Ethan Blackwood had lived long enough to recognize every kind of person who crossed his path.
With a razor-sharp edge to his voice, he scoffed, “Miss Kensington, let’s drop the act. The Blackwood family was never important enough for you, was it? That’s why you abandoned the engagement and fled overseas to marry someone else. You nearly turned us into a laughingstock! And now, here you are, waltzing back in as if nothing happened. Amusing, isn’t it? Now that we’ve risen from the ashes, suddenly we’re worth your attention again. Did you really think I wouldn’t see through you?”
Ethan didn’t hold back, his words lashing out like a whip.
“You think you can deceive me? I’d rather leave everything to Isabella than let you take a single penny from this family.”
Sophia Kensington paled as his accusations struck home. Instinctively, Ethan pulled her closer.
“She had her reasons back then. We were apart for three years, and now we finally have a chance to be together. How can you stand between us? And for the record, she isn’t after my money. Her family even wants to invest in our new venture. All they want is for us to be happy. Grandfather, you’re being unjust to her.”
As Ethan spoke, his gaze flickered briefly toward Isabella. She sat there, composed, almost indifferent, as if the entire scene had nothing to do with her. The sight of her unshaken demeanor only stoked his frustration.
William Blackwood was furious.
“Don’t you dare bring up those three years! You’re ungrateful. A fool—that’s what you are. You have no idea who truly cares about you.”
William couldn’t fathom how his grandson, usually so sharp, could be so blind. His anger burned hot as he glared at Ethan.
“When you were ill, it was Isabella who stayed by your side, day and night. And when our company was on the verge of collapse, who do you think faced Alexander Kingsley alone? That man is as volatile as a storm, yet she went to save our company single-handedly. Do you honestly believe we’d be where we are today without her?”
William’s voice trembled slightly as the memories resurfaced. Everyone knew Alexander’s temper, yet Isabella, young as she was, had somehow managed to negotiate with him. Rumors said she had knelt outside his office for hours, waiting for an audience.
William never imagined the day would come when Ethan, after everything Isabella had sacrificed, would treat her like this. His heart ached with a bitter mix of sorrow and fury.
“Haven’t you heard the saying? Ingratitude never goes unpunished.”
Ethan replied coldly, “I haven’t forgotten what she did for the family. That’s why I gave her four million and a villa. She has more than enough to live comfortably for the rest of her life.”
He knew he owed her, but in his mind, the debt had been settled.
“Isabella is a good woman, yes, but you can’t force me to love her now.”
As if sensing the weakness in his own argument, Ethan turned to Isabella, his tone almost pleading.
“I know you love me, but I don’t feel the same. You can’t force my heart, and whatever game you’re playing with Grandfather won’t work. I’m staying with Sophia, no matter how hard you try to tear us apart.”
Isabella’s voice was calm, but there was steel beneath it.
“Tear you apart? I haven’t even said a word.”
To say she wasn’t hurt would be a lie, but after the divorce, she had distanced herself from those memories. Now, the situation felt almost absurd. Maybe it wasn’t Ethan she had loved all those years, but the man he used to be—the one full of passion, sincerity, and life.
Ethan caught the flicker of anger in her eyes, but she masked it quickly. It felt like a slap to his pride.
“Take the money and leave. I’ll never be with someone like you—”
Before he could finish, William’s patience snapped. In one swift motion, he raised his cane and brought it down hard on Ethan’s back. The sharp crack echoed through the room.
William’s fury had boiled over. He struck without restraint, and Ethan dropped to his knees. Sophia tried to rush forward, but the butler blocked her path, his expression unreadable.
“Miss Kensington, this is a family matter.”
