Chapter 946

Alexander Sterling gave a curt nod, his features unreadable.

"Get some rest. If you need assistance with Donovan, ask Evelyn."

Isabella Montgomery's face paled slightly. She pressed her lips together before lifting her gaze to meet his.

"Thank you for your help, Alexander."

His brow furrowed, but he nodded again.

"Don't mention it. You're Evelyn's friend, and our families have business ties. It's only natural."

The light in Isabella's eyes dimmed instantly.

At that moment, she realized how pointless it all was.

Among the countless reasons Alexander had helped her, not one was because she was Isabella.

Of course. What right did she have?

Evelyn Sinclair pursed her lips. "Big Brother, if you and Amelia have work, go ahead. I'll take Isabella home later."

Alexander had no desire to linger. With a final nod, he took Amelia's hand and left.

Before the door closed, Amelia cast a fleeting glance back at Isabella.

But there was no scrutiny in that look—only polite gentleness.

Evelyn shut the door behind them and exhaled.

When she turned back, Isabella's tears had already begun to fall. Evelyn watched as her shoulders trembled silently. Today marked the end of an unrequited love.

"Cry if you need to. I'll take you home after."

Isabella lifted her tear-filled eyes.

"Evelyn… am I really that unworthy? Is that why he won’t even look at me?"

"Of course not."

Isabella drew a shaky breath.

"I never had the courage to say what I wanted. I wasted time with people I didn’t even like. No wonder everyone thinks I’m shallow." She swallowed hard. "I know you meant well. I was the one who hoped for too much. No matter how many years pass, Amelia is still the only one who can move him."

Her voice cracked.

"I give up."

She surrendered.

Her self-indulgent affection had only ever hurt herself. Alexander helped her because of Evelyn. Why keep lying?

She wasn’t the type to fight for someone who didn’t want her. If she were, she wouldn’t have lost her mind over Donovan’s marriage in the first place.

At the thought of Donovan, Isabella wiped her tears, her expression hardening.

"I want to be discharged. Evelyn, I need your help."

Evelyn didn’t hesitate. "Name it."

After eating, Isabella regained enough strength to leave the hospital swiftly.

She took Evelyn to an exclusive club.

Just as Evelyn was about to ask why they were there, Isabella spoke first.

"Donovan is signing a contract with Blackwood Industries today. Once it’s finalized, his business will be officially established in San Francisco."

Her grip tightened.

"With Blackwood Industries backing him, he’ll gain power fast. I won’t let that happen."

Evelyn’s stomach dropped.

The moment she heard "Blackwood Industries," she regretted coming.

But it was too late to back out now—Isabella would kill her.

Suppressing her dread, Evelyn followed, mentally cursing her luck.

Please don’t let it be Nathan Blackwood…

Isabella shoved the door open without hesitation.

Inside, over a dozen people sat around a table—lawyers, executives—the atmosphere formal.

All eyes snapped to the interruption.

Isabella scanned the room and found Donovan, frozen in shock.

Her lips curled into a cold smile.

She slammed her bag onto the table with deliberate force.

"Nathan Blackwood, did you even vet this man?" Her voice dripped with disdain. "His liquid assets are falsified. The prices he quoted you are inflated by 20% compared to market rates."

She leaned forward, eyes blazing.

"He’s playing you for a fool."