Chapter 347

Three days vanished like a fleeting dream.

Isabella Wang finally arrived in Crestview as planned, drawing attention from across the globe.

On the evening of the gala, Cassandra Blackwood had chosen a breathtaking amethyst haute couture gown for herself. She had spent hours curling her hair and perfecting her makeup, ensuring she exuded her signature sophistication.

Naturally, Penelope Whitmore also attended in her finest. Her hair was styled in an intricate updo, showcasing a pair of dazzling emerald earrings and a nearly two-inch-wide imperial jade pendant. It looked as though she had draped an entire mansion’s worth of wealth around her neck.

"Mother, I recall you own an even more exquisite piece of jade than this one, don’t you? Why aren’t you wearing that instead?" Cassandra asked, tilting her head curiously.

"Don’t bring it up. Just thinking about it makes my chest ache!"

Penelope clenched her teeth, gripping her pendant tightly. "It’s all because of that wretched Victoria Sterling! I have no idea what the Sterling family has been doing to rack up millions in debt!"

"I didn’t have liquid funds readily available, and the authorities were breathing down my neck. The boutique hasn’t seen a single customer in two months either. I had no choice but to part with that jade piece and sell it to help settle some of the Sterlings’ debts!"

"My goodness! You’re far too generous. If it were me, I’d be sobbing. That was a birthday gift from Father!"

Cassandra winced in sympathy. Then, with a frown, she asked, "But I truly don’t understand, Mother. Why are you helping the Sterling family? Wouldn’t it be better to let those rotten relatives fend for themselves?"

"Hmph! If only I could."

Penelope’s voice dripped with venom. Back when she had groomed Victoria to cozy up to Nathan, she had been overly ambitious, putting all her eggs in one basket. Never had she imagined her own schemes would backfire, leaving her with nothing but failure.

Now, not only had she failed to manipulate Nathan, but the pawn she had carefully cultivated had turned around and blackmailed her.

Recently, Victoria had tasted the sweet thrill of extorting her aunt. Just the day before, she had called Penelope from Silvercrest, demanding more money. Penelope had been so furious she nearly considered hiring an assassin to eliminate her.

But killing Victoria was an absolute last resort—one she wouldn’t entertain unless absolutely necessary. So, she had promised Victoria that she would soon find an opportunity to collaborate again, allowing her to return to Crestview. That was the only way she could keep that despicable girl in check.

"Mother, how do I look in this dress?"

Cassandra twirled happily, the amethyst evening gown swaying gracefully around her. She had chosen it after seeing how dashing Julian Montgomery looked in a violet shirt. Wearing this, she felt as though they were matching. "Tonight, I must be absolutely radiant. I can’t afford to embarrass our family!"

"The undisputed star tonight is Isabella Wang, an international icon. Your chances of outshining anyone are slim. Focus your efforts on Julian instead. Your attention should be on him, not competing with other women. What’s the point of looking more beautiful than them if Julian doesn’t spare you a second glance? The doors of the Montgomery family won’t open for you!"

To Penelope, Victoria was a lost cause, and Eleanor had always been a disappointment. Cassandra was her last hope—the one who wouldn’t disgrace their family. She had pinned all her ambitions on Cassandra, doing everything in her power to ensure she married into a prestigious family. A well-married daughter would only make her path to seizing control of Blackwood Industries smoother.

"Mother, don’t worry. This time, I will absolutely become Julian’s wife!" Cassandra declared, puffing out her chest with confidence.

Penelope arched a brow. "Oh? Do you have a plan?"

"Mother, Julian’s younger sister, Isabelle, has just returned from Valmont. She promised to help me! You know how much Julian dotes on her. With her support, I’m certain I can become her sister-in-law!" Cassandra grew more animated as she spoke, as if she already had one foot inside the Montgomery estate.

"Isabelle?" Penelope’s delicate brows furrowed as she recalled the times Julian used to bring a little girl to Cliffside Manor to visit Nathan. That child had been clingy—and seemed rather fond of Nathan as well.

"Well, nothing in this world comes for free. Aren’t you afraid of being used?" Penelope lounged on the sofa, idly flicking her crimson nails. "Isabelle wouldn’t help you out of the goodness of her heart. She must have set conditions, didn’t she?"

"Mother! No wonder Father adores you. You’re so sharp!" Cassandra sat beside her, adjusting the heavy fabric of her gown. "Isabelle is interested in Nathan, so her condition is to marry him."

"What? Absolutely not!" Penelope’s voice turned shrill. "Isabelle is a Montgomery. If she marries Nathan, that bastard will gain even more power within Blackwood Industries!"

"If that happens, I’ll lose any foothold I have left!"