Isabelle had now become the attention of everyone present at the gala party. She kept wishing for the ground to open up and swallow her whole. Her face was red with shame and embarrassment as condescending photos of her and Max played repeatedly on the screen. It was the day she had been blackmailed by his threats. The day he had almost taken advantage of her. One of the two days she had never stopped trying to erase from her memories. She could hear the spiteful comments coming from the females who were delighted to see her in such a plight.
She subconsciously threw a glance at Liam whose face remained indifferent. But, she could feel the pressure from the force he exerted on her arms. His eyes were lit with the flames of fury. Only one person knew about those photos, and he was certain that that same person was responsible for the drama, one which was going to be a stain on his reputation starting from that night.
“Wow, wow, wow” a middle-aged man exclaimed as he clapped his hands multiple times, walking towards the main subjects of the commotion- Liam and Isabelle.
Liam couldn’t help but curse at his worst enemy, his rival in the business world and the sole mastermind behind the public disgrace.
“Damien Russo”Liam called out with a cold smile on his lips. “How dare you?”
“What?… Are you trying to defame me?” Damien queried as he feigned innocence. “You shouldn’t try to divert our attention from the truth. Everyone here can say and the pictures can testify that your beloved fiancee who you portray a perfect relationship, is having an affair with your cousin. Such cuckolding” Damien uttered with mockery clear in his voice.
“It’s none of your business, Damien” Liam said, almost yelling as he gripped Isabelle’s hands with more force, unaware of the pain he was causing her.
“Liam, please…”Isabelle whimpered in pain. “You’re hurting me”
The moment she said those words, Liam abruptly let go of her hands, replacing the warmth between them with a cold feeling. Isabelle gazed at him with a feeling of guilt mixed with pity for him in her heart. What if he finds out the most hurtful secret, how then would he react?
The constant whispers from the crowd increased gradually as they all shot a piercing gaze at her.
“So, she was just a whore and I the stupid me took her as a role model”a young lady in her early twenties yelled out to Isabelle’s hearing.
“She’s also a gold digger. If not for Mr. Callahan’s money, would she have married him?” Another woman snorted coldly.
“She should be beaten to death. I wonder how she’s going to live her life after this shame she has caused herself”
“I’m sure they are breaking off their engagement”
“Yeah, that’s right. Leave Mr. Callahan for a woman who is more befitting for his status”
All the curses and insults stabbed her emotionally like a knife plunged directly into her heart. She suddenly felt a strong resentment towards her mother, the selfish woman who had sold her flesh and blood in exchange for money. The light in her eyes began to dim as dizziness clouded her senses. She glanced at Liam again and the event of last night came back to her and then she realized that he had known about her little outing with Max. If she told him that she was blackmailed, would he believe her and let bygones be bygones without digging deeper to search for the main reason behind the blackmail?
“Liam…”Isabelle called out faintly as she gradually succumbed to the darkness that was threatening to swallow her. But suddenly, she felt a feeling of warmth envelope her, her eyes opened a little. She could feel Liam’s gaze on her, a gaze that released warmth, far different from the cold stabbing gaze of the previous night. For a moment, she felt peace in her heart as she finally closed her eyes falling unconscious.
Liam had caught his woman the moment he saw the dark color in her eyes. She had messed up his heart, ruined his reputation but he couldn’t bring himself to hate her. She was his other half, the light that pulled him out of his darkness. He still loved her and protecting her was the top priority now. Shifting of blame and confrontation could wait till his jewel wakes up.
He stared deeply into Damien’s eyes with Isabelle in his arms. No words needed to be said as a silent war was already declared. They were going to fight for the top position till no one was left standing.
“Out of my way,” he ordered to people gathered around him with a voice that contained absolute power and authority. The people scurried away immediately for fear of offending a businessman well known for his ruthlessness and manipulation.
Liam walked out of the hall with Isabelle in his arms, his head up high unaffected by the air of suffocating pressure around him.
As Damien watched Liam’s figure disappear with a smile of victory on his face, a woman dressed in a seductive red dress stood by his side, the feeling of guilt was planted in her heart. She couldn’t shake off the feeling that she had destroyed her daughter’s dignity and integrity all in the name of greed and thirst for quick wealth.
“Don’t bother yourself too much, my dear”Damien patted Gina’s back.” all your actions are for her sake, I’m sure she’ll forgive you. Besides, she was the only stepping stone to this victory”
Gina couldn’t help but swallow the lump in her throat as she couldn’t refute Damien’s words. They had signed an agreement together, to use everything and everyone at their disposal until they had succeeded in getting what they truly desired.
“We should leave now,” Damien said to Gina as he watched the hall grow empty as people deserted the place. Meanwhile, someone dressed in a black tuxedo standing by another man likewise in a suit, kept gazing at the scene lost in their thoughts. How was today’s event going to help them carry out their plans?