Chapter 1883
No.1
A slit wrist.
Isabella Montgomery’s expression darkened as she stepped onto the ninth floor.
The lobby was already crowded with people blocking the balcony from Arabella Fontaine. Her manager and assistants were trying to calm her, but Arabella clutched a vase, weakly threatening, “Stay back! Don’t come any closer! I’ll do it… I swear I will!”
Blood dripped steadily from her wrist, forming a dark pool on the marble floor. Her team kept a helpless distance, but Isabella strode forward without hesitation.
Arabella stumbled backward, raising the vase. “I said don’t come near me!”
“Go ahead. Throw it at me,” Isabella challenged, her steps never faltering.
Arabella’s hands shook violently. “I’ll really do it—ah!”
Isabella moved like lightning, seizing her wrist and wrenching the vase away. In one fluid motion, she pinned Arabella onto the nearby sofa.
The assistants sprang into action, holding her down while the medical team rushed to stem the bleeding.
No.2
“Let me go! Why did you save me?” Arabella sobbed. “Why won’t you let me die?”
“So that scumbag can return to his perfect family while your name is dragged through the mud forever?” Isabella’s voice was icy as she stepped back, allowing the medics to work.
Arabella flinched. A bitter smile touched her lips. “What else is left for me? I deserve this… I deserve to die!” She closed her eyes, tears streaming uncontrollably.
Her manager, Penelope Sinclair, rushed to Isabella’s side. “Boss Montgomery, please help us. Arabella had no idea Harrison Winslow was married! She didn’t know about Genevieve Beaumont or their children! She was completely in the dark! She gave that man everything!”
Arabella wailed, her body trembling with each sob.
It was true. She’d been only eighteen, new to the industry, when Harrison swept her off her feet. He treated her like a princess, and she believed she’d found her fairy tale.
She followed his every direction, attended every event he arranged. Even when rival companies courted her with better offers, she never considered leaving. Her free time was spent knitting scarves for him, tailoring his suits by hand. They adopted a cat together. She gave him her innocence.
She dreamed of their wedding, even picking out names for their future children: Markus and Katie Winslow. Symbols of their love, their future.
Just days ago, she’d been thrilled about her contract with GoldenPhoenix, imagining the money she’d earn to buy Harrison a new car. Then the scandal broke—leaked photos of them in a hotel room.
No.3
Harrison had orchestrated it all. The man she loved had destroyed her. Eight years of her youth, her best years, were nothing but a lie.
Isabella frowned. “After all this time with Harrison, you must have something on him.”
“Harrison Winslow is a master manipulator. He never told anyone at SilverPeak he was married. No one knew. He never even used social media to message Arabella.”
“So without the media leak, Arabella might never have discovered the truth…”
Isabella’s eyes darkened. That bastard had covered his tracks perfectly. Still…
She turned, her voice low and resolute. “The one who deserves to die isn’t you. It’s Harrison Winslow. You will live. I’ll prove your innocence before the Celestial Gala. If I fail, I’ll die with you.” Her cold words hung in the air as she strode out, her posture unyielding.
Arabella frowned, but a faint spark lit in her eyes. Before the Celestial Gala? Prove her innocence? The event was only five days away. How could Isabella possibly clear her name in such a short time?
She was publicly branded a home-wrecker, a mistress who destroyed a family. She couldn’t even forgive herself. How could Isabella save her?
Isabella sped away from SilverPeak, her mind racing. So this was why Kelly let Arabella go free. She set this up to make me lose money! The scandal would cost RisingHawk billions. The company’s reputation would be ruined. For Arabella’s sake and for her own company, Isabella had to fix this.
No.4
But with no evidence…
Hah!
She screeched to a halt in the underground garage. Oliver was pacing anxiously. She quickly dismounted. “Momo, what’s wrong? Why are you down here?”
“Mommy! You’re back! Waa… Momo saw the video! Momo was so scared…! Waa…!” Oliver ran into her arms on his short, chubby legs.
Isabella frowned. “What video?”
“This one! Where you jumped off the building to save that lady…! Waa… Momo was terrified! Scared you’d get hurt! Scared you’d leave Momo! It took so long to find a Mommy I like… Waa…!” He sobbed, handing her his phone.
She finally understood. Her rescue of Arabella had been live-streamed. It was trending. Her agile moves had won her fans, but many criticized her for saving a mistress.
Isabella had no time for that. She put the phone away and ruffled his hair. “Don’t cry, Momo. I know what I’m doing. I never take risks I can’t handle. No matter what happens, you must trust me. Okay?”
“Okay! But Momo doesn’t want you to risk your life! Momo wants you to be Daddy’s princess! Let Daddy handle these things! Even if it means he has to jump off a building!” Oliver declared seriously.
No.5
Isabella was stunned.
Ask him to jump? Did that mean she ranked higher than Nathaniel in Oliver’s heart?
The thought warmed her. She took his chubby hand. “You’re the best, Momo. Let’s go upstairs. I’ll make you a special dinner tonight, okay?”
Oliver tugged her hand. “We can’t, Mommy. Auntie Vivienne is here.”
Isabella frowned. “Auntie Vivienne?”
“Yes. Vivienne Delacroix. She’s with Daddy,” Oliver explained.
A strange pang hit her heart. So Vivienne was here. With Nathaniel. He left Oliver waiting in the garage while he spent time alone with Vivienne at home?
She had been gone from the estate for barely half a day.
And he already had another woman in his home.
No.6
As Isabella processed the scene, Oliver quickly clarified, "Mommy, it's not Daddy's fault. Grandfather and Grandmother sent Aunt Vivienne. They said she must spend three hours with us every day from now on."
Three hours.
That could only mean one thing.
The Blackwood elders were determined to matchmake Nathaniel and Vivienne.
They weren't wrong in their choice.
Vivienne Delacroix stood at the pinnacle of Westchester's elite.
Her family background was impeccable.
Her medical and business skills were unparalleled.
She outshone every other woman in the city.
No.7
A woman like her was truly worthy of Nathaniel.
Isabella's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.
She looked down at Oliver. "Alright, sweetheart. Mommy will leave now. I'll visit you another day."
"No!" Oliver insisted, clutching her hand. "I want to stay with you. She's leaving in twenty minutes anyway. Mommy shouldn't have to leave because of someone like her! Come with me—I'll show you a secret place."
He led her to a narrow, hidden passageway.
It was a spiral staircase barely half a meter wide, winding upward through the walls.
Isabella frowned slightly. Where was he taking her?
She feared no one, least of all Vivienne Delacroix.