Chapter 151

Isabella Sinclair had been working tirelessly to prepare for her grand birthday celebration.

She was finally full of energy again, no longer the frail, bedridden girl from before. Not only was she securing the perfect venue, but she was also meticulously selecting her gown and makeup. To an outsider, it might have looked like she was planning her engagement party.

Throughout all this, Alexander Kingsley had remained distant. Seeing her improved condition, he hadn't returned to the hospital to visit.

Of course, this stung Isabella's pride. But right now, orchestrating the perfect birthday event took precedence over everything else.

The night before the party, Isabella was in her room trying on the designer dress she'd borrowed from Camille Dubois.

Though slender, the bust of the dress gaped awkwardly on her petite frame. Her two maids worked frantically but couldn't make it fit properly.

"You useless fools! What good are you if you can't even help me with a simple dress?" Isabella snapped, her cheeks flushing with anger as she shoved one maid away.

"Miss Sinclair, perhaps we could call a tailor for alterations? Or maybe use some discreet safety pins..." one maid timidly suggested.

Isabella wiped her brow in frustration. She couldn't admit the real reason - she refused to pay the exorbitant damage fees.

The dress was worth over a hundred thousand, and she'd already signed a binding agreement.

Any stains, damage, alterations - even pinning it - would require her to compensate Camille five times the original price. And with Camille being Evadne's ally? Not a single penny would go to that woman!

"Bring me double-sided tape! Now! Move!"

Soon, the maids returned with tape, carefully applying it inside the dress's bodice. When Isabella slipped it on again, the fit was perfect.

"Miss Sinclair, you're brilliant! This works perfectly!" one maid gushed.

Isabella exhaled in relief, a smug smile playing on her lips.

Just then, a sharp knock interrupted them. Eleanor Sinclair entered, her expression tense.

"Mother!" Isabella cried.

"Out! All of you!" Isabella immediately dismissed the maids.

As the door clicked shut behind them, Eleanor locked it securely.

"Mother? Did everything go as planned?" Isabella asked anxiously, gripping her mother's hands.

"It's done." Eleanor's grasp was icy cold.

"Oh Mother, thank you!"

Isabella squeezed her mother's hands tighter, her eyes darkening. "You've always been my greatest ally. I'll repay your kindness tenfold!"

"You're my only daughter. Of course I'd move heaven and earth for you."

Eleanor's face was pale but determined. "With you and Alexander reunited, and Frederic supporting your marriage, we're so close now! I won't let anyone - or anything - stand between you and your rightful place in high society!"

The much-anticipated birthday gala arrived the following evening.

The Sterling Group had reserved the grand ballroom at The Regal Palace Hotel, a deliberate display of the families' alliance.

To bolster her niece's standing, Margaret had leveraged Frederic's influence to invite Elmsworth's elite and national dignitaries. The scale rivaled that of a royal wedding.

The ballroom glittered under crystal chandeliers, alive with orchestral music and the rustle of designer gowns.

Every influential figure in Elmsworth had come - all due to Frederic's prestige.

Despite Margaret's recent police investigation (later proven to be her cousin's doing), she now stood radiant beside her husband, charming guests with effortless grace.

"Mr. Frederic, Margaret, congratulations!"

"The congratulations should go to my darling niece today," Margaret beamed in her couture gown.

"Since Ms. Sinclair is your fiancée, we should congratulate you both! The Abernathy dynasty gains a new jewel tonight!"

"Thank you, thank you!"

Nearby, Evelyn Prescott and her socialite friends exchanged knowing glances.

"Congratulations, Evelyn! You're gaining a sister-in-law," one girl teased.

"Correction - another sister-in-law," another giggled. "Out with the old, in with the new, right? And since Ms. Sinclair is Margaret's niece, you'll all get along famously, won't you?"

Evelyn forced a smile while silently seething.

"I heard Ms. Sinclair and Mr. Frederic have a star-crossed love story - separated for years, overcoming countless obstacles. That he's marrying her immediately after his divorce proves it's true love. Evelyn, your brother's lucky. When will you introduce us to your beau?"

Evelyn's eyes darted across the room, searching for her beloved Mr. Jareth.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jareth was in a private suite with Alexander Kingsley.

Both men wore custom-tailored suits, seated before floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city lights.

Jareth's white suit with black shirt and gold rose pendant exuded rakish charm.

Alexander, as always, wore all black - his gold lapel pin the only concession to ornamentation, underscoring his formidable presence.

"My god," Jareth teased, swirling his whiskey. "Dressed like that, people might think you're attending a funeral."

Alexander's icy gaze flickered. "Black signifies mourning, but white doesn't?"

"Life's truly fair - giving you this face but pairing it with that mouth. Perfection!" Jareth's eyes caught on Alexander's tie pin. "That's unique. Mind if I borrow it sometime?"

Alexander's expression darkened. "Dream on."

"Tsk - we used to share everything, even underwear. Now you're stingy with a tie pin? Age really does change people."

Their banter was interrupted by Daniel Carter's arrival.

"Mr. Kingsley, Ms. Sinclair requests your presence for the birthday toast. She's waiting on stage."

"Not going." Alexander's voice was glacial.

"Excellent! I'll tell her you're declining!" Daniel barely concealed his glee.

Nothing pleased him more than thwarting Isabella.

"Considering that girl recently self-harmed due to depression, and is only now recovering, you're fine with pushing her over the edge again?" Jareth arched a brow.

"I can't share that stage with her tonight," Alexander said quietly.

"Why not? Aren't you her devoted fiancé?"

"I'm ending our relationship."

Jareth's glass froze mid-air. Daniel nearly choked.

"I haven't told her yet, given her fragile state," Alexander continued evenly. "Once she's stronger, I'll explain. I owe her that much - she did save my life once."

Jareth's eyes narrowed with sudden understanding. He leaned in close.

"Alexander... be honest. Is part of this because you've developed feelings for Evadne? Isn't it?"

Alexander felt his breath catch, his chest constricting.

After a weighted pause, he ground out: "No."