Chapter 49. Something More…

Isabel’s POV

Alexander yanks me to the side, and I stumble forward, almost crashing into his chest. His breath comes in short gasps, as if he’s just run a mile to catch me.

I scoff, folding my arms over my chest. “Are you alright?” I ask, sarcasm dripping from my tone. “How can you just pull me out of the party like this?”

His eyes blaze with fury, and before I can say more, he cuts me off. “Why do you keep pretending to be someone else? And… and I know it’s all your doing. The rumors spreading among our investors, my mother coming to you—and now this? You’re trying to paint us as beggars, claiming we begged for the contract? How low can you stoop?”

I laugh, the sound cold, as I push a stray lock of hair behind my ear. “But your mother did beg. She begged me to save the King’s Empire from shame.” I fold my arms tig