Chapter 157

"Speak." Alexander's piercing gaze locked onto Isabella.

Nathaniel hesitated, unsure how to begin.

"Alex! Alex!"

A shrill voice echoed through the hallway, sending chills down Nathaniel's spine.

Olivia jolted awake, gripping Isabella's sleeve tightly.

"What's happening? Is Mr. Sinclair alright?"

"Relax, Olivia." Isabella shot a frosty glare at Victoria before reassuring her friend. "With me here, nothing will happen to Mr. Sinclair. Let's get you some rest. You'll see him as soon as he wakes."

Watching her walk away calmly, Alexander felt like his heart had been ripped out. The pain was suffocating.

"Alex!"

Victoria's eyes were puffy from crying. She lunged toward him but was blocked by Nathaniel.

"Ms. Sterling, you should be at the hospital with your father and finding a lawyer for your mother. That's what matters now."

Ignoring him, Victoria sobbed dramatically. "I've been framed! I'm the victim here! Alex, you have to believe me—I would never betray you!"

Alexander turned his back, jaw clenched. His expression was glacial.

Hearing her talk about love made him sick.

Nathaniel scoffed. "You're lucky Alex is merciful. If it were up to me, you and your lover would disappear. The Sterlings would be forced out of this city—permanently."

Victoria trembled under his cold stare.

After a long silence, Alexander finally faced her, his voice like ice. "Leave."

"No! I won't!"

Her tone still carried that manipulative sweetness, as if she thought he’d never truly cast her aside.

But Alexander had already texted Lawrence, who arrived with two bodyguards.

"Remove her. Now." His command was absolute.

Lawrence seized Victoria’s arm, dragging her toward the exit.

"There's nothing between me and Gregory! He forced me into a relationship! When I refused, he—he assaulted me! Got me pregnant!"

Desperate, Victoria spun wild lies. "He blackmailed me! Threatened to ruin my life if I didn’t comply! Alex, I’m a victim too! Why won’t you believe me?!"

"Victoria."

His voice was hollow, devoid of any warmth. "Our breakup has nothing to do with Gregory. Or your child."

She froze, bewildered.

"I wouldn’t have cared if you fell in love abroad. If you had a child with someone else."

His fists clenched, knuckles white. "But you lied. You faked depression to manipulate me. You used my mother’s suffering as a weapon to force me into marriage."

Her face paled. She’d made a fatal mistake.

She’d exploited the very trauma that haunted him—his mother’s battle with depression. And now, the lie had destroyed everything.

"You turned our pain into a game." His laugh was bitter. "You made me a fool."

Nathaniel cut in, disgusted. "You grew up with Alex. You knew what he went through. And yet you used it against him. That’s not love—that’s cruelty."

"Enough." Alexander couldn’t bear another second. "Lawrence, get her out of my sight. Permanently."

"Yes, sir!"

Victoria shrieked as she was hauled away. "You’re just using this as an excuse to leave me! You’re tired of me! You’re in love with Isabella now!"

Her voice turned venomous. "What’s so special about her? She never saved your life! She’s just using you!"

"Shut your mouth!" Alexander roared, eyes blazing. "You don’t get to speak her name. One more word, and I’ll ensure the Sterlings lose everything. Get. Out."

The fury in his voice shattered her. She collapsed, trembling, as Lawrence dragged her off.

Silence returned to the hallway.

"Alex." Nathaniel clapped his shoulder. "Congrats. No matter how long the deception lasted, it’s never too late to walk away."

"Never too late?" Alexander’s laugh was hollow.

To him, it already was.