Chapter 242
Ethan and Sophia stood motionless, their expressions frozen in disbelief.
William had never spoken of the jade before.
“This belongs to me to give,” the old man declared sharply, his voice cutting through the tense silence. “Do you think you have any say over what I do with my own possessions? You’ve drained me dry and nearly destroyed the Blackwood Group.”
His gaze hardened. “I don’t care how you survive from now on, but I will repay Isabella.”
With deliberate care, he opened the ornate box, revealing the exquisite piece of jade within. His eyes swept across the room, lingering on each face before him.
“She saved my life, and yet you all treated her as if she were worthless.” His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “Clearly, in your eyes, my life holds no value at all.”
Tonight’s disastrous birthday celebration had laid bare the truth—his so-called family were nothing more than ungrateful parasites.
Drawing a steadying breath, William turned back to Isabella, his hands no longer trembling.
“So, I’m giving this to you, Isabella. You’ve shown more integrity than any of them.” His voice cracked with emotion. “My only regret is realizing how deeply I’ve been disappointed by every single one of you.”
His words struck like physical blows. Though uneasy glances were exchanged across the room, no one dared to speak. They knew better than to challenge William’s decisions—once his mind was made, there was no turning back.
Isabella frowned, her voice soft but firm. “William, this is too valuable. I can’t possibly accept it.”
Having grown up in an orphanage, she had rarely experienced such gestures of familial warmth. The weight of William’s generosity, paired with the significance of the jade, left her overwhelmed. She had never cared for material wealth, but the thought that someone valued her enough to offer such a treasured heirloom was almost too much to bear.
Yet William simply pressed the box firmly into her hands. “Take it. I know what you’re capable of, and to me, you’re worth far more than this Ruby Jade.” A faint smile touched his lips. “Consider it my gift to you—for everything you’ve done for the Blackwood family over the years.”
He paused, his expression softening. “This way, no matter who you choose in the future, you’ll always have something of your own.”
William understood the cruelty of society all too well. As a divorced woman, Isabella would face judgment and disdain from many. This gift was his way of ensuring she had leverage—a silent declaration that as long as he lived, no one would dare mistreat her.
Before Isabella could protest further, William turned sharply to his butler. “Why are you still standing there? Escort Isabella and Mr. Kingsley out. I’d like to see who has the audacity to trouble them now.” His tone left no room for argument.
The butler bowed immediately. “Yes, sir.”
Isabella barely managed a quiet farewell as the butler guided her and Alexander outside. “Ms. Sinclair, Mr. Kingsley, it’s best you leave now. Tonight’s events have been… tumultuous. Mr. Blackwood is in no mood for further witnesses to this disgrace.”
It was clear the Blackwood family would endure a long, painful night.
Once outside, Isabella and Alexander walked side by side in silence, the cool night air brushing against their skin. They passed a garden, the scent of night-blooming flowers drifting around them.
Alexander was the first to break the quiet. “Ms. Sinclair, don’t trouble yourself over this. William still holds influence within the family. By giving you that jade, he’s making a statement—he won’t let something so precious fall into unworthy hands.”
“I know,” Isabella murmured, her gaze distant. “I just feel like I’ve failed him. When I married Ethan, William was so happy. He hoped for a grandchild—someone to carry on the Blackwood name.”
But their paths had diverged long ago. Her ties to the Blackwood family were severed, and the Ruby Jade felt like too heavy a gift to accept.
Alexander’s expression softened as he looked at her. “Trust me, William doesn’t see it that way. If anything, he’s protecting you—not the other way around.”
A loose strand of Isabella’s hair fluttered in the breeze. Without thinking, Alexander reached out, gently tucking it behind her ear. The motion was quick, almost instinctive, and he immediately withdrew his hand, his expression carefully composed.
“Apologies. There was a leaf,” he said casually, though the memory of her hair against his fingertips lingered.
He silently chastised himself for losing control around her more and more often.
But Isabella seemed oblivious to his thoughts as she met his gaze, her eyes searching. “Mr. Kingsley, why did you agree to William’s request earlier?”
Alexander swallowed, his face betraying nothing. “I simply think you’re extraordinary.” His answer was smooth, revealing nothing.
Isabella gave a faint smile before tilting her head slightly, as if considering something. “One more thing. I’ve never known Sebastian to have any expertise in video restoration. And the Kingsley family doesn’t typically associate with the Blackwoods.” She studied him. “So why did you attend the banquet tonight?”
Because of you, he thought silently. More than that, he’d been worried Ethan and Sophia, in their arrogance, might pose a direct threat to her. But he knew better than to say that aloud—Isabella was more than capable of handling them herself.
“Truthfully, he doesn’t have that skill. I was simply taking a chance,” Alexander replied smoothly. “It was obvious from Eleanor and Sophia’s reactions that something was amiss.”
He lifted his gaze, his eyes holding hers. “And as for tonight… if I told you I came because of you, would you believe me?”
