Chapter 496

"Mr. Falcon, Isabella becomes extremely dependent when her heart condition flares up. Please stay with her." Victoria pleaded.

Nathaniel's lips pressed into a thin line. An unsettling feeling had been gnawing at him since they arrived at the hospital, growing heavier with each passing minute.

He reached for his phone instinctively, only to find his pocket empty. Realization struck—he'd left it behind in his haste to bring Isabella here.

Not even a single device on him.

Nathaniel turned to Isabella, softening his voice. "Your mother can stay with you. I have urgent documents to review, but I'll return first thing tomorrow."

"No!" Isabella immediately threw herself against him, arms locking around his waist. "I don't want her. I need you, Nathaniel! Stay!"

His hand lifted, poised to gently disentangle himself—

"Disgraceful brat!"

A sharp voice sliced through the room.

Nathaniel spun toward the door, stunned to see his grandmother standing there.

"Eleanor? What are you doing here?"

Both Isabella and Victoria blinked in shock. "Mrs. Eleanor?"

Eleanor stood rigid in the doorway, fury burning in her gaze as she took in the intimate embrace. Without hesitation, she stormed forward, cane raised high—

Thwack!

The first strike landed hard across Nathaniel's back.

"So this is where you've been—entangled with this shameless harlot!"

He didn't flinch, absorbing the blow.

Thwack! Thwack!

Two more strikes followed in quick succession. Isabella and Victoria stood frozen, eyes wide with disbelief.

Dominic rushed in, seizing Eleanor's arm. "Mrs. Eleanor, please—control yourself!"

Nathaniel met her gaze. "Grandmother, what is this about? What have I done?"

"What have you done?" Eleanor seethed. "Must I spell it out? You—"

Isabella's trembling voice cut in. "Mrs. Eleanor, stop! He's your grandson!"

Eleanor's glare snapped to her. "Who are you to interrupt family matters? Where are your manners?"

"I—"

"First, you seduce your sister's husband—that's your first sin!" Eleanor's cane whipped through the air again, this time striking Isabella.

Crack!

Isabella shrieked. "Ah! Mrs. Eleanor, why are you—stop!"

But Eleanor wasn't finished. The cane rose and fell with each accusation.

"You fake heart pains to cling to Nathaniel—yet here you stand, alive and scheming! That's your second lie! Your entire family is poison, tormenting Harrison at every turn—that's your third crime! Today, you will answer for it all!"

Isabella paled, writhing in pain. "It hurts! Nathaniel, help me!"

Nathaniel moved to intervene—

Dominic yanked him back. "Sir, you're in no position to protect anyone right now!"

Nathaniel stood paralyzed, speechless.

Victoria finally snapped out of her shock, lunging forward to shield her daughter. "Eleanor, have you lost your mind? Stop this instant!"