Chapter 65

Silence filled the air.

Theodore remained outside, bidding farewell to the guests. With a strained smile, he escorted Lawrence and Winston to their limousines. "Mr. Pembroke, Mr. Chamberlain, regarding our business deal..."

Lawrence couldn't suppress his laughter at Theodore's battered appearance. "Mr. Whitmore, you might want to visit a plastic surgeon," he remarked, eyeing Theodore's injuries.

The executives entered their luxury vehicles and drove away.

Theodore stormed back inside, his expression thunderous. He marched straight to Victoria, fury radiating from him. "Victoria, did you plan this disaster? You've completely humiliated me!"

Victoria stood frozen, utterly bewildered. Her meticulous planning had somehow backfired spectacularly.

She reached for Theodore's arm desperately. "Darling, please let me explain—"

Theodore violently shook her off and grabbed his coat. "I never want to see you again!" he spat before slamming the door behind him.

Victoria remained rooted to the spot, her face and neck marred with scratches, her complexion ghostly pale. This night was supposed to redeem her in Theodore's eyes—instead, it had driven him further away.

She turned to Isabella, clinging to her daughter like a drowning woman. "Isabella, you have to understand—"

Isabella shoved her mother away without hesitation, her voice icy. "Mother, what's wrong with you lately? You keep ruining everything!"

Harrison... This was all Harrison's fault!

Victoria's eyes burned with venom. Before Harrison returned, her life had been perfect. But ever since that wretched girl came back, everything had gone wrong. Harrison was her curse!

Just then, Roland rushed over, groveling at Victoria's feet. "Aunt Victoria, I'm so sorry."

Victoria grabbed Roland by his collar. "What the hell happened? Why was Penelope in that room instead of Harrison?"

Roland struggled to recall, his face contorted in confusion. "Aunt Victoria, it's all blurry. I think I saw Mr. Falcon, then Penelope entered. I... I breathed in that scent and completely lost control. I couldn't tell who was who anymore."

Isabella gasped. "Wait—Nathaniel was in that room too?" No wonder she couldn't find him!

Roland nodded weakly. "Yes."

Victoria clutched Isabella's arm urgently, her eyes suddenly alight with realization. "Isabella, go find Mr. Falcon immediately!"

Isabella frowned. "Why?"

"Listen carefully—Nathaniel inhaled that scent too! This isn't over yet. You must get to him now. Tonight, you need to sleep with him!"

Understanding dawned on Isabella's face. Of course! Nathaniel had been affected—he'd need a woman, and that woman should be her. She bit her lip thoughtfully. They hadn't reached that level of intimacy yet—she knew men valued women more when they waited until marriage.

She would tease him, dance for him, but not give herself completely. Tonight, she'd let him have her—but only if he divorced Harrison first.

Victoria was right. They still had a chance!

With renewed determination, Isabella left.

Victoria smirked to herself. Harrison probably thought she'd won, but Victoria knew better. As long as Nathaniel still loved Isabella, Harrison would never truly win.

At Rosewood Manor, Nathaniel stood under the shower's scalding spray while Harrison prepared to leave.

Despite the aphrodisiac's effects, he clearly didn't need her help. There was no reason to stay.

Just then, her phone chimed with Alexander's custom ringtone. She answered immediately. "Alexander?"

"Harrison, where are you?" Alexander's voice came through warmly. "Let me take you for a midnight drive."