Chapter 67

Isabella arrived.

Nathaniel froze instantly.

The haze of desire that had clouded his mind moments ago dissipated like smoke. He jerked his head away, shame flooding through him.

What had he been about to do? He'd nearly crossed an unforgivable line with Harrison.

Harrison felt his grip loosen and stepped back, finally free.

"Stay here. Don't move," Nathaniel commanded, his voice strained.

He turned on his heel and stormed out, undoubtedly searching for Isabella.

Just seconds ago, he'd been consumed with passion. Now, at the mere mention of Isabella's name, he abandoned Harrison without hesitation. As if Harrison meant nothing.

The flush of embarrassment faded from Harrison's cheeks. A bitter smile twisted her lips. How ironic - she, the legal wife, felt like the other woman. As if she were the mistress sneaking around with Nathaniel while Isabella was the true wife.

What would he do with Isabella now? Undoubtedly finish what he'd started with her.

Harrison knelt to gather the shattered pieces of her phone from the carpet, carefully reassembling it.

The device rang almost immediately. Victoria was calling.

Harrison answered.

Victoria's voice dripped with amusement. "Harrison, I'm certain Isabella went to see Nathaniel, didn't she?"

Harrison's expression remained icy as she stayed silent.

Victoria sounded positively gleeful. "I'll bet you were with Nathaniel when she arrived. And I'll bet he dropped you the moment she appeared. Oh, and remember when Nathaniel brought Isabella to Rosewood Manor? She slept in his master bedroom. In his bed."

Harrison ended the call abruptly. Her gaze drifted to the bed in the bedroom.

His bed. Where Isabella had slept just days before.

At the Whitmore estate, Victoria hung up with a satisfied smile.

Roland, grinding his teeth, spoke up. "Aunt Victoria, Harrison caused all this trouble. Are we really letting her off so easily?"

Victoria's eyes gleamed with cunning. "By my calculations, Harrison's foster father from the countryside should be out of prison by now."

Roland's anger faded into a smirk. "Vincent Blackwood? He was released just two days ago."

Victoria's smile deepened. "Now that Harrison's all grown up and married to Nathaniel, the richest man in Willowbrook - living in luxury and favored by Grandmother - we should bring her foster father to visit. He deserves to benefit from his daughter's success."

Roland nodded approvingly. "I'll handle it, Aunt Victoria."

He paused, then added, "Harrison truly is heartless. She blinded Vincent in one eye and sent him to prison."

Victoria chuckled darkly. "Harrison thinks the show's over? No, darling. This is just the beginning. I wonder how the Falcon family will react when they learn about your dark past."

Nathaniel entered the study, expecting to find Isabella.

Since Nathaniel had brought Isabella home days ago - the first woman he'd ever brought to Rosewood Manor - the staff had let her in without question.

But the study stood empty.

Where had she gone?

Suddenly, delicate hands covered his eyes. A playful voice whispered, "Guess who?"

Nathaniel pulled the hands away to find Isabella's radiant face before him.

He sank onto the couch. "What is it?"

Isabella gave him a sultry look, then slowly lifted her hands to her coat. The garment slid effortlessly from her bare shoulders, pooling at her feet. Now she stood before him wearing nothing but a strapless mini dress.