Delphine’s sudden outburst at the event shocked everyone present as she unleashed her pent-up anger, determined to break Isla’s composed exterior and reveal a vulnerable side of her. Fueled by jealousy and resentment, Delphine blamed Isla for her faltering career and the loss of Gabriel’s attention. Her desire to provoke Isla into losing control was clear, but Sofie intervened, trying to calm her down. In response, Delphine struck Sofie, causing a gasp among the guests and escalating the tension in the room.
Isla’s anger flared at Delphine’s aggression, but before she could confront her, Jeff restrained her. Delphine defiantly challenged Isla to reveal the truth about their past, but security quickly removed her from the scene. Gabriel watched the chaos with clenched jaws and suppressed fury, feeling ashamed of Delphine’s public display. Though Alfred criticized Gabriel for the incident, Gabriel’s loyalty was firmly with Isla, signaling a clear shift in his allegiance.
Meanwhile, Diana mingled with friends who praised Isla’s grace under pressure, though Anna’s sarcastic remark about Isla being a “forced bride” stirred anger in Diana. The women reassured Diana by pointing out Gabriel’s evident love and devotion to Isla, which helped calm her. Across the room, Isla maintained her poised demeanor, accepting compliments and enjoying Gabriel’s attentive presence, though she sensed deeper emotions beneath the surface.
As the party ended and guests departed, gossip about Isla and Gabriel’s kiss spread rapidly. Later, in a private moment, Gabriel ordered Sofie to leave and confronted Isla, questioning whether their relationship was merely a performance. When Isla nervously called him “Gabby,” a nickname he despised, Gabriel’s mood darkened, hinting at unresolved tension between them.
Delphine’s sudden outburst instantly drew the attention of everyone in the room. Yet, despite the curious gazes fixed on her, she found herself unable to rein in the fury boiling inside. Tonight, all she craved was to push Isla to her breaking point, to shatter the composed facade that everyone admired. She wanted the world to witness a side of Isla they’d never seen before—raw, vulnerable, and unmasked.
Her career was slipping away, slipping through her fingers like sand, and in her mind, Isla was the cause of it all. Isla had taken Gabriel from her. Isla had stolen the spotlight she once basked in. Isla was evolving into everything Delphine had ever dreamed of becoming, while she was left empty-handed, fading into the background. A jealous fire blazed fiercely within her chest, scorching every rational thought. If she could just provoke Isla tonight, make her lose control, perhaps the guests would turn their backs on her instead.
But just as she was about to advance, Sofie stepped firmly in front of her, blocking her path. “Step back, Delphine. Please—compose yourself,” Sofie urged, her voice steady but pleading.
Delphine’s eyes flared with rage. Without hesitation, her hand shot out and struck Sofie sharply across the cheek.
A collective gasp swept through the ballroom, followed by murmurs of disbelief. The air thickened with stunned silence, heavy and suffocating.
Isla’s gaze hardened instantly, a fierce storm flashing across her face. She was about to move forward, but before she could, Jeff quickly grabbed her wrist, pulling her back with a firm grip.
“No,” Delphine spat venomously, stepping forward again. “Let her come. Drop the pretense, Isla. Tell everyone here the truth—that you’re the one who kicked me out.”
Before Isla could answer, the bodyguards surged forward, seizing Delphine’s arms and hauling her away from the center of the hall.
From the front, Gabriel’s jaw clenched so tightly his knuckles whitened. His entire body trembled with barely contained fury. A deep shame crept beneath his skin—he had never imagined Delphine would humiliate herself, or them, in such a public spectacle. Couldn’t she hold herself together for just one night? Why was she so determined to tear everything apart?
Slowly, the guests began to settle back into their seats, whispering in hushed tones to one another. Others gathered in small clusters, exchanging gossip about the shocking scene they’d just witnessed.
Alfred leaned toward Gabriel, his voice sharp and tinged with disapproval. “What were you thinking? You don’t get involved in scenes like that.”
Gabriel ground his teeth, biting back his response. Alfred had misunderstood him once again. He wasn’t there to protect Delphine—not anymore. No, his loyalty was firmly with Isla. He refused to let anyone publicly insult his wife. For once, his allegiance was unmistakable. Still, he chose silence; his quiet stance spoke louder than any words could.
Meanwhile, Diana mingled among her longtime friends—women who had stood by her side through thick and thin. They showered Isla with praise, their smiles warm as they recounted how gracefully Isla had handled herself amidst the chaos.
“You’re so fortunate, Diana,” one friend said softly. “To have a daughter like Isla.”
Before Diana could respond, Anna sauntered over, a glass of champagne in hand. She paused just long enough to let her words sting. “Forced bride, isn’t she?” Anna said with a mocking tilt of her head. Raising her flute, she added, “Cheers to Wyndham Wardrobe,” before taking a deliberate sip and walking away.
Gabriel froze, his eyes darkening instantly. He despised being called that. A storm raged within him, unpredictable and fierce, and Isla had no idea how he might react this time.
The chapter closes on a tense and emotionally charged note, capturing the fragile and complex dynamics between Delphine, Isla, and Gabriel. Delphine’s outburst exposes the deep wounds of jealousy and loss, while Isla’s poised exterior conceals the turmoil beneath. Gabriel’s protective yet conflicted stance underscores the shifting allegiances and the weight of unspoken feelings that bind these characters together. The public spectacle leaves everyone unsettled, yet it also reveals the raw vulnerability that lies beneath the polished façades.
In the quiet aftermath, the intimate confrontation between Isla and Gabriel hints at unresolved emotions and the blurred lines between performance and reality in their relationship. The unexpected use of a tender nickname pierces the tension, suggesting that beneath the surface of control and composure, true feelings are struggling to break free. This moment leaves the reader suspended in anticipation, reflecting the chapter’s themes of love, power, and the delicate balance between appearance and truth.
The aftermath of Delphine’s explosive confrontation leaves the atmosphere charged with tension and unspoken emotions. As Isla and Gabriel retreat into a private space, the fragile veneer of their relationship begins to crack, revealing vulnerabilities and unresolved feelings that neither can easily dismiss. The delicate balance between love and resentment hangs in the air, promising a confrontation that could either deepen their bond or drive a wedge between them.
Meanwhile, the whispers and judgments of the guests continue to ripple through the social circle, threatening to complicate alliances and loyalties. With Anna’s sharp words and Diana’s simmering fury, the undercurrents of family dynamics and hidden resentments start to surface more boldly. Readers can anticipate a chapter where personal and public conflicts intertwine, forcing each character to confront their true desires and fears beneath the polished exterior of high society.
Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.

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