Chapter 1871
No.1
Right on cue, her voice rang clear. “Alright. I have three conditions. Fulfill them, and we can be married tonight.”
Married. Tonight.
Was she actually considering it?
A man like Alexander would agree to anything—thirty conditions wouldn’t stop him.
Nathaniel’s fists clenched, his knuckles bleaching white. He was about to pull out his phone when Isabella began speaking again.
“First,” she stated, her tone icy and resolved. “You will testify publicly about every crime Victoria Kensington committed against me. You will personally ensure she is sent to prison.”
“First, kneel and apologize to me for everything you’ve done.”
“Second, tell everyone the truth about you and Victoria for the past fifteen years.”
“Third, transfer ninety-nine percent of your shares in Whitmore Enterprises to me.”
No.2
Her voice was steady, echoing through the grand hall.
Alexander’s expression froze instantly. Ninety-nine percent? She was demanding nearly everything. Did she intend to strip him of his entire company?
As for the first two conditions… He knew exactly what she meant. She wanted him to confess that Victoria was the real adopted daughter. That Victoria had paid a man to assault her all those years ago. If the truth came out, Victoria would be finished. The Montgomerys would cast her out. She would lose all claim to the family fortune and be sent directly to prison.
Even though Alexander hadn’t searched for Victoria and his feelings had cooled, they had still grown up together. She was his first love, the woman he had cherished most. How could he be the one to utterly destroy her?
Seeing his hesitation, a cold, mocking smile touched Isabella’s lips. “Alexander, you claim to have seen the error of your ways, yet you can’t even meet these basic demands. How can I possibly agree to marry you?”
Her words sparked murmurs through the crowd.
“What else did Victoria do to Isabella? Was it something criminal?”
“That’s not the point. The point is he’s clearly still protecting her. He’s still in love with Victoria!”
“Ugh. I wouldn’t want a husband like that. Isabella, think carefully!”
No.3
The court of public opinion had shifted.
Alexander’s face darkened further. “Isabella,” he warned, his voice low, “don’t push this too far. I promise I will cut all ties with her. Can’t we just let the past stay in the past? Regarding the shares, I can give you forty percent. Please, be reasonable. I don’t want us to part on bad terms.”
He emphasized ‘part on bad terms’ as he thrust the bouquet toward her again. A silent threat. If she remained stubborn, he would release the photos.
Isabella’s smile turned condescending. Did he truly believe she was so easily manipulated?
Suddenly, she dropped to one knee, her posture a mirror of his proposal, but her eyes held a chilling intensity. She spoke, her voice a whisper meant only for his ears. “If you’re here asking me to let the past go, why are you using it to threaten me? Do you really think I’m afraid? At worst, you release those photos and we all burn together. And today, I will make Victoria take a DNA test with the Montgomery family.”
She moved to snatch the photo hidden within the roses.
Alexander’s composure shattered. She was calling his bluff! She would rather drag everyone down with her than marry him!
If she preemptively exposed herself and accused Victoria of framing her, the public would turn on Victoria instantly. Her recent scandals had already eroded her credibility. And a DNA test…
No. It was too soon. Victoria hadn’t secured the majority of the Montgomery shares. Their plans weren’t in place.
No.4
Alexander shot to his feet, yanking the bouquet back before her fingers could close around the damning evidence. “Isabella,” he said, his voice strained but loud enough for the crowd, “if you need more time, I will give it to you. Whether it takes ten days or ten years, I will wait for your answer.”
He pressed the roses into her hands but kept the engagement ring, quickly pocketing it along with the hidden photo.
The audience was left bewildered, their brows furrowed in confusion. What just happened? Why did he suddenly back down? What had she said to him?
Nathaniel’s gaze was the most intense. He could read lips. He had seen every word Isabella uttered.
‘Release the photos?’ What photos was Alexander threatening her with? ‘Burn together?’ What did Alexander have that could destroy her?
Her conditions mentioned events from five years ago. What truly happened five years ago?
His sharp eyes shifted to Benjamin. His voice was a low, dangerous rumble. “What happened to Isabella five years ago?” He would find out. He would eliminate every single threat against her.
Nathaniel would make Alexander pay for threatening his woman.
At the mention of the incident five years ago, Benjamin’s expression turned grim. Though he didn’t particularly like his sister Isabella, it was still a family matter. Outsiders should never learn the ugly truth—especially when it involved Isabella’s reputation.
No.5
Benjamin averted his gaze. “I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?” Nathaniel’s eyes narrowed dangerously. His piercing stare seemed to emit sharp, cold light.
Benjamin hesitated under the intensity. “I was only thirteen back then. I really don’t know anything. If you’re curious, ask Isabella yourself.” He closed his eyes, avoiding further confrontation.
Nathaniel’s gaze darkened. Clearly, Benjamin was hiding something.
What really happened five years ago? Why wouldn’t he talk?
Meanwhile, Oliver pouted angrily. “Daddy, he’s so rude! How dare he call Mommy by her first name?”
“Don’t dwell on it. You must call him Uncle.” Nathaniel composed himself and ruffled Oliver’s hair. Then he reached down and helped Benjamin to his feet.
Oliver scoffed. “Uncle?”
Goosebumps rose on Benjamin’s skin. ‘Uncle’? The infamous little terror of Westchester was calling him ‘Uncle’? Was this a joke? And why did the kid keep calling Isabella ‘Mommy’? Was he really her son?
No.6
That couldn’t be. The baby Isabella gave birth to five years ago was dead…
As Benjamin wrestled with his thoughts, Nathaniel placed Oliver in the backseat. Oliver tried to climb into the front, but Nathaniel stopped him. “Stay in the back. This seat is for Mommy.”
“Oh, okay!” Thinking of Isabella, Oliver obediently scooted back and sat beside Benjamin.
But the moment he looked at Benjamin, Oliver turned away haughtily. “Hmph! I don’t want a rude and weak uncle like you.”
Benjamin was speechless.
He didn’t want a nephew like that either. Weak? He could have taken all those kidnappers if they hadn’t outnumbered him and drugged him. Still, looking closer, Oliver did bear a slight resemblance to Isabella—especially around the eyes and mouth. He looked a lot like Isabella as a child.
Could Oliver really be Isabella’s son?
But he had seen the stillborn baby with his own eyes. The infant wasn’t breathing at birth, its face purplish and lifeless. How could it have survived? It must just be a coincidence.
The car pulled into an alley a short distance from the Celestial Gala venue. Evelyn was waiting under a tree with Isabella. Oliver’s text had put Isabella at ease. Spotting the car, Isabella waved to Evelyn. “You can go home now. Get some rest.”
No.7
“Alright.” Evelyn opened the car door for her, her admiration for Isabella growing even more.
As Isabella got in, Oliver exclaimed excitedly, “Mommy! Mommy! You were the most gorgeous one on stage tonight! You stood out from everyone! I’m your number one fan!”
“Thank you, Momo. Fasten your seatbelt. We’ll talk more at home,” Isabella said gently.
“Okay!” Oliver diligently fastened his seatbelt.
Benjamin watched Oliver’s behavior with a furrowed brow. The arrogant little Blackwood was so well-behaved around Isabella. And Nathaniel Blackwood seemed to dote on her…
Filled with suspicion, Benjamin finally asked, “Isabella, what’s your relationship with them?”
“My personal affairs are none of your concern,” Isabella’s voice dropped low. “Focus on yourself.”
She suddenly remembered something and turned to Nathaniel. “Head to the Montgomery Manor first. Drop him off there.”
“Understood.” Nathaniel adjusted the steering wheel.