Chapter 495

"What the hell happened?" Alexander's piercing gaze met Isabella's as tension crackled between them.

"Just now, Nathan and Theodore took him out of custody—and they brought an army of reporters with them!" Olivia's voice trembled with fury. "Theodore had the audacity to spin the whole thing in front of the cameras, painting Byron as some innocent victim caught in a misunderstanding!"

"Unbelievable!"

Isabella shot upright in bed, nearly yanking out her IV. Alexander caught her instantly, pressing her back down. "Easy, love. You'll hurt yourself."

"How is that bastard Byron walking free?"

She snatched the phone, desperation sharpening her tone. "Alexander and I had everything under control! Emeric knew—he cares about Nydia! How could he let the Chambers family pull this off? Why didn’t he stop them?"

"Mrs. Kingsley, please, try to stay calm." Olivia sounded just as frantic. "I'm still gathering details. I'll update you and Mr. Alexander as soon as I can."

The call ended, but Isabella was already dialing another number—until Alexander's phone buzzed again.

Her breath hitched.

"Isabella, who is it?" Alexander asked softly, seeing the storm in her eyes.

"Cassius."

Alexander exhaled, his grip tightening around her. "Answer it. Don’t make your brother worry."

The memory of her brothers' suffocating control made her chest tighten. She answered sharply.

"If you're calling to drag me back, save your breath. If not, make it quick."

On the other end, Cassius flinched. Once, she’d been so warm with him, her voice honeyed with affection.

Now?

Every word between them was laced with tension.

"Isabella, Elvis told us everything." Cassius’s voice softened. "If being with him makes you happy, then I won’t stand in your way anymore."

Isabella froze.

"You were right to call me out," he continued, a bitter laugh escaping him. "I was angry—at myself for failing to protect you. I tried to control your life to ease my own guilt. But that wasn’t love. Real love means letting you choose your own happiness."

Her heart clenched.

Alexander, listening, felt his own throat tighten.

"I'll talk to Bet. As for Dad..." Cassius hesitated. "He’ll come around. Eventually. So, Alexander—you know what’s expected of you now."

"I do." Alexander’s voice was rough with emotion as he pulled Isabella closer. "She’s my everything. I’ll protect her with my life."

No more words were needed.

The siblings had reached an understanding.

To Isabella, Cassius was as irreplaceable as Alexander. She didn’t want to fight him—she just couldn’t bear the weight of their family’s expectations.

"Cassius, how the hell did Byron get released? Why didn’t Emeric stop this?"

"That’s why I called." Cassius’s voice turned grim. "Myra, worried about Nydia’s reputation and our family’s standing, convinced Dad to drop the charges."

"Drop the charges?!" Isabella and Alexander gasped in unison.

"How else do you think Byron walked free?" Cassius’s frustration bled through. "The Chambers Group has already bought off half the media in Elmsworth. They’re spinning Byron as the victim. Legally, we can’t touch him now."

"Is Emeric out of his mind? Sacrificing his own daughter’s dignity for appearances? Since when do the Ashbournes care more about reputation than justice?"

Isabella was shaking with rage. "Myra’s too soft—this has to be Emeric’s doing!"

"You’re wrong this time." Cassius sighed. "It was Myra and Nydia’s decision. Dad fought them at first, but Myra stood her ground. He had no choice but to back down."

Isabella’s vision swam with fury.

It was like watching a teammate throw the game at the last second.

Nydia was the Ashbourne heiress, unmarried and vulnerable. If this scandal went public, she’d be the one crucified—not Byron. The internet was merciless, especially toward women.

Alexander stroked her back, his voice calm. "Don’t blame them, love. They made the choice they thought would protect Nydia."

"Those vultures online are nothing but jealous nobodies!" Isabella spat. "And high society? Who cares what they think! Myra and Nydia are Ashbournes—they have more power than any of those parasites!"

Cassius stayed silent. He knew his sister well enough to know words wouldn’t soothe her now.

But Alexander wasn’t giving up. "You’re right. But not everyone is as fearless as you, Isabella. Not everyone can weather that storm."

She clenched her fists. "Fine. But we’re not letting this slide. Byron—and the entire Chambers family—will pay."

A cold smirk curled Alexander’s lips. "If the law won’t punish them, we will."

Isabella took a deep breath, forcing herself to think. "Those online trolls—in my room, on my laptop, there’s a file on Margaret’s husband. Corruption, bribery, abuse of power. Give it to Arnold. He’ll know what to do."

Both men stared at her, stunned.

Even while trapped in family drama and heartbreak, she’d been digging up dirt.

"And that’s not all," Alexander murmured, pressing a kiss to her hair. "I’ve been looking into Margaret. She’s got skeletons too. If my darling wants to start with her, we’ll make it happen."

"Why, Nydia? Why?"

Jason knelt beside the bed, gripping her hand. "I could’ve been your lawyer. We could’ve crushed the Chambers family in court! Why back down now?"

"I’m sorry, Jason."

Nydia curled into herself, tears spilling. "I know you’d fight for me. But I can’t let you."

His heart shattered.

The real villains were the Chambers Group—and that monster, Byron.

"Jason, please. Let it go. Don’t fight for me anymore."

She shook her head, voice breaking. "I’m still an Ashbourne. The Chambers Group can’t touch me. But you? Your family? What if they retaliate? And Byron... he ruined me. Even if he didn’t... finish... if this gets out, how will your family see me?"

"Nydia..." His voice cracked.

Suddenly, he understood.

Her fear wasn’t the media.

It was the Dempsey family’s judgment.

"Jason, I’ve loved you since we were kids. I still want to be your wife."

Her fingers brushed his cheek. "But your family already dislikes me. If I come to them stained by scandal, they’ll never accept me. And you’ll be torn between us."

Torn.

The same word Isabella had used.

Both sisters were too selfless, swallowing their pain to protect the ones they loved.

Isabella had survived.

But when would Nydia’s suffering end?

Jason pulled her into his arms, holding her like she might vanish.

"Marry me. Now."

His voice was raw with emotion. "No one else will ever be my wife but you."

She closed her eyes, savoring the moment.

The future was uncertain.

But for now, this was enough.

Then—a knock.

Aviana’s anxious voice cut through the moment.

"Jason, are you in there? You need to come downstairs."

He frowned, standing. "What’s wrong?"

Aviana glanced at Nydia, then pulled him into the hall, shutting the door firmly.

"Your mother and brother are here."