Chapter 38

Isabella spun on her heel and walked away without another word.

Harrison's brows knitted together in suspicion. What kind of twisted game was Isabella playing now?

A blood-curdling scream shattered the silence moments later.

"Nathaniel! Something terrible has happened!"

Harrison whirled around, pulse quickening.

Arabella clutched Nathaniel's arm, her face contorted with panic. "Nathaniel! They've taken Isabella!"

Nathaniel's expression turned glacial. "Who took her?"

"It was Eleanor! She sent her guards to kidnap Isabella!" Arabella gasped, her voice trembling.

What?

The air around Nathaniel turned arctic, his presence suddenly lethal.

Arabella spotted Harrison approaching and immediately pointed an accusing finger. "Harrison, this is all your fault! Nathaniel, someone sent Eleanor a photo - that intimate dance between you and Isabella at The Velvet Lounge last night. When Eleanor saw it, she flew into a rage and ordered Isabella's capture. I know Harrison sent that photo!"

Harrison maintained her composure, though internally she reeled. She had no knowledge of any photo being sent to Eleanor.

"Nathaniel, Harrison is pure evil! She knows Eleanor favors her and will take her side. With Isabella's fragile health, she's using Eleanor to eliminate her!"

Nathaniel's piercing gaze locked onto Harrison as he strode toward her with predatory grace.

Harrison met his eyes unflinchingly. "Nathaniel, I didn't do this."

His lips thinned into a cruel line, voice dripping with venom. "Harrison, you'd better pray Isabella comes to no harm."

He turned on his heel and stormed away.

Arabella shot Harrison a triumphant smirk before scurrying after Nathaniel.

Harrison's face drained of color. Nathaniel didn't believe her - he must think she was behind the photo. And truthfully, she was the obvious suspect.

A cold dread settled in her chest. She hurried to Falcon Manor.

As Harrison reached the estate, Eleanor's shrill voice carried through the study door before she even entered.

"Isabella, have you no shame? Nathaniel is married to Harrison now! That makes him your brother-in-law. Yet you throw yourself at him like some common harlot! You abandoned us three years ago, and now you think you can waltz back in whenever it suits you? Do you imagine the title of Mrs. Falcon has been waiting for you all this time? You're nothing but a selfish, greedy little tramp!"

Isabella stood with her head bowed, delicate features pale. "Eleanor, please, it's not what you think-"

Eleanor's fury erupted. "I'm giving you one final chance! Leave Nathaniel immediately. Return overseas and never set foot in this country again!"

Trembling violently, Isabella shook her head. "I can't do that. I love Nathaniel! I want to be with him forever!"

"You shameless wretch!" Eleanor's voice shook with rage. "If your parents won't discipline you, then I'll do it myself today!"

Reginald handed her the Falcon family's ceremonial whip.

Eleanor raised the whip high and brought it down with terrifying force.

"NO!" Isabella screamed in terror.

The crack of the whip echoed through the room, its sound alone enough to make bystanders flinch.

But the lash never touched Isabella.

Nathaniel had arrived just in time.

He threw himself forward, wrapping Isabella in his arms and shielding her with his own body.

The whip struck his back with a sickening thud.