Chapter 559

Victoria's hand shot up, poised to strike Harrison across the face.

But the blow never landed. A strong, masculine hand intercepted her wrist mid-air, halting her momentum.

Victoria blinked in shock, finding Henry Lancaster standing protectively in front of Harrison, his grip unyielding.

Her expression darkened. She hadn’t anticipated Henry defending Harrison.

From what she knew, Henry and Harrison weren’t particularly close. With Isabella—Henry’s biological daughter—lying unconscious in bed, Victoria had assumed he would side with his own flesh and blood.

Why would he shield Harrison instead?

Frustration bubbled inside her. "Mr. Lancaster, Harrison poisoned Isabella, and she’s still unresponsive! She deserves to be punished!"

Margaret quickly added fuel to the fire. "That’s right! If we hadn’t discovered it in time, Isabella could have died. Harrison needs to pay for what she’s done!"

Harrison studied Henry’s broad back, his towering frame shielding her completely. His presence was commanding, exuding an unshakable strength that made her feel inexplicably safe.

For a fleeting moment, she thought of Benjamin—her late father. He had been just as imposing.

But he had been gone for years.

Lost in her thoughts, Harrison barely registered when Henry coldly released Victoria’s wrist, sending her stumbling back.

Both women looked bewildered.

"Aren’t you going to punish Harrison?"

Henry didn’t spare them a glance. Instead, he turned to Harrison, his voice low but firm. "Did you poison Isabella?"

Harrison stiffened.

She hadn’t expected him to ask her directly. She had braced for immediate accusations, just like the rest of the Whitmore family. But Henry—someone with no blood ties to her—had given her a chance to speak.

The irony wasn’t lost on her.

Meeting his gaze, Harrison shook her head. "No."

Henry remained silent, waiting.

Harrison continued, her voice steady. "Do you doubt my skills as a doctor? I’m Dr. Sinclair. If I wanted Isabella dead, she wouldn’t still be breathing."

Margaret faltered. "What—"

Harrison cut her off, her tone icy. "Isabella has made my life hell. If I wanted her gone, I wouldn’t have left her half-alive. I’d have made sure she never woke up. And I certainly wouldn’t have stayed here like a fool, waiting to be caught."

The truth was, poisoning Isabella would have been too simple. Death was too merciful for her.

Victoria had seen Harrison’s sharp tongue before, but this time, it left her momentarily speechless. "You’re just twisting the truth! Mr. Lancaster, don’t believe her lies!"

Margaret nodded frantically. "She’s manipulating you! Isabella is your daughter—you must stand up for her!"

Harrison watched Henry carefully, searching for any hint of his thoughts.

Henry’s gaze flickered to her briefly before settling on Victoria and Margaret. His voice was dangerously calm. "Isn’t Harrison your own flesh and blood? Why are you so cruel to her yet so invested in my daughter? Are you sure Isabella isn’t yours?"

The question struck like lightning.

Victoria and Margaret froze, their faces paling.

Henry’s piercing stare locked onto Victoria. "Harrison isn’t your biological daughter, is she?"

Victoria’s breath hitched. Panic flashed in her eyes. "Of course she is!"

But her voice wavered.

And Henry noticed.