Chapter 161

As predicted, Alexander’s gaze swept toward Isabella before addressing the room. “Everyone here knows Isabella Montgomery was once my fiancée. I’ve loved her since we were children. Had it not been for… certain events, we would already be married.”

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. “After everything happened, I was lost. Victoria was there for me. I mistook that comfort for love.” His voice grew softer, more intimate. “But seeing Isabella again made me realize the truth. My heart has always belonged to her.” His eyes, full of manufactured tenderness, locked onto Isabella. “This isn’t a sudden decision. I even confessed my true feelings to Victoria weeks ago.”

He was effectively using Victoria to validate his fabricated narrative.

Isabella nearly scoffed aloud. The audacity of this man, lying with such conviction. He was utterly repulsive.

Before she could interject, William Kensington’s voice cut through the tension. “You proposed to Victoria! You can’t just oscillate between sisters. It’s disrespectful!”

“Grandfather Kensington,” Alexander implored, his expression the picture of solemn sincerity. “You’ve known me my whole life. You know my character. I would never intentionally toy with anyone’s affections. My history with Isabella… our engagement, the tokens we exchanged… it spans fifteen years. From when she was just a child. What I had with Victoria was brief in comparison.” His performance was masterful, dripping with a pain that felt almost real.

Even William, initially furious, seemed momentarily swayed by the emotional display. “So,” he asked, his tone gentler, “you truly hold no regard for the incident five years ago against her?”

Alexander drew himself up, embodying noble forgiveness. “None whatsoever. As Mrs. Kensington said, everyone makes mistakes. Isabella was young. I was immature. It’s in the past.”

William sighed, turning his attention to his granddaughter. “Isabella? What are your thoughts on this?”

He knew of her long-held affection for this man. Her feelings had to be considered.

Eleanor Kensington watched, her emotions conflicted. Both were her daughters, though she favored Victoria. She knew a marriage without genuine love was a hollow cage. “If Isabella can move past it,” she ventured, “perhaps it’s for the best. Given the scandal from before… others might not be so accepting.” She looked directly at Isabella. “Well? You were engaged once. If you’re willing, we can begin preparations immediately.”

“How very considerate,” Isabella replied, a slight, icy arch to her brow. Her gaze was flat and dismissive as it landed on Alexander. “But no. I don’t go back for trash I’ve already taken out.”

Alexander’s face tightened imperceptibly. She was publicly humiliating him. After he’d offered her this gracious way back in? Now that she was Nathaniel Blackwood’s mistress, she thought she could act with such impunity?

A stunned silence fell over the room. No one had expected such a blunt, brutal rejection from the woman once known for her hopeless devotion.

Penelope Sinclair, whose daughter was still confined because of Isabella, seized the moment to sneer. “Of course. Our Isabella is the Diamond Boss now, swimming in assets. Why would she settle? She certainly has the attitude to match now.”

“Attitude?” Isabella’s retort was sharp and immediate. “Victoria wronged me repeatedly. I possessed evidence I could have handed to the police and the media. I showed restraint.” She let that hang in the air before continuing, her tone shifting to one of mock concern. “My refusal has nothing to do with Alexander himself. It’s out of consideration for Victoria. She is, after all, still my sister. How would it look if I took her discarded fiancé? What would that do to her?”