Chapter 97
No.1
A meticulously calculated move to rehabilitate her image.
Victoria's video failed to gain significant traction on Instagram. The new account struggled to compete against the platform's overwhelming content volume.
At Whitmore Enterprises...
Harrison Caldwell presented a bound document to Alexander. "Mr. Whitmore, this relationship proposal was developed by a certified intimacy coordinator. Following this protocol for thirty days guarantees Miss Montgomery's emotional investment."
Alexander skimmed the contents, his stomach churning at the prescribed rituals: mandatory morning and evening texts, daily floral arrangements, chauffeur services...
The proposal detailed shared meal preparation, pet ownership bonding exercises, and curated couple's retreats. Memories of performing these actions organically with Victoria soured his mood. Reducing romance to checklist items felt degrading, especially when targeting someone like Isabella.
His expression darkened as he circled acceptable tasks before shoving the document back. "Use my burner phone. You're handling these."
"Sir? This approach seems... inadequate," Harrison hesitated.
Though aware of Alexander's asset acquisition motives, such perfunctory execution felt reckless. Isabella Montgomery wasn't some naive socialite to be manipulated through textbook gestures.
Alexander's glare sharpened. "Problem?"
No.2
"No, sir. Immediate implementation." Harrison retreated swiftly.
Alexander's gaze lingered on the discarded proposal, frustration tightening his features. Delegating half the tasks provided minimal relief—the remaining requirements still demanded personal involvement.
He'd monitor Isabella's reactions before committing further. Both anticipated sarcastic rejections or deliberate complications. Neither predicted her unsettling compliance.
Despite ignoring WhatsApp messages, she accepted every delivered gift. Gourmet meals, designer outfits, rare delicacies—all received without protest.
Mid-month, Isabella updated her private feed: Revisiting the past sometimes brings unexpected clarity.
Accompanying screenshots displayed Alexander's daily texts and all accumulated gifts. The narrative suggested genuine emotional impact.
A cold smirk touched Alexander's lips. Women truly were predictable creatures. A few baubles and perfunctory attention melted all resistance. Now to finalize arrangements with both families.
The Jordan family monitored Isabella's private account, including Victoria among her "close friends."
Victoria reclined on her veranda, cucumber mask obscuring her features as she scrolled. Penelope dug planting beds nearby, burying vegetable seeds. Victoria avoided Twitter to escape Isabella's professional triumphs, only to confront her personal life here.
Alexander had been sending Isabella daily affirmations? Purchasing exorbitant gifts? He belonged to her!
No.3
No. Composure was essential. One more month of performance remained. The internet's scrutiny demanded her silence, but watching Isabella flaunt stolen affections sickened her. Her parents must be equally disgusted.
Her thumb hovered over Joey's contact when Alexander's name flashed across her screen.
He was calling? After days of impersonal texts, this sudden direct contact sparked wild hope. Had he finally remembered her?
Victoria's heart soared when Alexander's name flashed on her screen. She answered with practiced sweetness. "Alexander, my love..."
"Victoria, how are you holding up out there?" His voice carried genuine concern.
She glanced around the mosquito-infested room, grimacing. "I'm perfectly fine, darling. Please don't worry about me. How are you doing?"
"I called because something important happened," Alexander revealed. "Isabella made a promise to me half a month ago. She said if I pursued her for a full month, she'd agree to marry me."
"Marry you? Seriously?" Victoria nearly shrieked, barely containing her excitement.
Though she despised Alexander's courtship of Isabella, the marriage prospect thrilled her. Once wed, Isabella's stubborn pride would force her to abandon entertainment. She'd become a dull housewife, probably handing over all her assets to Alexander willingly.
When Victoria eventually married Alexander, she'd become the wife of the world's wealthiest man!
No.4
Alexander mistook her reaction for shared joy. "I have screenshots as proof. Her Instagram activity suggests she's genuinely moved."
"I need your help convincing your family to accept this marriage. I want to make this happen quickly."
