Chapter 299

"Rumor has it Madam Sullivan is hosting this banquet to find Adrian a wife. Now that he's inherited billions, every socialite in the city must be lining up for him."

"Don't celebrate too soon. The old lady's still alive. Harmony Manor won't truly be his until she passes. Those billions are just pie in the sky for now."

...

Isabella Jackson listened to the chatter with a cold smirk.

Madam Sullivan's actions tonight perfectly confirmed the fortune teller's prophecy from years ago—anyone associated with Evelyn Sullivan was cursed!

She'd seen Margaret Sullivan's face earlier, pale as if she'd been publicly slapped.

Circling the ballroom, Isabella finally spotted Margaret returning and approached with a dessert plate.

"Aunt Margaret, you've been busy all evening. You must be starving. I brought you some cake."

Margaret, still seething over Harmony Manor, reluctantly accepted the offering.

"Such a thoughtful girl."

Isabella smiled demurely. "There's an empty sofa over there. Shall we sit?"

Once seated, Isabella sighed.

"Aunt Margaret, don't you think it's improper for Grandma Sullivan to give Harmony Manor to Adrian?"

Margaret's fork paused. "Explain."

Though she agreed, she wouldn't voice her true feelings to an outsider—even one she favored as a future daughter-in-law.

"Doesn't the whole situation feel... unnatural?"

When Margaret stopped eating, Isabella lowered her voice. "I never believed that fortune teller who said Evelyn would ruin our family. But look—hasn't the Jackson fortune declined since her return?"

Margaret frowned. "That's poor management, not Evelyn's doing."

"Father hasn't had a single successful investment in years. Even the unluckiest person gets lucky sometimes. Yet..."

After a long silence, Margaret looked up sharply. "Are you suggesting Madam Sullivan gave Adrian Harmony Manor because Evelyn is with Ethan?"

Isabella bit her lip. "I can't be certain. But no matter what happens, I only want Ethan to be safe."

"Keep this to yourself." Margaret stood abruptly, leaving the cake untouched. "I need to think."

"Call me anytime, Aunt Margaret."

Watching Margaret's distracted retreat, Isabella's eyes darkened. Skeptics could only resist the truth for so long.

Meanwhile, Evelyn finally found Ethan Sullivan on the terrace.

The man sat alone in shadow, long fingers pressed to his temple. Moonlight traced the rigid line of his jaw.

"Mr. Sullivan?"