Chapter 86: Stop Flattering Yourself
What others might see as an exciting opportunity felt more like a curse to Isabella.
If she had a choice, she wouldn't want any connection to William whatsoever.
Her pen hovered over the final signature line as Isabella hesitated, still debating whether to register for the competition.
A commotion erupted behind her, followed by a man's voice.
"Mr. Montagu, this competition isn't just for established industry players—we've opened online registration to attract fresh talent."
Anyone being addressed as "Mr. Montagu" at this venue could only be one person. Isabella didn't need to think twice.
She clenched her jaw and tried to blend into the crowd, hoping to avoid William entirely.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans. The voice she dreaded most cut through the air.
"What are you doing here?"
William stood directly behind her. He'd spotted that familiar silhouette from across the room, and up close, there was no mistaking her identity.
Taking a deep breath, Isabella turned around with an exasperated huff.
"If you can be here, why can't I?"
William's gaze dropped to the registration form in Isabella's hand, his expression darkening with undisguised mockery.
"You're here to register for the competition?" His eyes swept over her dismissively. "Do you honestly think just anyone can waltz into this kind of event?"
If William remembered correctly, Isabella had studied materials science in college—completely unrelated to this competition.
"What competition I enter is none of your business," Isabella replied coldly.
The man standing beside William—presumably one of the event organizers—watched Isabella with curious interest.
What could this woman have possibly done to provoke William like this?
"With your amateur skill level, you shouldn't embarrass yourself. When you inevitably lose, don't you dare mention you know me."
William's mockery meant nothing to Isabella.
He'd never bothered to understand her, not even when she was his wife.
"My participation is entirely personal. Whether I win or lose has absolutely nothing to do with you. And what gives you the right to lecture me about anything?"
Facing William's increasingly sour expression, Isabella's eyes remained calm and steady.
"When are you going to stop flattering yourself?"
The question left even the organizer standing beside William momentarily speechless. Clearly, he hadn't expected anyone to be bold enough to challenge William so directly.
Did she have a death wish in Seaside City?
More intriguingly, who was this woman to provoke such rage from William?
William snorted coldly. "If you don't want to humiliate yourself, I'd advise dropping out now."
"I believe in you."
Richard emerged from the crowd, wearing his characteristic gentle smile. "I'm confident Ms. Capulet will achieve excellent results in this competition."
The organizer immediately recognized Richard, his expression growing even more alarmed.
What kind of cosmic forces had aligned to bring two business titans together today?
"My conversation with Isabella is none of your concern," William snapped, his displeasure and anger intensifying the moment he spotted Richard. His frown deepened, his words dripping with malice.
"Actually, it is my concern. Ms. Capulet is representing Infinity Ventures Corporation in this competition. As the company's CEO and Ms. Capulet's direct supervisor, I believe I have more authority here than you do."
Neither man would back down—one stood against Isabella, the other supported her unconditionally.
The crowd of other registrants listened in stunned silence.
Was this the legendary love triangle in action?
Two powerful CEOs publicly clashing over a woman—wasn't this straight out of some romance novel?
Several people raised their phones to record, but William's security team quickly moved in to stop them.
"Ms. Capulet," William repeated the formal address, his gaze turning ice-cold as he looked between them. "You've used much more intimate names in private. Why bother with this tedious charade in public?"
"William!"
Isabella's breathing quickened. "Don't make up things that never happened!"
"You weren't ashamed when you were doing it—why worry about me mentioning it now?" William raised an eyebrow, his expression turning insufferably smug.
"What are you standing around for? Clear out all unauthorized personnel!" The organizer was nearly panicking, terrified these powerful figures might escalate their conflict and somehow blame him when the story leaked.
The security team snapped into action, hastily ushering out the other competitors and staff members.
Even the organizer himself didn't dare stay to witness this drama unfold.
Within minutes, the vast hall contained only Isabella, William, and Richard.
William stepped forward, reaching to grab Isabella's arm, but Richard's more forceful movement blocked him.
"William, whatever nonsense you want to spout in private is your business, but don't forget—you and Ms. Capulet are divorced."
"The divorce proceedings haven't been finalized yet," William replied coolly, his indifferent gaze sweeping over Richard.
Richard chuckled, unfazed by the correction. "After this month, you won't be married anymore. Your current behavior constitutes harassment of Ms. Capulet."
Just as William's temper was about to explode into another argument with Richard, Isabella quickly intervened.
"Let's just submit the registration form and leave."
She signed her name with decisive strokes, dropped her form into the registration box, and turned to go, completely ignoring William's thunderous expression.
The competition was in three days. Richard gave Isabella special permission to go home and prepare instead of returning to work.
So Isabella hailed a rideshare home from the lobby.
AI modeling and rendering were something she'd been quite good at during college, but it had been ages since she'd practiced. Her skills were definitely rusty now.
Lost in thoughts about getting back into practice, her rideshare suddenly slammed on the brakes, rubber tires screeching against asphalt.
The seatbelt jerked Isabella forward, then inertia slammed her back against the seat.
Her neck ached slightly.
"Are you okay, miss? A sports car just cut right in front of us—I had to brake instinctively." The driver turned to check on Isabella while offering an apologetic explanation.