The Hateful Mind Of This CEO!

Isabella Belmont had always lived in a bubble of luxury and comfort, being the youngest daughter of Philip and Beatrice Belmont. From the moment she was born, her life was defined by the success and wealth her family had built through hard work.

The Belmonts were not just rich; they were powerful. Philip and Beatrice were the undisputed leaders of the Renewable Energy and Technology Industry, an empire that spanned the country and beyond, transforming landscapes with their massive solar and wind farms, and bringing green technology to every corner of the world.

From a young age, Isabella was the center of attention for her parents, who gave her everything she could ever desire.

From cutting-edge luxury toys to purebred horses at the family estates, nothing was out of reach for her.

Her older brother, Hugo Belmont, always indulged her, bringing gifts that would amaze any child.

For Isabella, life was a fairy tale, and although her parents were often busy with their business affairs, they always made sure she never felt neglected.

However, this apparent perfection wasn't without its shadows.

The rivalry with the Ravenscrofts, another powerful family in technology and telecommunications, grew fiercer with each passing year.

The Ravenscrofts owned one of the most innovative corporations in software, artificial intelligence, and telecommunications.

Their influence in global communications was unparalleled.

Every advancement the Belmonts made in green energy was met with a technological counterpart from the Ravenscrofts, creating a relationship that was both respectful and competitive.

As Isabella grew up, she began to feel the weight of these family tensions.

Dinner conversations became more and more about business and strategies, though most of these concerns fell on Hugo, whom Philip was already grooming as his successor.

Meanwhile, Isabella enjoyed her carefree youth, traveling the world, surrounded by luxury, and attending exclusive events, always embodying the perfect image of the Belmont heiress.

But all of that changed when she turned 18.

There were rumors, whispers among the staff and in business circles, that something significant was about to happen between the two most influential families in the country.

It was during a formal dinner at the Belmont mansion that the announcement was finally made, one that would change her life forever.

The Belmont and Ravenscroft families, in an effort to strengthen their positions in the global market, had decided to unite their youngest children in marriage: Isabella and Edmund Ravenscroft.

Isabella, though surprised, did not question her parents' decision. Throughout her life, they had given her everything she needed, and this time would be no different.

If they believed this union was best for the family, then she would trust their judgment.

Besides, Edmund, despite his distant demeanor, seemed like a good match.

Although she had spoken to him only a few times, she found him attractive, intelligent, and, above all, heir to an empire as vast as her own.

'There's no way this could go wrong,' Isabella thought optimistically, even though every close friend she had confided in about the news seemed to think otherwise.

It didn't take long for the entire country to echo the announcement, and the wedding became the event of the year, with media cameras capturing every detail of the lavish union between the two dynasties.

On that day, the church was adorned with a grandeur befitting the occasion. White flowers and rare orchids hung from marble arches, illuminated by the soft midday light filtering through the majestic stained glass windows.

Every corner of the place was filled with the country's elite: businessmen, politicians, celebrities, all gathered to witness the union of the two most powerful families, and Isabella's close friends.

The echo of conversations and murmurs of awe at the beauty of the event floated in the air as the orchestra played softly in the background.

Isabella, in her custom-made wedding dress, walked down the central aisle, her gaze fixed ahead.

The white dress, with delicate lace and a long veil that seemed to float with every step, made her look ethereal, almost like a fairy-tale princess. Her heart was pounding, and though she felt a slight nervousness, her mind was filled with a single thought:

'Everything is going to be fine,' Isabella thought, despite the doubts lingering in her head.

Despite arguing with her friends several times about this decision she had accepted so easily, there was certainly a small part of her that wondered...

What if this went wrong?

She didn't really know Edmund, as he was almost always busy.

Beside her, her father, Philip Belmont, walked with a firm step, holding his head high, proud to be giving his daughter away in a marriage that would not only secure the future of his family but also consolidate his empire.

The music swelled as Isabella approached the altar, where Edmund Ravenscroft awaited.

Edmund, dressed in an impeccable black suit, stood tall.

His face showed no more emotion than the occasion demanded.

Isabella noticed the way his jaw was clenched, but decided to ignore it.

Today was her day, the beginning of what she imagined would be a new chapter in her life, one where their families would be united and they would both find happiness.

The priest spoke, his words blending with the flashes of cameras capturing every second of the event.

"Today, we celebrate the union of Isabella Belmont and Edmund Ravenscroft in holy matrimony, in the eyes of God and their loved ones..."

The words repeated, but Isabella's mind wandered to the future.

She thought of the trips they would take, the nights together, and the legacy they would build.

'This can only get better...,' she repeated to herself. Her eyes filled with hope as she said her vows.

Edmund, for his part, responded with the same controlled coldness he had shown throughout the ceremony.

There was no sparkle in his eyes, but Isabella attributed it to nerves.

After all, it had to be an important day for him too, right?

The moment came when the priest declared them husband and wife.

"You may kiss the bride," he said, with a benevolent smile.

Isabella closed her eyes as she felt Edmund lean towards her.

The kiss was brief, almost mechanical.

The cameras clicked incessantly, capturing the moment that would be on the front page of every newspaper the next day.

A kiss that sealed the fate of two empires, more than that of two hearts.

As the choir began to sing and the guests applauded, Isabella smiled.

From the outside, everything seemed perfect.

The flashes, the congratulations, Edmund's smiles to the press... but something inside her started to waver.

Even so, she kept thinking:

'There's no way this can go wrong… we'll get to know each other better later.'

But just a few days after the wedding, Isabella began to realize that the life she had imagined was not the one awaiting her.

Edmund, despite his impeccable facade, was cold, calculating, and showed no interest in her beyond what their marriage represented for their families' businesses.

Isabella soon found herself trapped in a marriage that felt more like a gilded prison, where every move was calculated and watched due to the heavy security presence at home and everywhere she went.

The dreams she had of a happy future quickly faded, and the reality of what she had agreed to began to weigh on her more than she had ever imagined.

The biggest mistake of her life had been believing that the union of two empires would bring happiness and stability.