Chapter 249
Even Sophia Kensington hadn’t anticipated it—despite Isabella Sinclair’s icy demeanor, Ethan Blackwood still harbored some lingering care for her.
Isabella was direct, her tone unwavering.
“I don’t give a damn what any of you think.”
“Falling for the wrong man and having my heart shattered—it’s all in the past now.”
There wasn’t a hint of hesitation or sorrow in her voice, as if she had finally shed the weight of those painful memories.
“Although,” she added with a sharp edge, “some people seem convinced they know me better than I know myself.”
“Too bad they’re not mind readers!”
Her thoughts flickered back to that bitter winter day when she had tried to cheer Ethan up by taking him ice skating.
At first, he had softened, the two of them gliding across the ice in perfect harmony.
Then, without warning, he had shoved her onto the ice and coldly told her to get lost.
From that moment on, Isabella had sworn off extreme sports entirely—as if the memory had carved a permanent scar into her mind.
Now, however, those wounds had finally scabbed over.
Ethan no longer haunted her thoughts.
When Olivia Montgomery suggested signing her up for the competition this time, Isabella hadn’t resisted like she had years ago.
She embraced the challenge, stepping boldly into this new chapter of her life.
Then, as if something amusing struck her, she let out a soft chuckle.
“Some people really do look like fools now.”
“If they had any sense, they’d shut their mouths.”
“Who knows? I might even pity them.”
Olivia, ever the dramatic actress, adopted a teasing, high-pitched tone.
“Exactly! Mr. Blackwood is practically a charity case at this point.”
“Isabella, darling, you should go easy on him. No need to rub salt in the wound.”
She then mimicked Sophia’s saccharine voice.
“Oh, sweetheart, do you think I’m too soft-hearted?”
Isabella smirked at her friend’s antics.
“What am I supposed to do with you?”
“But yes, Mr. Blackwood does seem rather pitiful.”
“He might just lose his precious heir status soon…”
Though Isabella’s words were delivered casually, they cut deep—each syllable driving a dagger into Ethan’s chest.
“Isabella!”
Ethan’s fleeting guilt was instantly erased by fury.
“Do you dare compete with me? If I win, you’ll return the family heirloom!” His words were gritted out between clenched teeth.
“And if you lose?”
“If I lose, the heirloom is yours,” Isabella replied coolly.
“Mr. Blackwood, you’re treating me like a child.”
“No matter the outcome, you don’t actually lose anything.”
“How is that fair?”
Olivia, ever the instigator, tossed in her own suggestion.
“Exactly! If you lose, why not kneel and beg for forgiveness in public? How about that?”
Her words dangled like bait.
Silence stretched between them as Ethan considered her proposal.
He hadn’t forgotten that humiliating moment in Athton when he had knelt, defeated, after a failed bet.
Sophia, tense, wondered what Isabella was truly planning.
She suspected Isabella was out for blood—driven by some twisted mix of jealousy and vengeance.
How else could their paths have crossed so conveniently?
Yet, the way Isabella carried herself—calm, collected, utterly unbothered—made Sophia hesitate.
Was there something they didn’t know?
Before she could voice her concerns, Isabella spoke again.
“Oh, I forgot.”
“You’ve done this before, haven’t you? Knelt, begged, the whole pathetic display.”
“No wonder you’re hesitating. It must’ve left a psychological scar.”
Olivia’s laughter bubbled over.
“Well, if you can’t stomach it, don’t play.”
“Just stop pretending you’re tough when you might be the weakest one here.”
Ethan’s frustration had no outlet.
His face darkened, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl.
“What do I have to fear?”
“Just because I’ve been busy with work and haven’t competed recently doesn’t mean I’ve lost my edge.”
“I still participate in extreme sports.”
“I won’t be bested by someone with your limited experience!”
The reason Ethan agreed so readily was simple—he had watched Isabella skate before.
Graceful, yes, but slow, always struggling to keep up.
She had never received the rigorous training he had.
Beating her would be effortless.
Isabella’s lips curled into a sly smile.
“It’s a deal, Mr. Blackwood.”
“Just don’t try to back out later.”
“You better not back out either!” Ethan snapped before storming off, Sophia trailing behind him, his fury barely contained.
Sophia hesitated, then leaned in closer.
“Ethan… don’t you think Isabella seems too confident?”
“She’s always been stone-cold. Never shows fear,” Ethan replied, his eyes narrowing.
“Even if she’s picked up a few tricks, she can’t beat me.”
In competitions like this—where every second mattered—Ethan trusted his skill.
He had been the best before.
There was no way Isabella could outpace him now.
“That’s good.” Sophia wrapped her arms around him warmly.
“Ethan, once we secure the Ruby Jade, we’ll keep it safe.”
“You know William’s getting older. It’s too easy for someone to take advantage of him.”
Her words were a subtle nudge—a reminder of the stakes.
They had to win today.
Secure the heirloom.
Lock in Ethan’s position against the other heirs.
Ethan’s eyes hardened.
“I will win.”
“No matter the cost.”
