Chapter 105

Acacia's words sent a jolt of panic through Hamiltion. His fingers twitched nervously. "What's wrong? Is Isabella alright?"

Thaddeus tensed, his jaw clenching.

"Just say it, Acacia." Elspeth's voice was smooth, but her eyes gleamed with cold amusement. "We're all family here."

Acacia feigned hesitation before speaking. "I was walking through the VIP wing and saw Ms. Sinclair and President Kingsley entering a room together. President Kingsley seemed... intoxicated. I assumed Ms. Sinclair was helping him."

She blinked innocently. "At first, I was concerned, but then I remembered—they are officially together now. So it shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Thaddeus's knuckles turned white.

Emeric shot to his feet, confusion twisting his features. "Who is Alexander with? Who is this Isabella?"

Acacia shrank back, casting a nervous glance at Thaddeus.

A sharp pain pulsed through Thaddeus's temples. Without a word, he turned and strode out.

Acacia hid a smirk.

This was it. The moment Isabella would be humiliated beyond repair.

"Someone answer me!" Emeric demanded, veins standing out on his forehead. "Who the hell is Isabella?"

Alexander had always been the pride of the Kingsley family. The idea of him entangled with some woman—especially another man's wife—was unthinkable.

"You didn't know, Chairman Emeric?" Elspeth widened her eyes in mock surprise. "Mr. Kingsley and Ms. Sinclair just announced their relationship at the birthday gala. I saw Evelyn and Ms. Sinclair getting along famously at the charity auction. I assumed you approved."

"Evelyn knew her?" Emeric's face darkened.

So both his son and daughter had been swayed by this woman.

"Enough!" Hamiltion snapped, his protective instincts flaring. "Isabella and Mr. Kingsley's affairs are their own business!"

Elspeth's lips curved. "Oh, but it is our business. Ms. Sinclair and Thaddeus only signed divorce papers—the process isn't finalized. Legally, she's still an Abernathy."

She sighed dramatically. "We planned to announce Thaddeus and Acacia's engagement after your birthday. Acacia has suffered in silence, but now Ms. Sinclair flaunts her relationship with President Kingsley at your celebration? The disrespect is staggering."

Acacia and Glynnis exchanged smug glances.

Emeric's mind went blank.

His son—the man who had never so much as glanced at a woman—was involved with Thaddeus's wife?

Disaster.

Thaddeus sprinted down the corridor, his polished composure shattered.

He was a man of control, of calculated elegance. But the thought of Isabella and Alexander together—it unraveled him.

When he reached the door, his breath came in ragged gasps. Sweat dampened his collar.

What had happened inside? How far had it gone?

His chest burned.

Just as he raised his fist, the door swung open.

Isabella stood there, disheveled, supporting a barely conscious Alexander. At the sight of Thaddeus, she froze.

His hand hung mid-air. "Did he touch you?" The words tore from his throat, raw and desperate.

Isabella laughed bitterly. "Oh, so you're here to mock us?"

"Answer me!"

"President Kingsley was drugged at your event!" Her eyes blazed. "I stabilized him, but he needs a hospital. Now move!"

She shoved past him, but Thaddeus caught her arm, fingers digging in.

"Let. Go." Her voice was ice.

"You'd choose him over me?" His grip tightened. "After everything?"

Isabella wrenched free. "If anything happens to him because of your family's scheming, I swear—I'll burn the Abernathys to the ground."

The words carved into him, deeper than any blade.

Then—footsteps.

"Isabella!" Hamiltion's voice rang out.

She turned slowly.

And there, standing beside the Abernathys, was Emeric.

Recognition flashed across his face. Shock. Disbelief.

Isabella's blood ran cold.

"Dad," she whispered.

The room erupted.

Acacia seized her moment. "See? Ms. Sinclair can't even wait for the divorce! She throws herself at President Kingsley, humiliating Mr. Hamiltion on his birthday!"

Thaddeus snarled, "Shut your mouth!"

But the damage was done.

Emeric's expression darkened. "Isabella," he said slowly. "Come here."

Silence fell.

Isabella took a shaky step forward. "Dad."

The word hung in the air, heavy with shame.