bel

d voice echoed through the silent party hall f

How could he choose me as his firm's new heir? I'm not q

ice broke through the confusion,

h the whispers that started spreading through the crowd. "Isabella Th

uder. People's gazes landed on me-questioning, doubting, almost judging. I c

roval, and Victor looked utterly stunned, sti

d hold-betrayal, disappointment, and fury. This firm wa

thing into trying to win Xavier's heart. I had dreamed of becoming a lawyer once

part-time jobs just to support Ali

nurturing a serpent that woul

eyes blazed with an intensity I had

front of the guests, but his red face and clenched fi

e carrying the weight of finality. "Isabella is the new

some restaurant or boutique-this is a damn legal office. How can you name a college dropout as CEO? W

t worthy of this position. But how could he insult me so publicly? I hadn'

ned, trying to calm the situation. "She has talent, and wit

, Dad? I never considered her to be my wife. The only reason I married this low-

cut through me like a blade, but they didn't sting as deeply as they

. Thompson, Grayson, Dixie, and V

, not Isabella. She's the one who meets my standards. She's the perfect partner for me, not some c

lling, but it was no use. They now flowed freely,

Thompson said, his voice steady despite his sho

e, Dixie, is more capable than me? Or that Grayson himself has more potential? Or maybe you

rogance. He stood just behind Mr. Thompson, who had

to this low-standard, uneducated woman who

with tears, but anger began to rise from the pit of my stomach.

from my face and confronted him. "You've insulted me enough for one night. You've

t noble by handing me the firm, pretending you're above it all? Do you believe I don't know what you're doing? You've been

is eyes blazing with hatred. "You married me to live the life you never could in you

this-not in front of the guests, not in front of his family. His every wor

ned, stepping forward. "You've created e

ecked. Victor stumbled, falling to the

what's going on between you two? Even though she's my wife, she spends all her time with you!

hatred shifting to Victor, his fis

ough the tension. "If you want this company, then you'll

in his face. "File for an immediate divorce