Semua Bab The Wright Queen: Bab 1 - Bab 10

The third time I caught my husband with his assistant, I didn't hold back. I put their mess on front street for the world to see.But my little stunt only got me a lawsuit from the family and my own son calling me a psycho.I was finally done. “I want a divorce.”"Isabella Moretti, you stand accused of maliciously leaking private Moretti family business, causing severe damage to the family's reputation."The judge's voice echoed through the courtroom. I sat at the defendant's table, the cold steel on my wrists a sharp reminder of the price.Three days ago, I'd sent a video of my husband, Dante, and his assistant, Angelina, going at it in his office to the Chicago Tribune.Now, I was paying for it."Does the defendant have anything to say?"My lawyer stood up. "Your Honor, my client is deeply remorseful—""I'm not," I cut him off.The court fell silent."Isabella!" Dante shot up from his seat, his eyes burning with rage. "Do you have any idea what you're doing?"I turned to look at the

I picked up the letter opener from the desk and sliced my thumb.No hesitation. No trembling. I pressed my thumbprint onto the last page of the divorce agreement.The red print was a final, bloody seal."Finally!" Leo suddenly squirmed out of Dante's arms, his face lit up. "The traitor is finally gone from the family! Now I can hold my head up high!"The joy on his face was genuine, a stark contrast to the disgust he'd shown me moments before.Dante walked over, taking the blood-stained papers. "Do you have any idea how much you've shamed him, Isabella?" he said, as if justifying his son's reaction."You're always making a scene, you have no class, no grace. You never acted like a Moretti wife should. You never tried to understand the pressure I'm under."I wrapped a napkin around my stinging finger and said nothing."Leo gets made fun of at school. He can't even look the other heirs in the eye.""You're the one who cheated. You're the one who caused the scandal, not me," I said, looki

My mother saw the look on my face. "You know," she said, her voice dry, "your father watched me leave the exact same way, twenty-five years ago.""He thought I couldn't live without him, too. Thought I'd come crying and begging him to take me back."I turned to look at this elegant woman—my mother. Even at fifty, she was stunning, with a regal air that was born, not made."But you did more than just live."She smiled. "I've been running the Wright family for years. Oil, weapons, diamonds, smuggling... You name a dirty business, I've got a piece of it. The Wright family now operates in thirteen countries. Our annual revenue is three times the Morettis'."A sharp glint appeared in her eye. "In this man's world, if a woman wants to survive, she has to be tougher, smarter, and more ruthless than they are."I was filled with admiration, but I couldn't help a bitter smile. "I wish I was strong like you, instead of just repeating your mistakes in marriage."The car was heading toward a privat

Back in Chicago, I sat in the back of a Rolls-Royce in a camel-colored Hermès coat, watching the familiar yet alien city roll by."The fifty million requires your signature," Elias said, sitting beside me, flipping through a file. "The Wright family's Swiss accounts are secure, but the transfer requires in-person authorization."I nodded. Over the past two months, Elias had not only arranged my life in London but also helped me understand my mother's business empire. The Wright family's wealth was vaster and more hidden than I'd ever imagined."I'd like to take you to dinner tonight," I said, looking at him. "As a formal thank you.""You don't have to.""It's not about having to. It's what I want."I chose Alinea, the most exclusive restaurant in Chicago. It only served a handful of guests a night and required a reservation months in advance.I wore a simple but elegant black Valentino dress. The makeup artist had given me a polished look that made me look more radiant than I had in mo

"You two are close?" Dante gritted out, his eyes locked on my hand."That's none of your business," I replied calmly."None of my business?" Dante's voice rose. "Isabella, we've only been divorced for two months, and you've already moved on to the next meal ticket?"Other guests were starting to notice the commotion. Elias frowned, about to speak, but I stopped him."Meal ticket?" The words made me laugh. "Dante, who are you to accuse me?""Accuse you? I'm reminding you what loyalty is!" His jealousy and possessiveness were out of control. "You think any man out there will actually love you? They just want your body, or to use you for what you're worth!"The irony was suffocating.I picked up my wine glass and, without hesitation, threw its contents in his face.The red liquid dripped down his cheeks, soaking his expensive shirt. The entire restaurant went silent."Loyalty?" I stood up, looking down on him. "Dante Moretti, what right do you have to talk to me about loyalty?"Dante wipe