Chapter 709

The DNA test results lay on the desk like a ticking bomb. The document confirmed without a doubt that Isabella was the biological daughter of Henry Lancaster and his wife, the renowned business magnate Victoria Lancaster.

Victoria's hands trembled as she stared at the report. Every maternal instinct in her body had screamed that this girl wasn't hers. The connection simply wasn't there.

Yet science didn't lie. The numbers didn't lie.

Isabella swept into the office without knocking, her designer heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. "What's going on in here?" she demanded, glancing between her parents.

Henry swiftly tucked the report into his desk drawer. They couldn't let Isabella know they'd been testing her DNA - not now that the results confirmed she was their flesh and blood. "Just reviewing some merger documents, sweetheart."

Isabella smirked and immediately latched onto Victoria's arm with possessive familiarity. "Mom, your secretary tried to stop me from seeing you. Since when do I need an appointment to visit my own mother?"

Victoria gave her assistant a pointed look. "From now on, Isabella has unrestricted access to my office."

"Of course, Mrs. Lancaster," the assistant murmured.

Satisfaction curled through Isabella as she turned back to Victoria. "So, about our conversation yesterday... Now that I've officially joined Lancaster Enterprises, where will you place me?"

Victoria considered for a moment. "You'll start with an internship in our marketing division."

Isabella's grip tightened painfully on Victoria's arm. "Marketing? As an intern?" The words tasted like ash in her mouth. She'd expected to be handed the reins to their billion-dollar couture jewelry line, not relegated to some entry-level position.

"Where exactly did you imagine starting?" Victoria asked evenly.

"I want to run the Lancaster Jewelry brand."

Henry and Victoria exchanged a loaded glance. Henry's brow furrowed. "That division is worth twelve billion dollars. You have zero experience in luxury goods or management."

Victoria nodded in agreement. "This isn't a game, Isabella. I can't risk thousands of employees' livelihoods or our flagship brand's reputation. You need to learn the business from the ground up. Prove yourself, and you'll advance quickly."

Isabella wrenched her arm away, eyes blazing. "You're treating me like some common employee!"

Victoria stood firm. "I'm treating you like my heir apparent - which means ensuring you're properly prepared."

"You don't love me at all!" Isabella spun on her heel and stormed out, slamming the door hard enough to rattle the framed degrees on the wall.

Victoria started after her. "Isabella, wait—"

Then the world tilted violently. Victoria's vision tunneled to black as her legs gave out beneath her.

Henry moved like lightning, catching her before she hit the ground. He cradled her against his chest, her body frighteningly light in his arms. "Victoria? Talk to me."

Her skin had gone corpse-pale. "My head..." she whispered weakly.

"The toxin?" Henry's voice was tight with controlled panic.

A barely perceptible nod.

Without hesitation, Henry carried her to the executive suite's private lounge. He laid her gently on the plush divan, but her entire body shook with violent tremors. The air conditioning's chill seemed to seep into her bones.

Henry immediately adjusted the thermostat, then wrapped her in a cashmere throw from the nearby sofa. "Better?"

Victoria's teeth chattered uncontrollably. Then she felt it - Henry's body heat radiating through his tailored shirt like a furnace. With a whimper, she reached for him. "Hold me."

Henry hesitated only a second before lying down beside her. The moment he did, Victoria burrowed against him, her icy hands slipping beneath his shirt to press against the scorching heat of his skin.

Gently but firmly, Henry caught her wandering hands. "Easy there, princess." His voice was rough with something that wasn't quite admonishment.