HER QUEST FOR REVENGE

Whispers of betrayal

Scene: Marcus Enterprises – Office Floor

Isabella stood in the lobby of Marcus Enterprises, preparing to leave for the day. Her mind was already focused on the next steps, but the sudden murmur of voices from her employees made her pause. She turned just in time to hear the gossip unfolding.

“Did you hear?” one employee whispered urgently to the others. “Nathan Maxwell is getting engaged to Alina Harrington! They just made the announcement today!”

Another employee responded, shaking her head in disbelief. “I thought he was still with Isabella! After everything that happened... I didn’t expect him to move on so quickly.”

Isabella froze, her fingers tightening around her purse. The sting of the words hit her like a punch to the gut. Nathan Maxwell is getting engaged—the words repeated in her mind, though she already knew it was coming. Yet, hearing it from her employees, from the people who she had always been open with, felt like a betrayal.

Mercy, who had been silently observing Isabella’s reactions, walked over with concern written across her face. “Isabella... I’m so sorry. I didn’t want you to find out like this.”

Isabella kept her eyes fixed on the floor, trying to steady the tumultuous emotions swirling inside her. “I... I figured it was only a matter of time,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mercy reached out to her, her tone gentle. “Isabella, I know this must hurt, but you can’t ignore it. Nathan moving on doesn’t mean you weren’t important to him. You have to remember that—”

“I know what I have to remember, Mercy,” Isabella snapped, cutting her off, her face hardening. “I’ve been through enough. This... this doesn’t change anything. I have work to do.”

Mercy’s brow furrowed, clearly upset by Isabella’s reaction. “But Isabella, you can’t keep pretending like it doesn’t matter. Your heart is still in this, whether you want to admit it or not. Don’t shut out your feelings just because it’s easier.”

Isabella inhaled deeply, trying to push down the rising swell of emotion. She forced herself to smile, the façade of strength she had built over the years slipping back into place. “I can handle it. I have no choice.”

Mercy didn’t respond, but her concern was evident. She stood silently, watching her friend, knowing there was nothing more she could say. The news of Nathan’s engagement—not yet confirmed, but heavily rumored—was something Isabella had been preparing herself for. But hearing it like this, surrounded by whispers and rumors, was a different kind of pain.

---

Scene: Maxwell Mansion – Nathan’s Study

Meanwhile, Nathan sat in his study at the Maxwell Mansion, staring at the phone in his hand. The announcement about his potential engagement to Alina Harrington had just been made public. His parents were thrilled, but he felt anything but excited.

His thoughts were chaotic, the weight of the announcement pressing down on him. He had no real connection to Alina, aside from her being the perfect candidate for his family’s social and business image. The media coverage was relentless, and the pressure was mounting.

His father had already arranged a meeting with Alina’s father to discuss the logistics of their “upcoming union.” And as much as Nathan tried to convince himself that this was just a business arrangement, something deep inside him refused to let go of the woman he truly cared about.

He took a deep breath, running his fingers through his hair in frustration. Isabella... He hadn’t heard from her since the fiasco at the party. He had reached out multiple times, but she had shut him out.

He looked at his phone again, his thumb hovering over Isabella’s contact. But before he could press send, the door to the study opened, and Raymond walked in, a smug grin on his face.

“Good luck with that engagement, Nathan,” Raymond said sarcastically, crossing the room to pour himself a drink. “I hope Alina’s everything you need her to be.”

Nathan’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t respond immediately. He didn’t have the energy to argue with Raymond. His mind was already consumed with Isabella.

“I didn’t want this, Raymond,” Nathan finally said, his voice low but firm. “I didn’t want any of this.”

Raymond smirked. “Well, too bad. Now you’ve got to live with it. You’re getting engaged to her whether you like it or not. What’s the problem, anyway? Alina Harrington is everything you need.”

Nathan shook his head. “She’s not... her.” His voice cracked slightly as he spoke the words. It was painful to admit, but it was the truth.

Raymond raised an eyebrow, sensing the tension in Nathan’s words. “Her? You mean Isabella?”

Nathan stood abruptly, anger flashing in his eyes. “You don’t understand, Raymond. This isn’t just about business. It’s about... it’s about losing someone who actually meant something to me.”

Raymond shrugged. “You had your chance with her, Nathan. She’s moved on. Now you have to, too.”

Nathan’s heart sank as he stared out the window. He wanted to believe Raymond, wanted to believe that Isabella had moved on. But deep down, he knew she hadn’t—not yet.

---

Scene: Marcus Enterprises – Office Floor

Isabella walked past the group of employees who had been gossiping earlier. She could feel their eyes on her as she passed, and she held her head high, pretending like none of it bothered her. But deep down, she was crushed.

As soon as she reached her office, she closed the door behind her, leaned against it, and allowed herself a moment of weakness. She took a deep breath, trying to push back the tears that threatened to spill over. Nathan’s engagement. She had heard it with her own ears. But she couldn’t break down. Not here, not now.

Mercy entered quietly, her presence soothing, but Isabella quickly wiped her eyes and forced a smile. “I’m fine. Let’s just focus on the work.”

Mercy could see the cracks in her composure but said nothing. She could only watch her friend as she tried to piece herself together.

As Isabella looked at the plans for the next big presentation, a part of her couldn’t help but wonder: What if this isn’t the end? What if Nathan is still fighting for me?

But deep down, she knew that even if he was, she couldn’t wait forever. She had her own battles to fight.

And one of those battles, she reminded herself, was just beginning.