Chapter 654

No.1

She had dressed meticulously, prepared to humble herself before the expert… only to find it was Isabella? Her grandfather wanted her to beg Isabella for help?

Fury ignited within her. “Grandfather, you are only seeing the surface! You have no idea how vile that woman truly is! She’s sleeping with Nathaniel Blackwood!”

“What?!” Archibald’s white eyebrows shot up in stunned disbelief.

Vivienne met his gaze with fierce intensity. “The expert you begged to come is Isabella Montgomery! Recently returned from abroad! The disgraced adopted daughter who brought shame to the Montgomery family!”

“Grandfather, do you truly believe she possesses such talent? She has Nathaniel Blackwood backing her! For all we know, he is the one providing her with all those strategies!”

“Vivienne, you know I despise lies. Where is your proof?” Archibald’s expression was stern. “Didn’t Reginald Blackwood himself confirm your engagement to Nathaniel by month’s end?”

Vivienne let out a bitter, scornful laugh. “That was his parents’ arrangement! Nathaniel wants nothing to do with me! Isabella has him completely ensnared! I witnessed it myself! They were all over each other! They even live under the same roof!”

Seeing the raw honesty in her eyes, Archibald’s initial rage began to cool, replaced by dawning horror. “Is this true? Nathaniel rejects you… for an adopted daughter from the entertainment industry? An actress?”

“Grandfather, have I ever lied to you?” Vivienne guided him to his chair, her movements suddenly gentle as she poured him tea. “When Seraphina first told me, I refused to believe it. I thought a man of Nathaniel’s stature would never be interested in someone like her. But I saw it with my own eyes at the Blackwood Estate. Isabella even convinced Oliver to threaten me with pythons to drive me away.”

She relayed the entire humiliating encounter. Archibald’s fist crashed onto the desk again, the sound thunderous in the quiet room.

No.2

“Preposterous! This is utterly preposterous! A woman of her dubious background… who knows what filth she’s been involved with! How could Nathaniel possibly be interested in her?”

To Archibald, a man like Nathaniel should only be with someone like his granddaughter Vivienne.

How could an adopted daughter straight from Africa steal him away?

He looked at Vivienne. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? You're my granddaughter! No one gets to bully you. Don't worry, I'll fix this."

"It's fine, Grandpa. We shouldn't act now. It would make me look desperate to marry him," Vivienne commented, her eyes dark with hatred.

Archibald nodded. "Right. His parents would never accept a daughter-in-law like that woman. But you must watch them closely. Tell me if you need anything."

"Okay." Vivienne raised her coffee cup and took a delicate sip.

To the outside world, she remained the refined and elegant Houston heiress. But no one knew the venomous thoughts swirling in her mind. If they couldn't get photos of Isabella with Nathaniel, then she would just have to... Ugh!

Meanwhile...

Just as Isabella stepped out of The Ivy, she collided with the last two people she expected to see.

No.3

Alexander and Victoria.

As always, Alexander was dressed in a sharp suit, radiating the aura of a successful CEO. Victoria wore a soft, pale green maxi dress. Her hair fell over her shoulders, making her look fragile, like a gentle breeze could carry her away.

Alexander frowned. He instinctively dropped Victoria's hand the moment he saw Isabella.

"Isabella, what are you doing here?"

Since Isabella had rejected his confession, Victoria offered to help him win her back. That's why they met at the café. He never imagined they'd run into Isabella of all people...

Victoria noticed Alexander's reaction. A flash of pure hatred flickered in her clear eyes. She quickly masked it, stepping closer to Isabella. "Isabella, I finally found you. You haven't returned to the Montgomery manor, and you're no longer at Rosewood. I've been wanting to apologize. I just never got the chance."

"It was all my fault. I never meant to ruin your wedding. Alexander and I are truly over. What happened that day... it was just closure..."

Victoria lowered her head, feigning pain. A faint blush even colored her cheeks. Underneath her meek words, her real message was clear: So what if Alexander wanted Isabella? He still couldn't resist her body.

Isabella scoffed, adjusting her black sunglasses. "Well, look who it is. Dressed like a common streetwalker. The fake Ms. Montgomery, I presume?"

Her tone was slow and dripping with mockery.

No.4

Victoria's face flushed. Did she just call her a prostitute?

She even said 'fake'!

Victoria hadn't slept properly since Isabella's return. She lived in constant fear that the Montgomery family would discover her true identity and throw her out.

And now Isabella just said it out loud!

Victoria wanted to rip her mouth shut. To end her once and for all, so the fear would finally stop.

But she couldn't. Not with Alexander watching. She had to swallow her rage.

Victoria's eyes glistened with fake tears. She reached for Isabella's hand, sobbing. "Isabella, I know you're angry. It was all my fault...! I'm so sorry for ruining your wedding with Alexander... If you want to yell at me, or hit me, you can—"

Isabella's hand shot out.

She slapped Victoria hard across the face.

The sharp crack echoed through the air.

No.5

Victoria stumbled backward at least two meters.

She crashed into a nearby hedge, tearing her skirt.

Alexander rushed to her side immediately.

He helped her to her feet.

"What was that for, Isabella?!"

"She asked me to hit her. I simply obliged."

Isabella's voice was icy and detached.

Victoria touched her swollen cheek gently.

She clung to Alexander's arm.

"Don't worry, Alexander... I actually feel better now. I don't blame her."

No.6

She looked toward Isabella with pleading eyes.

"Sister, I made a terrible mistake this time. But I promise it won't happen again."

"I'm leaving the entertainment industry. All my resources and connections will be yours..."

"Do I look like I need them?"

Isabella brushed past her without a second glance.

Her shoulder bumped Victoria's forcefully.

She walked away without looking back.

Alexander caught Victoria as she stumbled again.

His eyes followed Isabella's retreating figure.

She wore a white suit that accentuated her striking beauty.

No.7

Her lips were their usual fiery red.

This version of Isabella was new to him.

He realized only a woman like her deserved to stand by his side.

Her resources could secure his status.