Chapter 434
No.1
Instead, he was stuck marrying Victoria.
Her stake in Montgomery Holdings was pitifully small. How could she possibly help him?
"Ignore them," he said, his tone devoid of emotion. "Clear your head. Focus on being a bride. Don't waste energy on this."
How could she possibly ignore it?
If this wasn't stopped, she would have to endure their judgmental stares on her wedding day. Was he looking down on her because of her small share percentage?
Victoria was about to respond to Alexander when Penelope burst into her room with excitement.
Good news?
Victoria had assigned her a task. Had she completed it successfully?
Victoria immediately ended the call with Alexander. "You must be exhausted. Get some rest."
"Alright. You too," Alexander replied flatly before hanging up.
No.2
Victoria turned to Penelope. "What did you find out?"
Not satisfied with just planting Benjamin as a spy, Victoria had sent Penelope to track Isabella's movements. She wanted to know exactly where Isabella lived, ideally to block access and trap her inside!
Penelope reported, "I followed Isabella back to Rosewood Manor. I was going to proceed as instructed, but I discovered two shocking revelations!"
Penelope closed the door, approached Victoria, and whispered, "Isabella is living with Nathaniel! They're both at Rosewood Manor. Also, someone else was following and observing them."
"After further investigation, I identified the stalker as Vivienne's assistant, Cassandra!"
Victoria frowned. Nathaniel was still with Isabella?
She thought Nathaniel was just toying with Isabella. Why was he still involved with her?
As for Vivienne? Anyone familiar with Nathaniel knew Vivienne. She came from generations of aristocracy and education—an exceptionally talented and extraordinary woman. Although her reputation was briefly tarnished by the Genevieve scandal, she recently issued several research and development patents that silenced critics. Since her patents benefited the public, who would dare insult a renowned researcher?
This new information seemed insignificant, but for Victoria, it presented more advantages than drawbacks!
Her red lips curled into a slow smile. Vivienne was investigating Isabella… That meant she was also keeping tabs on Isabella!
No.3
No matter how clever Isabella was, she couldn't defeat Vivienne, who had vast resources. Victoria simply needed to wait for Vivienne to crush Isabella and then seize the opportunity!
Victoria eyed Penelope. "Did you find out what Vivienne is planning?"
"She attended Senior Blackwood's birthday celebration today, but Nathaniel ignored her. I spent a considerable amount to learn that Vivienne is trying to obtain a photo of Isabella with Nathaniel to send to his parents!"
Penelope continued gossiping, "I heard Vivienne spent a fortune on a Special Warfare spy camera after Boss Blackwood moved out of his mansion, but she still hasn't managed to get a photo of them."
Victoria's eyes darkened. Was Nathaniel protecting Isabella?
Still, Nathaniel must not know about Isabella's past pregnancy. He would surely discard her once he found out!
The best strategy was to ally with Vivienne.
She picked up her phone and texted Benjamin: [Benjamin, are you settling in alright there?]
At Rosewood Manor.
Benjamin had just finished arranging his new room when he received Victoria's text. He replied: [Don't worry, Sis. Everything is perfect.]
No.4
All the daily necessities were brand new, and Nathaniel had even sent someone to install a new curved-screen computer in his room. He could play games to his heart's content.
Victoria texted: [How is Isabella's manor? Is she lonely living by herself? Invite her to come home and live with us—it's better for everyone to be together.] Benjamin thought about how cozy everything felt and sent a reassuring reply.
Benjamin: [Don't worry about me. She's perfectly fine, really.]
Victoria: [Good. I sent you those premium Bluetooth earphones—make sure you get them. Perfect for gaming sessions or listening to music.]
Benjamin: [Thanks, Vic.]
The earphones arrived that afternoon. They were the newest model from a top tech brand, sleek matte black with crystal-clear sound that made every track feel like a live performance.
Benjamin loved them. He didn’t even take them off during dinner.
Meanwhile, Victoria was reviewing a series of images sent directly to her encrypted email. Tiny, undetectable pinhole cameras hidden in the earphones had done their job perfectly. The photos were sharp, intimate, and automatically uploaded to her private server.
She opened the files. There was Isabella curled on the sofa reading, little Oliver tucked beside her. In another, Nathaniel was at his desk, documents spread before him, but his gaze was fixed on Isabella. There was even one where they were leaning close, speaking softly, a moment of quiet understanding.
Each image radiated domestic warmth. A burning jealousy twisted inside Victoria.
No.5
Why did Isabella get everything? A man like Nathaniel, devotion, a family… while she was cast aside by Alexander?
Isabella was damaged goods. A victim, a mother to a dead child. She didn’t deserve this happiness.
Nathaniel was a king. A man every woman dreamed of. What dark magic had Isabella used to ensnare him?
Her face a mask of bitter envy, Victoria forwarded the entire set of photos to Vivienne.
Let Vivienne see this. Let her simmer. Isabella’s perfect little world was about to crack.
After leaving the Blackwood patriarch's birthday, Vivienne had returned to her lab. Her assistant, Cassandra, entered quietly. “Ma’am, Mr. Blackwood went directly back to Rosewood Manor. He’s with her.”
Vivienne’s hands stilled. He left his own father’s party early just to run back to Isabella?
Isabella Montgomery. That cunning, low-class witch. This was a direct challenge.
Then her phone chimed. An anonymous message with attachments. She tapped the screen.
The images loaded. Nathaniel’s cold demeanor, softened entirely as he looked at Isabella. The three of them looked like a perfect, happy family.
No.6
The sight was a physical blow. The man who treated her with icy indifference was pouring all his warmth onto that woman.
Rage erupted. She swept her arm across the lab bench, sending glass beakers and reagents crashing to the floor. Chemicals mixed and sizzled, eating into the wood.
Cassandra rushed to contain the mess. “Should I send these to Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood?” she asked cautiously. “A woman of her… reputation… could never meet their standards.”
Vivienne’s voice was dangerously calm. “Not yet. First, I want her name trending everywhere. Draft press releases. Highlight her eighteen-year ‘epic romance’ with Alexander Whitmore.”
“But… if Mr. Blackwood is with her, he must already know. He clearly doesn’t care,” Cassandra pointed out.
A cold smile touched Vivienne’s lips. “I don’t need him to care. I need the public to believe Isabella’s heart belongs to Alexander. When these photos eventually leak… what will everyone see then?”
She picked up a scalpel, holding its tip in the blue flame of an alcohol burner. The flickering light carved shadows on her face, making her look utterly ruthless. A devil with a plan.
Isabella finally understood everything.
Vivienne was absolutely right.
The entire world believed Isabella was heartbroken over Alexander's betrayal.
No.7
They thought she had withdrawn from modeling because of him.
If photos of her with Nathaniel surfaced now, everyone would assume she had secretly moved on to the Blackwood heir.
The public would brand her as a calculated, manipulative woman.
Worse yet, if they exposed her past relationship with Alexander, Nathaniel's parents would think she still had feelings for her ex.
They would believe she was seeing both men simultaneously.