Chapter 167
The moment Isabella stepped into the private room, the uproar from Hubert and Genevieve's confrontation flooded the space.
Oliver, mid-bite into a crispy chicken wing, flinched at the sudden noise. "Mommy, what's all that yelling outside?"
"Just some stray dogs fighting." She shut the door firmly, sealing off the chaos.
Isabella settled beside him, gently dabbing his lips with a napkin. "Eat up. You need the energy."
"Okay! Try this cake, Mommy. It's super good!"
He speared a generous slice with his fork and held it out. Isabella leaned in, letting him carefully feed her.
Warmth spread through her chest. She never realized joy could be found in such simple moments.
Nathaniel watched their interaction from across the table, a slow smile gracing his features.
The meal was perfect.
Twenty minutes later, Nathaniel finished eating. Oliver was still happily munching on fried chicken while Isabella chatted with him. Nathaniel checked his phone for urgent messages.
Dominic's text glared back at him.
[Boss! Emergency! SilverPeak and Fortune Entertainment are colluding to blacklist Isabella! No one will sign her or collaborate. Anyone who does faces industry-wide boycott!]
SilverPeak and Fortune Entertainment controlled the industry's top talent. Defying them meant being relegated to third-tier artists permanently. No company could risk that.
Within an hour, news of Isabella's blackout spread rapidly. Everyone chose the safe side. Paparazzi scrubbed all online traces of her.
After last night's events, Isabella should have been the hottest new star. Her name dominated every headline and trended across all platforms. Then the blacklist announcement hit, and she vanished from the internet entirely.
Her name was purged from search results and trending topics. It was as if she never existed.
Nathaniel's eyes narrowed dangerously. 'They dare target my woman?'
He kept the news from Isabella, quickly texting Dominic.
[Get her face on every national LED screen. Now.]
Dominic's reply was immediate. [Most slots are booked solid for months...]
[Buy them out. Pay any cancellation fees.] Nathaniel ordered.
[On it, Boss.] Dominic sprang into action.
Nathaniel was pulling out all the stops for the woman he loved. As his right hand, Dominic would fight alongside him.
Yet Nathaniel still felt uneasy. The Blackwood Corporation invested heavily across industries, except entertainment. They backed profitable ventures without hesitation. While financially secure, Isabella had no agency support after refusing to sign elsewhere. She only had GoldenPhoenix Entertainment.
Her company, GoldenPhoenix, had just signed three new artists. Other departments were still in early development.
His gaze shifted to Isabella. "How's GoldenPhoenix holding up? Need any assistance?"
"Progress is steady. We secured three talents quickly. Other sectors are still developing," she replied casually. "Don't worry about it."