Chapter 44

Nathaniel's breath caught in his throat, his pulse hammering wildly.

His eyes widened in shock at the sight of his once-gentle ex-wife, now standing before him with a fire in her gaze and violence in her hands.

"Isabella, did you really do this?" Nathaniel demanded, his voice tight.

A slow, dangerous smile curved Isabella's lips, her striking beauty impossible to ignore.

Daniel clutched his chest, utterly captivated.

How could a woman look so breathtaking even when she was causing chaos?

"Nathaniel, what are you implying?"

Victoria, sensing Nathaniel's hesitation, immediately played the victim. "Are you seriously doubting me? Do you trust her more than your own fiancée?"

She couldn't fathom why Isabella would willingly take the blame.

But if Isabella wanted to dig her own grave, Victoria wouldn't stop her.

"Nathaniel, look at the monster you married!" Margaret wailed, clutching Victoria dramatically. "She nearly slit my daughter's wrist! She wanted to kill her!"

Nathaniel's jaw clenched, his expression darkening.

"Isabella, you were never like this before. You were soft, fragile. What happened to you?"

Sophia sneered, venom dripping from her words. "She's finally showing her true colors now that she's not tied to Nathaniel anymore. Thank goodness he divorced her in time and chose Victoria instead. Who knows what other schemes she had up her sleeve?"

"Sophia, watch your mouth!"

Daniel stepped forward, ready to defend Isabella, but she stopped him with a single glance.

Vanessa watched the exchange with bitter resentment, her dislike for her former sister-in-law deepening.

"Do whatever you want," Isabella said coolly.

"Apologize to Victoria," Nathaniel ordered, his voice icy.

As if their three years of marriage meant nothing.

Victoria barely suppressed her triumphant smile.

This was Isabella's downfall. Nathaniel would always be hers.

Isabella had given everything for him—her love, her devotion, her sacrifices. Yet all it took were Victoria's crocodile tears to make him turn on her.

A few fake sobs outweighed years of loyalty.

Isabella lifted her chin and strode toward Victoria.

Without hesitation, she swung her hand and struck Victoria hard across the face.

The sharp sound echoed through the room, leaving everyone stunned.

Nathaniel froze, a chill running down his spine.

"You—you hit me?" Victoria gasped, clutching her cheek.

"You deserved it."

Isabella's smile was razor-sharp. "That was for destroying the diamond bracelet my grandfather gave me. If you have a problem with me, come at me directly. But you went after something precious to me. Why?"

"Isabella!" Nathaniel roared, his fury erupting. His gaze flickered to her wrist, noticing the faint swelling from the force of her slap.

Her skin was delicate, bruises forming easily.

But his anger blinded him to her pain.

Margaret, Sophia, and Vanessa gaped in disbelief. How dare Isabella act so brazenly?

"Listen carefully," Isabella hissed, her voice trembling with rage. "From this moment on, Victoria and I are enemies. If I break this vow, may I end up just like this bracelet."

She slowly uncurled her left hand, revealing the shattered diamonds and the blood staining her palm.

Nathaniel's chest tightened at the sight.

She had loved that bracelet.

Even broken, she clung to it, oblivious to the cuts on her skin.

He couldn't speak, his gaze locked on her furious face.

"Ms. Sinclair! Your hand!"

Daniel panicked, searching his pockets for something to stop the bleeding, but he had nothing.

Nathaniel's fingers twitched toward his own handkerchief, but he hesitated.

Before he could move, a familiar floral scent filled the air as a woman in an emerald gown stepped forward.

Isabella's vision blurred slightly as Seraphina approached, carefully removing the shards from her palm and wrapping the wound with a silk handkerchief.

Tears pricked Isabella's eyes, but she bit them back.

"Such lovely hands shouldn't be hurt," Seraphina murmured, her voice steady despite the storm in her eyes.

"Seraphina! What a pleasant surprise!" Sophia forced a smile, scrambling to greet her.

Margaret simpered, trying to ingratiate herself.

Seraphina barely acknowledged them.

To her, Margaret was beneath notice.

"Sophia," Seraphina said curtly, only acknowledging her out of respect for Frederic.

Margaret flushed at the blatant dismissal.

"Does Seraphina know Ms. Sinclair?" Sophia probed, watching their interaction carefully. "Ah, of course—Ms. Sinclair is representing Alexander at the auction today. Her extravagant spending must have caught your eye, right?"

Seraphina's expression remained unreadable. "Naturally, I know Ms. Sinclair. She was Alexander's guest, after all."

"So, you're not particularly close?"

"Do I need to be?" Seraphina countered smoothly.

"I think it's relevant," Sophia pressed, smirking. "Because Ms. Sinclair might soon become the wife of K Group's president. That would make her family."

"Is Ms. Sinclair Alexander's girlfriend?" Seraphina asked, feigning ignorance.

"Exactly!" Sophia crowed. "The moment she divorced Nathaniel, she jumped into Alexander's car. I was worried for her—a country girl with no connections in Elmsworth. But then I saw she had Alexander to rely on, and I stopped worrying."

She shot Isabella a mocking grin.

Seraphina didn't respond immediately, the tension thickening.