Chapter 688

Nathaniel grasped Harrison's hand firmly. "We're leaving."

He tried to guide her toward the door, but Harrison swiftly pulled her hand away. "You go ahead. I'm staying here for a few more days."

Nathaniel frowned, confusion flickering in his eyes. "Stay? You're not even related to Henry Lancaster! Why would you want to remain in his home?"

He had already noticed how differently Henry treated Harrison. No one else was permitted in Henry's private study, yet Harrison had been inside. The man's unusual leniency toward her was impossible to ignore.

Harrison offered a faint smile. "He's a good man. You don’t need to question his intentions."

"Good man?" Nathaniel scoffed. "You're being too trusting."

Harrison couldn’t explain the inexplicable warmth she felt toward Henry—it was as if an invisible thread of kinship bound them together, something instinctive and undeniable.

"I'm here to save Charlotte and Victoria."

"How?"

"Isabella is under house arrest. It won’t be long before she makes a mistake."

Nathaniel's expression darkened. "Why are you acting alone? You didn’t even tell me you were coming here."

Harrison met his gaze steadily, her clear eyes locking onto his. "Since you and Isabella are engaged, I don’t want Charlotte or me to get tangled in your family’s arranged marriage. Do you understand?"

Nathaniel clenched his jaw. "I won’t marry Isabella. Once Charlotte and my mother are safe, I’m ending the engagement. That childhood pact means nothing to me."

"You’d really refuse the Lancaster heiress?"

He pressed a hand over his heart. "I swear right now—if I ever marry the Lancaster heiress, then I—"

Harrison quickly covered his mouth. "Don’t make reckless vows. What if you change your mind?"

There was no "what if." Nathaniel was certain.

Harrison exhaled. "Beatrice will return in a few days."

At the mention of her name, Nathaniel tensed. Beatrice Lancaster was indeed coming back.

"Isabella is her only daughter. Beatrice adores her. Once she returns, she’ll pressure you. Then you’ll have no choice but to marry Isabella."

Nathaniel remained silent for a long moment. "Right now, our priority is rescuing Charlotte and my mother. When Beatrice returns, I’ll make my stance clear."

Isabella twisted restlessly in bed, sleep evading her. If she stood up the kidnappers again, they’d lose patience. If the truth about her kidnapping Charlotte and Victoria came out, the consequences would be catastrophic.

She sat up, glancing out the window. Past midnight—everyone was asleep. If she moved carefully, she could slip out unnoticed.

She had no choice now. She had to meet those men in black.

Her mind was made up—Charlotte and Victoria couldn’t be allowed to live. Keeping them alive was too dangerous. The threat had to be eliminated now.

Silently, she knotted bedsheets into a makeshift rope, tied it to the window frame, and climbed down.

Not a single sound escaped her lips. The last thing she needed was to alert her father, Harrison, or the guards.

Her feet touched the ground.

She had done it.