Chapter 711

Isabella gazed up at Henry with sudden intensity, her slender arms encircling his neck like delicate vines. "I'm feeling rather unwell," she murmured, her voice laced with feigned weakness. "Would you be so kind as to let me go?"

Henry's jaw tightened. He recognized her game immediately - the way she played with fire, testing his control. The memory of her collapsing earlier flashed through his mind, the way her body had gone limp in his arms. That recollection alone stayed his hand.

"Are you deliberately provoking me?" His voice was a low growl, rough with restrained desire.

She batted her lashes, all wide-eyed innocence. "Whatever do you mean?"

This - this teasing, this maddening dance where she held all the power without even realizing it.

Isabella attempted to withdraw her hands, but Henry caught her delicate fingers in his firm grasp, drawing them downward with deliberate slowness.

She stiffened instantly. "Henry! What are you—"

"I require your assistance," he stated simply.

"Absolutely not!" Her refusal came swift and sharp.

"Did I give you permission to refuse me?"

Before she could protest further, Henry claimed her lips in a searing kiss that left no room for argument.

Meanwhile, Eleanor stormed through the grand foyer of Rosewood Manor, her heels striking the marble with angry precision. The cold dismissal she'd received at Isabella's residence still burned in her chest. With a violent sweep of her arm, she sent an antique vase crashing to the floor, the delicate porcelain shattering into countless fragments.

A maid rushed forward. "Ms. Lancaster, is everything—"

"Get out!" Eleanor snapped, her voice like cracking ice. "I don't wish to be disturbed!"

The maid froze, barely daring to breathe.

At that moment, Victoria appeared, her serene voice cutting through the tension. "That will be all," she told the maid with a gentle smile. "Someone will attend to this later."

The maid nodded gratefully and hurried away.

Victoria settled gracefully onto the sofa opposite Eleanor, her smile never wavering. "You went to see your mother, didn't you? Though I suppose we both know Isabella isn't truly your mother."

That morning, Eleanor had treated Victoria with disdain. Now, all that arrogance had evaporated, replaced by wary apprehension. Eleanor moved to sit beside Victoria, taking her hand with an ingratiating smile. "Ms. Olsen, I must thank you for today."

Victoria arched a perfect brow. "For what exactly?"

"If you hadn't altered those DNA results, my true identity would have been exposed."

The paternity test had been expertly falsified - Victoria's handiwork, prepared well in advance.

Victoria studied Eleanor with calculating eyes. "When Henry first brought you back from Willowbrook, I had my doubts. The moment he ordered that DNA test, I knew you were an impostor. You're not Henry and Isabella's child. Even I could see through you, so naturally they suspected as well. I intervened to protect you. Without me, your comfortable life would have ended today."

The realization of Victoria's machinations struck Eleanor with full force. Victoria had seen through her deception from the beginning, manipulating events from the shadows. She was completely at Victoria's mercy.

"Thank you," Eleanor breathed. "You saved me."

Victoria's lips curled into a cold smile as she withdrew her hand. "And how do you intend to repay this favor?"

Eleanor had always known Victoria's help came with strings attached. "What do you want from me?"

"I hold all the cards now. You'll do exactly as I say. Isabella is my enemy. I want you to help me destroy her. More than that, I want you to help me become Mrs. Lancaster."

Understanding dawned on Eleanor's face - they were allies now, bound by shared secrets. She nodded slowly. "Very well. I'll do as you ask."

Victoria's smile widened, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes.

Back in the lounge, Henry was carefully wiping Isabella's hands with a warm towel, his touch unexpectedly gentle. Isabella, still irritated, snatched the towel and flung it directly at his face.