Rise of The Abandoned Husband

The room turned deathly silent as Isabelle approached Seraphina. Each click of her heels against the marble floor was like a countdown to execution. I watched from across the ballroom, torn between intervening and letting this drama unfold.

Seraphina's bravado visibly crumbled as Isabelle stopped directly in front of her. Up close, the contrast between them was stark—Isabelle's composed elegance against Seraphina's increasingly desperate defiance.

"Did you have something to say to me directly, Mrs. Sterling?" Isabelle's voice carried effortlessly through the silent room, cool as winter frost.

Seraphina's mouth opened and closed, no words emerging. Beside her, Gideon looked like he might faint.

"I... I didn't mean..." Seraphina stammered.

"Miss Ashworth," Gideon suddenly cut in, stepping slightly in front of Seraphina. His face had transformed into a mask of charm, though sweat beaded on his forehead. "Please forgive this terrible misunderstanding. My fiancée is simply overwhelmed by the magnificence of this event."

Isabelle's gaze didn't waver from Seraphina. "Is that so?"

"Absolutely," Gideon rambled on, desperation making him verbose. "In fact, this is entirely my fault. You see, I've been unfaithful to her—with multiple women—and she's understandably emotional tonight. Her anger is misplaced. She meant to insult me, not you."

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Seraphina's head whipped toward Gideon, her eyes wide with shock.

"What are you saying?" she hissed.

"Saving our skins," he muttered through clenched teeth before raising his voice again. "Yes, I'm a terrible man, Miss Ashworth. I've broken her heart repeatedly. Please direct any displeasure toward me, not my innocent fiancée."

I couldn't help but smirk. Gideon was throwing himself under the bus to save his own skin, sacrificing his reputation rather than face the Ashworths' wrath. Pathetic.

Isabelle tilted her head slightly. "How noble of you to confess your indiscretions in public, Mr. Blackwood. Though I wonder—does your family know you represent them with such... flexible morals?"

Gideon blanched. "I... I'm working on becoming a better man."

"Start by stepping aside," Isabelle said coolly. "I was addressing Mrs. Sterling."

Seraphina, finding her voice at last, stepped forward. "I won't apologize for speaking the truth. Just because you come from money doesn't make you special."

The room collectively held its breath. I tensed, ready to move forward, but caught sight of the slight curve of Isabelle's lips. She wasn't offended—she was amused.

"The truth as you see it, perhaps," Isabelle replied. "Though I wonder why you feel so threatened by my presence, Mrs. Sterling. Is it because your ex-husband has moved on to better company?"

Seraphina's face flushed crimson. "Liam? He's nothing! A pathetic, worthless—"

"Seraphina, shut up!" Gideon grabbed her arm, his fingers digging into her flesh. "Miss Ashworth, please accept our deepest apologies. My fiancée is clearly unwell. We'll leave immediately."

"No." Isabelle's voice cracked like a whip. "Stay. I insist."

Gideon froze, his expression caught between terror and hope. Had he somehow managed to salvage the situation?

"In fact," Isabelle continued, her voice carrying across the room, "this is the perfect segue into tonight's proceedings."

She turned away from them, apparently dismissing the couple as unworthy of further attention, and moved gracefully to the small platform where the string quartet had been playing. The musicians quickly stepped aside, giving her the floor.

"Esteemed guests of Havenwood," Isabelle began, her voice commanding the room without needing a microphone. "I've spent the past week getting acquainted with your charming city. I've met individuals who exemplify exceptional character, integrity, and vision." Her gaze swept the room before pointedly settling on Seraphina and Gideon. "And I've encountered others who fall devastatingly short of such qualities."

Seraphina shrank visibly under that gaze. Gideon, however, straightened his shoulders, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"This evening," Isabelle continued, "I intend to announce the Sterling-Blackwood Group's first investment partner in Havenwood City. I seek to align with someone who represents the future—someone with both talent and character."

Gideon's face transformed from anxiety to triumphant anticipation. I could almost see the calculations running behind his eyes, his earlier panic morphing into confidence.

"With everyone's attention," Isabelle raised her hand, and a staff member dimmed the lights, "I would like to introduce the most outstanding young man I've encountered in Havenwood—someone whose brilliance and potential have genuinely impressed me."

The room fell into hushed anticipation. A spotlight switched on, sweeping dramatically across the crowd before stopping—directly on Gideon Blackwood.

His face lit up with undisguised delight. He straightened his tie, flashed a victorious smile at Seraphina, and took a confident step forward.

"I'm deeply honored, Miss Ashworth," he began, his voice swelling with pride. "The Blackwood family has always recognized true talent, and our partnership will—"

"Please welcome," Isabelle interrupted smoothly, "Liam Knight! Mr. Knight, please join me."

The spotlight swung away from Gideon's frozen form and found me at the back of the room. For a moment, I was paralyzed by the sudden attention. Then, seeing Isabelle's encouraging smile, I stepped forward.

The crowd parted, murmurs rising as I made my way to the platform. I passed Gideon, who stood with his mouth hanging open, all color drained from his face. Seraphina looked as though she'd been slapped, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"What?" Gideon's strangled whisper carried in the hushed room. "This is impossible!"

As I reached Isabelle, she extended her hand to me, her smile genuine and warm—completely unlike the icy mask she'd shown to Seraphina moments earlier.

"Mr. Knight," she said, loud enough for everyone to hear, "your innovative approach to pharmaceutical development represents exactly the kind of forward thinking the Ashworth family wishes to support. We are prepared to offer full funding for your research facility here in Havenwood."

Applause broke out, hesitant at first, then growing in enthusiasm as the influential figures in the room rushed to align themselves with Isabelle's clear endorsement.

Over the crowd, I caught sight of Gideon's face contorting with rage and disbelief. Seraphina stood beside him, pale as a ghost, her eyes locked on me as if seeing me for the first time.

Isabelle squeezed my hand slightly, drawing my attention back to her. "Well, Mr. Knight," she said softly, for my ears only beneath the applause, "it seems the spotlight has finally found its true target."