Chapter 480

No.1

The noise had alerted others. Eleanor Kensington and Richard Montgomery rushed into the room. “Benjamin? What’s wrong with Benjamin?” Eleanor demanded, her voice shrill with fear.

“It’s my fault! All my fault!” Victoria cried, kneeling on the cold floor, her head bowed in a show of utter remorse. “The pressure… everyone in this family looks down on me! I made a terrible mistake! I lied to Grandfather! I told him I had kidnapped Benjamin to force him to transfer thirty percent of the family shares to me!”

Gasps filled the room. The shocking admission hung in the air. The motive for the sudden share transfer was now horrifyingly clear.

Victoria sobbed uncontrollably as she explained. “Everything was fabricated—I deceived Grandfather. I never abducted Benjamin. I merely assisted Benjamin in connecting with Takashi Yamamoto to train together in Westhaven. Benjamin had developed a passion for competitive gaming, and I only wanted to support his ambitions. The photographs I showed Grandfather were taken when he was instructed to remain in the basement. Takashi was helping him cultivate greater patience and focus…”

She pulled out her mobile device, displaying her message history with Takashi Yamamoto. The exchange was clearly visible: [Takashi Yamamoto: Ms. Kensington, please do not worry; I will ensure your brother's well-being. He is adjusting, though still acclimating to the new regimen.] Several images of the basement were attached. The space did indeed contain two high-end gaming computers. One photo showed Benjamin seated before a monitor, wearing headphones. Theodore Montgomery’s expression turned stormy. So Victoria had manipulated him? There had never been an actual kidnapping?

Benjamin was never abducted… It was all an elaborate scheme for Victoria to acquire the company shares? Eleanor didn’t immediately challenge the deception regarding the shares. Instead, she pressed, “You claimed Benjamin was in poor condition? Explain what happened.” “Waa…! It’s Isabella! She’s still not satisfied after publicly ruining my reputation! Now that all of you have transferred your shares to me, she’s consumed by fury! Last night, she went to Takashi Yamamoto’s residence and forcibly took Benjamin! He was perfectly fine when she took him, but after they returned to Westchester, Benjamin was rushed to the emergency room…”

Victoria wore a mask of profound worry and guilt, her body shaking with sobs. “She wants all of you to despise me! To blame me for abducting Benjamin and causing him harm! Waa… Benjamin is so young! How could she possibly injure him? He’s completely innocent!” She broke down into tears once more.

Eleanor and Richard were visibly stunned. True, Benjamin had been a profound disappointment to the family, but he was still their blood relative. They never wished any actual physical harm upon him.

Who could have imagined Isabella was capable of such a monstrous, inhuman act!

Richard’s voice was icy with contempt. “Prepare a car for Grace Memorial Hospital immediately! Ensure that ungrateful wretch Isabella is still there when we arrive!” Theodore followed them, his anxiety palpable. He had not seen the message Isabella had sent him.

No.2

At Grace Memorial Hospital.

After over an hour in the emergency room, Benjamin was finally transferred to a private ward. The lead physician approached Isabella, his tone deeply apologetic. “Ms. Montgomery, I regret to inform you that we have exhausted all immediate options. We have been unable to identify the specific toxin administered to Mr. Kensington. Based on his current vitals and neurological responses, it is highly probable he will not regain consciousness.”

Never wake up? A permanent vegetative state? Isabella’s brow furrowed deeply. “Explain. You cannot even trace the origin of the poison?” “We have drawn extensive blood samples for comprehensive analysis, but the results will require a minimum of seventy-two hours. This toxin is exceptionally complex. It appears to induce acute neurological death, directly attacking the central nervous system and cognitive functions. He is fortunate you initiated resuscitation procedures so promptly. Otherwise… Well.” He sighed heavily.

Isabella’s eyes darkened. Acute death? When she had boarded the private jet with Benjamin, there had been no signs of poisoning… Their environment had been secure.

At that moment, the rapid, heavy sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the corridor. Isabella turned. Theodore Montgomery, Richard, Eleanor, and Victoria were striding toward her, their faces contorted with pure, undiluted rage. They had evidently heard the doctor’s grave prognosis.

Isabella’s eyes narrowed as Eleanor stormed toward her, hand raised high. The slap never landed—Isabella caught her wrist mid-air, grip firm and unyielding.

“Explain yourself,” Isabella demanded, voice cold as steel.

“Explain? You want an explanation?” Eleanor’s voice trembled with rage. “Why is Benjamin in the hospital? Who poisoned him?”

A bitter laugh escaped Isabella’s lips. “You should be asking your precious daughter, Victoria. Ask her why she arranged his kidnapping. Ask her why he was poisoned.”

The accusation hung heavy in the air, met with scornful glares. Even Theodore’s expression darkened with disapproval. Victoria’s lies had taken root—they believed Isabella was the one framing her.

No.3

“How dare you!” Eleanor snarled, wrenching her hand free. “After what happened five years ago, you’d stoop this low? Using an innocent boy to destroy Victoria’s reputation?”

Isabella’s jaw tightened. Frame her? What twisted story had Victoria fed them?

