Chapter 564

Nathaniel's voice came from behind. "Harrison."

She turned to face him.

"You haven't eaten all morning," he murmured, his fingers brushing her wrist. "The soup is still warm."

Harrison opened her mouth to protest, but Nathaniel's grip tightened. He guided her away before she could argue.

The maid exhaled sharply as they disappeared down the hall.

Then she froze.

Victoria stood before her, arms crossed.

"It's done," the maid whispered. "They're gone."

Victoria nodded. "Good. But if a single word of this gets out—"

"I understand!" The maid's hands trembled.

Satisfied, Victoria slipped into the room.

Her eyes locked onto the syringe resting on the counter—Henry Lancaster's blood, drawn by Harrison.

Perfect.

Victoria pulled a second syringe from her pocket. With practiced ease, she swapped the samples.

Isabella's secret was safe.

A smirk curled her lips as she turned to leave.

Then her blood ran cold.

Theodore stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable.

"Darling!" Her voice cracked. "What are you—"

"I could ask you the same." His gaze dropped to her hands. "This is Harrison's workspace. Why are you here?"

Victoria had accounted for everyone—except him.

Panic clawed at her throat. "I—I was checking on Harrison's progress! You know I don't trust her with Isabella's life!"

Theodore stepped closer, plucking the syringe from the counter. "Really? Because I've been watching you for weeks. And I just saw everything."

Victoria's breath hitched.

He held up the evidence. "This is your blood. You switched it with Henry Lancaster's." His voice turned lethal. "Why? Unless..." His eyes widened. "You're Isabella's immediate family. Her mother."

Victoria recoiled. "Theodore, please—"

"All these years," he whispered. "The way you treated Harrison like a stranger. How you doted on Isabella." His grip tightened. "You switched them, didn't you? Isabella is yours. Which means Harrison is Henry Lancaster's true heir."

The truth hung between them, sharp as a blade.