Chapter 119

Ethan Young's voice crackled through the phone, urgent and panicked. Nathaniel Blackwood's brow furrowed as he abruptly ended the call.

"What fresh hell is she concocting now?" The thought exhausted him.

"Trouble in paradise, Nathaniel? Wife issues?" Leonard Kingsley paused mid-exit, sinking back into his chair at the overheard distress.

With a sharp gesture, Nathaniel signaled a waiter to turn on the wall-mounted television.

The screen flickered to life, revealing Isabella Lockhart's pale, makeup-free face. Flanked by a sea of flashing cameras, her trembling lips parted.

"My deepest apologies for occupying public attention." A single tear traced her cheek. "Today marks the official end of my four-year marriage to Mr. Blackwood. We've chosen an amicable separation."

She clasped her hands tightly. "I'll always cherish our time together. Now, I only wish him happiness."

The press corps erupted like starving piranhas.

"Mrs. Blackwood! Is infidelity the real reason for your divorce?"

"Your livestream mentioned Mr. Blackwood's illegitimate child - can you confirm?"

"Sources claim you've been spotted with Theodore Osborne's son Liam on multiple overnight outings. Mutual affairs?"

Isabella's shoulders shook with silent sobs. "Our worlds... were never compatible." Her voice broke. "Some truths... I'm not brave enough to share."

The unspoken accusation hung heavier than any confession. Nathaniel watched his reputation unravel in real-time - Isabella's masterstroke of revenge for last night's humiliation.

Jeremy coughed awkwardly. "Change the channel," he barked at the waiter.

The screen went dark. Silence thickened between them.

Nathaniel's knuckles whitened around his whiskey glass. Ice clinked ominously.

"Women, am I right?" Leonard attempted camaraderie. "My ex-wife vanished with half my fortune after faking terminal cancer. If I ever find that bi—"

A glacial stare cut him off.

"Since Mrs. Blackwood's made your divorce public," Leonard backtracked smoothly, "why let ancient history hinder our partnership? The contract's ready."

Nathaniel exhaled sharply. "Sign it."

Grandfather's prohibition against Kingsley Holdings no longer mattered. Not after Isabella's televised betrayal. Whatever crimes Leonard committed against the Lockharts? Not his concern anymore.

Their signatures dried in under twenty minutes. Nathaniel's phone lit up instantly.

"Fool boy!" Alfred Blackwood's roar distorted the speaker. "You dare shake hands with that murderer? Get your ass home now!"