Chapter 443

Elder Thornton's voice was firm yet gentle. "If you don't marry Ethan, who else could possibly be worthy of you? Liam? Not only is Liam about to marry Charlotte, but even if he weren’t, the Sterling family is nearly absorbed by the Blackwoods. In all of Harborview City, no one rivals Ethan’s standing."

Isabella bit her lip. "Grandfather..."

William Thornton gazed at his beloved granddaughter with tenderness. "Sophia, my dear, even in Kingsbury, finding someone comparable to Ethan is nearly impossible. Julian Montgomery is one, but he’s already taken. Ethan is the only eligible bachelor left. You must seize this opportunity."

Tears welled in Isabella’s eyes. "But Grandfather... I’ve waited six years for him, and he never loved me. Now there’s Sophia Montgomery standing in my way. Even if Ethan doesn’t love her, she bore his child. He knows our family deceived him. What if he seeks revenge? What do we do?"

Elder Thornton patted her hand reassuringly. "Don’t cry, child. I have a plan. The priority is for you to marry Ethan and bear his heir. Even if I’m no longer here, he won’t harm you—not when you share his bloodline."

Isabella’s heart swelled with relief, though she kept her expression sorrowful. "But Grandfather..."

"Sophia, don’t fret. Though I’m old, the Thornton name still commands respect in Harborview and Kingsbury. My influence remains strong. As long as I’m here, Ethan will marry you. You have nothing to fear."

Isabella threw her arms around him. "Thank you, Grandfather! You’re truly the best. My mother would be so grateful."

At the mention of his late daughter, William’s resolve hardened. His only remaining legacy was this granddaughter. He would ensure her future was secure, no matter the cost.

"Rest now, Grandfather," Isabella said sweetly before slipping out of the room.

The moment the door closed, her sorrow vanished. She hummed a tune, her steps light. After all, William wasn’t her real grandfather—she felt no guilt over his illness. Her only concern was securing her position before he passed.

Now that he’d promised her Ethan’s hand, she had nothing to worry about.

Time to have some fun.

She’d toy with Sophia, then reveal the truth. The thought alone made her giddy.

Her humming grew louder, off-key but triumphant.

"Isabella." A cold voice sliced through her cheer.

She froze, then spun around with a practiced smile. "Alexander!"

Alexander Kensington regarded her with undisguised disgust. "Grandfather is ill because of you, yet here you are, singing like it’s a celebration. Have you no shame?"

"I wasn’t—"

"Spare me the act," he cut her off. "I don’t know what lies you’ve fed Grandfather, but mark my words—if anything happens to him, your place in Harborview vanishes. Pray he recovers."

With that, he brushed past her to visit William.

The Thornton family had no shortage of grandsons—Alexander had three older brothers, all abroad. But granddaughters were rare. William had doted on Charlotte Kensington as his honorary granddaughter, yet in his old age, Isabella had become his favorite.

For six years, she’d basked in his affection, eclipsing even his blood relatives.

Most of the Thornton grandsons tolerated her for William’s sake. But Alexander was different.

He’d met Sophia Montgomery and sensed the truth—she, not Isabella, was his aunt’s true daughter. He’d voiced his suspicions to his parents, only to be dismissed.

"Your aunt is gone," his father had said. "Does it matter who her daughter is? What matters is your grandfather’s happiness. Isabella provides that. Let it be."

"But what about the truth?" Alexander had argued. "What if Sophia is the real heiress?"

His father sighed. "Do you have proof? Sophia was adopted by the Thorntons at twelve. If she were your aunt’s child, why would Benjamin Thornton take her in? The records confirm he married your aunt. The timeline doesn’t add up."

Alexander had fallen silent. The contradictions were maddening.

"The only explanation," his father continued, "is that you, like Liam and Noah, are infatuated with Sophia. You see your aunt in her and want to believe she’s family. But if she were, wouldn’t your grandfather recognize her?"

Alexander had no rebuttal.

Yet the doubt lingered.