Chapter 32

Isabella's heart swelled with triumph. After years of patient scheming, Nathan Sterling was finally within her grasp. If he got down on one knee this very moment, she'd scream her acceptance before he could finish the question.

Yet the man of the hour remained disturbingly silent. His jaw clenched visibly, storm clouds gathering in his piercing blue eyes as he pressed his lips into a thin line.

The memory of Evelyn's departure haunted him like a stubborn ghost.

Vanessa sensed the tension thickening the air. "Say something, Nathan! This celebration's turning into a funeral with your gloomy face."

Eleanor Blackwell nodded vigorously. "Honestly, that bad luck charm is finally gone. You should be celebrating hardest of all. Why the long face?"

She turned to beam at Isabella. "All I want now is for you two to marry quickly and give me a grandchild."

A delicate blush colored Isabella's cheeks. "These things take time, Mrs. Blackwell."

Nathan's glacial gaze swept over them. "Grandmother mustn't hear about the divorce," he stated icily.

Isabella's smile froze. What game was he playing? Hadn't they agreed? Would her child be branded illegitimate now?

Tears welled in her eyes as she placed a protective hand on her stomach. "What about us? What about our baby, Nathan?"

A single tear traced down her cheek, darkening the fabric of her designer dress.

Nathan inhaled sharply, visibly restraining his irritation. "I'll handle it. Excuse me." With that, he strode toward the staircase, leaving three stunned women in his wake.

Isabella sat motionless, her manicured nails digging into the armrests. So he still carried a torch for that secretary! Her eyes burned with venomous rage.

"You'll regret this, Evelyn Carter," she vowed silently.

Eleanor and Vanessa rushed to console her. "Divorce affects everyone, darling. Even Nathan needs time to adjust," Eleanor soothed.

Vanessa nodded. "You're the only one for him. He's just... processing that disastrous first marriage."

"Give him a few days. He'll return with roses and a ring," Vanessa predicted confidently, though neither woman truly believed it.

The next morning found Evelyn reviewing contracts when Olivia Sinclair burst into her office.

"Sweetheart! That bastard Nathan is testing my last nerve!"

Evelyn blinked. "What now?"

Olivia thrust her phone forward. Evelyn's lips curled in cold amusement as she scanned the screen. "How creative."

Bold headlines screamed: "Secretary-Turned-Golddigger Exposed: Cinderella's Glass Slipper Shatters!"

The article spun a sordid tale - a powerful CEO's three-year secret marriage ending when his secretary wife betrayed him with a wealthy Middle Eastern businessman during a work trip. It accused her of corporate espionage and demanding an outrageous divorce settlement.

A strategically angled photo made an innocent business handshake appear intimate.

The comments section overflowed with vitriol:

"Disgusting! How dare she ask for his money after cheating?"

"Rumor says it's Nathan Sterling of Sterling Enterprises and his secretary Evelyn Carter!"

"That scheming bitch got what she deserved! Burn her!"

Olivia trembled with rage. "That backstabbing snake! Smearing you right after the divorce!"

Evelyn scrolled calmly, her expression unreadable. "Photos as evidence and simplistic narrative. Decent tabloid work."

Olivia's anger dissolved into startled laughter. "Only you could find humor in this."

Just then, Evelyn's phone buzzed. Natalie Reeves' name flashed onscreen. "Ladies, just traced the article's source. Isabella Delaney paid for the hit piece. What's your history with her?"

Evelyn's smile turned arctic. "I suspected as much."

"Want me to bury it?" As editor-in-chief of GEM Magazine, Natalie wielded considerable media influence.

Evelyn's eyes glittered dangerously. "No. Taking it down quietly would be boring. We counterattack in broad daylight."