Chapter 478

The ballroom lights shimmered like fallen stars as Isabella's tear-filled eyes locked with Alexander's burning gaze. In that moment, the world around them dissolved into nothingness.

Alexander's steps toward her were deliberate, weighted—as if he'd crossed oceans and scaled mountains just to reach her side.

Beside Isabella stood her father, his usually composed face now etched with raw emotion, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

He was walking toward his future, his heart pounding so loudly it drowned out the murmurs of the crowd. The scene before him felt surreal, too perfect to be real.

"Isabella."

A single tear traced down her porcelain cheek, catching the light like a diamond.

For her, he would defy the world. And she would do the same.

From the battlefields of Zenithia to the day she'd defied her family and the Abernathy Group's icy disapproval to marry him—they had fought for their love with everything they had.

"Wait!"

Victoria's shrill voice sliced through the air, her face flushed with fury. She couldn't take it anymore.

Hope had dangled before her, only to be snatched away cruelly. She wouldn't stand for it!

"Isabella, Alexander, you think you can just be together?" she seethed inwardly. "Fine. Let me carve a wound so deep between you that it never heals."

The crowd turned toward Victoria, their expressions a mix of irritation and pity. What was the point of this now?

Victoria's lips twisted into a grotesque smirk, her face ashen, her presence chilling.

"Mr. Frederic Abernathy, I know the Fairhaven name pales next to the Ashbournes'. If you must choose between me and Isabella as your daughter-in-law, you'd feel cheated. But mark my words—choosing her will be your greatest regret."

Her words painted her as the victim while stoking curiosity, especially in Frederic's calculating gaze.

"And Chairman Ashbourne," she turned to Emeric, feigning concern, "Isabella is your pride. Could you bear to see her suffer? Do you truly believe Alexander Abernathy is worthy of her?"

Confusion rippled through the guests.

Isabella's eyes darkened, sensing the venom in Victoria's words. Before she could speak, Emeric's voice boomed, "Victoria Fairhaven, speak plainly. What is your point?"

His authority was crushing, making even bystanders shiver.

Just then, Daniel and Nathaniel arrived, having dealt with Byron. They stepped into the hall in time to witness the chaos. Daniel's stomach twisted as he exchanged a glance with Nathaniel.

"Damn it. I turn my back for one second, and she's causing trouble again!" Nathaniel clenched his fists, ready to intervene, but Daniel grabbed his arm.

"Mr. Nathaniel Fairhaven, don’t act rashly. My father and Alexander are here. And with your upcoming CEO appointment, siding against your family will only hurt your future."

Nathaniel's jaw tightened. "Loyalty to my friend comes first. If I let my own blood hurt the woman he loves, what kind of man am I?"

Daniel's expression flickered with understanding.

Alexander's gaze was glacial as he watched Victoria, ready to strike her down where she stood.

"Bring it here!" Victoria commanded.

This wasn’t just a trump card—it was a bomb. And she was ready to detonate it.

An assistant hurried forward, handing her a sealed envelope.

"Alexander Abernathy, you were secretly married to Isabella for three years, yet you betrayed her with Elspeth's niece. You left her to live like a ghost in her own marriage."

She smirked. "For three years, you ignored her love, her pain—even pushed her to divorce. Have I lied?"

The accusations weren’t new, but the wounds still ached.

Alexander's voice was hoarse. "Yes. I admit it."

"Do you really think that’s all you’ve done?" Victoria laughed. "Think harder."

A sharp pain lanced through Alexander's skull.

Isabella's breath hitched—she knew what was coming.

Victoria nodded to her assistant. "Give this to Chairman Ashbourne. I doubt anyone else here wants to know what his precious daughter endured."

The assistant handed the envelope to Emeric.

"Dad, don’t—"

Emeric tore it open, his face draining of color. His hands trembled as if holding poison.

"Isabella, is this true?"

His voice was raw, his eyes a storm of love and fury as he hurled the document at her. "Tell me!"

Isabella swayed, clutching her chest as she bent to pick it up.

"Isabella." Alexander stepped forward, lost.

She whispered, "Yes. It’s all true."

Emeric staggered as if struck by lightning.

Daniel and Nathaniel stood frozen, especially Daniel—he’d never seen his father look at Isabella with such fury.

Emeric seized Isabella’s arm, dragging her toward the exit. "We’re leaving. You’re coming home."

"Dad—"

"And you will never see Alexander again. If you defy me, you’ll never leave Silverlake."

Alexander felt the world crumble beneath him.

Victoria smirked. "Locking her away won’t change the truth. The child she lost for Alexander would have been two months along. Because of him, she can never bear children again."

A child?

Alexander’s entire body locked in shock.

The crowd gasped.

Isabella, the Ashbourne heiress, stripped of motherhood because of him?

Daniel’s legs nearly gave out, Nathaniel barely catching him.

Victoria turned to Frederic. "Mr. Abernathy, surely you can’t let this stand? How could Isabella, barren, continue the Abernathy line?"

Frederic’s gaze sharpened. "Alexander, if you love her, let her go. Let her find peace."

Peace?

Alexander shook his head, his vision blurring. Their child was gone, and he hadn’t even known.

"Victoria."

Nathaniel’s voice was lethal as he stepped forward.

"What now, Nathaniel? It’s too late for words," she sneered.

A sharp crack echoed through the hall as Nathaniel backhanded her so hard she crumpled to the floor, blood trickling from her lips.

Gasps erupted.

He wiped his hand with a handkerchief, his voice icy. "If karma won’t punish you, I will."