Tears welled in Victoria’s eyes as she stepped forward, playing the victim perfectly. “Isabella, I know you hate me. I understand if you want revenge—but leave Benjamin out of this! He’s done nothing wrong!”

Her voice broke, each word dripping with false sincerity. “Do you think poisoning him will make everyone blame me? I’ve already told Grandpa and our parents everything—they won’t be fooled by your schemes!”

She clutched Isabella’s arm, sobbing dramatically. “Please, just admit what you’ve done. Give him the antidote. I’ll beg them to forgive you—I promise!”

Isabella’s patience snapped. She shoved Victoria away, disgusted. “If you’ve already decided to believe her lies, I have nothing more to say. The blood test results will reveal the truth in three days.”

She turned to leave, but Victoria lunged again, desperate. “Three days is too long! He’ll die because of you! Fine—let’s say it was me! I poisoned him! I’ll take the blame! I’ll even give you my sixty percent shares—just save him!”

Eleanor yanked Victoria back, shielding her. “Don’t you dare! She doesn’t deserve a single share! After everything we’ve done for you—this is how you repay us? Bringing you into this family was our biggest mistake!”

Richard turned to Theodore, voice firm. “Father, strip her of the Montgomery name. Revoke her twenty-five percent share. She is no longer one of us.”

The room fell silent, awaiting Theodore’s verdict.

No.4

If he agreed, Isabella would lose everything—her name, her inheritance, her place in the family.

Theodore Montgomery stared at Isabella, his expression deeply troubled. He wanted to believe her. He truly did. But every single piece of evidence pointed directly at her. It was a devastating blow. Her continued silence, her refusal to answer his calls, only made everything appear worse.

For years, Victoria had been the dependable one. She always answered, no matter the time or place. She checked in, she reassured him. She made him feel cared for.

Isabella was different. Since her return, she was a ghost in the manor. Rare visits. Even rarer calls. He was an old man. His heart craved simple respect and affection from his grandchildren. If Isabella truly held such malice for the Montgomerys… if she felt nothing for them… the thought shattered him.

Isabella met his gaze, her own solemn. She was not like Victoria. She didn't deal in pretty words and empty promises. Her proof was always in her actions. She had given her word she would save Benjamin. She intended to keep it.

She never anticipated this.

A heavy weight settled in her chest. What could she possibly say to him now? How could she explain this tangled web?

Would the one person in this family who had shown her genuine trust ever believe her again?

A long, weary sigh finally escaped Theodore. "We will discuss this when Benjamin wakes," he declared, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "His recovery is our only priority now. Richard, use every resource. Contact the finest medical specialists globally. Money is no object."

Richard nodded, though his sharp, blade-like glare never left Isabella. "This isn't over. Once he's conscious, we will have our answers. Be ready with those transfer documents." He turned on his heel and strode away.

No.5

Eleanor was equally furious. Her face was a mask of cold rage. "Your grandfather's patience is not ours! Get out. We will care for Benjamin. You are no longer a part of this family. Do not ever call me your mother again. I regret the day we brought such a viper into our home!"

Her words were ice, meant to wound.

Before Isabella could respond, Victoria clutched her arm, her voice a trembling whisper. "Mother, please… don't say such things. You'll upset Isabella…"

A cold, mocking laugh escaped Isabella's lips. Her eyes locked onto Victoria's feigned concern. "Enjoy your performance while it lasts, Victoria. It ends the moment Benjamin opens his eyes."

Her tone was a promise, laced with frost.

She turned and walked out, leaving a chill in her wake.

Victoria felt a shiver of genuine fear. Could he really wake up? It was supposed to be impossible. Takashi Yamamoto had guaranteed the poison was lethal. Keeping him alive was a miracle in itself. Waking? Unthinkable. She just needed two more days. Then she would be gone from Westchester forever. Benjamin simply could not wake before then.

A dark, oppressive cloud seemed to follow Isabella out of Grace Memorial Hospital. Her family placed Victoria on a pedestal. She was the golden child, beloved since infancy. Her words were gospel.

Victoria was the poisoner. Yet she had masterfully twisted the narrative, painting herself the victim. Isabella, no matter what she did, was always viewed with suspicion and disdain.

They were her blood. Her parents. And yet…

No.6

No. Panic was a luxury she couldn't afford. Demanding a DNA test now would only make her look utterly unhinged. She had to wait. Just a little longer. The truth would surface. It had to.

Isabella remained deep in thought, analyzing Victoria's next potential move.

A sudden roar shattered her concentration.

"Isabella Montgomery! Return my grandson this instant! I'll beat that wretched girl to death!"

She looked up to see William and Beatrice Kensington storming toward her.

These were Eleanor's parents—her maternal grandparents.

Eleanor had been their only daughter, and they adored her children immensely.

They had reserved substantial family assets for Victoria and Benjamin.

Vacationing abroad when news of Benjamin's crisis reached them, they had rushed directly to the hospital.

Beatrice now raised her walking cane, preparing to strike Isabella with full force.

No.7

Caught off guard, Isabella barely registered the attack.

Just as the cane descended, a powerful hand intercepted it mid-air.

In the next moment, she was pulled into a solid, protective embrace.

She glanced up at Nathaniel's striking profile.