Chapter 427
No.1
She’d had almost no contact with Victoria since the wedding. The Montgomery family hadn’t pushed for any meetings either.
Theodore sighed heavily. “She was pregnant with Alexander’s child. He forced her to terminate it. We need you here.”
Theodore respected Isabella’s decisions. Regardless of the outcome, they would make Alexander explain. Since Isabella had nearly married him, she deserved to know the truth.
Isabella’s frown deepened. So it had finally happened. She had been waiting for this day.
“Alright,” she replied. “I’ll be there within thirty minutes.”
The game ended just as she hung up. She walked over to Christopher. “Momo, can you stay home for a little while? Mommy will ask a very special friend to come play with you. I’ll be back in two hours!”
“Momo wants to go with Mommy!” Christopher jumped off the sofa, his small face set with determination.
Isabella ruffled his hair. “Momo, listen. My friend can jump off roofs and walk on walls. He can teach you!”
“Jump off roofs? Walk on walls? Really?” Christopher’s eyes widened with excitement.
No.2
Isabella nodded and called Maxwell.
Maxwell arrived at the house quickly. “Play some climbing games with Momo,” Isabella instructed. “And take excellent care of him.”
Rock climbing games? Child’s play! Why would a top-tier agent be doing this?
“Make sure Momo has fun,” Isabella stated firmly. “Or I’ll have you transferred to the Africa division.”
“Fine! Alright!” Maxwell agreed instantly.
Isabella handed Christopher over to Maxwell and left the manor.
Just as she had anticipated. Victoria had finally made her move. Perfect. The show was about to begin.
At Grace Memorial Hospital...
Victoria Kensington lay pale and fragile on the sterile hospital bed. A heartbreaking sight. "Just let them proceed with the surgery," she whispered weakly to everyone gathered in the room. "I'll pull through. I'll survive. I refuse to be a burden to Alexander..."
No.3
"Don't speak such nonsense, Victoria!" Eleanor Kensington clutched her daughter's hand, her voice trembling. "Burden? Alexander must take responsibility for you! We'll ensure he gives you a proper explanation."
Nearby, Benjamin Kensington snarled at Victor Whitmore. "Where is Alexander? Does he have no honor? A grown man acting with zero accountability!"
"Mr. Kensington, please remain calm. He will apologize to Victoria," Victor pledged.
Though they favored Isabella Montgomery, Victoria carried a child—a son. How could they allow her to terminate the pregnancy?
Alexander Whitmore entered the ward at that moment.
The instant he crossed the threshold, Benjamin's fist connected hard with his jaw.
"Alexander! You coward! How could you do this to my sister?!" He lunged again, but the Whitmore family bodyguards swiftly restrained him.
The Kensingtons made no move to intervene.
Protected by his security, Alexander wiped the blood from his lip with his thumb. Fury burned in his eyes.
No.4
Victoria knew that look. She recognized his rage. "Benjamin, stop! It's not his fault! It's mine! All mine... Alexander had already ended things. He was set to marry Isabella. I approached him at their wedding. I brought this shame upon myself..."
"Stop defending him, Victoria! He strung you along for five years! He did this to you, and you still shield him?" Eleanor cried out, torn between pain and anger.
Tears streamed down Victoria's cheeks. "Please don't make this worse. If Alexander doesn't want me, let me end this. Let me have the surgery and disappear from his life. I'll be fine. I'll survive..."
Her voice broke into desperate sobs. "Doctor! Where is the doctor?! I'm ready for the procedure...! I don't want this child! I don't want it!"
Her raw, agonizing wails shattered the hearts of everyone present.
Margaret Whitmore finally stepped forward. "Victoria, you have a bleeding disorder. The surgery could kill you! Don't be reckless... We will support you!"
She then turned a sharp gaze to Alexander. "What are you waiting for? Apologize to her right now. Propose!"
A bodyguard immediately handed Alexander a velvet box. Inside was the heirloom diamond ring from his engagement to Isabella—passed down for generations. How many times had he imagined slipping this very ring onto Victoria's finger? But now...
Putting it on her meant losing Isabella forever. Isabella would never take him back.
No.5
What choice did he have?
Tears of heartache glistened in her eyes. "Alexander, I meant what I said. I'll be mature. I won't force you. I won't be your burden."
With a sudden, violent movement, she clenched her fist and struck her own abdomen.
"Victoria!" Eleanor screamed, rushing to stop her.
"Let me go, Mother! I beg you! I'll be fine—I don't want this baby! I don't want it...! I don't!"
Victoria screamed in agony, her fists pounding relentlessly against her own stomach. Despair and sorrow consumed her completely.
Alexander watched her breakdown, his resolve finally crumbling. "Victoria, stop this!" His voice was sharp and commanding. "Get ahold of yourself!"
Even as he tried to calm her, Alexander made no move to take the ring she had offered.
"Enough!"
No.6
Theodore Montgomery had remained silent until now. He suddenly slammed his walking cane hard against the hospital floor.
The loud crack echoed ominously through the private ward. Everyone froze. Even Victoria's violent assault on her own body ceased.
Theodore declared, "Victoria will have this baby. The Montgomery family will raise it. Effective immediately, all business contracts with the Whitmore family are terminated. This is your final warning, Alexander... Your reputation will be destroyed!"
Theodore's words left no room for negotiation. The engagement was off. The alliance between their families was over.
Victor Whitmore paled. Their families had been business partners for generations. While their resources were comparable, Theodore's influence was immense.
Especially since the wedding day when Nathaniel Blackwood had publicly supported them. Now with Isabella on their side, how could the Whitmores afford to anger the Montgomerys?
He stepped toward Theodore. "Mr. Montgomery, please reconsider. This should be a happy occasion. Let's not make hasty decisions. Alexander, come here! Explain yourself!"
"Save your breath. I'm not blind! My granddaughter does not need to beg your son to marry her!" Theodore scoffed. He turned to Victoria. "No matter what mistakes you've made, remember you are a Montgomery. We do not grovel. If Alexander doesn't love you, you won't marry him! Even pregnant, I will find you a better husband!"
Forcing a marriage now would make them look desperate and pathetic.
No.7
Theodore despised weakness. He could see Alexander's reluctance clearly. Victoria was no match for him.
Despite his disappointment in Victoria, she was still his granddaughter. He would not allow her to be humiliated this way.
Victoria felt utterly hopeless. Who else could she marry besides Alexander? He was the most successful man in all of Westchester—except for the Blackwood men, of course.
But the Blackwoods were untouchable. Isabella had already ensnared Nathaniel. Victoria held no illusions about winning him over.
Her grandfather claimed to protect her, but he was being utterly thoughtless. His decision would ruin her completely!
Still, Victoria forced herself to say, "Grandfather, I'll obey you. But must we become enemies? I was a willing participant. We can't blame Alexander or the Whitmore family entirely. Business and personal matters should remain separate."
Her words sounded incredibly gracious. The Whitmores looked at her with newfound respect.
They hadn't expected such maturity from Victoria, even in this situation. She was proving to be a remarkable woman.
Margaret Whitmore moved to her son's side. "Alexander, did you hear that? Victoria is still defending you! What is wrong with you? Why are you still hesitating?"