Chapter 657

Nathaniel rose abruptly from his seat. "I have no appetite for dinner. I'm returning to the office."

Without sparing anyone a glance, he strode toward the exit.

"Nathaniel! Nathaniel!" Victoria called after him, her voice sharp with frustration.

Isabella's expression darkened as she watched him leave. Three years of relentless pursuit had yielded nothing but cold indifference. Yet his elusiveness only fueled her obsession.

Now, as the wealthiest heiress in the world, she was certain she could claim him.

She moved closer to Victoria, her voice laced with false concern. "Look how he treats us!"

Victoria's grip tightened on her armrest. "His behavior is unacceptable. I won't tolerate such disrespect—especially toward you."

"Please don't be too harsh on him," Isabella murmured, lowering her eyes. "It would break my heart if he suffered because of me."

"You're far too forgiving."

"It's not his fault," Isabella insisted, her tone sweet yet venomous beneath the surface. "The real problem is Harrison. She returned to Metropolia right when Nathaniel and I were about to announce our engagement. Everyone knows the Falcon and Lancaster families are destined to unite—yet she deliberately chose this moment to interfere. How calculated!"

Victoria's frown deepened. "She always did have a scheming nature."

"And that's not all," Isabella continued, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Remember how she got pregnant three years ago? Now she's back with her daughter. Oliver is the father, yet she still clings to Nathaniel, even letting her child demand to be carried by him. Like mother, like daughter—both determined to manipulate him!"

Victoria's eyes flashed with outrage. "What? That little girl dared to—?"

Isabella nodded solemnly. "I witnessed it myself."

Victoria's knuckles whitened against the wheelchair. "The Falcon bloodline is pure and noble. I've waited years for Nathaniel to marry you and produce a worthy heir. And now, that woman's child thinks she can latch onto him? Does she intend to make him a stepfather? Over my dead body!"

A faint, satisfied smile curved Isabella's lips. The thorn had been planted. Victoria now despised Charlotte as much as she despised Harrison.

This was only the beginning. The child had to disappear—only then could the truth remain buried forever.

"You know I would wait for Nathaniel forever," Isabella murmured, feigning devotion.

Victoria patted her hand. "And you have my full support."

"Thank you, Mrs. Victoria."

Victoria signaled for her maid, Beatrice, to push her wheelchair. "Has Nathaniel left?"

Beatrice nodded. "Yes. I saw him walking away with blood on his forehead. Did you argue again?"

Victoria sighed. "That stubborn boy."

"Mr. Nathaniel has always been filial. You shouldn't stay angry for long. Just talk to him."

But Victoria knew the truth—his heart belonged to Harrison.

Just then, a small, melodic voice chimed in. "Madam...?"

Victoria turned and saw little Charlotte standing there, her wide eyes filled with innocent curiosity.

Charlotte tilted her head at the wheelchair. "Why are you sitting in that?"

Victoria softened despite herself. "Sweetheart, this is a wheelchair."

"Why can't you walk?"

Beatrice opened her mouth to intervene, but Victoria waved her off. "Mrs. Victoria—"