Chapter 524

Penelope's brows furrowed in confusion. "Uncle Theodore can rescue Isabella? She's in Nathaniel's grasp now, with Harrison involved. What exactly can you do to save her?"

Theodore remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Penelope stepped forward urgently. "If you have a solution, tell us now! Why keep us waiting?"

After a prolonged silence, Theodore turned abruptly and walked away without explanation.

Victoria rushed after him, calling out desperately, "Darling!"

Penelope moved to follow but was stopped by Margaret's firm grip. "Don't."

"Why not?" Penelope looked between Margaret, Frederick, and Cassandra. "You all know something I don't. What are you hiding?"

Frederick's voice turned grave. "Penelope, some questions shouldn't be asked. This concerns Isabella's true lineage."

Penelope's eyes widened. "Lineage? What do you mean? Isn't Isabella Theodore and Victoria's daughter?"

Cassandra took Penelope's hand gently. "That's enough. The truth is, Isabella's safety net has vanished. Her fate now rests entirely on Theodore's decision. If he chooses correctly, the Whitmore family might finally rise to power."

Penelope shook her head in disbelief. "I don't understand any of this."

Margaret stood tall, her voice steady with conviction. "Understanding isn't necessary. Just know the Whitmore family won't fall. This trial may become our ascension."

Penelope stared, stunned into silence.

Meanwhile, Theodore and Victoria reached the corridor. Victoria clutched his arm, her voice trembling.

"Darling, where are you going? Isabella's life hangs by a thread in Nathaniel's hands! Aren't you concerned?"

"Of course I'm concerned," Theodore replied flatly. "No one worries more than I do."

"Worrying isn't enough!" Victoria insisted. "You must act! Find a way to save her!"

Theodore met her gaze. "How exactly would you have me save her?"

"Contact someone from Metropolia. Bring Isabella's biological father here. His arrival would solve everything."

Theodore fell silent again, his thoughts churning.

Victoria pressed on anxiously. "I know you promised Isabella's mother she'd never return to Metropolia or meet her real father. But circumstances have changed! If her mother were alive, would she let her daughter die? Would she stand by and watch?"

Theodore answered quietly, "Never. Isabella was her only child. Her only blood."

"Exactly! She would have contacted him immediately to save Isabella. Darling, if anything happens to her, how will you face her mother's memory?"

Theodore's expression darkened with conflict. For years, he'd honored his promise, raising Isabella in Willowbrook.

But everything had changed.

He couldn't remain passive while Isabella's life was at stake.

Her mother would have made this same choice.

Resolved, Theodore pulled out his phone. "Very well. I'll call him. After all these years of searching, he deserves to know."