Nathaniel hated her for it? She was accustomed to being alone anyway.

Yet when she saw the fire in Nathaniel's eyes, an unfamiliar fear stirred within her.

She was terrified he would say goodbye. Terrified he would abandon her.

No.2

Strangely, she cared deeply about what he thought of her...

Just as she braced for his disgust, Nathaniel's words shocked her. "It wasn't your fault."

Not her fault?

Isabella stared at him in disbelief. Was she hearing correctly? Were her senses deceiving her?

Nathaniel's voice remained firm and mature as he continued, "Loving someone and fighting for them isn't wrong. The fault lies with him. But..."

He looked deeply into her eyes. "Fortunately, he made a mistake. Fortunately, he didn't appreciate you."

His husky voice carried sincerity and magnetism, incredibly soothing to hear.

Isabella's heart skipped a beat. She understood his meaning perfectly: Nathaniel got his chance because Alexander had thrown her away.

Anyone else seeing those photos would have mocked her relentlessly. Yet Nathaniel said it wasn't her fault...

No.3

She studied the man before her. "Nathaniel, you're too good to me. How can I ever repay you?"

Nathaniel sat down opposite her and began gathering the checkers from the table. "Maybe spend more time with me? Treat me half as well as you treated Alexander."

Half as well?

Nathaniel Blackwood, settling for only half of her affection?

Isabella's red lips curved into a smile. "Sorry, but no."

No?

Nathaniel's expression darkened immediately.

Was Alexander still that important to her? Would she not even give him half of what she gave to Alexander?

"Isabella, tell me what percentage of your attention you can give me."

No.4

If she couldn't give half, couldn't she spare him at least some fraction? Isabella looked at him, her lips slowly curling upward.

The message was sent.

Alexander waited for Isabella to beg him not to release those scandalous photos.

Instead, his phone buzzed with a reply from an entirely different number.

[If these images ever surface, Whitmore Enterprises will cease to exist.]

The number was a chilling sequence of eleven identical digits—66666666666.

A custom account. The kind money couldn't buy.

A cold, severe face flashed in Alexander's mind. Him. It had to be Nathaniel.

They were still together. He hadn't left her.

No.5

Isabella’s confidence, her audacity… it all made sense now. She had Nathaniel Blackwood backing her. She feared nothing with his power behind her.

A dark, bitter hatred coiled in Alexander’s gut.

She played the victim online while secretly entangled with Nathaniel. What a cunning, calculating woman.

Spoiled. She was utterly, completely spoiled.

He snatched his phone, dialing a number. “Harrison. Southern Cemetery. Genevieve Beaumont’s grave. It’s time to act.”

Genevieve Beaumont. The Montgomery family’s longtime nanny. She raised Isabella from a child. When the world mocked Isabella as the adopted daughter, Genevieve was her sole protector.

Disturb that grave, and Isabella would drop everything. She would rush there immediately. And knowing her connection to Nathaniel now… he would surely go with her.

A cruel smirk twisted Alexander’s lips. Let’s see who calls me a douchebag then, when her affair with Nathaniel Blackwood is exposed for all to see.

And when the powerful Blackwood family discovers their heir is involved with a woman like her? They would never approve. They would despise her.

No.6

Nathaniel would have to choose. His family… or her. He would drop her. He had to.

The image of Nathaniel discarding Isabella filled Alexander with grim satisfaction. The thought of her crawling back to him, begging.

He craved it. He wanted to see it happen.

Nearby, Victoria pretended to browse jewelry. She observed Alexander’s every move. She heard his phone call.

Perfect. Alexander was plotting against Isabella. Her days were numbered.

But…

A nagging worry pricked at Victoria. Alexander and his parents still looked down on her. Her shares in the Montgomery empire were pitifully small. They knew she was the true adopted daughter, not Isabella.

Once she married into the Whitmore family, her time to win over the Montgomerys would vanish. Her bonds with Eleanor and Richard would weaken.

What good were such meager shares then?

No.7

She needed more. She needed a larger stake before the wedding. With more shares, Alexander and his parents would finally respect her. They would value her.

A sharp glint of malice lit her eyes. She excused herself, heading for the restroom.

Inside a locked stall, she pulled out her phone. She opened her chat with Takashi Yamamoto.

[Mr. Yamamoto, I heard you’ve connected with my brother. Yet I understand you haven’t begun his lessons? Please, let me know if there is anything I can assist with.]

The reply was instant.

[Victoria, my admiration for you remains. Since our encounter in Westhaven, you are all I can think of.]

Victoria’s lip curled in distaste. [Your flattery is noted, Mr. Yamamoto. But I am to be married soon. We can, however, remain… good friends.]

Takashi Yamamoto's message glowed on the screen. [Don't worry. I have no intention of disrupting your wedding. I simply desire five photographs of you. Similar in nature to the one that gained such notoriety.]