Arrived 219

After ending a draining call, Nathaniel feels bored and disillusioned with Isabelle, who once captivated him but now seems like a hollow shadow around him. He criticizes her reckless decision to go to a bar alone late at night, questioning her judgment. Despite his frustration, he remains tied to her because of the Monroe family’s influence and wealth. Meanwhile, Isabelle waits at the bar for Nathaniel, but he never arrives. Hurt and frustrated, she impulsively follows a handsome stranger named Jake to a hotel, waking up the next morning filled with regret.

Jake, charming and confident, offers Isabelle a chance to date him, which she considers as a backup plan if Nathaniel keeps disappointing her. Nathaniel, having sent his driver to check on Isabelle, learns she left with another man and realizes she may never change her careless approach to love. He contrasts her with Estella, his pure and devoted wife, and contemplates marrying Isabelle only to secure the family fortune, planning to deceive her with a fake marriage certificate to protect his wealth.

Meanwhile, Isabelle discovers that Jake owns a company exposing online scammers and influencers. She convinces him to help her destroy Estella’s reputation by exposing her as a hypocrite, showing Jake a livestream of Estella acting as a judge. Intrigued and eager to impress Isabelle, Jake agrees to her plan.

At the same time, Estella’s art competition gains popularity, increasing enrollment at the art center and keeping Selene busy but happy. They both appreciate the support of Madam Rosemary, who, despite being preoccupied with religious efforts to “remove evil influences” from her grandson due to his sexuality, remains a figure of support. Estella shares this story with Selene, who finds the idea amusing and unrealistic, highlighting the contrast between genuine progress and outdated beliefs.

219 Isabelle’s New Pawn

After ending the call, Nathaniel felt utterly drained, as if a heavy weight had settled over him. The mere thought of Isabelle now bored him to no end.

She used to shine with a vibrant allure, captivating and full of life. But lately, she had become nothing more than a shadow revolving around him, devoid of any true identity or purpose.

And the idea of her going to a bar late at night? It struck him as reckless, almost foolish. Did she not understand how dangerous that was for a woman alone? Such thoughtlessness made him question her judgment.

If it weren’t for the Monroe family’s influence and wealth, Nathaniel wouldn’t waste another second on her.

Meanwhile, at the dimly lit bar, Isabelle waited for what felt like an eternity, but Nathaniel never appeared. Frustrated and hurt, she spiraled into a moment of self-sabotage. When a handsome stranger approached her, she didn’t hesitate—she followed him straight to a nearby hotel.

The next morning, Isabelle awoke to the unfamiliar presence of a man lying beside her. A wave of regret and emptiness crashed over her all at once.

The man kissed her softly on the cheek and smiled. “Beautiful, I’m Jake. What’s your name? Want to try dating me sometime?”

If he hadn’t been somewhat attractive, Isabelle might have slapped him on the spot. He had taken advantage of her while she was drunk—no decent man would behave that way.

But Jake’s smooth talk soon softened her mood. His charm was undeniable, and before long, she found herself warming to him.

Isabelle mulled over the situation. If Nathaniel continued to disappoint her, maybe she could always fall back on this new boytoy.

Though Nathaniel hadn’t shown up at the bar himself, he had sent his driver to check on her. When the driver returned, he reported that Isabelle hadn’t come back with him. Instead, he’d seen her climb into a car with another man, clinging to him like a lifeline.

Nathaniel frowned deeply. A sudden realization struck him: Isabelle might never truly change. She still treated love as a mere game, a fleeting amusement.

His thoughts drifted again to Estella.

She had given herself to him wholeheartedly, pure and unblemished, in their marriage. Afterward, she devoted herself entirely to her career, never tainting her life with other men.

In that respect, Isabelle could never measure up.

Yes, Nathaniel could marry Isabelle and secure the Monroe family’s fortune—but the wedding would be nothing more than a facade. He would never sign the marriage certificate.

Otherwise, half of his wealth would be at risk.

The real challenge was how to deceive Isabelle with a fake certificate.

This calculation exhausted him. What was the point of being with someone if they had to scheme against each other like sworn enemies?

It had been different with Estella.

