Chapter 251

The extravagant wedding of Isabella Sinclair and the CEO of a prestigious international automotive brand unfolded flawlessly at The Chateau Royale.

That day, both domestic and international social media platforms were dominated by this sensational event.

Every major media outlet in New York mobilized their best teams, covering the occasion with unprecedented enthusiasm. The headlines were nothing short of spectacular!

[The Chateau Royale Triumphs Over Competitors to Host the Wedding of the Year!]

[Sinclair Group Makes Grand Entrance in New York! Vanderbilt Industries Suffers Humiliating Defeat!]

[Scandal Rocks Vanderbilt Family—How Can Such Disparities Exist Among the Elite?]

The spotlight on The Chateau Royale reached its zenith.

Netizens showered praise on the already-revealed Evelyn Sinclair, effortlessly contrasting her with the fading star, Victoria Sterling.

Clearly, Evelyn was the undisputed victor in this battle. After all, she was the queen—who did Alexander Kingsley think he was, daring to challenge her? He was utterly out of his depth!

Victoria had believed her attack would crush Evelyn. Instead, it backfired spectacularly, turning her into the city’s biggest joke.

Humiliated and battered by the public backlash, Victoria fell ill from sheer rage and had been bedridden ever since.

Margaret Vanderbilt, despite her competitive nature, had no choice but to nurse her daughter while desperately trying to regain William’s affection.

In her desperation, she underwent cosmetic enhancements, secretly purchased risqué lingerie, and even bought aphrodisiac incense, hoping to seduce William as she had two decades ago.

But William seemed to be deliberately avoiding her, rarely returning home in the past week. Their encounters were brief and cold—he barely spared her a glance anymore.

Margaret seethed with resentment.

She blamed everything on Evelyn—that wretched girl!

The humiliation she endured today, she vowed to repay Evelyn a thousandfold in the future!

But no matter how much Margaret fumed, she couldn’t overshadow Evelyn’s radiant triumph.

The wedding of the century catapulted Sinclair Group—the leading financial conglomerate in Seattle—into the limelight in New York.

Not only that, Sinclair Group’s stocks soared throughout the day, with analysts predicting an even sharper rise the following morning.

And the excitement didn’t stop there.

When the wedding venue was unveiled, it ignited a nationwide frenzy!

[The black rose sea! Isabella’s wedding is breathtaking!]

[OMG! I want my wedding styled like this!]

[Traditional weddings are outdated—The Chateau Royale’s vision is perfection!]

Alexander Kingsley sat in his office, intently watching the live broadcast of Isabella’s wedding.

His cold, striking eyes softened, and a faint smile touched his lips.

He wasn’t usually interested in such events, but he knew this wedding was Evelyn’s masterpiece—and that made it worth his attention.

A knock interrupted his thoughts, and Daniel Carter entered, carrying a large olive-green duffel bag.

"Mr. Kingsley, the hiking gear you requested is ready."

"Thank you."

"Why the sudden interest in hiking this year?" Daniel asked curiously.

"I go every year," Alexander replied casually.

During his teenage years, to cope with stress, he had spent a summer volunteering at Misty Mountain Park.

Life had been simple then—just eating, sleeping, and accompanying the park ranger on hikes, assisting lost visitors or inspecting safety hazards.

It had been one of the few peaceful periods of his life.

After becoming CEO, he had quietly donated generously to the park annually—a secret known only to him and the ranger.

"Mr. Kingsley! Did you see Isabella’s wedding? Mrs. Sinclair is incredible!"

Daniel’s eyes sparkled with admiration, transforming into an unabashed Evelyn fanboy. "Black roses! How did she convince Isabella to use black roses? It’s genius!"

"Because she’s not ordinary. She’s Evelyn."

Alexander’s dark eyes curved with warmth. "That woman always finds a way."

Daniel’s jaw dropped.

Had he heard that right?

His boss had just called Evelyn that woman—with unmistakable fondness?

Was this the famously unshakable Alexander Kingsley showing a softer side?

Thanks to Alexander and Harrison Kingsley’s interference, Nathaniel Whitmore’s appointment as head of Vanderbilt Industries’ legal department had fallen through.

For the first time, the usually unflappable Nathaniel tasted bitter defeat. He took a week off before returning to the Lockwood residence, only to be ambushed by Adrian Lockwood, who had been waiting for him.

