Chapter 696

The return of Isabella sent Henry Lancaster into a tailspin of agitation. His temples throbbed with familiar tension.

"Darling, is your migraine returning? Let me ease your pain," Eleanor murmured, her fingers already reaching for his temples. Years of tending to Henry's stress-induced headaches had made her proficient in therapeutic massage.

Henry waved her off. "I must meet Isabella at The Grand View for lunch. Excuse me." He retreated to his study without another glance.

Eleanor's hands clenched into fists as she watched him ascend the stairs. The bitter taste of jealousy coated her tongue.

When the Lancaster and Brewer dynasties had united through marriage decades ago, the brilliant, tempestuous Isabella had captivated the reserved business magnate Henry. Though he maintained his composed demeanor, Eleanor had always recognized the fire in his gaze when Isabella entered a room.

Through all these years of Isabella's disappearance, Henry had never ceased searching for her and their missing daughter. Not once had he abandoned hope.

And Eleanor - who had remained faithfully by his side through every crisis - had received nothing but polite indifference in return.

This injustice burned in her chest.

Isabella's return signaled the beginning of their long-awaited rematch. Eleanor had bested her rival once before. She would do so again.

Meanwhile, Harrison brought Charlotte to the Falcon family estate. After warm baths and fresh clothes, Victoria and Charlotte emerged looking revitalized. Harrison carefully examined Victoria's pulse. "Your legs show remarkable improvement. With continued therapy, full mobility is within reach."

Victoria's face glowed with hope. "Thank you, dear."

Harrison's lips curved slightly. "No, thank you for protecting Charlotte. I'm forever in your debt."

Nathaniel observed the growing bond between his wife and mother with quiet satisfaction. Dominic approached and whispered urgent news in his ear.

Nathaniel turned to Harrison. "Isabella's mother has returned to Metropolia."

Victoria gasped. "Isabella is back?"

Harrison studied Victoria's reaction. "You were close?"

"Like sisters," Victoria confirmed, her eyes misting with memory. "We were pregnant simultaneously and made a pact that our children would marry. That's how Nathaniel and Isabella's engagement came to be."

So that explained the Falcon-Lancaster alliance.

"But why did she disappear? Why entrust Isabella to Theodore's care in Willowbrook?" Harrison pressed.

Victoria's expression darkened. "Eleanor's doing! Though Isabella and Henry's marriage appeared harmonious, Eleanor - Henry's first love - never left his orbit. Then, on Isabella's due date, someone poisoned her."

Harrison's breath caught. "Poisoned?"

"Precisely. Despite the toxin ravaging her body, Isabella fought to deliver her daughter. To protect the child, she entrusted her to her protégé Theodore, commanding him to flee Metropolia. The trauma of poisoning and childbirth plunged Isabella into a coma. I was delivering Nathaniel at the same time and only learned of her disappearance afterward. For over twenty years she vanished, but I never lost faith she'd return. And now she has."

The full horror of the situation became clear. Someone had attempted to murder both Isabella and her unborn child. She'd survived just long enough to secure her daughter's safety before disappearing.

Harrison turned to Nathaniel. "Where is Ms. Lancaster meeting Isabella?"

"Mr. Lancaster arranged their reunion at The Grand View," Nathaniel replied.

A spark of determination lit Harrison's eyes. "I want to meet her myself."