Chapter 436

With that, Isabella turned on her heel and disappeared into the crowd.

Before leaving, she shot Victoria a fleeting glance—a silent exchange passing between them.

Nathaniel stood beside Oliver, who checked his watch. "Mr. Falcon, Dr. Sinclair should be arriving any moment now."

Nathaniel studied him. "How do you know Dr. Sinclair?"

Oliver didn't answer directly. Instead, he said, "You know her too."

Nathaniel's brows drew together. Harrison had told him the same thing—that he knew Dr. Sinclair. Now Oliver was echoing those words.

What was the meaning behind this?

Was Dr. Sinclair someone he had overlooked all this time?

Just then, the host's voice cut through the murmurs. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. The moment we've all been waiting for has arrived—please welcome Dr. Sinclair!"

Every gaze snapped upward, anticipation thickening the air.

Nathaniel looked up.

Margaret, Penelope, and Victoria had pushed to the front. Margaret was practically bouncing on her toes. "Finally! Dr. Sinclair is here!"

The crowd held its breath.

But seconds ticked by. Nothing.

The silence stretched, heavy and unbroken.

Whispers erupted. "What's happening? Where is Dr. Sinclair?"

"Did the doctor even show up tonight?"

The host's smile faltered. This wasn't part of the plan.

"Please excuse me for a moment," the host said quickly. "I'll check upstairs. Dr. Sinclair will be with us shortly."

He hurried away.

Penelope frowned. "Is Dr. Sinclair backing out again? We came specifically for this."

Nathaniel turned to Oliver. "Mr. Oliver, your Dr. Sinclair enjoys playing games. Keeping us all in suspense."

Oliver was just as confused. Harrison had arrived—why wasn't she making her entrance? Had something gone wrong?

Without hesitation, Oliver bolted upstairs.

Nathaniel's curiosity burned. He had missed Dr. Sinclair multiple times now. Tonight, he would uncover the truth.

Then—his phone rang, the melody sharp against the tension.

He answered immediately.

Isabella's panicked voice tore through the line. "Nathaniel, help me—please!"

His grip tightened on the phone. "What's wrong? Talk to me. What happened?"

"Nathaniel, I—ahh!"

A scream. Then silence. The call cut off.

Victoria rushed forward, face pale. "That was Isabella?"

Nathaniel's expression darkened. "Something's happened to her."

"But she just went to the restroom," Victoria said, voice shaking. "We need to find her—now!"

They sprinted to the ladies' room.

Inside—chaos. Signs of a struggle everywhere.

Isabella's phone lay shattered on the tiles.

Victoria picked up the broken pieces, hands trembling. "Nathaniel, look—it's hers. Do you think she's been taken?"

Margaret and Penelope arrived, both wide-eyed.

"Who would kidnap Isabella? Her heart can't handle this!" Margaret cried.

Penelope grabbed Nathaniel's arm. "Mr. Falcon, you have to do something!"

Nathaniel stared at the broken phone, his expression turning to ice.

Then—his phone rang again.