Chapter 58

The golden morning light spilled through the curtains, warm and inviting.

Isabella stretched lazily in her plush bed, arching her back like a contented feline. The silk sheets slid off her toned frame as she rose, her movements graceful yet effortless.

She slipped into a crisp white athleisure set and made her way to the private lake behind the estate. The water shimmered under the early sun, calling to her.

Daniel was already there, impeccably dressed as always. In one hand, he held a chilled bottle of water, in the other, a fresh towel. His sharp eyes tracked her approach, unwavering.

"Gone. Every last clip of Victoria berating our staff has vanished from the internet. Searched every keyword—nothing."

He handed her the towel, then twisted the cap off the water bottle. "There's still some murmuring online, but it'll fade. Doubt it'll escalate."

"Of course. The Vanderbilt PR and legal teams are the best in New York. And Alexander has them wrapped around his finger." Isabella dabbed the sweat from her brow, her breathing steady but quick.

"So, Alexander had them removed?" Daniel's brows lifted slightly.

Isabella shook her damp hair, tilting her head back to drink. The sunlight caught the curve of her throat, the motion elegant yet unintentionally mesmerizing.

Daniel swallowed hard.

"Profit first, damage control second. That's Alexander now."

She wiped her lips with the back of her hand, smirking. "Had I met him in a boardroom first, I'd never have fallen for that man."

Fallen at the wrong time, for the wrong man.

"So, what's your play?"

Isabella's eyes gleamed with quiet cunning. She always had a plan.

"That girl hasn't been discharged yet, right? We'll start with a meeting at the hotel, then you'll take me to the hospital. Time to check on our guest."

Hours later, at Royal Grace Hospital.

The girl had been moved to a standard ward. When she saw Isabella walk in, she jolted upright, panic flashing across her face.

Isabella strode forward, pressing a gentle hand to her shoulder. "Lie down, Audrey. Rest. You need it."

"Manager Sinclair, I—I'm so sorry for the trouble!"

Audrey's voice trembled. "I didn't know I'd collapse like that. I swear I wasn't hiding anything. I just... I messed up."

"I saw your records. This was your first episode. No history of it before. You didn't hide anything, so stop blaming yourself." Isabella smiled softly.

"Please, deduct the hospital fees from my salary!"

"Not happening. This was work-related. The hotel covers it."

Audrey's eyes welled up. "Thank you."

"I came to ask you something."

Isabella's expression shifted, her voice dropping to a firm murmur. "What do you want to do about Victoria?"

Audrey's shoulders slumped. "Victoria's a Vanderbilt. I'm nobody. No power, no influence. What can I do?"

She swallowed hard. "And this morning, I saw all the videos were gone. Even my voice online... silenced."

"If the Vanderbilts won't give you a voice, I will."

Isabella leaned in, her gaze unyielding. Every word deliberate.

Audrey's eyes widened. "You... will?"

"If you want Victoria to apologize, we take this public. But it'll affect your life. So I need your consent. You're the one who suffered. I won't bulldoze over your feelings."

"I want her to say sorry. Even if it's just to my face."

"No. We go public." Isabella never minced words.

Audrey gasped. "Public?! That's impossible!"

"Audrey, Victoria will never apologize privately." Daniel interjected quietly. "She humiliated you in front of dozens. The only way she'll bend is if we force her into the spotlight."

"Please, just drop it! I don't want to cause more problems for you or the hotel!" Audrey shook her head frantically.

"Don't be afraid. If Victoria retaliates, she's signing her own downfall. And I have my reasons for this."

A spark of something dangerous flickered in Isabella's eyes. "If you agree, leave it to me. I don't let my people suffer in silence."

Victoria thought this would blow over.

She was wrong.

Isabella could walk away from a marriage.

But she would never walk away from a fight.

Outside the ward, Isabella slid her sunglasses on, shielding the fire in her gaze.

Then she dialed Julian.

"Isabella! Finally remembered I exist!"

His voice was a mix of mock hurt and theatrics. "You have no idea how much grief I got from Oliver! He said you forgot about me—I almost cried!"

"You two are my brothers, not my harem. Stop being dramatic." She sighed. "Listen, I need a favor."

"A favor? Oh no, we're strangers now! So cold, so distant!" Julian wailed. "Next thing I know, you'll forget my face entirely!"

"Julian. Focus. I need your help." Isabella gritted her teeth as passing nurses shot her odd looks.

"There we go. That's the Isabella I know." He chuckled. "What do you need?"

Her voice turned razor-sharp. "I'm dropping a video tomorrow. I need you to make sure it can't be taken down."

"How long do you want it up?"

"Long enough for the message to stick."

"Done. But you owe me." His tone turned sly.

"Name it."

"I want a free pass to punch Alexander in the face. Deal?"

A muscle in her jaw twitched.

"Go to hell."

The next day, Vanderbilt Industries.

Alexander sat at the head of the conference table, his presence glacial. The room was silent, every executive rigid under his scrutiny.

"We need the Astoria deal closed by Friday. No excuses."

Mid-sentence, murmurs erupted. Phones buzzed. One by one, the board members paled.

Alexander's phone vibrated.

He glanced at the screen.

Then his expression turned murderous.

Back in his office, he faced Gordon, his voice lethal. "I told you to erase every trace of Victoria's video. Why is it trending again?"

"It appeared out of nowhere this morning! PR didn't even get a warning!" Gordon stammered. "We're trying to take it down, but—it's stuck!"

"Stuck?" Alexander's knuckles whitened. "You have thirty minutes. I want Victoria's name off that list."

Anything threatening the Vanderbilts died. Immediately.

"Sir—look at this!"

Gordon shoved his phone forward, face ashen.

The new top trend: Hotel Heroine Saves Staff.

Alexander clicked it.

Then his blood ran cold.

The video showed Isabella rescuing a waitress.

Every second captured.

Including her face.

His ex-wife's identity was out.

And the world was watching.