Chapter 1714
No.1
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.2
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.3
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.4
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.
No.5
"Grandfather... I'm your real granddaughter! I was set up! I'm completely innocent!"
"Set up? Our investigation found no evidence of drugging. Why persist with these lies?"
"No one drugged me... I drugged myself."
Theodore's frown deepened at her unexpected confession.
What did she just say?
She drugged herself?
Victoria met his gaze with a bitter smile.
"You have no idea the torment I've endured."
"Since Isabella returned, she systematically destroyed my modeling career."
No.6
"She ruined my public image."
"Yes, I deserved some of it. But I had no other choice!"
"I truly loved Alexander. Because of that love, I made terrible decisions."
Her voice cracked with manufactured emotion.
"Grandfather, do you realize how incredible Isabella became after Africa?"
"Alexander's heart changed. He promised to love me forever, yet he abandoned me for her!"
"We both made mistakes at their wedding, but only I faced consequences."
"He faced no backlash. He just pursued Isabella harder!"
"He told me never to contact him again."
No.7
"He demanded I help him win Isabella back!"
"Do you know how much that hurt?"
"Five years of love... utterly wasted!"
Victoria clutched her chest as if stabbed.
Her tears fell like a summer storm.
Theodore maintained his stern composure.
"None of that excuses sleeping with Harrison! Without that scandal, you'd be married to Alexander now!"
"And why did he fall for Isabella? Because of your own actions!"
Victoria seethed internally.