Chapter 330

To Archibald, a man like Nathaniel should only be with someone like his granddaughter Vivienne.

How could an adopted daughter straight from Africa steal him away?

He looked at Vivienne. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? You're my granddaughter! No one gets to bully you. Don't worry, I'll fix this."

"It's fine, Grandpa. We shouldn't act now. It would make me look desperate to marry him," Vivienne commented, her eyes dark with hatred.

Archibald nodded. "Right. His parents would never accept a daughter-in-law like that woman. But you must watch them closely. Tell me if you need anything."

"Okay." Vivienne raised her coffee cup and took a delicate sip.

To the outside world, she remained the refined and elegant Houston heiress. But no one knew the venomous thoughts swirling in her mind. If they couldn't get photos of Isabella with Nathaniel, then she would just have to... Ugh!

Meanwhile...

Just as Isabella stepped out of The Ivy, she collided with the last two people she expected to see.

Alexander and Victoria.

As always, Alexander was dressed in a sharp suit, radiating the aura of a successful CEO. Victoria wore a soft, pale green maxi dress. Her hair fell over her shoulders, making her look fragile, like a gentle breeze could carry her away.

Alexander frowned. He instinctively dropped Victoria's hand the moment he saw Isabella.

"Isabella, what are you doing here?"

Since Isabella had rejected his confession, Victoria offered to help him win her back. That's why they met at the café. He never imagined they'd run into Isabella of all people...

Victoria noticed Alexander's reaction. A flash of pure hatred flickered in her clear eyes. She quickly masked it, stepping closer to Isabella. "Isabella, I finally found you. You haven't returned to the Montgomery manor, and you're no longer at Rosewood. I've been wanting to apologize. I just never got the chance."

"It was all my fault. I never meant to ruin your wedding. Alexander and I are truly over. What happened that day... it was just closure..."

Victoria lowered her head, feigning pain. A faint blush even colored her cheeks. Underneath her meek words, her real message was clear: So what if Alexander wanted Isabella? He still couldn't resist her body.

Isabella scoffed, adjusting her black sunglasses. "Well, look who it is. Dressed like a common streetwalker. The fake Ms. Montgomery, I presume?"

Her tone was slow and dripping with mockery.

Victoria's face flushed. Did she just call her a prostitute?

She even said 'fake'!

Victoria hadn't slept properly since Isabella's return. She lived in constant fear that the Montgomery family would discover her true identity and throw her out.

And now Isabella just said it out loud!

Victoria wanted to rip her mouth shut. To end her once and for all, so the fear would finally stop.

But she couldn't. Not with Alexander watching. She had to swallow her rage.

Victoria's eyes glistened with fake tears. She reached for Isabella's hand, sobbing. "Isabella, I know you're angry. It was all my fault...! I'm so sorry for ruining your wedding with Alexander... If you want to yell at me, or hit me, you can—"

Isabella's hand shot out.

She slapped Victoria hard across the face.