Chapter 627

Harrison spun to face Henry, her piercing gaze locking onto his. "Explain this to me - how could Victoria just die like that? What made her crash into that wall?" Henry's expression darkened with confusion. "I honestly don't know."

Harrison stared at Victoria's motionless body, a storm of emotions churning within her. Though this woman had never shown her a mother's love, though she'd inflicted countless wounds upon her heart, Harrison had never once desired her death.

Her pale irises began shimmering with unshed tears. One by one, they overflowed, tracing hot paths down her cheeks in an unstoppable flood.

The head butler's urgent voice shattered the heavy silence. "Mr. Lancaster! Emergency!"

Henry whirled toward the sound. "Report."

"It's Ms. Isabella - she's vanished!"

Gone? Isabella missing?

Henry bolted from the room, his polished shoes pounding against marble as he raced to Isabella's chambers. The space stood hauntingly vacant - not a single clue remained of her presence.

"Isabella! Where are you?" Henry's desperate shouts echoed through the empty suite before he turned wild eyes to the butler. "When was she last seen?"

"The maid discovered her absence when bringing afternoon tea. No one witnessed her departure, but judging by the cold tea service, she's been gone for hours."

Henry's jaw clenched. "Mobilize every available resource. Comb through all of Willowbrook if necessary - I want her found immediately!"

The butler gave a sharp nod. "At once, sir."

As Henry turned to leave, Harrison materialized before him, her expression inscrutable. "Mr. Lancaster, we need to talk."

"Not now."

"Don't you see the pattern? Theodore and Victoria are dead. Now Isabella disappears."

Henry's face darkened like gathering storm clouds. "Finding her takes priority. This discussion can wait."

He brushed past her without another word.

Harrison's brow furrowed as gears turned behind her composed facade.

Nathaniel approached, draping a protective arm around her shoulders. "Why would Isabella flee like this? Where could she possibly go?"

Harrison's gaze followed Henry's retreating form, her voice steady with quiet conviction. "She'll be fine. That woman would never let harm come to herself."

Nathaniel nodded slowly.

"Come," Harrison said, squaring her shoulders. "Let's follow and observe this unfolding drama."

The search party operated with military precision. Within the hour, a breakthrough came.

The butler reappeared, slightly breathless. "We've located Ms. Isabella. She's on the Harborview Overpass."

"Take me there immediately!" Henry barked.

A fleet of luxury vehicles screamed toward the coastal overpass. Henry practically launched from the moving car, his frantic eyes immediately locking onto the solitary figure perched precariously on the railing.

Isabella sat with her back to the city, legs dangling over the hundred-foot drop to churning waters below. One gust of wind, one wrong movement, and she'd be gone forever.

Henry approached cautiously, his voice thick with concern. "What are you doing out here alone? Come back - it's not safe!"

Isabella turned tear-filled eyes toward him. "Stay back!"

Henry froze mid-step. "Alright, I'll stay right here. But please, come to me?"

Tears streamed down Isabella's face as her voice cracked. "Father... do you even love me anymore?"

Henry's head jerked back as if struck. "How could you doubt that? You're my daughter."

"Then why does it feel like you care more about Harrison?"

"I..." Henry's mouth opened and closed like a stranded fish.

"You know I despise her! She stole Nathaniel, the man I love. Yet you keep drawing closer to her. You're supposed to be my father! Why take her side? Why champion my enemy?"

The accusation hung heavily between them. The truth was undeniable - Henry did admire Harrison. Her sharp intellect, unshakable poise, and transparent honesty had won his respect. He understood the bitter rivalry between the two women, both vying for the same man's heart.

Guilt twisted in Henry's chest. "I... I never meant to hurt you."

"I'll confess everything. That poisoning incident? I staged it to frame Harrison!" The words burst from Isabella like a dam breaking.

"Isabella, please—"

"Don't you understand? I couldn't bear watching Nathaniel give his heart to her. But what destroyed me was seeing you - my own father - choosing her over me!"