Ethan sat in the opulent library of Ashworth Hall, the fire crackling merrily in the hearth, a stark contrast to the storm brewing in his mind. He'd been poring over ledgers and documents for hours, feeling a growing sense of unease. The hushed conversation he’d overheard – a clipped exchange between Lady Fairmont and a man with shifty eyes and a furtive demeanor – replayed in his head like a broken record. They spoke of debts, of desperation, and of Isolde’s advantageous marriage as a solution. It was clear: Isolde was a pawn in a game far more dangerous than mere social maneuvering.

The reality of his situation slammed into him with renewed force. He wasn't just playing a role in a predetermined narrative; he was living it. And Isolde, the so-called Ice Queen, was in real danger. He, Ethan Blake from 21st-century Wall Street, now Lord Ashworth of 19th-century England, was her only chance.

He pushed the heavy ledger away, its leather binding worn with age. He needed a plan, a strategy. His knowledge of the future, a useless parlor trick just days ago, was now his most valuable asset. He knew the Fairmont family was on the brink of financial ruin, thanks to mismanagement and, it seemed, outright fraud. He knew that Lady Fairmont, driven by a desperate desire to maintain her social standing and lavish lifestyle, was at the heart of it. What he didn't know were the specifics. He needed proof, concrete evidence that he could use to protect Isolde and expose her aunt's treachery.

His Wall Street instincts kicked in. Forget polite inquiries and subtle suggestions. He needed to dissect the Fairmont finances, to trace the flow of money, to uncover the hidden transactions. He needed to act fast, before Lady Fairmont could fully execute her plan, whatever it may be.

He summoned his estate manager, a portly, well-meaning man named Mr. Davies, a man who clearly found him an oddity. Ethan knew his modern sensibilities and directness were unsettling to the established order, but he couldn't afford to play the game of Victorian pleasantries.

"Davies," Ethan said, his voice firm, "I require information on the Fairmont estate. Specifically, their financial dealings over the past five years."

Davies blinked, his round face creased with confusion. "The Fairmonts, my lord? But… that would be highly irregular."

"Irregular is my middle name, Davies. Consider this a… charitable endeavor. I'm interested in investing in their holdings and require a thorough understanding of their current situation. I need all relevant documents: ledgers, contracts, property deeds, everything. Discretion is paramount. Understood?"

Davies, clearly intimidated by Ethan's intensity, stammered, "Understood, my lord. But… obtaining such sensitive information…"

"That is your concern, Davies. I trust you are resourceful. I need it within the week. And Davies," Ethan added, his gaze unwavering, "this information is for my eyes only. No one else is to know of this undertaking. Is that clear?"

"Perfectly, my lord. Perfectly." Davies bowed deeply and scurried out of the library, leaving Ethan alone with his thoughts.

He knew he was treading on dangerous ground. Snooping into the affairs of a prominent family was a serious breach of etiquette, bordering on scandalous. But the thought of Isolde being manipulated, of her being forced into a loveless marriage to solve her family’s problems, fueled his resolve. He couldn’t stand by and watch her become a victim.

The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. Davies, surprisingly efficient once properly motivated (and perhaps slightly terrified), delivered a mountain of documents. Ethan, fueled by copious amounts of strong coffee (a modern habit he’d introduced to the Ashworth kitchens, much to the bewilderment of the cook), spent his days locked in the library, sifting through the intricate web of financial transactions.

He quickly discovered that Lady Fairmont was far more reckless than he’d initially imagined. She had been engaging in a series of increasingly risky investments, fueled by a belief in her own financial genius and a desperate need to maintain her extravagant lifestyle. She had mortgaged valuable properties, taken out exorbitant loans, and even embezzled funds from charitable trusts under her control. The Fairmont estate was crumbling, and Isolde, unknowingly, was about to be buried under the rubble.

As he delved deeper, Ethan uncovered a specific transaction that made his blood run cold. A significant sum of money had been transferred to a shadowy company registered in Switzerland, a company with no discernible assets or legitimate business activities. The transaction was disguised as a payment for "consulting services," but Ethan recognized it for what it was: a bribe. Someone was being paid to look the other way while Lady Fairmont continued her fraudulent activities.

He traced the origins of the Swiss company and discovered a link to a ruthless businessman named Silas Thorne, a man with a reputation for ruthlessness and a long history of shady dealings. Thorne, it seemed, was Lady Fairmont's silent partner, the one profiting from her desperation.

The pieces were falling into place. Lady Fairmont, driven by greed and desperation, had entered into a dangerous alliance with a man who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. And Isolde was caught in the middle.

He knew he had to act, and act quickly. He had enough evidence to expose Lady Fairmont and her accomplice, but he needed to present it in a way that would protect Isolde from the fallout. He couldn't simply reveal the truth publicly; that would ruin her reputation and destroy her future. He needed a more delicate approach, a way to expose the conspiracy without completely devastating the Fairmont family.

He decided to confide in Isolde. He knew it was a risk, but he trusted her. He had seen the vulnerability beneath her icy exterior, the intelligence and strength hidden behind her carefully constructed facade. He believed she deserved to know the truth, to have the opportunity to protect herself.

He found her in the conservatory, tending to her orchids. The late afternoon sun streamed through the glass, casting a warm glow on her delicate features. She looked peaceful, almost serene. He hesitated, unwilling to shatter her tranquility.

"Isolde," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

She turned, her eyes widening slightly as she met his gaze. "Ethan. Is something amiss? You look… troubled."

He took a deep breath and plunged in. "I need to talk to you about your family's finances."

Her expression immediately hardened. "I fail to see how that is any concern of yours, Lord Ashworth."

"It is my concern because I care about you, Isolde. And I believe you are in danger." He paused, gauging her reaction. "I've been investigating your family's financial situation, and I've uncovered some… troubling information."

She remained silent, her eyes fixed on him, her face a mask of suspicion.

He continued, carefully choosing his words. "Your aunt is in serious debt. She has made a series of reckless investments, and she is on the verge of financial ruin. She has even…" he hesitated, "engaged in some… questionable business practices."

Isolde’s eyes flashed with anger. "Are you accusing my aunt of dishonesty?"

"I am presenting you with facts, Isolde. Facts that I have personally verified. I have evidence that she has mortgaged family properties, taken out exorbitant loans, and even embezzled funds. And she is involved with a dangerous man named Silas Thorne."

He watched as the color drained from her face. He could see the fear creeping into her eyes.

"This… this cannot be true," she stammered, her voice trembling. "My aunt would never…"

"I wish it weren't true, Isolde. But it is. And I believe she is planning to use your marriage to secure her financial future. She sees you as a pawn, a way to escape her own ruin."

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She straightened her shoulders and met his gaze with unwavering determination.

"What do you propose I do?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

"I have a plan," Ethan said, his voice filled with resolve. "But it requires your trust. And your courage."

He reached out and gently took her hand. Her skin was cold, but her grip was firm.

"I'm listening," she said, her voice filled with a newfound strength.

And as he outlined his plan, a plan that would expose the truth and protect her from the storm that was about to break, Ethan knew that he was no longer just a man out of time, trying to rewrite a predetermined story. He was her protector, her ally, and perhaps, just perhaps, something more. He was determined to save Isolde Fairmont, not just from financial ruin, but from a life of loneliness and despair. He would redeem her, and in doing so, perhaps, redeem himself as well.