Chapter 98
Alexander couldn’t suppress a chuckle at Isabella’s clever maneuver in the video call.
He never expected Ethan to be foolish enough to walk straight into such a blatant trap.
Hearing her voice, Ethan’s expression darkened.
“Isabella, you’re still mingling with other men,” he sneered. “Aren’t you ashamed?”
Isabella’s reply was ice-cold. “Who I associate with is none of your concern, Mr. Blackwood. And before you judge me, take a good look at the company you keep. When it comes to hypocrisy, I’d say I’ve outdone you.”
Alexander arched a brow, his voice dropping to a mocking purr. “My apologies, Mr. Blackwood, but I’ve already taken my medicine. Whatever you’re after, I can cover it. After all, with your company in shambles, money is what you need most, isn’t it?”
His casual, taunting tone was like rubbing salt into Ethan’s wounds, igniting a firestorm of fury within him.
Ethan’s face twisted in rage. “So, Isabella, you’ve truly climbed your way up, haven’t you? You couldn’t even lift a finger to help my mother when she needed it. Aren’t you afraid of the consequences?”
“Exactly,” Isabella shot back, her voice razor-sharp. “I may have risen, but I’m not afraid of being ruthless. Unlike you, who fears being left behind.”
Though his words sounded benign, Sophia clenched her fists, jealousy burning in her chest. How had Isabella managed to ensnare Alexander? The Kingsley fortune eclipsed the Blackwoods’ by miles.
Just as Sophia opened her mouth to speak, the call abruptly disconnected. A series of sharp beeps followed, and when they tried to redial, the number was blocked.
Fury surged through Ethan—they had lost their only chance to secure the medicine. How would he face his mother now? And Isabella had given the pill meant for Eleanor to someone else.
“Ethan, calm down,” Sophia said softly. “To Isabella, strangers matter more than we ever did. After all, now that—” She cut herself off, feigning regret as if she’d spoken too much.
The damage was done. Her calculated words only stoked Ethan’s wrath.
“She’s gone too far!” he snarled. But with no way to retaliate, they returned to Blackwood Village in bitter defeat.
When Eleanor learned what had happened, her temper exploded. She swept everything off the table, shattering glass across the floor. “Useless! You couldn’t even bring back a single pill! I nearly died giving birth to you, Ethan!”
Hearing her dredge up old grievances, Ethan, who had endured enough for one day, finally snapped. His expression turned stormy, the dam of his restraint breaking.
“You didn’t have to give birth to me!”
Eleanor froze, his words striking her like a physical blow. She collapsed into a chair, burying her face in her hands as tears streamed down her cheeks.
“I didn’t mean to lash out,” she whispered, voice trembling. “But I’m dying. The medicine is gone, and we can’t reach the research institute. Our only hope is Isabella.”
She took a shaky breath, plotting her next move. “Calm down and invite her. Tell her…” Eleanor paused, weighing her words. “Tell her your grandfather is on his deathbed and wants to see her. They were always close—she’ll come.”
Ethan grimaced at the thought of exploiting his grandfather, but the sight of his mother’s tears softened him. He pulled out his phone, only to be bombarded with spam messages and missed calls. The screen flickered under the flood of notifications before freezing completely.
Someone had leaked his number.
Gritting his teeth, Ethan spat, “Isabella, you viper!”
