Chapter 243

Nathaniel remained silent. Daphne couldn't decipher the thoughts behind his unreadable expression.

"Mr. Falcon, it was me that night. I was the one who gave you my—"

Before she could finish, Nathaniel slammed the accelerator. The sleek sports car roared away.

"Mr. Falcon!" Daphne stood rooted to the spot, panic rising. Had he discovered the truth?

Two black-suited bodyguards materialized from nowhere. They seized her arms with bruising force.

Daphne shrieked. "Let go of me! Who are you?"

"Get in. Ms. Whitmore demands your presence."

They shoved her into a tinted-windowed limousine. Inside sat Isabella, her porcelain features twisted in icy disdain.

Daphne's stomach dropped. Everyone in Willowbrook knew Isabella was Nathaniel's true love. Harrison was just the insignificant wife—Daphne hadn't feared her.

But Isabella? That was another matter entirely.

"M-Ms. Whitmore..." Daphne stammered.

Isabella's gaze raked over her. "So you're the whore who slept with Nathaniel? I hear he's been showering you with resources, making you famous."

"I..." Daphne's throat closed.

Isabella's laugh was razor-sharp. "Men must be lining up for you now. Since you enjoy spreading your legs so much, how about I send you to work in a brothel? Sound appealing?"

Daphne trembled. "Please, Ms. Whitmore—"

Isabella regarded her like a bug under glass. This cheap slut had benefited from the aphrodisiac she'd used on Nathaniel. The thought of this trash in his bed made her blood boil.

She nodded at the guards. "Take her."

"Understood, Ms. Whitmore."

They reached for Daphne again.

Realizing she'd tangled with a predator, Daphne turned ghost-white. She threw herself at Isabella's feet. "You've got it wrong! That night—it wasn't me! It was Harrison!"

Isabella froze. "What?"

"I pretended to be her! Harrison slept with Nathaniel—she gave him her virginity!"

Isabella's breath hitched. Harrison? That plain nobody had been in Nathaniel's bed? No wonder she'd collapsed from morning-after pill allergies—she'd taken them for Nathaniel, not Alexander.

Rage ignited in Isabella's chest. She clutched her sternum as jealousy burned through her.

Victoria swept in. "Isabella, what's wrong?"

"Mother, did you hear? It was Harrison!"

Victoria's face darkened. Despite all her efforts, Harrison had still gotten to Nathaniel first.

"Compose yourself, darling."

"Compose myself? Harrison slept with Nathaniel! She'd never been with a man before—it was her first time! Daphne's been impersonating her, and Nathaniel's been pouring resources into her career—all meant for Harrison! Can you imagine his reaction when he learns the truth?" Nathaniel already favored Harrison. Discovering she'd given him her virginity? The consequences were unthinkable.