Chapter 2 Billionaire's Scandal

• Maximilian couldn’t believe what he saw earlier at Adam’s apartment. His entire body burned with rage. How could they? And today of all days? Today that was supposed to be the best day of my life! His green eyes darkened with fury. The sight of Isabella—his fiancée—bare naked with his best friend on the day of their engagement party would haunt him forever.
• “Get out!” he bellowed as he stormed into his mansion. The housekeepers froze for a split second before scrambling away. None of them had ever seen their master like this before.
• Maximilian paced in his vast bedroom, dragging his hands through his wavy blonde hair. What am I supposed to tell my parents? The media? The Blackwoods were among the elite families of New York, their name synonymous with power and prestige. Their company, one of the largest manufacturing empires in the state, had built them an untouchable reputation. And now, he was about to be the center of a scandal.
• A knock came from the other side of the door. A soft voice followed. “Max… it’s me. Your Isa.”
• His heart clenched, but his anger flared stronger.
• “Please go away,” he responded coldly. “I don’t want to see or hear you.”
• “Max, please… I don’t know what happened,” Isabella pleaded. “Let me explain—please, at least let me come in.”
• Max’s hands curled into fists. How dare she? He turned sharply toward the door, his voice a dangerous growl.
• “How the fuck am I even supposed to believe that?” he spat. “You don’t know how you got there? Are you a child? Listen to yourself, Isabella.”
• Tears rolled down her cheeks as she pressed her forehead against the door. “Max, please… You know how much I love you. You know I would never cheat on you. I don’t care if you don’t want to marry me anymore, but at least—at least let me explain.”
• Max let out a humorless laugh. “Explain what? How you ended up in my best friend’s bed naked on the day of our engagement party?” His voice broke slightly, but he covered it with coldness. “Just leave, Isabella. I don’t want to see you.”
• A painful silence followed. Isabella waited outside for what felt like forever, but when he didn’t say another word, she turned away, her legs barely holding her up as she made her way back to her hotel room.
• Tears blurred her vision. Her whole world was crashing down, and she had no idea how to stop it. How could Adam do this to me?
• She barely made it through the hotel hallway before Alicia’s voice broke through her fog.
• “Jesus, Isa! What happened? You look terrible—I’ve been looking for you since last night!”
• Isabella met her friend’s gaze and broke down completely. “Alicia… I’m finished. My life is over.”
• Alarmed, Alicia grabbed her shoulders. “What? What happened? Did Max—”
• “Adam ruined my life!” Isabella cut her off, sobbing. “How could he do this to me? I thought we were friends. But Adam? He’s a devil, Alicia. A devil!”
• Alicia’s brows knitted together. “Adam? What did he do? Talk to me, Isa.”
• Before Isabella could respond, her phone buzzed with a notification. She wiped her tear-streaked face and picked it up. But as soon as she saw the message, her blood turned to ice.
• You were so sweet, and I took pictures too.
• Attached to the text were photos—photos of her lying naked on Adam’s chest.
• Her entire body shook. Alicia, peering over her shoulder, gasped in horror.
• “Does Max know about this?” Alicia whispered, dread lacing her voice.
• “He saw everything,” Isabella choked out. “Everything, Alicia. And I don’t even know what happened! All I remember is running into Adam after meeting Max at the office. He suggested we grab a drink to celebrate, and the next thing I knew, I woke up in his bed.”
• Alicia’s stomach dropped. “Isa, lower your voice,” she hissed, glancing around. “Max was there? Oh God… What did he say?”
• “He doesn’t want to see me. He’s calling off the engagement.” Isabella buried her face in her hands. “What am I supposed to tell my parents? That I was caught in bed with my fiancé’s best friend?”
• Alicia’s grip on Isabella’s hands tightened. “Stop crying. Max loves you. He’ll realize you were tricked—he has to. Just go freshen up. You can’t let anyone else see you like this.”
• Before Isabella could respond, Alicia’s phone rang. She quickly answered, but the voice on the other end made Isabella freeze.
• “Start getting ready,” Maximilian’s voice came through the speaker. “You don’t want to keep the guests waiting.”
• Isabella’s heart stopped.
• Tears spilled down her face again, but this time, they were different. “Max?” she whispered.
• “You should stop crying. Your eyes will get puffy,” he murmured. His tone was softer than before, but still unreadable.
• Alicia smiled knowingly. “I told you he wouldn’t give up on you like that. He loves you, Isa. He trusts you.”
• Hope flickered inside Isabella as she hurried to freshen up. With Alicia’s help, she dressed in a stunning red gown adorned with delicate white petals. Her dark hair was styled perfectly, and when she looked in the mirror, she barely recognized the broken woman from earlier.
• A black SUV arrived to take her to the venue. The moment she stepped inside, nerves twisted in her stomach. Why did Max change his mind?
• At the event, she searched the room for him.
• “Where is Max?” she asked a staff member.
• “He’s in there,” the man said, gesturing toward a private room.
• Taking a deep breath, Isabella stepped inside.
• “Hey,” she said quietly, keeping her head lowered.
• Maximilian turned. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “Afraid to look at me now? Am I not your Prince Charming anymore?”
• Her breath hitched. Why is he acting so normal?
• He stepped closer, his emerald eyes scanning her face. “You look beautiful, Isabella Fontaine.”
• She swallowed. “Thank you… You look breathtaking as well, Maximilian Blackwood.”
• He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, his golden hair slicked back, his sharp jawline more defined under the dim lights.
• He reached for her gently. “Come here.” His fingers tilted her chin up, his expression softening. “Your eyes are swollen,” he murmured. “You’ve been crying. I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you.”
• Isabella blinked. What is happening?
• Her lips parted. “What changed? Why did you—”
• “Don’t worry about that,” he cut in, his voice steady. “I love you, and that’s all that matters.” Then, his jaw tightened. “As for Adam… he better be ready for what’s coming.”
• A cold shiver ran down Isabella’s spine.
• “You believe me?” she whispered.
• Max exhaled sharply. “I know you, Isa.” He took her hand. “Now come. They’re waiting for us downstairs.”
• As they descended the staircase hand-in-hand, the crowd erupted into cheers. Their parents sat at the front, beaming with pride. Isabella’s mother waved at her, and she forced a smile. But inside, she felt hollow.
• Max leaned in, his voice low. “Loosen up. You’re doing great.” He squeezed her hand reassuringly.
• But across the hall, against the wall, Adam stood watching. His fists clenched in fury.
• How? His plan should have worked.
• His lips curled into a smirk. Enjoy it while it lasts, Max. Your happiness won’t last long.
• Then, he turned and walked away.