ISABELLA'S POV:
The tension was palpable in the Hartley household. It had been hours since Vanessa's cryptic warning about Victor's heir, and now we had a name: James Hartwell. The revelation that my estranged cousin had aligned himself with Victor struck a nerve. It wasn't just about James; it was about the past that i had long buried—a past filled with complicated family dynamics and lingering guilt.
Michael stood in the living room, the muted sound of the television filling the air. I was seated on the couch, my hand protectively resting on my belly, my face pale but determined. The television flashed with images of James standing alongside Victor at a press conference.
"James Hartwell," the reporter said. "Cousin to Isabella Hartley and a new ally of Victor Sterling. Hartwell has made serious accusations against the Hartley family, alleging unethical business practices and long-buried financial scandals."
