She was curious to see just how long Magnus would hold out.


    Meanwhile, Eleanor''s patience had finally snapped after being ignored again and again. Fury burned inside her.


    She''d dealt with maniptive little drama queens like this back in her day-could handle two of them before breakfast.


    When was it going to be her turn to put on a show?


    Eleanor lost her patience. "Someone, escort Ms. Harrison out!"


    At hermand, two burly security guards stepped forward and surrounded Elise, ready to remove her from the premises.


    Magnus''s expression darkened, his icy gaze sweeping over the guards. Intimidated by his powerful presence, they instinctively took two steps back.


    Magnus turned to Elise. "You''re not well. I''ll have the driver take you back to the hospital."


    Elise stared at him in disbelief, eyes wide and brimming with unshed tears, her innocence on full disy-but she didn''t dare say a word in protest.


    Instead, she turned to Isadora. "Isadora, I''m so sorry. Please don''t be mad at Magnus. I''m terminally ill. This wedding is myst wish. I just don''t want toe between you. If there''s anything I can do to make up for my selfish request, just tell me."


    She looked so frail and pitiable, her voice trembling, that anyone watching might have felt their heart soften.


    Anyone except Isadora. She waspletely immune to Elise''s act.


    She didn''t love Magnus anymore-but she hadn''t forgotten the humiliation Elise had made her suffer.


    Her phone still held the 999th message.


    "Isadora, you''ll always be the loser in this game."


    "Magnus spent the night with me again. Guess you''re alone in that big empty bed -again. Hahaha!"


    And dozens of messages just like that.


    A bitter, amused smile yed at Isadora''s lips. She spoke, her tone light but


    edged with mockery. "Alright. If you want my forgiveness, all you have to do is jump into the pool."


    Eleanor raised an eyebrow at her daughter, a flicker of pride in her eyes.


    Finally, her daughter wasn''t letting herself be bullied.


    But a secondter, doubt crept in. Why wasn''t Isadora handling this privately? Why humiliate Elise in front of Magnus, the man who adored her?


    Idiot! Idiot! Didn''t she know that a man''s urge to protect is born out of moments like this?


    By now, guests had begun gathering around the pool, drawn by themotion, eager to see how this showdown between the fiancée and the "one who got away" would end.


    Magnus''s scowl deepened, his voice hard with anger. "Isadora, I was the one who agreed to the wedding. If you''re angry, take it out on me. Why go so far?"


    Isadora met his gaze, her eyes cool and unflinching. A sardonic smile curled her lips. "Oh, feeling sorry for her now? Then why did you keep saying all those sweet nothings to me—making me think you still cared?"


    Elise nced at the massive, sparkling pool. She hesitated. Her health was fragile, but her heart had been stabletely. It was summer-the water wouldn''t be cold. And she could swim. She''d survive.


    Most importantly, Isadora was being foolish. Didn''t she realize that pulling a stunt like this would only push Magnus further away?


    With that in mind, Elise decided to take the gamble.


    "I''ll jump. I''ll do anything if it means you''ll stop being angry with Magnus."


    With a shaky breath, she stepped forward and leapt into the pool.


    A loud ssh echoed across the patio, sending waves rippling outward.


    The guests'' eyes lit up-now this was entertainment.


    Somebody in the crowd called out, "Wait, isn''t Elise sick? She''s not going to drown, is she?"


    Almost before the words had faded, another loud ssh rang out.