Chapter 494
The grand wedding of Isabella Wang and the CEO of a prestigious European luxury automobile brand took place at Monarch Grand Hotels in Crestview as planned.
Every social media platform across the globe was flooded with trending topics about Isabella's extravagant ceremony.
All media outlets in Crestview competed fiercely to cover the event, their sensational headlines fueling the frenzy:
[Monarch Grand Hotels Secures Victory in Bidding War Against Blackwood Industries!]
[Monarch's First Venture in Crestview Ends in Triumph! Blackwood Industries Left in Shambles!]
[Scandals Plague Blackwood Family - How Can Two Elite Families Be So Different?]
The spotlight on Monarch Grand Hotels reached unprecedented heights that day.
Netizens praised Evelyn Carter, whose identity as Alexa had been revealed, comparing her to Cassandra Blackwood. Cassandra appeared like a wilted daisy next to Evelyn's radiant presence.
[Ms. Carter was destined to win this battle. She's Alexa! Did Nathan Blackwood really think he could compete?]
[Let's be fair - this isn't Mr. Blackwood's fault. Cassandra was the one who overestimated herself and crashed into a brick wall. Now she's the laughingstock of society!]
[Cassandra thought she delivered a fatal blow to Ms. Carter, only to become the ultimate embarrassment!]
[Buying counterfeit jewelry for an international superstar? How utterly disgraceful!]
[She was just being economical where it counts, wasn't she?]
[Even if Cassandra walks out of police custody unscathed, her reputation is beyond repair!]
The humiliated Cassandra Blackwood watched helplessly as she became the subject of nationwide ridicule. Overwhelmed by rage, she collapsed into a feverish illness, confined to her bed.
Though Penelope Whitmore burned with vengeance, she was forced to retreat temporarily to care for her ailing daughter while simultaneously scheming to regain Leonard Blackwood's favor.
Despite being in her forties, Penelope underwent extensive cosmetic procedures, secretly purchased several revealing gowns, and even acquired an aphrodisiac perfume - preparing to seduce Leonard just as she had two decades prior.
The man hadn't touched her in nearly six months.
Yet Leonard seemed to be deliberately avoiding her, not returning home for weeks. When they did cross paths, he barely spoke and refused to meet her gaze.
How could Penelope not seethe with hatred?
"Evelyn Carter," she fumed. "This is all that witch's fault! I'll make sure Evelyn suffers a thousand times worse than what I'm enduring now!"
But no matter how intensely Penelope loathed Evelyn, she couldn't dim the brilliance of Evelyn's triumph.
Isabella's wedding spectacularly showcased the influence of Monarch Group, Fairhaven's premier corporation, in Crestview.
Moreover, Monarch Group's stock value skyrocketed that day, with analysts predicting continued growth when markets reopened. But the impact didn't end there.
When wedding photos flooded social media, they ignited a nationwide frenzy.
[An ocean of crimson roses! Isabella's wedding is absolutely breathtaking!]
[I don't care what it takes - I'm having my wedding exactly like this!]
[Finally, a break from traditional ceremonies! Monarch Grand Hotels gets perfect marks!]
Nathan Blackwood sat motionless in his office, intently watching the live broadcast of Isabella Wang's wedding.
A faint smile touched his lips as the ice in his piercing gaze momentarily melted.
Normally, such events wouldn't hold his interest.
But knowing Evelyn had poured her heart and soul into this project made it impossible to look away.
A sharp knock interrupted his thoughts, and Oliver Sinclair entered carrying an oversized olive-green duffel bag.
"Mr. Blackwood, I've prepared all the hiking equipment you requested."