Chapter 741

Nathaniel had already pieced together Oliver's deception.

The moment he saw the DNA results, he'd known there was no romantic connection between Harrison and Oliver.

Now, discovering Oliver was merely Harrison's senior colleague, Nathaniel felt an electric shock of realization.

"So you're just her mentor!"

Nathaniel's laughter rang out, bright and slightly unhinged with relief.

Oliver's temper flared. His fist connected with Nathaniel's jaw before either man could blink.

Nathaniel didn't resist. The impact sent him crashing against the wall. He wiped his bleeding lip with his thumb, grinning through the pain. Oliver seized his collar. "You dare laugh after everything you've done?"

The punch couldn't dampen Nathaniel's euphoria. "I thought you were Harrison's husband! She's mine. Always has been, from the very start!"

Just the realization sent waves of joy crashing through him. He and Harrison shared a child. She belonged to no one but him.

That overwhelming sensation of something precious returned filled his chest like a rising tide. He'd never known such happiness.

Today, he'd reclaimed everything.

Oliver studied him with cold intensity.

"Exactly. I'm just Harrison's mentor, and Charlotte is your biological daughter. You should be on your knees thanking Harrison for giving you this! Do you have any idea how many exceptional men have pursued her these past three years? Yet she never glanced their way. I know she never stopped loving you."

Nathaniel's heart swelled.

So Harrison had carried his memory all these years, just as he'd carried hers.

Their love had endured.

"But you're unworthy of her!" Oliver continued mercilessly. "Have you forgotten how deeply you wounded her? Now you're engaged to the Lancaster heiress, chasing power through marriage. You're supposed to wed Isabella. You can't even clean up your own mess, yet you think you deserve Harrison?"

Oliver had always despised Nathaniel. Now his contempt spilled freely.

Nathaniel burned to explain the Lancaster engagement wasn't his choice, that he could dismantle it.

"I'm calling off the Lancaster marriage. That engagement ends today."

Oliver released him. However much he disliked Nathaniel, he recognized Harrison's love for this man. Her happiness mattered most.

"Save your explanations for someone who cares. Now that you know Charlotte is yours, your only responsibility is to Harrison and your daughter. Get out."

Nathaniel stepped back, moving toward the door.

At the threshold, he turned. "Thank you."

Then he was gone.

Outside, he slid into the waiting Bentley. Dominic glanced up from the driver's seat. "Where to, sir?"

"The Lancaster estate."

Dominic's eyebrows shot up. "May I ask why?"

"To terminate my engagement."

Meanwhile, Henry Lancaster lay entwined with Isabella amidst rumpled silk sheets.

Isabella traced idle patterns on Henry's chest before suddenly stiffening. "Isn't this the bed you shared with Eleanor? I refuse to stay here. It's revolting."

She tried to rise, but Henry's arm became an iron band across her waist.

"Relax, darling. Knowing your fastidious nature, I had that bed incinerated. This is fresh from Milan, selected to your exacting standards."