Chapter 706

Eleanor's lips curved into a knowing smile. "I'm pleased to see you and your mother share such a close bond. It warms my heart."

Isabella scoffed, her expression dripping with disdain. "Spare me the theatrics."

Her sharp gaze swept across the room before landing back on Eleanor. "Where's Father?"

Eleanor didn't even glance at her. Instead, she settled gracefully into her chair at the dining table, picking up her silverware with practiced elegance. She took a deliberate sip of her tea before answering.

"He left at dawn."

Isabella stiffened. Something was off. Eleanor had never dared to start eating before her—she had always been the one to wait on Isabella hand and foot.

"Where did he go?"

Eleanor set her cup down with a soft clink. "His butler arrived with what appeared to be a medical report. I didn't pry."

A medical report?

Isabella's pulse spiked. "What kind of report? Father never mentioned anything about medical tests."

Eleanor's smile deepened, slow and deliberate. "Hmm, let me think... Could it have been a DNA paternity test?"

A DNA test?

No.

Isabella's breath hitched, her fingers tightening around the edge of the table. "He had a DNA test done? When?"

Eleanor tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Why so nervous? If Henry had you tested, there’s nothing to fear. You are his real daughter, aren’t you?"

Isabella's face drained of color.

Last night—Henry had tousled her hair, and she'd felt a sharp tug. He must have taken a strand then.

Eleanor studied her with cold amusement. "Interesting, isn’t it? The moment Isabella returned, Henry suddenly needed a DNA test. Almost as if he doubts who you really are."

She leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping to a whisper. "But of course, you have nothing to worry about... unless you're not who you claim to be."

Isabella's blood ran cold.

Eleanor’s smile was serpentine, her eyes gleaming with quiet triumph. She knew.

Panic clawed at Isabella’s chest. Henry must have gone straight to Isabella with the results. If he showed her the report—

She was ruined.

Without another word, Isabella turned on her heel and bolted for the door.

Henry Lancaster strode into Lancaster Enterprises, his butler trailing behind him. The receptionist—a strikingly handsome young man—immediately stood to greet him.

"Mr. Lancaster, welcome."

Henry’s frown deepened.

The receptionist gestured smoothly. "Ms. Lancaster is expecting you. Please, follow me."

As Henry stepped further inside, his expression darkened.

Every single employee in the building was an impeccably groomed, devastatingly attractive man. Tall, sculpted, with sharp jawlines and tailored suits that hugged their frames.

This wasn’t just a corporate office.

It looked like the VIP section of an exclusive high-end club.