Chapter 645

Nathaniel's piercing gaze locked onto Isabella.

"Is that truly your belief?" A humorless chuckle escaped his lips as he shook his head. "How I wish your assumptions held truth."

Isabella stood frozen, her breath catching painfully in her throat. "But..."

"Isabella," Nathaniel's voice carried finality, "Harrison never needed to steal me. I've always been hers. This marriage won't happen—stop deluding yourself."

He turned on his heel without another word.

His rejection struck like a physical blow. What flaw made her so unworthy compared to Harrison?

Exiting the Zenith Gala, Nathaniel's expression remained inscrutable as he addressed Dominic. "Where did Harrison go?"

Dominic inclined his head slightly. "She returned to her suite." Nathaniel gave a curt nod. "I'll find her."

Meanwhile, Oliver arrived with Charlotte, searching for Harrison. Oliver pinched the child's rosy cheek playfully. "Missing Mommy?"

Charlotte bobbed her head enthusiastically. "So much!"

"We'll see her soon," Oliver promised with a grin.

Then he spotted Nathaniel approaching.

Charlotte's eyes sparkled with recognition. "Uncle Oliver! It's Pretty Gentleman!"

Nathaniel moved through the corridor with effortless elegance, his commanding presence impossible to ignore. Oliver mused how fate kept intertwining their paths—first in Florentia, now in Metropolia.

"Can I go say hello?" Charlotte begged, squirming excitedly.

Oliver chuckled. "Go ahead, little star."

The moment her feet touched the ground, Charlotte dashed toward Nathaniel, her sweet voice ringing out, "Pretty Gentleman!"

The familiar cadence halted Nathaniel mid-stride. Turning, he saw the golden-haired child barreling toward him.

His heart swelled with unexpected warmth as he caught her in his arms. "You! What brings you to Metropolia?"

Charlotte giggled, her tiny hands clutching his jacket. "I came to find Mommy!"

Her mother?

Nathaniel imagined an extraordinary woman must have birthed this radiant child.

An unfamiliar tenderness bloomed in his chest—this marked the first time a child had captivated him so completely. Their repeated meetings felt destined.

He ruffled her silken hair gently. "About that broken crystal ball... Let me replace it properly this time."

Guilt still nagged him about crushing her treasure in Florentia.

Charlotte's eyes shone as she nodded vigorously. "Yes! Mommy's staying here. You can come with me to buy it!"

Her secret hope? Introducing Nathaniel to Harrison—perhaps as a future father.

Nathaniel hesitated, surprised by the invitation. While Harrison remained his priority, meeting this enchanting child's mother first wouldn't hurt.

"Of course. Which room is Mommy in?"

"Suite 808!"

Nathaniel glanced at nearby door numbers. "That's just ahead. Shall we?"

Effortlessly, he lifted Charlotte, her slight frame cradled securely against him.

As they walked, Charlotte peered up curiously. "Pretty Gentleman, do you have a wife?"

A soft smile curved his lips. "Not yet."

Charlotte's heart leapt—until he added, "But my heart belongs to someone."