Chapter 440

Isabella froze for a split second before grabbing Nathaniel's arm in a panic.

"Where do you think you're going?"

His voice was steel. "Back inside. Harrison is still in there."

"You're seriously going back for her?"

Nathaniel yanked his arm free. "I won't abandon her."

Without hesitation, he turned and strode away.

Isabella chased after him, desperation clawing at her throat. "Nathaniel, my chest hurts! I think I'm going to collapse!"

But no matter how loudly she cried out, Nathaniel didn't stop. His steps never faltered.

Inside the warehouse, Nathaniel found Scarface and his men sprawled across the floor, groaning in pain. Harrison was gone.

He hauled Scarface up by his collar. "Where is she?"

Scarface clutched his burning eyes. "She escaped! That witch must've freed herself—threw some kind of powder in our faces. Damn it, I can't see!"

The men writhed on the ground, completely incapacitated.

Nathaniel's gaze snapped to the open window. She must have climbed out.

He pulled out his phone, dialing with sharp movements. "Clean this up. And find Harrison—now."

At the hospital, Isabella was met by Victoria, Margaret, and Penelope.

Victoria clutched her daughter's hand. "Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine, Mother."

"And Harrison?"

Isabella gritted her teeth. "She got away."

What?

Victoria stiffened. This entire kidnapping had been their plan. They'd paid Scarface a fortune to stage it—force Nathaniel to choose, humiliate Harrison, and ultimately take her heart.

They'd even arranged for Scarface to have his way with her first.

Yet somehow, Harrison had slipped through their fingers.

Victoria's expression darkened. "She escaped? Where is she now?"

Isabella shook her head. "No idea. Nathaniel has people searching, but they haven't found her yet."

Outside, Nathaniel stood rigid in the hallway as Dominic approached quietly.

"Still no sign of Ms. Harrison. She didn't return to Rosewood Manor."

Nathaniel's jaw tightened. Where would she go? "Keep looking."

"Yes, sir."

Harrison had managed to flee alone. On her way back, she stumbled into Oliver, who had come searching for her.

Oliver's voice was laced with concern. "Are you alright?"

Harrison pressed a hand to her stomach, her face ghostly pale. "I'm fine."

"Why are you holding your stomach? What's wrong?"

She opened her mouth to answer—then her vision blurred, and she crumpled.

"Harrison!" Oliver caught her just in time, scooping her into his arms and carrying her back to his estate.

When Harrison woke, she was lying in a lavish bedroom. Oliver sat beside her.

"You're pregnant," he said softly. "And you went into shock. You need rest."

Harrison sat up slowly, her expression troubled. As a doctor, she knew exactly what had happened.

Her hand drifted to her stomach. The baby was still there.

Harrison sat up slowly. "I'm fine. Both the baby and I are okay."

She would never let any harm come to her unborn child. The kidnapping had merely shocked her system.

Oliver studied Harrison with concern. "You're carrying Nathaniel's child. He doesn't know?"

A bitter smile twisted Harrison's lips. "You saw what happened today. When forced to choose between me and Isabella, he didn't hesitate for even a second. What would telling him accomplish? I'll raise this child alone."

Oliver sighed, recognizing the deep hurt in Harrison's eyes. Though unspoken, Nathaniel's choice had clearly shattered her.

Just then, Gabrielle and Rosalind burst into the room. They rushed to Harrison's side, hands immediately going to her still-flat stomach.

"How's the little one? Everything alright?"

Harrison managed a small smile. "Perfectly fine."

Gabrielle's face darkened. "That bastard Nathaniel! Has he completely lost his mind? Choosing that scheming Isabella over his own child? Sweetheart, when this baby comes, we'll make sure they never acknowledge that worthless father of theirs!"

Rosalind's expression mirrored Gabrielle's fury. "This time Nathaniel has gone too far. I'm calling him right now to give him a piece of my mind."

Harrison grabbed her wrist. "Don't. Isabella's already gloating about being chosen over me. If you call to yell at him, it'll just humiliate me further."

Gabrielle and Rosalind exchanged frustrated glances but reluctantly agreed.

"Forget about him! That scumbag isn't worth your tears. You've got us - this baby will have the most amazing godmothers in the world."

Harrison nodded, a genuine smile finally appearing as she cradled her stomach. "Exactly. We don't need someone like him in our lives."

With her closest friends surrounding her, Harrison felt some of the weight lift from her shoulders. Their unwavering support worked like magic.

Oliver suddenly smirked. "I had someone investigate Scarface. Care to guess who he really is?"

Harrison's sharp gaze met Oliver's. "I don't know his identity, but I'm certain Isabella paid him handsomely."

Oliver raised an eyebrow. "How did you figure that out?"

A cold laugh escaped Harrison. "I know Isabella too well. If this had been a real kidnapping, she'd have been terrified. But she seemed almost... amused by the whole situation. And when Scarface forced Nathaniel to choose between us? That confirmed everything."

Oliver nodded. "Spot on. Scarface was Isabella's hired thug. The entire kidnapping was her little production."

Harrison's lips curled into a dangerous smile. "Well, her show's over now. It's my turn. Oliver, contact Nathaniel. Tell him business kept me from dinner, but I'll be visiting Isabella at the hospital tomorrow."

Oliver grinned. "Consider it done. Tomorrow should be... interesting."

Yes, tomorrow would be very interesting indeed.