Pure, simple Estella.

Meanwhile, Isabelle had discovered that Jake owned a company specializing in social media influencers. He had built a significant reputation online by exposing scammers and calling out fakes, amassing millions of followers.

She looked at him with a new sense of curiosity. “You really do all that?”

Jake grinned confidently. “Of course. My mouth isn’t just good for charming women—it’s great for business too.”

Isabelle leaned in closer, her voice dropping conspiratorially. “Then help me. I want you to expose a woman’s true face.”

“Who?” Jake asked, intrigued.

She pulled up a livestream showing Estella sitting as a judge.

“That one.”

Jake whistled low. “She’s stunning.”

Isabelle sneered. “Don’t be fooled by her looks. She’s a hypocrite in disguise. You men need better taste than to be blinded by a pretty face.”

“What exactly do you want me to do?” Jake inquired.

“I’ll send you some information. Use it to tear her down. I won’t let her sit there pretending to be respectable.”

Dazzled by Isabelle’s figure and imagining a chance to become her wealthy husband, Jake agreed without hesitation.

“Easy enough. I’ll handle it.”

***

By now, Estella had filmed two rounds of the competition, drawing a lot of attention online. Enrollment at the art center had surged as a result.

Selene was busier than ever, yet the steady influx of new students kept a genuine smile on her face from dawn till dusk—even her own dating life had taken a backseat.

Every time Estella saw the updated signup sheets Selene sent, she couldn’t help but smile too.

“We should take Grandma out for dinner,” Selene said one afternoon. “If she hadn’t rented us that big building, we could never have accepted so many students.”

“You’re right. We definitely owe her a nice meal,” Estella agreed.

Estella called Madam Rosemary, but the elderly woman said she was too busy to meet.

“Are you back in your hometown?” Estella asked.

Madam Rosemary was actually at a church in Javerton. “No, I recently met a priest who’s helping me remove evil influences from my grandson.”

“Evil influences?” Estella was puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“I found out my grandson likes men!” Rosemary snapped. “No wonder he’s never dated or married. The priest says it’s because of evil energy, so I’ve been coming to church, praying and cleansing to get rid of it for him.”

Estella was speechless.

Well, as long as the old lady was happy, she supposed.

Later, she recounted the story to Selene.

Selene burst out laughing. “Grandma is hilarious. If praying could make gay men start liking women, wouldn’t churches be packed every day?”

The chapter closes on a poignant divide between two very different women in Nathaniel’s life, each embodying contrasting values and desires. Isabelle, once radiant but now adrift, seeks validation through fleeting connections and schemes, while Estella remains steadfast in her integrity and dedication to her career and family. Nathaniel’s growing disillusionment with Isabelle and nostalgic longing for Estella’s purity underscore the emotional chasm that separates them, revealing the complexities of love, loyalty, and ambition intertwined with power and deception.

Meanwhile, the lighter moments with Selene and Estella, as well as the humorous anecdote about Madam Rosemary, bring a touch of warmth and humanity to the narrative. Despite the turmoil and scheming, life continues with small joys and genuine connections, reminding us that even amidst conflict and uncertainty, hope and laughter can still be found. This chapter delicately balances the tension of fractured relationships with the simple pleasures of everyday bonds, leaving the reader suspended between the promise of change and the weight of unresolved emotions.

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled web of deception and emotional turmoil that binds Nathaniel, Isabelle, and Estella. Nathaniel’s cold calculation regarding the fake marriage certificate hints at a looming battle of wits and wills, where trust is scarce and every move is a strategic play. Meanwhile, Isabelle’s alliance with Jake introduces a new dynamic—one that could either empower her or entangle her further in dangerous games of manipulation and exposure.

As Jake prepares to use his influence to challenge Estella’s public image, tensions are bound to rise, threatening to disrupt the fragile balance between personal ambition and genuine relationships. Estella, focused on her art center’s success and the support of Selene, may soon find herself facing unexpected attacks that test her resilience and the bonds she cherishes. The emotional stakes are high, and the next chapter will reveal how far each character is willing to go when facades begin to crumble and true intentions come to light.

Cedella

Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.