Chapter 81
Issac stormed in
Evelyn’s eyes lit up the moment she saw him. “Issact” she squealed, jumping to her feet.
He raised his hand to ward her off before she could get within ten feet, disgust clouding his face like impenetrable fog
Ignoring her, he strode past the Granthams and directly to his parents. He faced Amanda, “Who the hell gave you permission to make up these ridiculous lies? You think I haven’t screwed up enough on my own? Or did you just want to make me look even more despicable?”
Amanda stared at her son, her pupils trembling
The Granthams‘ expressions darkened.
What was he implying?
While his words were directed at Amanda, they were clearly meant for the Granthams. The Woods could have stayed out of the social media scandal entirely, but instead had inserted themselves into it. The public, completely unaware of the backstory, now believed the families were old friends. Those who knew about the charity gala incident assumed the families had reached some kind of agreement.
But only the Woods and Granthams knew the truth–this was entirely Katherine Gwen’s manipulation of Amanda.
Issac’s statement was a thinly veiled attack on the entire charade.
“Nobody told me to say anything.” Amanda insisted, her neck stiffening. “I just felt that things had reached a point where Evelyn deserved recognition. If you want a proper wedding, we need to change the narrative. This was the only option. I was thinking of everyone’s best interests.”
Issac narrowed his cold eyes, giving his mother a baffled look.
After the charity gala disaster, she had banned Evelyn from even entering their home. How had her attitude. changed so dramatically in just a few days?
Howard spoke up. “What’s done is done. Stop blaming your mother and focus on what needs to happen next.”
Before Issac could respond, Katherine Gwen jumped in. “Exactly, Howard. Relationships take two, don’t they? My daughter might have been impulsive, but your son is hardly innocent. You can’t expect a young woman to bear all the blame alone.”
“Besides, my Evelyn thought Charlotte was just an old girlfriend. She had no idea they were secretly married. If anyone was deceptive, it was Issac hiding his marriage.”
“This whole series of events has devastated my daughter. The Grantham name has been dragged through the mud. He owes her proper amends.”
12.07
The Moment I Let Go My Uncle: Escaping the Forbidden Past.
71.4%
Chapter 81
After the charity gala incident, the Granthams had actually wanted to end the relationship After all, their social circle had witnessed the humiliation; even with a marriage alliance, everyone would remember this black mark.
Then the Instagram post happened, and over night, all of New York–no, the whole world–knew her daughter was “The other woman.“ Evelyn had thuratened suicide repeatedly, declaring she couldn’t live without Issac. The Granthams were at their wits end.
As Katherine finished speaking, Howard was contemplating his response when Issac coldly cut in: divorcing my wife, and I’m not marrying your daughter.”
The color drained from Evelyn’s face.
Katherine’s expression darkened.
The atmosphere in the dining room instantly froze over, everyone’s features rigid with shock.
not
Everyone had agreed to the marriage except the groom himself. The stark contrast to their earlier celebration felt brutally ironic.
Jayden stood up and pulled Issac aside, lowering his voice. “It’s too late to play the devoted husband. Charlotte must hate you and your entire family by now. There’s no going back. Evelyn adores you. She’ll accept no one else. Marrying her would only benefit you.”
Issac’s response was ice–cold and definitive: “Let me say it again: I will never marry your sister.“.
Jayden was speechless. “You-
He sputtered with anger. “You pursued her, and now you’re rejecting her? Have you no conscience? She didn’t hold a gun to your head to start this relationship! This isn’t redemption–it’s being irresponsible to both women!”
Issac replied evenly, “I never said I wasn’t wrong. But I love my wife.”
Jayden was too furious to respond.
Though they spoke quietly, fragments of their conversation reached the others.
Evelyn’s mind fixated on Issac’s words: I love my wife. The phrase felt like tentacles from hell crawling across her soul.
Issac walked back to the table, his face hard as he announced, “The marriage is off the table. I won’t agree to it. As for our business partnership, we can continue if you want–or terminate it. I have no preference.”
Glancing at his mother, he added, “Let’s go. We have other matters to discuss.”
He was clearly referring to the inflammatory press statement.
The Granthams were livid.
Except for Evelyn, who stood frozen, and Jayden, who maintained a decent relationship with Issac, the family looked ready to tear him apart.
7174
Chapter 1
“You think the Granthams are your punching bag, Issar? Wayne snarled. “You think you can just say ‘I won’t marry her‘ and make this all disappear? Dreams on! If you don’t make this right with my sister, forget canceling the project–our families will be mortal enemies!”
If the Woods dare to retract what they’ve said, we’ll make sure the Whitmores vanish from New York society!”
“If anything happens to my daughter.” Katherine hissed. “you dearly. I’ll make sure everyone in this city knows what a lying, manipulative bastard you really are!”
The barrage of threats made Howard feel like his head might explode.
Amanda remained eerily detached, almost catatonic.
Issac just laughed coldly. “Do whatever you want.”
He didn’t bother explaining how Evelyn had drugged his drink when she’d accompanied Jayden to a business meeting, how she’d seduced him, how she’d manipulated her way into his bed….
There had never been love, just a sordid physical relationship. At most, she’d been adventurous and willing, and he’d been too weak to resist temptation, shamefully indulging in her varied initiatives, carrying on a disgraceful
affair.
Seeing that their harsh words hadn’t moved Issac in the slightest, the Granthams found themselves in a difficult
position.
Terminating the project would cost them too.
A true feud with the Woods wouldn’t end well for anyone.
The standoff continued.
Just then, Jayden’s assistant rushed in from outside, her expression grave. She was so agitated she didn’t even consider whether she should interrupt. She hurried to Jayden’s side and whispered urgently, “Dominex Bank has frozen the second installment of our loan for the joint project with Harmones. They’re saying they need to reassess.”
Jayden frowned. “That’s ridiculous. Did you call Steven Cullen’s secretary? What’s their excuse?”
The assistant glanced nervously at the tense gathering. “I did. She said the order came directly from the CEO.” She swallowed hard before quoting: “Due to recent publicity issues with the project partners that might impact the project’s viability and create repayment risks, a full reassessment is required.”
Jayden’s eyebrow twitched.
A chill ran down his spine..
Everyone in the room froze.
