Chapter 58

The Whitmores' status had skyrocketed. Having Nathaniel as a son-in-law exceeded their wildest dreams.

Isabella basked in the admiration, feeling she'd reached life's pinnacle. Nathaniel embodied every woman's fantasy.

She gazed up at him with shining eyes.

Nathaniel looked down briefly, his expression softening.

Harrison watched from the shadows, glass in hand. Nathaniel and Isabella stood center stage, bathed in golden light. This was the honor he bestowed upon her.

When Nathaniel spoiled a woman, he did so completely.

Memories surfaced - Nathaniel holding her in that cave years ago. "I'll get you out. I want you with me."

She still didn't understand why he'd abandoned her.

Her shoulders slumped. With a quiet sigh, she turned to leave.

Nathaniel's gaze followed her retreating figure through the crowd.

Several executives noticed. "Mr. Falcon, do you know that woman?"

Isabella's pulse spiked. Not Harrison again!

Nathaniel's voice was cool. "I don't know her."

He claimed not to know her.

Isabella exhaled in relief. Of course Nathaniel wouldn't acknowledge some country girl.

She caught Victoria's subtle nod. The night's planned performance was just beginning.

Harrison carried her glass toward the kitchen when a maid intercepted her.

"Hurry! Take this soup to Mrs. Victoria's room."

Nathaniel gave a brief nod. "Indeed."

The Whitmore family had risen dramatically in status with Nathaniel's backing. Margaret, always eager to climb the social ladder, had developed a taste for rare antiques. She'd spent years searching for The Enchanted Maiden, and now, thanks to Nathaniel, it was finally hers.

"Extraordinary!"

The crowd pressed closer, murmurs of admiration filling the air. "Mr. Falcon certainly knows how to make an impression. This piece is truly one-of-a-kind." Margaret beamed, clearly thrilled. "Mr. Falcon, your generosity knows no bounds."

Isabella, her face glowing with adoration, gazed up at Nathaniel. To her, he was the epitome of perfection—wealthy, powerful, and willing to indulge her every whim. He was the kind of man who made other women seethe with envy.

Her lips curved into a satisfied smile. "Nathaniel, I can't thank you enough."

Several executives seized the opportunity to join the conversation. "Mr. Falcon, Ms. Isabella, you two are truly a match made in heaven. When can we expect wedding invitations?"

"At this rate, we'll be calling her Mrs. Falcon before long."

Theodore and Victoria, lingering nearby, finally made their approach. Despite his position, Theodore still wasn't quite on par with these men. Their recent business proposal had been rejected, after all.

Still, he forced a jovial grin. "Mr. Pembroke, Mr. Chamberlain, you must stay for another round tonight."

Lawrence Pembroke chuckled. "Bring that proposal by tomorrow, Mr. Whitmore. We might just reconsider."

Theodore's face lit up. "You mean it? Thank you!"

Winston Chamberlain smirked. "Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a daughter like Ms. Isabella."

Victoria squeezed Isabella's hand. "She's our family's greatest blessing."

Theodore and Victoria were practically floating. Nathaniel's presence at the party had elevated their status beyond measure. They could only imagine the prestige once he officially became part of their family.

Basking in the admiration, Isabella felt invincible. Nathaniel was every woman's fantasy—powerful, attentive, and utterly devoted to her.

She looked up at him, eyes shining.

Nathaniel met her gaze, his expression unreadable but soft.

Harrison, standing near the edge of the room, watched them silently. Nathaniel and Isabella stood at the center, bathed in golden light, the envy of everyone present. This was the ultimate privilege Nathaniel had granted her.

When Nathaniel spoiled someone, he did so extravagantly.

Harrison's mind drifted back to years ago—to that cave, to Nathaniel holding her close and whispering, "I'll get you out of here. I want you with me."

Even now, she couldn't fathom why the man who'd once wanted her had turned away so completely.

Her shoulders slumped. With a quiet sigh, she turned and slipped through the crowd.

Just then, Nathaniel glanced up. His eyes tracked her retreating figure until she disappeared.

A few executives followed his gaze. "Mr. Falcon, do you know that woman?"

Isabella's stomach twisted. Not her—not Harrison!

Nathaniel's voice was cool, detached. "I don't."

He claimed not to know her.

Isabella exhaled in relief. Of course Nathaniel wouldn't spare a thought for someone like Harrison—a nobody from the countryside, unworthy of his attention.

She caught Victoria's eye, receiving a subtle nod in return. The performance Victoria had planned for tonight was only beginning.

Harrison carried her glass toward the kitchen, but a maid intercepted her.

"Hurry! Take this soup to Mrs. Victoria. She'll want it soon."

The maid shoved a tray into Harrison's hands, sending her off to deliver it.