The timing of their child's expected birth.
A confidential disagreement involving Marcus's company.
A private medical concern.
Marcus slowly sat back.
"How did she know?"
"I don't know."
That question would soon become the center of a much larger investigation.
Because Isabella Rossi had not simply been obsessed with Marcus.
She had been gathering information.
For months.
She had cultivated employees.
She had befriended assistants.
She had attended private events.
She had gained access to conversations that should never have reached her.
Daniel soon discovered something even more troubling.
The attack had not been spontaneous.
Earlier that evening, Isabella had sent a message to someone.
The message was short.
"Tonight."
Then another.
"I won't fail this time."
Daniel stared at the phone records.
"Who received these?"
The investigator beside him answered.
"An unknown number."
"Trace it."
"We're working on it."
Daniel looked toward Khloe's room.
"Don't tell Marcus yet."
"Why?"
"Because if someone else is involved, I don't want them knowing what we have."
Across town, Isabella sat alone in her apartment.
She removed her earrings.
Placed them on the table.
Then stared at herself in the mirror.
For months, she had imagined the moment Marcus finally chose her.
She had imagined Khloe leaving.
She had imagined herself standing beside him.
She had imagined the Thorne empire becoming hers.
But tonight, everything had changed.
She had made one terrible mistake.
She had underestimated Khloe.
And she had underestimated the man protecting her.
Daniel was already pulling apart the story Isabella had created.
And every thread he pulled revealed another lie.
By morning, the story had already begun spreading.
The charity gala had been attended by hundreds of wealthy guests.
Someone had seen Isabella escorted from the hospital.
Someone else had seen Marcus arriving with Khloe.
Within hours, rumors appeared online.
Some claimed Khloe had attacked Isabella.
Others said Isabella had assaulted a pregnant woman.
Nobody knew the truth.
But Isabella did.
And she decided to get ahead of it.
Her lawyer released a statement.
It described the confrontation as an unfortunate misunderstanding.
It suggested Isabella had acted in self-defense.
The statement spread quickly.
Marcus's phone began ringing.
His public relations team wanted a response.
His board wanted reassurance.
His mother wanted answers.
Marcus refused to comment.
He went to the hospital.
Khloe was sitting beside the window when he entered.
"You saw the news?"
She nodded.
"They're saying I attacked her."
"I know."
"They're going to believe her."
Marcus walked toward her.
"Not everyone."
Khloe looked at him.
"People believe whatever story is loudest."
"Then we'll make the truth louder."
She gave him a tired smile.
"You sound like your uncle."
Marcus smiled faintly.
"Daniel isn't my uncle."
"Close enough."
The smile disappeared.
Marcus sat beside her.
"I need to tell you something."
Khloe waited.
"I knew Isabella before you met her."
Khloe's expression changed.
"How?"
"She worked for one of our investment partners."
"When?"
"Years ago."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because it meant nothing."
Khloe looked at him carefully.
"Did she ever..."
"No."
Marcus shook his head.
"Not until recently."
"She wanted you."
"Maybe."
"Did you encourage her?"
Marcus looked offended.
"No."
Khloe studied his face.
She believed him.
But she also realized something else.
The attack wasn't only about jealousy.
Isabella had been planning something.
Daniel confirmed it later that afternoon.
He entered the room carrying a folder.
"I found a pattern."
Marcus stood.
"What kind?"
"Financial."
Daniel placed several documents on the table.
"Isabella has been moving money through three companies."
Marcus looked at the names.
"I recognize two."
"That's the problem."
One of the companies had received contracts from a subsidiary of Thorne Industries.
Marcus frowned.
"I never approved these."
"I know."
"Who did?"
Daniel pointed to a signature.
"Your former chief financial officer."
Marcus stared at it.
"He's been gone for eight months."
"Officially."
Daniel opened another file.
"He resigned after an internal investigation."
"And?"
"He didn't leave the city."
Marcus's expression hardened.
"Where is he?"
"We don't know."
Khloe listened silently.
Suddenly, the attack looked different.
Isabella might have wanted Marcus.
But someone else might have wanted access to his empire.
And Khloe, as his wife and the future mother of his child, stood directly between them.
Daniel looked at Khloe.
"There is one more thing."
"What?"
"The hospital footage shows Isabella saying something before she attacked you."
Khloe frowned.
"What?"
Daniel replayed the audio.
Isabella's voice filled the room.
"You were supposed to smile for the cameras, give him the child he wanted... and disappear."
Marcus's face changed.
Khloe looked at him.
"She knew about the cameras."
Daniel shook his head.
"Not exactly."
"What do you mean?"
"She looked directly at one."
Everyone became silent.
Daniel replayed the footage.
Isabella had glanced toward the ceiling before the first attack.