Chapter 67 The First to Defy William
William's voice was low and cold, carrying a chill that sank into the bone, as if it had risen from some place far beneath the light.
The brightness in Isabella's eyes vanished in an instant.
Thalia saw the subtle tremor in her shoulders and knew she was afraid. "Isabella, don't be nervous," she murmured.
Thomas, still at the doorway, turned his head and met William's gaze. The look was a blade—sharp, unrelenting—and it cut through the air between them, forcing Thomas to step aside as William entered.
William's eyes swept across the room. The flowers, the fruit basket, the art supplies on the bedside table… and finally, the stack of design drafts in Thalia's hands. His gaze settled on Isabella, weighted with a pressure that could crush anything.
Thalia spoke first. "Mr. Spencer, don't blame Isabella. I asked her to take on the work."
She had returned to the world where her passion lived. No matter how much he tried to smother it, that fire inside her refused to die.
William could not stomach it—someone he had forced into the mud being pulled out by another's hand.
He turned to Thalia, his tone cold as frost. "From today, the Spencer Group will terminate all cooperation with Starlight Corp."
Thalia's pupils contracted. She hadn't expected him to cut ties so abruptly.
The two companies shared multiple major projects. If the partnership ended, Starlight Corp would face a crisis that could shake its foundations.
"No," Isabella said quickly, shaking her head. "I'll stop drawing. Just… don't do this."
Thomas moved forward, placing himself between her and William. "This is personal vengeance, William. It's beneath you. It's not even remotely ethical."
William's laugh was short, cold. "Then allow me to show you what a lack of ethics truly looks like."
He pulled out his phone and dialed. "Dylan, spread the word. Effective immediately, Starlight Corp is blacklisted. Any bank or company that works with them will be treated as an enemy of the Spencer Group."
Isabella's breath caught. She hadn't imagined he would go this far—destroying those who had helped her simply to make a point.
She threw off her blanket, ignoring Thalia's attempt to hold her back, and crossed to William. Her fingers trembled as she gripped the edge of his jacket.
"Please… I know I was wrong. It's my fault, not theirs. Let Starlight Corp go, I'm begging you."
William looked down at her face and felt a wave of disgust. She couldn't even see his fury, and here she was pleading for someone else.
He shoved her away. She stumbled, caught only by Thomas's quick hands.
"You've gone too far, William," Thomas said, his voice tight. "Crushing Starlight Corp over this? You're not afraid of becoming a public joke?"
William's brow lifted, his lips curling into a sneer. "The joke is on you. I warned you not to interfere. Clearly, you didn't listen. Now you'll learn."
The last time they had meddled in Isabella's affairs, he had already made trouble for Starlight Corp, trapping Thomas in a web meant to keep them away from her. And now, they had dared to go further.
He would not allow any spark of light to appear in Isabella's eyes. Anyone who tried to help her was his enemy.
Isabella shoved them both back, her voice rising in anger. "Leave! I told you not to come here. Why didn't you listen? Now your company is ruined, and you'll drag me down with you. Get out!"
She had to drive them away—find a way to make William reverse his decision.
Thomas caught the fear in her eyes. He knew she was protecting them. He shot Thalia a look, urging her to go.
Thalia sighed quietly. She hadn't thought it would come to this. She hadn't believed William capable of such ruthless precision.
Isabella turned on Thomas. "Why are you still here? Go."
"Isabella," Thomas said softly, his voice thick with care, "I know you're afraid of involving me. I told you—I won't leave you. No matter what you say or do, that won't change."
He believed in the Isabella he knew—bright, innocent, kind.
William's fist tightened, his mouth curling into a sneer. "Touching. I can make it even more touching. I told you before—if you agree, we can file for divorce right now."
The word hit her like a gunshot. Isabella shook her head violently. "No. I won't divorce you. Not ever."
Thomas stared at her, stunned. He had always thought she stayed with William because he held something over her. But the fear in her voice now… it wasn't about leverage.
He couldn't see love in her eyes. So why was she refusing to leave?
William's smirk deepened. "See? She's a dog that won't be driven off. You can throw your careers away for her, but it's pointless."
Thomas refused to believe it. There was something more.
"You're not afraid I'll go to Mr. Winford Spencer?" Thomas asked, his voice steady. "He's friends with my grandfather. He won't stand by."
William's jaw tightened, anger flaring in his eyes. "So now you bring someone who can stand against me? Isabella, you've grown bold."
Before the last word left his mouth, his foot lashed out, slamming Thomas into the wall with brutal force.
Isabella flinched, fear coursing through her. She started forward, but William's hand closed around her wrist.
"What's wrong? Feeling sorry for him? This useless man doesn't even know his limits. He dares to challenge me—he's asking to die."
Thomas clutched his chest, his voice low but fierce. "Let her go."
William's eyes narrowed, a cruel glint sparking there. He shoved her against the wall, his fingers gripping her chin. "You like her that much? Do you know how filthy she really is? You've only seen the mild parts. Want me to show you the videos?"
Isabella's eyes brimmed with tears. "Stop…"
She didn't want Thomas to hear the filth William spewed.
But the more she resisted, the more he pressed.
"She's worn the most revealing clothes, kneeling in front of a crowd of men to please them. She's stripped for me without a second thought, lying beneath me whenever I desired. And you'd fight me for her? Thomas, you're a fool—"
"Shut up!"
Thomas lunged, his fist snapping toward William's face.
William turned just in time, but the punch still caught the corner of his mouth. A thin line of blood appeared.
The air in the room froze solid.