Chapter 468

Isabella's lips curved into a coy smile, her cheeks tinged pink with bashfulness.

The entrance to The Velvet Lounge swung open abruptly. Harrison and Oliver stepped inside.

Oliver's voice cut through the air. "Dr. Pembroke is expecting us. We should proceed."

Harrison moved toward the dining area but froze mid-step. Her eyes locked onto two unmistakable figures.

Following her line of sight, Oliver spotted Nathaniel and Isabella.

Their hands were intertwined, gazes locked in such tender affection it could make even the most cynical believe in love stories.

Oliver's mouth twisted into a smirk. "Quite the busy man, Mr. Falcon. Last night he carried you home, tonight he's dining with Isabella. Juggling two women - impressive skills."

He shook his head with a dry chuckle. "Didn't peg him for that type."

Harrison stared at the couple before speaking firmly. "You're wrong. He's not like that."

Oliver raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Harrison continued, "He's always loved Isabella. Always favored her. This isn't playing games."

Oliver sighed. "If you say so. Let's go in."

Harrison nodded, wrenching her gaze away, and followed Oliver into the restaurant.

Nathaniel and Isabella remained oblivious. Nathaniel released Isabella's hand, picking up his silverware with practiced elegance. As he sliced into his steak, he asked casually, "Remember our first meeting in that cave?"

Isabella's knife hovered mid-air. She looked up, startled. "Why bring that up now?"

Nathaniel's voice softened but held an edge. "Our first encounter. I've never forgotten. Have you?"

A flicker of unease crossed Isabella's eyes before she glanced away. "Of course I remember."

Nathaniel leaned forward slightly, his tone deceptively gentle.

"That remote forest. You said your parents took you hiking, but you got separated. Found me injured and dragged me to shelter."

"You tended my wounds, but vanished by morning. Your parents found you, correct?"

Isabella nodded slowly. "Yes, exactly."

What Nathaniel didn't know: Isabella had been there for darker reasons. It was right after her birthday when Harrison had called Victoria, begging for help.

Harrison had been trapped in that rural nightmare, haunted by her foster father's abuse. That call revealed Harrison's suffering - and Isabella had insisted on witnessing it firsthand.

They'd gone together. Isabella saw everything - Harrison's encounter with Nathaniel, every heartbreaking detail.

She knew it all.

The fabricated story sounded flawless. For years, Nathaniel never questioned it.

Nathaniel set down his utensils, his gaze turning piercing. "Speaking of which... whatever happened to that crystal pendant I gave you?"

Isabella's blood ran cold. This was the question she'd dreaded - her Achilles' heel. She never possessed that pendant.

It had always been with Harrison.

Isabella stammered, "_"

Nathaniel interrupted, his voice calm yet razor-sharp.

"I've asked to see it for years. Always met with excuses. Could it be... you don't have it?"

His tone remained light, but the words cut deep.

"No pendant means no proof you're the girl who saved me that day."

Isabella's mind raced. Was he doubting her now?

That pendant was her lifeline. If Nathaniel discovered the truth, she'd lose everything.