Chapter 51

At the Blackwood Estate...

Nathaniel Blackwood stood rigid before the massive screen. His knuckles were white. Oliver Blackwood clutched a modified remote. A high-frequency signal disruptor was synced to his drone. Sebastian Blackwood held a printed list. Every media outlet and influencer at the conference was named.

"Stand by," Nathaniel's voice was a low growl.

Oliver's thumb hovered over the kill switch. One press would blackout all signals at The Ritz-Carlton. The live stream would die instantly. No one would slander Isabella.

Sebastian's grip tightened on the paper. His jaw was set. The Blackwood Corporation could silence every company on this list. They would bury any story that tried to hurt her.

Their eyes were locked on the broadcast. They didn't blink.

But then...

The screen didn't show financial records. It showed security footage. From the presidential suite of The Grand Monarch.

Prince Harrison Winslow stood at the door. His expression was disgusted. "You're not a waitress!" he snapped.

Sophia Kensington stood before him. She wore a scandalously tight red dress. "Don't be alarmed, Your Highness. I'm Isabella Montgomery's cousin. I'm here to make a deal."

She smiled. It was a venomous thing. "I'm holding a press conference tomorrow. I want you to attend. Tell them Isabella seduced you while you were drunk. Say she's been blackmailing you ever since."

"Get out," Harrison snarled.

Sophia didn't move. She lowered her voice. "Help me ruin her," she purred. "And I'll do anything you want." Her hands went to the neckline of her dress. She tugged it down. Her intent was blatant.

Harrison's eyes darkened. "Anything?" he asked, his tone shifting.

"Anything," she promised. She stepped closer. She pressed herself against his arm. The movement was slow. Deliberate.

A collective gasp echoed through the conference hall.

The audience was stunned. Cameras flashed wildly. They captured the screen. They captured Sophia's pale, horrified face.

"This is the real story!" someone shouted. "She set this all up!"

"Justice? This is her idea of justice? She's a snake!"

"How could she do this to her own cousin?"

The crowd turned on her. Their disgust was a physical force.

Sophia staggered back. Her mind raced. This wasn't the plan. This was supposed to be Isabella's downfall. Not hers. Her head snapped toward Harrison. Her eyes burned with betrayal.

"You!" she shrieked. "You set me up! Why?"

Harrison looked at her with cold contempt. "Set you up? You came to my room. You offered yourself. You asked me to lie. I don't participate in such schemes."

He turned to the cameras. His voice was clear and firm. "I have never been unfaithful to my wife. There is nothing between Isabella Montgomery and me. These rumors were fabricated by Sophia Kensington. She manipulated you all. She used you to destroy an innocent woman."

The room erupted. The journalists felt used. Their outrage was immediate.

"She played us! We were her pawns!"

"That wholesome image was a complete lie! She's pure evil!"