Chapter 192
Ethan Blackwood’s icy gaze narrowed at Isabella Sinclair.
“Before coming here, we checked the membership list,” he said coldly. “Your name wasn’t on it. The system doesn’t even recognize you as a member.”
As he spoke, a twisted mix of smug satisfaction and bitter disappointment coiled inside him.
This research institute was an exclusive sanctuary for the elite—those who could open doors with a single phone call. If he couldn’t secure access, how could she? And her refusal to explain only confirmed his suspicions—she was bluffing.
“You might’ve gotten lucky before, getting your hands on that medicine,” Ethan sneered, his nostrils flaring. “But here? They’ll toss you out like yesterday’s trash.”
Isabella merely arched a brow, more amused than offended. Ethan’s paranoia had clearly worsened since their divorce.
With a disdainful wrinkle of her nose, she took Amelia Kingsley’s hand and announced loudly, “Let’s go. I can’t stand listening to his incessant yapping.”
Alexander Kingsley, ever the provocateur, smirked. “Hey now, let’s not insult the dogs.”
Their mockery wasn’t lost on Ethan, whose face flushed crimson with fury. Without another word, Isabella and Alexander strode past him, heading straight for the institute’s gleaming glass doors without so much as a backward glance.
Ethan’s fists clenched at his sides.
Sophia Kensington, ever the clingy shadow, latched onto his arm. “Don’t let them get to you, Ethan,” she cooed, her voice sickly sweet. “Let’s follow them inside.”
Understanding dawned in Ethan’s eyes. Exchanging a knowing glance with Sophia, they discreetly trailed after Isabella and the others.
He wanted to witness her humiliation firsthand.
But the moment they stepped into the lobby, two impeccably dressed staff members blocked their path. One raised a hand in a firm yet polite gesture.
“Apologies, but without a reservation, you may not enter.”
Ethan’s lips curled in triumph as he shot Isabella a smug look. “See? Just because you got lucky once doesn’t mean you’re untouchable now.”
Sophia’s lips twisted into a saccharine smile as she leaned in. “Isabella, you don’t actually know anyone here, do you? You’ve been lying this whole time. If you couldn’t deliver, you should’ve just admitted it. Now you’ve wasted our only chance!”
But before she could finish, the staff members brushed past Isabella without hesitation—only to position themselves squarely in front of Ethan and Sophia, blocking them from entry.
One of them shot them a frigid glare. “What we meant was, they can go in. You two need to leave. Unauthorized personnel aren’t allowed inside.”
Sophia’s jaw dropped.
Meanwhile, another staff member greeted Isabella warmly. “Ms. Sinclair, welcome! We’ve been expecting you.”
Isabella smiled and exchanged pleasantries. “Is the director in today?”
“He is. He heard you were coming and has been waiting.”
Ethan and Sophia stood frozen, stunned.
They were the ones being kicked out—while Isabella was being treated like royalty. Not only that, but she was apparently on familiar terms with the institute’s director.
Alexander, however, wasn’t surprised in the least. Isabella had already assured him she could arrange Amelia’s treatment. This only confirmed her connections ran deep.
“Please leave!” The first staff member’s patience was wearing thin, his frown deepening as he gestured sharply toward the exit.
Sophia wasn’t having it. “What kind of nonsense is this? She waltzes in without a membership, but we can’t?” Her voice dripped with outrage.
Ethan, equally incensed, added, “Since when is she so cozy with your director? She’s not even a member, yet you’re rolling out the red carpet for her. Something shady’s going on here.”
The more Ethan thought about Isabella ingratiating herself with powerful men, the hotter his anger burned. Suspicion clouded his mind.
“You’re just a low-level employee,” he spat, directing his fury at the staff member. “If you can’t explain this, I’ll make sure you regret it. I’ll file a formal complaint!”
Sophia’s eyes blazed with fury. She had spent a fortune planting a spy in Charisma Company, only for Isabella to expose and have them arrested. The humiliation still stung.
Old grudges and fresh fury pushed her over the edge. “Isabella, the members of this institute are Verining’s elite. If you wanted to flaunt your connections, you didn’t have to resort to dirty tricks to get in!”
In her mind, there was no way Isabella was some influential figure. The only explanation? She must be sleeping with the director.
Isabella’s eyes glinted with cold amusement. “Does your mind always live in the gutter? With thoughts like that festering inside you, no wonder you’re so unpleasant. A hideous heart breeds a hideous face.”
Sophia’s expression twisted in fury.
Ethan’s jaw tightened.
And the staff members? They simply gestured again toward the exit.
“Leave. Now.”
