Chapter 350
"I am Penelope Whitmore, wife of Chairman Leonard Blackwood." Penelope announced with an air of superiority, her chin lifted imperiously.
"Nathan, I don't comprehend her words, but there's no necessity for translation. I've no interest in learning her identity," Isabella replied dismissively in flawless French, continuing her animated conversation with Nathan without sparing Penelope a glance.
Penelope's grasp of French allowed her to understand barely a third of their exchange. As she prepared to reintroduce herself in French, Nathan's lips curved into an amused smile as he told Isabella, "Precisely my thought. Why bother introducing insignificant individuals to you?"
The cutting remark left Penelope utterly bewildered. Suddenly, titters of laughter erupted around them, and the surrounding whispers became painfully clear.
"Did you see how Isabella just dismissed the Blackwood matriarch? She's absolutely fearless! I thought it was just her stage persona, but she's genuinely this bold!"
"This is priceless! Isabella Wang hails from Silvercrest. Why would she care about Crestview's business politics or some corporate chairman's wife?"
"Exactly! Penelope's posturing means nothing to someone like Isabella!"
The mocking comments made Penelope's face flush crimson before draining to pale. The fine lines around her eyes deepened with tension. Too prideful to retreat, she forced a brittle smile. "Ms. Wang, as you're aware, our Blackwood Hotel and Monarch Grand Hotels have always been competitors. Your presence tonight honors us greatly. As the lady of Blackwood Industries, I'm deeply flattered."
Nathan's expression remained icy. "Lady of Blackwood Industries?" The self-aggrandizing title nearly made him scoff aloud.
The atmosphere grew palpably tense. Oliver quickly translated Penelope's words to Isabella, hoping to stir conflict.
"No, there seems to be a misunderstanding," Isabella corrected after listening. "Both Monarch Grand Hotels and Blackwood Hotels are exceptional establishments. My attendance tonight isn't about which hotel is superior, but because Nathan's character and actions have deeply impressed me."
The verbal slap made Penelope's cheeks burn. Isabella might appear aloof, but she was razor-sharp. Agreeing would have meant disparaging Monarch Group, one of the world's Fortune 500 companies. Isabella was far too clever to fall into such an obvious trap.
As tension thickened, the banquet hall doors swung open dramatically. Isabelle Montgomery glided in, her million-dollar Swarovski-encrusted pink gown shimmering like a blooming peony.
"Isn't that Sebastian Laurent's protégé?"
"She's not just a pianist - she's Julian Montgomery's younger sister! The Montgomery Group heiress!"
"Julian's sister? Does that make her my future sister-in-law?"
"Then who's my future sister-in-law? Cassandra? Ugh, I can't stand that woman. She's insufferable."
Across the room, Cassandra sneezed abruptly.
Isabelle's entrance made Cassandra's eyes dart around like radar, desperately seeking Julian. Her disappointment was palpable - their relationship clearly lacked depth.
Noticing the crowd's attention shifting from Isabella to herself, Isabelle swelled with pride. She'd worked tirelessly to convince Nathan to let her perform tonight, determined to establish her own identity beyond being "Julian's sister" in Crestview's elite circles.
With practiced grace, she approached Nathan, lifting her gown's hem. His indifferent gaze made her falter. Suddenly, sharp, confident heel clicks echoed from the entrance.
The familiar sound made Nathan's breath hitch.
His entire body tensed as his gaze locked onto the doorway, his pulse suddenly erratic.