Chapter 273

Isabella knew Adrian would be angry, but she never expected this level of fury.

His chiseled profile was rigid with tension. The ice in his eyes made her heart tremble.

Biting her lip, she stood and lightly grasped his sleeve with slender fingers. "Adrian, give me one more year. We can get married right after."

She couldn't reveal the truth. If that video surfaced, everything she'd built would crumble.

Adrian shook off her hand, his voice glacial. "Do as you please."

As he turned away, the faintest smirk touched his lips.

Tears spilled from Isabella's eyes. "Adrian—"

The office door slammed shut with a resounding bang.

Margaret rushed to embrace her. "Don't cry. His temper flares fast but fades just as quickly."

Isabella wiped her tears. "Aunt Margaret, I'll make it up to him."

One year was enough to find the person blackmailing her.

They would pay dearly.

"Focus on your acting. Time will pass before you know it," Margaret said kindly, patting her hand.

Vincent approached with a frown. "What's going on?"

"Father, I need to achieve greater success," Isabella forced a smile. "Only then will I be worthy of Adrian."

Impatience flickered in Vincent's eyes.

His meticulously groomed daughter was proving useless when it mattered most.

"Suit yourself," he said coldly before walking away.

Isabella exhaled in relief and turned to Margaret. "Aunt, I should prepare for filming."

In the opposite office, Victor murmured, "They've all left."

Adrian stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, long fingers tapping the glass.

"Well done," he said tonelessly. "Double your bonus this month."

Victor's eyes lit up. "Thank you, sir! My fiancée's dowry was giving me headaches."

Gazing outside, Adrian felt a sudden pang in his chest.

The memory of someone forever lost surfaced in his mind.