Chapter 694

Victoria smiled warmly at Isabella and Nathaniel. "Please, don't stand on ceremony—it was nothing at all. Just a small gesture."

Charlotte tugged gently at Harrison's sleeve, her voice sweet and pleading. "Mommy, Mrs. Isabella kept me safe! Can we go to their house? I want to play there!"

Harrison hesitated. For now, she had no intention of leaving Metropolia—she needed to wait for Henry to fulfill his promise.

Besides, Isabella was returning soon, and Harrison was eager to meet her.

She turned to Isabella with a nod. "I’d love to take you up on that invitation."

Nathaniel held out his arms. "Charlotte, come here—let me carry you."

But Harrison shook her head firmly. "That’s all right, Mr. Hawk. I’ll hold my daughter."

Charlotte blinked her wide, sparkling eyes—first at Harrison, then at Nathaniel. "But Mommy, I want Mr. Handsome to carry me!"

Harrison was speechless. After three years of raising her little girl, she hadn’t expected such betrayal.

Nathaniel effortlessly lifted Charlotte into his arms.

The little girl grinned and explained, "Mommy, I’m getting bigger and heavier. I don’t want your arms to get tired, so I’ll let Mr. Handsome carry me. I love you, Mommy!"

Harrison was completely disarmed by her daughter’s clever reasoning.

Isabella chuckled at the adorable Charlotte. "All right then. Let’s go."

Meanwhile, Henry had brought Isabella back to the Lancaster estate. In the grand living room, he fixed her with a stern gaze.

"Do you even realize what you’ve done?"

"Why do you always favor Harrison?" Isabella snapped back. "It’s because all of you take her side that I had to send people after her daughter! For the past three years, while she was gone, I behaved perfectly! This is all Harrison’s fault—she shouldn’t even exist!"

Henry’s temper flared. "Whether it was three years ago or now, you blame everything on Harrison! Have you ever once reflected on your own mistakes?"

Isabella’s voice turned icy. "I’m not wrong!"

"How can you be so stubborn?" Henry growled.

Suddenly, Isabella’s tone shifted to desperation. "If you don’t love me anymore, I’d rather die!"

Henry’s anger burned hotter. "You pulled this suicide act three years ago. Aren’t you tired of the same old tricks? Can’t you come up with something new?"

On the way home, Isabella had already planned her strategy—cry, make a scene, and threaten to end her life, just like before. She was certain it would force Henry to yield again.

But Henry saw right through her, and she froze.

Just then, Eleanor hurried into the room. "Henry, why are you arguing with Isabella? She’s your only daughter. No matter what she’s done, you should talk to her calmly. Don’t scold her!"

She gently soothed Isabella. "Your father loves you deeply. He’s only harsh because he cares."

For the past three years, Eleanor had been exceedingly kind and indulgent toward Isabella. The girl knew full well that Eleanor was trying to win her favor—if she succeeded, she might finally marry Henry.

Tension still crackled between Henry and Isabella.

Then, a crisp ringtone cut through the silence—Henry’s phone was ringing. He pulled it out, and the screen flashed with the name "Isabella."

Isabella was calling.

Henry answered immediately. Her voice came through, calm yet firm. "I’m back in the country."

She had returned ahead of schedule.

"Where’s my daughter?" she continued. "I want to see her now. Arrange a meeting."