Chapter 213

Alexander spun toward Victoria. “Apologize. Now. To Isabella.”

“Apologize? Alexander? Are you serious? You want me to apologize to her?” Victoria’s face drained of all color. She could fake remorse and play the victim on any other occasion. But not this one.

This was Isabella’s doing. These were clearly her traps, her schemes. And now she was supposed to apologize?

Alexander used to loathe Isabella just as much as she did. Why was he suddenly demanding this?

His gaze was unyielding. “Yes. When you make a mistake, you apologize. We shouldn’t be together. Let’s end it, right here, right now, in front of Isabella.”

This was the only way to salvage the wedding. The only way to control the damage.

He turned back to Isabella. “It’s true. Victoria and I made a terrible mistake. I am deeply sorry. If you’re concerned about your assets, we can sign a prenuptial agreement immediately.”

Madam Whitmore elbowed him sharply. “Don’t be a fool, Alexander! What are you saying? Isabella will forgive you once you’ve shown true remorse. We’re about to be family. Families don’t keep score like this. You’ll only make things more difficult. Isn’t that right, Isabella?” She offered Isabella a strained, hopeful smile.

Isabella’s expression remained cold. “Haven’t I been clear? I said I will never forgive you! I want nothing more to do with any of you. Ever!”

Victoria felt pure hatred burn through her. She wanted to lunge at Isabella and silence her forever. Alexander and his mother were already begging. Why was she still so arrogantly stubborn? Did she get off on torturing everyone? What more did she possibly want?

Flustered, Madam Whitmore turned to Eleanor. “Eleanor, please, talk some sense into your daughter. There’s no need to destroy our families’ bond over this. What good will it do? Think of the media frenzy. The headlines will be brutal.”

Eleanor and Richard Montgomery were seething. They couldn’t accept that their seemingly pure daughter was actually this deceitful and vile. Yet, they had to consider the bigger picture. If the wedding was truly called off, the fallout would be catastrophic. The family’s reputation was on the line.

Eleanor grasped Isabella’s hand, her voice pleading. “Isabella, your sister is absolutely at fault here. You can punish her any way you see fit. But there are too many reporters here today. Please, reconsider. Take back what you said.”

“You must understand you represent the entire Montgomery family,” Richard added sternly. He shot a disgusted glance at Victoria. “If the alliance with the Whitmores is broken, the consequences will be severe. And yes, Victoria made a colossal error. We will deal with her ourselves. You can oversee her punishment. But she is still family. If the world shames her, they shame all of us. Only your public forgiveness can limit the damage.”

Victoria listened in stunned disbelief. They weren’t concerned for her. They were worried about the stain she would leave on the family name. They were handing her over to Isabella for punishment. Isabella had already engineered her complete humiliation. Was she now to be Isabella’s plaything? To be tormented and degraded at her whim?

Victoria was utterly powerless.

Eleanor was now clutching Isabella’s arm, her desperation palpable. “Isabella, I’m begging you. Please. Remember I’m your mother. Remember I saved your life. Please, let this go. Let the wedding continue. Just tell everyone you forgive her. Please.”

Isabella was the last thread holding the Montgomerys and Whitmores together. Victoria was already a lost cause. If Isabella refused to forgive, the familial bond would shatter, incurring immense costs. Furthermore, without Isabella’s public declaration of forgiveness, Victoria would be torn apart by the court of public opinion. Her career would be over.

Eleanor was using the life debt as her final bargaining chip.

Isabella frowned, watching her mother debase herself for the sake of damage control. Correction: mostly for Victoria’s sake. Ultimately, even though Eleanor was heartbroken, it was because Victoria faced global scorn.

A stark contrast to five years ago, when Isabella was publicly vilified. Back then, Eleanor had remained completely silent.