"Well, if it isn’t Evelyn Sinclair’s loyal lapdog," Nathaniel sneered. "Shouldn’t you be at your mistress’s beck and call? What are you doing here?"

"Adrian, don’t you have anything to say for yourself?" Adrian ignored the taunt, his voice icy.

"Who the hell do you think you’re talking to?" Nathaniel’s patience was already frayed, and Adrian’s audacity pushed him to the edge. "First Margaret, now Victoria. You’re always eager to get your hands dirty."

Adrian’s fists clenched. "Nathaniel!"

"I know you’re trying to elevate the Lockwood name, but not like this—not by betraying those who helped us!"

In a burst of fury, Adrian roared, "Where would we be without the Sinclairs? And now you’re helping the Vanderbilts turn against them? Have you lost your mind?"

"Lost my mind? I’m doing this for our family!"

Nathaniel was too blinded by anger to see his own wrongdoing. "Just because the Sinclairs helped us once, we’re supposed to be their dogs forever? That’s not how this works! If you want to grovel at Evelyn’s feet, be my guest. But Reginald and I have bigger ambitions. Not all of us dream of being some rich girl’s pet!"

That was the final straw.

With a snarl, Adrian swung a fist, landing it squarely on Nathaniel’s jaw.

In his twenty-eight years, this was the first time he had ever struck his older brother.

Once, he had admired Nathaniel.

Now, he felt nothing but shame.

Enraged, Nathaniel fought back, and the brothers brawled in the middle of the living room, shocking the household staff.

But Nathaniel was no match for Adrian and was soon pinned to the ground, taking blow after blow.

"Adrian! Stop!"

Just then, William and Eleanor Lockwood, along with Sebastian, rushed downstairs to find the brothers in a violent clash. The sight left them stunned.

Sebastian reacted first, yanking Adrian off Nathaniel and restraining him from behind.

"Adrian! Have you lost your senses? How could you hit Nathaniel?"

"He’s the one who’s lost his mind! He’s gone mad!"

Nathaniel staggered to his feet, clutching his face. "All for that Sinclair girl. He’s become a monster!"

"The monster isn’t me—it’s you, Nathaniel!" Adrian shot back, his eyes blazing.

"Enough! Both of you, silence!" William bellowed, his voice cutting through the chaos.

Eleanor, distraught at seeing her sons like this, could only wring her hands in despair.

"Adrian, I heard about Nathaniel assisting the Vanderbilts. Don’t blame him. It’s just his job as a lawyer," Sebastian said, trying to mediate.

But Adrian wasn’t having it.

"I’m leaving tonight," he declared, his face bruised but his resolve unshaken.

"Adrian! Where are you going?" Eleanor called after him, her voice trembling.

"Where else? Probably running back to his precious princess!" Nathaniel spat, his words dripping with venom.

Adrian’s fists clenched again, his knuckles cracking audibly.

If not for Sebastian holding him back, he would have lunged at Nathaniel again.

"Enough! You will not speak of her that way!" William’s voice was steel.

No one disobeyed the patriarch.

"Adrian, did you throw the first punch?" William demanded.

"Yes, Father."

"Apologize to Nathaniel. Now."

Adrian’s jaw tightened. "I’ll accept any punishment you give me. But I won’t apologize to him. If he disrespects Evelyn again, I’ll hit him again—and again—until he learns his place!"

"Adrian!" Nathaniel exploded.

William was taken aback by his usually obedient son’s fierce defense of Evelyn. His heart sank.

Just then, the butler hurried in. "Mr. Lockwood, Chairman Reginald Sinclair’s secretary is here!"

At the mention of Reginald, the room froze, the family feud momentarily forgotten.

Lawrence Bennett entered with a polite smile, though he immediately sensed the tension.

Noticing Nathaniel’s injuries, he tactfully focused on his mission. "Mr. Lockwood, Chairman Sinclair has invited your family to dinner at Silverlake Harbor. He hopes you’ll honor him with your presence. It’s been too long since he last saw the Lockwood boys."

William forced a smile. "We appreciate the invitation. We’ll be there."

Once Lawrence left, the tension returned.

"I’m not going," Nathaniel snapped. "I just got back from abroad. I’m exhausted."

William’s face darkened. "Who do you think you are? You will not snub Reginald Sinclair! Even if you have to crawl there, you will attend!"