Chapter 246
“First, kneel and apologize to me for everything you’ve done.”
“Second, tell everyone the truth about you and Victoria for the past fifteen years.”
“Third, transfer ninety-nine percent of your shares in Whitmore Enterprises to me.”
Her voice was steady, echoing through the grand hall.
Alexander’s expression froze instantly. Ninety-nine percent? She was demanding nearly everything. Did she intend to strip him of his entire company?
As for the first two conditions… He knew exactly what she meant. She wanted him to confess that Victoria was the real adopted daughter. That Victoria had paid a man to assault her all those years ago. If the truth came out, Victoria would be finished. The Montgomerys would cast her out. She would lose all claim to the family fortune and be sent directly to prison.
Even though Alexander hadn’t searched for Victoria and his feelings had cooled, they had still grown up together. She was his first love, the woman he had cherished most. How could he be the one to utterly destroy her?
Seeing his hesitation, a cold, mocking smile touched Isabella’s lips. “Alexander, you claim to have seen the error of your ways, yet you can’t even meet these basic demands. How can I possibly agree to marry you?”
Her words sparked murmurs through the crowd.
“What else did Victoria do to Isabella? Was it something criminal?”
“That’s not the point. The point is he’s clearly still protecting her. He’s still in love with Victoria!”
“Ugh. I wouldn’t want a husband like that. Isabella, think carefully!”
The court of public opinion had shifted.
Alexander’s face darkened further. “Isabella,” he warned, his voice low, “don’t push this too far. I promise I will cut all ties with her. Can’t we just let the past stay in the past? Regarding the shares, I can give you forty percent. Please, be reasonable. I don’t want us to part on bad terms.”
He emphasized ‘part on bad terms’ as he thrust the bouquet toward her again. A silent threat. If she remained stubborn, he would release the photos.
Isabella’s smile turned condescending. Did he truly believe she was so easily manipulated?
Suddenly, she dropped to one knee, her posture a mirror of his proposal, but her eyes held a chilling intensity. She spoke, her voice a whisper meant only for his ears. “If you’re here asking me to let the past go, why are you using it to threaten me? Do you really think I’m afraid? At worst, you release those photos and we all burn together. And today, I will make Victoria take a DNA test with the Montgomery family.”
She moved to snatch the photo hidden within the roses.
Alexander’s composure shattered. She was calling his bluff! She would rather drag everyone down with her than marry him!
If she preemptively exposed herself and accused Victoria of framing her, the public would turn on Victoria instantly. Her recent scandals had already eroded her credibility. And a DNA test…
No. It was too soon. Victoria hadn’t secured the majority of the Montgomery shares. Their plans weren’t in place.
Alexander shot to his feet, yanking the bouquet back before her fingers could close around the damning evidence. “Isabella,” he said, his voice strained but loud enough for the crowd, “if you need more time, I will give it to you. Whether it takes ten days or ten years, I will wait for your answer.”
He pressed the roses into her hands but kept the engagement ring, quickly pocketing it along with the hidden photo.
The audience was left bewildered, their brows furrowed in confusion. What just happened? Why did he suddenly back down? What had she said to him?
Nathaniel’s gaze was the most intense. He could read lips. He had seen every word Isabella uttered.
‘Release the photos?’ What photos was Alexander threatening her with? ‘Burn together?’ What did Alexander have that could destroy her?
Her conditions mentioned events from five years ago. What truly happened five years ago?
His sharp eyes shifted to Benjamin. His voice was a low, dangerous rumble. “What happened to Isabella five years ago?” He would find out. He would eliminate every single threat against her.