Chapter 154

What?

Isabella's daughter?!

Isabella trembled violently, her mind blank as if struck by lightning.

This had to be real.

The longer she stared at the girl on the screen, the more she saw herself in those features.

"No... No way..." Isabella whispered, her voice barely audible.

Nathaniel let out a bitter laugh, his eyes dark with contempt. "What a twisted joke. A mother who can't even recognize her own child. How noble of you."

The room erupted into chaos. His words were a boulder crashing into still waters, sending shockwaves through the crowd.

Half the guests gaped at Isabella, frozen in horror on stage.

The other half turned to Alexander, whose expression was colder than ice.

"Isabella!" Elspeth hissed, gripping her arm hard enough to bruise. "Explain yourself! Who is this man? What is he talking about?"

Victoria, desperate to cover her own sins, lunged at Nathaniel.

"You lying snake! How dare you slander Isabella!"

Nathaniel sidestepped effortlessly, sending Victoria sprawling face-first onto the floor.

Snickers filled the room. The sight was too humiliating.

Mr. Sterling wanted to disappear. He couldn’t believe this woman was his wife.

"Guards!" Isabella shrieked, ignoring Victoria completely. "Get him out of here! Now!"

Nathaniel's fury burned hotter. He opened his mouth—

Then a voice cut through the noise like a blade.

"No one touches him."

Alexander was livid.

His jaw clenched as he strode toward Isabella, his gaze piercing through her.

She had once been his angel, his light. She swore she loved only him.

Now, she was a stranger.

"Alexander, please!" Isabella stumbled forward, nearly tripping in her haste. She clutched his arm, nails digging in. "This is a setup! He’s lying! You have to believe me!"

Nathaniel scoffed. "Only loved him? Funny. I lost count of how many times we slept together."

"I’ll sue you!" Isabella shrieked. "For defamation! For spreading lies!"

"Sue me?" Nathaniel yanked a document from his pocket and flung it at her. "This is the DNA test. Try denying that."

Gasps filled the room.

"Oh my God! She really had a child with him?"

"And abandoned it? Heartless!"

"This is scandalous!"

Amid the uproar, Daniel picked up the report and examined it. He showed it to Alexander, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"It’s from a certified lab. It’s real."

Alexander closed his eyes.

Isabella’s last shred of hope shattered.

"Alexander, I—I was depressed back then! You know that! I wasn’t in control of myself!"

She played the victim, tears streaming.

On stage, Elspeth seethed.

She was furious at Isabella’s recklessness.

And terrified because it was all true.

"Depression?" Nathaniel laughed coldly. "You’re a liar, not a victim."

The screen changed again.

A medical report appeared—undeniable proof.

"Your therapist kept records. You took the fake, but he kept the truth."

Nathaniel spat at her feet. "Get tested for STDs instead."

"Shut up!" Isabella screamed, her face crimson.

But she still turned to Alexander, tears in her eyes. "Don’t believe him—"

Alexander wrenched his arm away.

She nearly fell.

His laugh was hollow, his voice trembling.

He laughed at his own blindness.

At the years he wasted on her lies.

At the pain he caused Evadne because of them.

No wonder Evadne hated him.

Right now, he hated himself too.

"We’re done."

Isabella’s knees buckled. "W-what?"

Then—

The doors burst open.

Four officers marched in, their footsteps echoing.

Isabella whimpered, shrinking back—

But they walked right past her.

Straight to Victoria.

"W-what are you doing?!" Victoria shrieked, scrambling to her feet.

"Victoria Sterling?"

The officer snapped cuffs around her wrists.

"You’re under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder."