Chapter 218

Isabella widened her eyes in feigned shock, her lashes glistening with unshed tears as she looked at Vincent. "Vincent, how could you think that of me? When the waiter said Evelyn didn't order anything, I reminded you it might be a misunderstanding."

"You were the one determined to confront her, even hiring people to ruin her."

"Now that you've lost everything, you're blaming me?"

A flicker of mockery passed through her gaze.

The fool had finally caught on.

Too late.

The Ashcroft Group would soon bear the Langley name.

Business was war—only the strong survived.

Without proper preparation, that half-baked technology of his was doomed to fail.

Vincent's lips pressed into a bloodless line, his face dark with fury.

He let out a cold laugh and turned to leave.

"Sir, the Ashcroft Group has been acquired by Langley Corporation."

Victor's voice came from the doorway.

Vincent whirled around, murder flashing in his eyes.

Isabella answered with a serene smile.

The unspoken truth hung between them.

"Isabella, I underestimated you." Vincent's voice was glacial. "You were the only one there last night. The only one near me when I made that call."

"Thank you for showing me who you really are."

He strode out without looking back.

Isabella scoffed at his retreating figure. "Business is war. If you couldn't protect your own company, that's your failure—not mine."

Vincent halted mid-step.

The depth of his stupidity crashed over him.

He'd handed his fortune to the enemy—and thanked her for it.

"No wonder Adrian chose you over Evelyn. You're ruthless." His voice carried bitter clarity. "Now I understand why Julian changed."

Adrian's gaze turned stormy.

Isabella immediately clung to his arm, pouting. "Adrian, he's slandering me! Aren't you going to defend me?"

"What do you want me to say?" Adrian's tone was icy. "He's my brother."

She bit her lip, frustration twisting her features. "In business, everyone plays their own game. His incompetence isn't my fault."

Arrogant, foolish men disgusted her.

Adrian studied her. "Last night—did you tell Vincent that Evelyn drugged me?"

Her eyes darted away. "The waiter said the lily chicken soup was Evelyn's order—your favorite."

"I only speculated she might've laced it to seduce you. How was I to know Vincent would take it so far?"

Her grip on his arm tightened. "You've changed lately. Do you not love me anymore?"

Her jaw clenched.

If he dared betray her now...

She'd killed Christian Lefèvre for him.

"Go home." Adrian's expression remained unreadable as he glanced at Victor.

Victor stepped forward. "Miss Langley, your driver is waiting."