Chapter 43

Isabella's chest heaved with such intense fury she thought she might suffocate.

Her grandfather's precious heirloom, her most treasured possession, had been callously destroyed by Victoria in an instant.

White-hot rage erupted through her veins like molten lava. She wanted to snap every bone in Victoria's body just like that shattered bracelet.

"Victoria!" Isabella's crimson eyes burned with fury as she screamed the name.

Victoria flinched momentarily before a venomous smirk twisted her lips. So what if she broke the bracelet? There were no witnesses. If she claimed self-defense, who would Alexander believe?

With calculated cruelty, Victoria scooped up the broken shards from the sink and pressed them against her own wrist.

Isabella realized her intent too late.

"Ahh!"

She watched in horror as Victoria dragged the sharp edge across her pale skin. Though avoiding major arteries, the wound bled profusely - a shocking crimson against porcelain skin.

Even Victoria seemed startled by her own actions. But the die was cast. She had to commit fully now.

With theatrical sobs, she fled the bathroom, leaving bloody droplets in her wake.

Isabella stood frozen, clutching the bracelet fragments until her knuckles turned white.

Only when she exited did the last stall door creak open silently.

Victoria's hysterical cries echoed through the hallway as she cradled her bleeding wrist. Auction guests recoiled from the spectacle, some pulling out phones to record the chaos.

"Alexander! Mother! Aunt Elspeth! Help me!" Victoria wailed with perfect dramatic timing.

Just as planned, she became the center of attention. Let Isabella try playing the victim now. To Alexander, she'd just be the jealous ex.

Elspeth, Margaret, and Arabella came rushing like startled hens.

"My darling! What happened to your hand?" Margaret's shrill voice carried through the hall. Her Oscar-worthy performance came naturally - she'd been waiting for this moment ever since Victoria left with Isabella.

Isabella observed coldly from the sidelines. The grand performance was just beginning.

Jareth's security team swiftly dispersed the growing crowd.

"Tell us what happened!" Elspeth demanded, playing her role perfectly.

Victoria collapsed into Alexander's arms like a wounded dove. "I... I met Ms. Sinclair in the bathroom. I tried to make peace but she... she..."

Isabella's mocking laughter cut through the drama.

Alexander's jaw tightened at her reaction. "Did you do this?" His voice was glacial.

The accusation pierced Isabella deeper than any blade. She clenched her fists until her nails drew blood.

Jareth facepalmed. Could his friend be any more obtuse?

Isabella's smile could have frozen hell over. "What if I did? Going to punish me, Mr. Kingsley?"

The standoff crackled with tension as the two women's gazes locked - one dripping false tears, the other burning with righteous fury.