Chapter 469

"Nathaniel, please," Isabella begged, her hands shaking as she reached for him.

His icy stare stopped her mid-motion. "Not another word. Just tell me where the pendant is."

That cruel smirk twisted his perfect lips.

"Would you dare lie to me now?"

Her breath hitched. "Lie? What are you implying?"

Nathaniel stepped closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "What if the girl who pulled me from that cave wasn't you? What if you've been pretending all these years?"

The chill in his gaze made her blood run cold. He'd never looked at her like this before.

Had he discovered the truth? Did he know she wasn't the one who saved him that day?

The silence stretched between them, thick with tension. She couldn't tell how much he knew.

Admitting anything wasn't an option. Her entire privileged existence depended on this lie.

"I don't understand these accusations," she said, forcing tears into her eyes. "I was the one who found you in that cave. You promised to take care of me. Don't you remember your own words?"

Nathaniel's expression darkened. "If it's truly you, then good. I've wasted twelve years on you. But if not..." His voice turned deadly. "You know what happens to liars."

Dominic had once asked Nathaniel who he hoped that mysterious girl might be.

The truth was, Nathaniel didn't know.

All he felt was a growing sense of dread.

He'd invested everything in Isabella. If she wasn't the one, it would prove him a fool.

And if that girl turned out to be Harrison...

His stomach twisted at the thought. He couldn't bear remembering how he'd treated Harrison.

The possibility was too painful to consider.

Isabella lifted her chin defiantly. "I swear I'm telling the truth."

"Then show me the crystal pendant. Today. That pendant is the only proof that matters."

She knew she was cornered. "Fine," she said quickly. "I have it."

Something flickered in Nathaniel's cold eyes. "Prove it."

Isabella's voice dropped to a whisper, her fingers nervously playing with the silver pendant around her neck. "I can show you, but... It's our special keepsake. Tonight, I want to see your place."

Nathaniel hesitated, his expression unreadable.

"Don't you want to see it?" she pressed, her eyes pleading.

He exhaled slowly. "Fine. Tonight. My apartment."

A relieved smile curved her lips. "Perfect."

As they stepped out of the restaurant, the evening air wrapped around them. Then, Nathaniel froze.

There, standing near the valet, was Harrison—talking to Lawrence Pembroke from Vitalis Health.

How did those two even know each other?

Isabella's sharp gasp cut through the silence. "Why is Harrison with Dr. Pembroke? Don't tell me she's after him now too?"

Nathaniel's jaw tightened.

She scoffed, venom dripping from her words. "He's married. And wasn't she just seeing Oliver? She really has no boundaries."

Without waiting for a response, Isabella strode forward, heels clicking against the pavement. "Harrison!"

Harrison turned, her smile fading as she spotted Nathaniel and Isabella approaching.