ISLA
I couldn’t believe what had just happened there.
One moment, I was sitting in that suffocating living room, bracing for another round of humiliation from my so-called family, and the next—Alistair had turned the entire table in my favor.
I never expected him to step in like that.
Although I was already bound by an agreement with them, it didn’t necessarily mean he would act on my behalf.
He could have ignored me, left me to fend for myself—especially since he and my sister once shared a good relationship.
But instead, he stood there—sharp, indifferent, merciless—and used the full weight of his name to crush my father’s arrogance.
His words were firm and logically authoritative.
I knew better than to think Alistair Montgomery did anything out of sentiment.
Still, watching Bernard’s face pale at his words, hearing him stumble like a coward—for once, I wasn’t the one cornered.
And when Alistair pulled me to my feet and declared me as his wife in front of them, there was no room left for Bernard, Bethany, or even Liana to twist the truth.
He had made it clear—I wasn’t their pawn anymore.
The rush of relief in my chest was almost dizzying.
For the first time, I felt the chains I had carried for years loosen, even if only slightly.
But beneath that relief, questions still lingered—questions that badly needed answers.
Why did he do it?
Why defend me like that?
I stared at his profile beside me in the car, sharp as ever.
He didn’t even look like a man who’d just delivered a threat that could topple an empire.
He looked eerily calm and detached, like it had been nothing more than business.
Maybe to him, it was.
But to me, it was everything.
The car ride was too quiet, but I couldn’t help sneaking glances at him from time to time.
My hands clasped tightly on my lap.
He must have noticed, because suddenly he turned his head slightly, the corner of his mouth lifting.
“Keep staring like that and you’ll make me think you’ve fallen for me,” he snorted.
Heat rushed to my face as I looked away.
“I—I wasn’t staring.”
His low chuckle filled the car, smooth and infuriating.
I didn’t know the stoic Alistair Montgomery would ever show his teasing, mischievous side to anyone.
Montgomery,” his tone became seriously cold again.
I was stunned at the sudden address.
To be honest, until this moment, I still couldn’t believe I had become a part of his world just like that.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would become his contracted wife.
I bit my lip, turning toward the window to hide the embarrassment prickling at my skin.
A part of me wanted to argue, but instead, another word slipped out softly.
“Thank you.
For earlier,” I said slowly.
I didn’t know why it felt so hard to say, but I meant it.
Without him, my grandmother and I would still be at Bernard’s mercy.
Now—I had just realized one of the perks of being Mrs.
Montgomery was…nobody would ever dare to control or lay a hand on you.
Alistair just hummed in response.
“You can drop me off at the hospital,” I added quickly, trying to steady myself and the stuffed atmosphere in the car.
“I’ve already wasted enough of your time,” I continued in a considerate tone.
His deep gaze slid toward me, sharp and deliberate.
“Not yet.”
I blinked, confused by what he meant.
“What do you mean, not yet?” I asked, furrowing my brows.
“I already informed Northgate’s director that you’ll be taking the afternoon off today,” his eyes darted to me again.
My lips parted, but I couldn’t form the right words to respond.
Why the hell would he do that?
I valued my work so much, and on top of that, I had just been promoted to a permanent surgeon at the hospital.
I didn’t want them to think I was being idle after the promotion.
Before I could ask, the car slowed, pulling into the underground parking of Montgomery Group’s tower.
My pulse quickened.
Why are we here again?!
Back in his office, the silence stretched again.
Alistair’s secretary had prepared a snack for me, while he continued with his paperwork.
I was getting very confused.
What was I doing here?
No way.
I was about to ask him to clarify some things regarding our current set-up when a knock came from outside.
Two sturdy men entered, dragging a couple between them.
Assistant Price followed closely.
“Here they are, sir,” Assistant Price stated.
And that made me catch my breath—I recognized their faces.
It was them—the same couple who had been accusing me of malpractice and creating a scene earlier.
They were thrown onto the floor without care, the sound of their knees hitting the marble echoing through the room.
My stomach twisted as I looked at their terrible state.
Mr.
Carter was beaten black and blue, while his wife was disheveled—a faint trace of blood marked the corner of her mouth.
I turned to Alistair in shock.
He hadn’t moved from behind his desk, but his gaze fixed on them like a predator watching its prey.
“What…
what is this?” I uttered, my voice trembling.
He stayed silent for a few moments, his eyes never leaving the couple.
Then his gaze shifted to me—a faint, cruel smirk playing on his lips.
“Do you like my surprise?” he asked in a cool tone as he stood up.
A chill ran down my spine.
“W-what are you going to do with them?”
He only threw a knowing look.
“You’ll see.”
He walked to where the couple slumped.
Mr.
and Mrs.
Carter tried to scramble backward, their eyes wide with fear.
“M-Mr.
Montgomery…
please!
We didn’t mean to—”
”Didn’t mean?” He interrupted them coldly, his piercing gaze slicing through their flimsy excuses.
“Do you know who she is?”