Chapter 152
Isabella Sinclair strode away, her face an unreadable mask of frost.
Once, she might have let those forgotten drafts collect dust. But that didn’t mean she would stand by while someone else profited from her labor.
Isabella wasn’t the type to forgive and forget.
Snatching her phone from her pocket, she dialed swiftly.
“Olivia, I need a favor.”
“Well, well, look who finally remembers me!” Olivia Montgomery teased, her voice laced with playful sarcasm. “I was beginning to think you’d forgotten my number.”
The lightness in her tone was deliberate—an attempt to lift Isabella’s spirits.
“Go on, then. What do you need? Name it, and I’ll make it happen.”
“Call every reporter you know and send them to this mall,” Isabella replied, texting the location. “Tell them to play nice with Xavier Delmar. I’ve got a show planned.”
Olivia’s voice sharpened instantly. “Isabella, did that snake Xavier hurt you?”
“He was my editor back in Leswington. Now he’s built his career on my discarded drafts.” Isabella’s voice was ice. “And Ethan Blackwood and Sophia Kensington? They’re so blind they’d work with a fraud like him.”
A pause. Then a slow, dangerous smile curled her lips. “But this is perfect. It’s the ideal moment to teach them what a real downfall looks like.”
“Wait—Ethan and Sophia are there too?” Olivia’s outrage crackled through the line. “If my father weren’t forcing me to stay at the company and ‘learn the business,’ I’d be there right now to rip them apart myself.”
“Don’t worry,” Olivia assured her, voice steely. “I’ll make sure this goes off flawlessly.”
As Isabella’s closest friend, Olivia didn’t need explanations. She already knew exactly what Isabella intended.
“They’ll learn what it means to lose everything in one breath,” Isabella murmured.
Olivia chuckled darkly. “I know you too well.”
“Of course you do. Just sit back and wait for the fireworks. I’ll make sure every reporter plays their part perfectly.”
Hanging up, Isabella moved to a vantage point across the mall, her gaze locked on Xavier.
He stood there, utterly unguarded, arrogance radiating off him like heat from a furnace. Clearly, he thought she would let this slide.
He was still basking in the spotlight, signing autographs with theatrical flair, even blowing kisses to his adoring fans.
Meanwhile, Sophia seized the moment to promote Blackwood Group from the stage.
“Everyone, this is Ethan Blackwood, president of Blackwood Group!” she announced, her voice dripping with false enthusiasm. “We’re thrilled to announce our collaboration with Xavier Delmar! With your support, we might even release a special product soon—so stay tuned!”
As the autograph line dwindled, Xavier rose with a dramatic bow.
“Thank you, everyone! Your love means everything. Keep supporting me—and Blackwood Group!”
The crowd erupted.
“Xavier working with Blackwood Group? That’s insane! I’ll buy whatever they make!” one fan squealed.
“One more autograph, please!” another begged.
“He’s unstoppable! Already landing major deals!”
The adoration only fueled Xavier’s smugness. In his mind, he’d already won. Fame, fortune—it was all his now.
And no woman from his past was going to ruin that.
Not without a fight.