Victoria's enthusiasm dimmed. So this call was merely transactional? Their relationship felt increasingly superficial.
She buried her disappointment, adopting a supportive tone. "Darling, you know I'll always support you. I promised to help you succeed, and I keep my promises. I'll call Mother immediately and persuade the family to approve this union."
"You're amazing, Victoria. Once I secure her assets, I won't forget your loyalty," Alexander cooed with artificial sweetness.
They exchanged more nauseating pleasantries before ending the call.
The moment the line disconnected, Victoria's smile vanished into a cold smirk. Alexander used to promise, "Once I have her assets, I'll marry you properly with the grandest wedding. We'll have a future filled with love."
Now it had dwindled to "I won't forget your loyalty."
Had his marriage promise become mere obligation? Had his feelings changed?
Clearly, Victoria needed contingency plans.
No.5
She retrieved a hidden diary from her suitcase, scribbling furiously with a pen. After documenting her thoughts, she dialed Eleanor.
Eleanor's anxious voice answered immediately. "Victoria! Where have you been? Why haven't you called? Your father and I have been worried sick!"
"Mother, please forgive me for worrying you. I needed time alone for reflection and clarity. I'm perfectly safe and taking good care of myself," Victoria reassured with saccharine sweetness.
Eleanor sighed heavily. "You've never been away this long. I fear you might do something drastic out there."
"Just come home. Everyone's moved past that incident anyway. Your grandfather forbade anyone from discussing it. No one blames you anymore."
No one blames me? Then why hasn't my ten percent share been returned?
Victoria seethed internally while maintaining calm composure. "I appreciate everyone's forgiveness, Mother, but I can't forgive myself yet. I need this full month of reflection. Please understand."
"Actually, I called hoping you could help rekindle things between Isabella and Alexander."
"What? Victoria, have you lost your mind? I thought you loved Alexander!" Eleanor gasped in disbelief.
“It’s because I love him, Mother,” Victoria said softly. “That’s why his happiness matters more than anything. His heart belongs to Isabella. Forcing him to stay with me would only bring him pain… and turn his love for me into resentment. Their bond was written long before I ever came into the picture. I was always the outsider.”
No.6
“Don’t you dare say that! Don’t you ever speak of yourself that way!” Eleanor’s voice was sharp, protective. “Alexander is the one who’s blind—chasing after Isabella when he was promised to you! Your father warned him, but that arrogant man never listens!”
Even if he had reasons to leave Isabella all those years ago, that gave him no right to discard her daughter. Not when Victoria had given him her heart.
Victoria shook her head, her expression pained but resolved. “You misunderstand him, Mother. I was the one who ended things. I’ve had time to think… to realize what I’ve done.”
She took a shaky breath. “What I did to Isabella… it was monstrous. Back then, no one stood by her. No one but Alexander. I may have lost him, but I still have you and Father. That’s why… I want to step aside. Let her have him. Maybe then… this guilt will hurt a little less.”
Her words were gentle, self-sacrificing. Eleanor’s heart ached with pride and sorrow.
“Oh, my dear girl… Having a daughter as kind as you is a blessing. I will find you a husband worthy of you—someone far better than Alexander Whitmore.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
That same evening, Eleanor commented publicly on Isabella’s post:
[If you truly wish to rekindle what was lost, your sister has graciously consented. It’s clear you and Alexander share a history that cannot be ignored.]
At the same time, a private message from Theodore Montgomery arrived in Isabella’s inbox:
No.7
[I believe you and Alexander should set a date for the wedding celebration.]
Meanwhile, inside the Blackwood Estate, Isabella was guiding Oliver through a series of yoga poses. The practice was meant to soothe his nerves, to bring calm to a mind often clouded by illness.
Nearby, Nathaniel noticed Isabella’s phone light up. His eyes flickered over the screen—first Eleanor’s comment, then Theodore’s message. Even Alexander had texted her:
[Isabella, your family has given their blessing. Have I proven myself these past weeks? There are only fifteen days left. If you agree, I will begin arranging our wedding.]