Chapter 971

Evelyn Sinclair answered Isabella Montgomery's call immediately.

Isabella's voice crackled through the line. "Evelyn, you know Dominic Kingsley, right? I need a favor."

Evelyn frowned. Whenever Dominic was involved, it usually meant dealing with online gossip.

"What kind of favor?"

Isabella didn’t hold back.

"That bastard Donovan Pierce posted his divorce certificate all over social media like he’s proud of it. Our mutual friends sent me screenshots, telling me to 'reconsider.' Reconsider my *ss! After seeing his true colors, I wish I could gouge my own eyes out for ever falling for him!"

Evelyn’s brows knitted together. "So what do you want to do about it?"

"I’m getting engaged to Lawrence Wellington. To make sure Donovan gets the message, I’m announcing it to the whole damn world!"

Evelyn could practically see Isabella’s furious expression through the phone. "Engaged? That’s sudden. You shouldn’t rush into this."

She warned Isabella—what if she regretted it later?

A brief silence stretched between them.

"Look, I’ll have to get engaged eventually anyway. Might as well use it to cut ties with Donovan for good. My mom’s right—I’m hopeless at business. If the company falls into my hands, it’ll collapse in five years. I need someone who can actually lead."

Evelyn paused. Something felt off. "Isabella, what’s going on?"

Her instincts prickled. This isn’t like Isabella. She doesn’t just surrender.

A shaky breath came through the line. "I’ve been watching my mom at the office these past few days. She’s exhausted. The board members are all vultures, and the company’s bleeding money. She told me straight—the only way the Wellingtons will invest is through marriage. She didn’t force me, but… I need to step up."

Her voice wavered, thick with bitterness.

Evelyn’s chest tightened. "If it’s money you need, I can—"

"No. I won’t leech off you forever." Isabella forced a laugh. "Lawrence is decent. Older than I’d like, but miles better than Donovan. And it’s just an engagement. If I hate him later, I’ll call it off. But I need Dominic to make sure this news spreads. I want everyone to know Isabella Montgomery is off the market."

Evelyn considered it. An engagement wasn’t irreversible. "Fine. Tomorrow’s headlines will be all about you."

Isabella chuckled. "I’ll send photos later. Proof makes it real."

After a few more minutes, Evelyn hung up and dialed Dominic.

"Consider it done," he said smoothly. "By tomorrow, all of New York will be talking about Ms. Montgomery’s engagement."

Marriages among the elite were rarely this public. But when two powerful families joined forces, people paid attention.

Evelyn finished her nightly routine and slipped into bed, mind already racing with tomorrow’s fallout.