Chapter 147

Isabella's stilettos clicked sharply against the marble floor as she strode into Nathaniel's study.

Harrison remained frozen in the hallway, her breath catching in her throat.

"You're pitiful because nobody loves you."

The cruel words kept replaying in Harrison's mind like a broken record. She knew exactly how Isabella saw her - a pathetic shadow, silently coveting everything that rightfully belonged to Isabella. Her mother. Nathaniel. Everything.

Isabella pitied her.

A sharp pain lanced through Harrison's chest, as if someone had driven a knife between her ribs. The irony burned. Victoria and Nathaniel - they had both been hers first!

Her gaze drifted to the closed study door. If Isabella spoke to him, would Nathaniel really release Julian?

Isabella had told her to eavesdrop, but Harrison couldn't bring herself to do it.

She couldn't bear to hear it.

Her once-warm heart now felt encased in ice. She should have known better than to hope for Nathaniel's protection.

Hope only bred disappointment. And heartbreak.

A maid approached with an ice pack. "Mrs. Falcon, your face..."

Harrison waved her away. "It's fine."

Inside the study, Nathaniel sat reviewing contracts. Isabella moved behind him, massaging his shoulders. "Nathaniel, I heard you're holding Julian Ashford."

Nathaniel's sharp gaze lifted from the documents. "Did Reginald send you?"

Nothing escaped those piercing eyes.

Isabella didn't bother denying it. "Yes. Just let Julian go. The Falcon and Ashford families have been allies for decades. You have business ties with them. Is ruining that relationship really worth it over Harrison?"

She wasn't worth it. Everyone kept saying that.

Nathaniel shoved Isabella's hands away, his expression turning glacial. "You're a woman too, Isabella. I expected better from you."

Isabella hesitated only a moment. "But Harrison wasn't actually hurt, was she?"

The temperature in the room plummeted. A dangerous energy crackled around Nathaniel. "He's not being released. Leave."

Isabella's jaw dropped. She'd come expecting automatic compliance, yet Nathaniel had refused her outright.

"Nathaniel, the Ashfords begged me to intervene! I promised them! What am I supposed to tell them now?"

Nathaniel's icy stare made her flinch. "Not my problem. You shouldn't have made promises you can't keep."

Isabella's face drained of color. She'd been so confident in her influence over Nathaniel. His rejection stung like a slap.

"Dominic," Nathaniel called.

His secretary appeared instantly. "Sir?"

Without looking up from his documents, Nathaniel ordered, "Escort Isabella out."

Dominic gestured toward the door. "Ms. Isabella?"

Isabella trembled with barely contained rage. To be dismissed like some unwanted guest!

She turned to leave, then paused dramatically. "Tell me, Nathaniel - are you keeping Julian locked up because he hurt some girl? Or is this really about Harrison?"

Nathaniel's head snapped up, irritation flashing in his eyes. "Out!"

The command cracked like a whip.

Something inside Isabella snapped. She swept an antique vase off the desk, sending it shattering across the floor.

The crash echoed through the silent study.

Their first real fight. Over Harrison.

Isabella stormed out.

Nathaniel remained unmoved, his expression colder than ever. The air around him turned glacial, oppressive - a force no one dared challenge.