Chapter 465

Isabelle Montgomery turned to Cassandra Blackwood with narrowed eyes. "You studied in Valmont. Only you would have the connections to orchestrate this." Her voice dripped with accusation. "If you're innocent, why don't we call Tristan Moreau right now and verify your story?"

"Call him?"

Evelyn Carter's lips curled into a dangerous smile. "The fact you'd suggest that proves you're behind this scheme. For all I know, you could've paid him off. This is clearly a setup."

The tension between the two women crackled like live wires.

"Brilliant strategy, Ms. Montgomery," Penelope Whitmore interjected coldly, redirecting attention to Evelyn. "You used my daughter as a pawn in your game against Cassandra. Our rivalry with Monarch Grand Hotels presented the perfect opportunity to destroy her reputation. Had your plan succeeded, you'd have won everything. And if it failed?" She let out a bitter laugh. "You could simply pin everything on Cassandra and walk away unscathed. How fortunate that Evelyn turned out to be Alexa. Otherwise, your scheme might have actually worked."

Isabelle's face flushed crimson, her pulse hammering in her throat. "Mrs. Blackwood, that's a outrageous accusation!"

"Did you really plot against Ms. Kingsley, Isabelle?" Eleanor Montgomery gasped, clutching the banister as her frail body trembled from shock.

"Mother! Julian!" Isabelle stomped her foot in that childish way she'd always done when frustrated. "I have no reason to target Evelyn! Why would I?"

In the past, Julian Montgomery had always caved to his sister's tantrums. No matter how unreasonable her behavior, he'd comfort her and let the matter drop.

But now, the way Julian stared at her made Isabelle's knees weaken, her breath coming in shallow gasps.

"No reason?" Cassandra scoffed. "You're obsessed with Nathan, jealous that he still worships his ex-wife. You can't stand that he ignores you while treating Evelyn like a queen. That's why you want to ruin her."

"But you overlooked one critical detail, Ms. Montgomery," Penelope sneered. "Evelyn matters deeply to both Nathan and Julian."

She turned to Julian with a knowing look. "If memory serves, you once pursued Evelyn yourself. Though nothing came of it, I doubt you'd tolerate anyone harming the woman you once loved."

"Y-You're lying!" Isabelle's hands clenched into fists, her entire body shaking. "Don't listen to them, Julian! Yes, I have feelings for Nathan, but they're divorced! Why would I go after Evelyn? I'm not that petty!"

Julian exhaled sharply, his expression darkening. Strangely, though Isabelle screamed her denials, her words seemed to dissolve before reaching his ears.

As the confrontation reached its boiling point, Natalia Montgomery rushed into the room, her heels clicking urgently against the marble floor.

"The police are here, Mr. Montgomery." Her gaze flicked to Cassandra. "They went to the Blackwood residence first, but came here when they learned Ms. Blackwood was present."

"P-Police?" Cassandra's legs nearly gave out beneath her.

Penelope's face drained of color as she gripped her daughter's trembling arm.

"Ms. Cassandra Blackwood."

Plainclothes officers entered without ceremony. "We have evidence linking you to the Monarch Grand Hotels data breach. You'll need to accompany us for questioning."