Chapter 734

Henry Lancaster's brows knitted sharply as he confronted Eleanor. "You must abandon this notion. I've only ever regarded you as a sister."

"You're in love with Isabella, aren't you?"

Henry gave a firm nod. "Yes. I love her."

Eleanor staggered back, her voice thick with resentment. "Don't blame Isabella for this. I begged her to drug you. I was desperate enough to gamble everything—even if it meant burning myself in the process. If you must punish someone, punish me."

Harrison smirked.

Eleanor truly lived up to her reputation as the victor in the past love triangle between her, Henry, and Isabella. By taking the blame, she had shielded Isabella—knowing full well Henry wouldn't lay a hand on her.

Exhaustion lined Henry's expression as he regarded Eleanor. "Forget it. Just leave. Move out of this estate."

Her disappointment was palpable. "Fine. I'll go."

Without another word, she turned on her heel and strode away.

Isabella called after her, "Wait! Don't go! Dad, how can you be so cruel to Ms. Lancaster?"

Henry's voice turned icy. "You'd do well to watch your tongue. Isabella is your mother. Have you considered how devastated she'd be if she discovered you drugged me?"

Isabella paled. "I—"

"Enough! Not another word. Go to your room and reflect on what you've done!"

Isabella shot Harrison a venomous glare before storming upstairs.

Harrison smiled in satisfaction. Both Isabella and Eleanor had lost this round.

As Eleanor stepped out of the Lancaster estate, a sleek luxury car pulled up, and Isabella emerged.

Eleanor studied her—the silk gown clinging to her curves, the radiant glow of a woman well-loved.

Isabella had come precisely to stir the pot, eager to witness the chaos Eleanor had caused.

With a mocking smile, she called out, "Why are you out here? I expected tears, screams—maybe even threats of self-harm."

Eleanor clenched her jaw. She had done all three, but Harrison had ruined her performance.

That wretched mother-daughter pair.

She fired back bitterly, "Was Henry with you last night?"

Isabella's lips curved victoriously. "All night."

She stepped closer, sneering. "Pathetic. You crawled into his bed, yet couldn't keep him. He still came to me."

Eleanor's nails dug into her palms until they drew blood. The pain was nothing compared to the truth—she hadn't lost to Isabella.

She'd lost to Henry. To his unwavering love for Isabella.

What does she have that I don't?

Isabella stood tall. "Henry and I are lawfully wed. You're chasing a married man—your defeat was inevitable."

Eleanor closed the distance, a frosty smile playing on her lips. "This isn't over. We'll see who truly loses in the end."