Chapter 516

Harrison and Gabrielle stood beside Penelope, their gazes sharp and calculating as they watched Isabella. Their silent message was clear: Enjoy your moment now. Your time will come.

Isabella frowned instantly.

Something about Penelope today felt... off.

The realization hit her like a wave. Penelope had agreed to perform her heart surgery so suddenly. Too suddenly.

Had she discovered something?

No, that couldn’t be. If Penelope had found out anything, she would have told Nathaniel. Yet, everything had been eerily quiet.

Isabella forced herself to calm down. She was overthinking. Soon, the surgery would be over, and her new life would begin.

At that moment, Margaret spoke up.

"Mr. Falcon."

Isabella turned to see Nathaniel standing there, tall and imposing. His presence commanded the room.

She moved toward him, slipping her arm through his with a practiced smile. "Nathaniel, you're here!"

His gaze flickered over her briefly before settling on Penelope.

Penelope met his eyes without hesitation. "Mr. Falcon, today is the day of our agreement. As promised, I need to see Oliver before the surgery. Where is he?"

Isabella let out a light laugh. "You two must be very close. You talk about him all the time."

She turned to Nathaniel with a teasing smile. "I’m sure Penelope misses him terribly. Why don’t you let him come out?"

Gabrielle shot Isabella a glare, barely concealing her irritation.

Nathaniel’s expression remained unreadable as he answered Penelope. "I always keep my word."

With a slight gesture, Dominic appeared, escorting Oliver into the room.

Penelope’s face lit up. "Oliver!"

Dressed in a rich maple-colored coat, Oliver looked as handsome and composed as ever. The moment he saw Penelope, he grinned and opened his arms. "Hey, Harrison."

She rushed into his embrace, and he held her tightly.

"Are you okay?" she asked, voice laced with concern. "Did he hurt you?"

Oliver chuckled. "Not at all. Mr. Falcon has been nothing but hospitable."

Penelope exhaled in relief. "Good."

Nathaniel watched them, his jaw tightening imperceptibly. His hands clenched at his sides.

Oliver released Penelope and stepped forward, extending a hand toward Nathaniel. "Thank you for your hospitality. If you ever visit Florentia, I’ll return the favor."

The two men locked eyes, tension crackling between them.

Nathaniel’s expression remained cold. "I doubt you’ll get the chance."

Isabella, eager to move things along, interjected. "Harrison, you’ve seen Oliver. Now, it’s time for my surgery."

Penelope’s lips curved into a knowing smile. "Of course. Mr. Falcon kept his promise, so I’ll keep mine." She turned toward the operating room. "Let’s go. It’s time."

Finally.

Isabella’s heart raced with anticipation. This was the moment she had been waiting for.

Margaret squeezed her hand gently. "We’ll all be here, waiting for you to come back healthy."