Chapter 744

Nathaniel finished speaking and turned sharply on his heel, his polished shoes clicking against the marble floor as he strode away.

"Mr. Falcon!" Isabella Lancaster called after him, her voice trembling.

But Henry Lancaster cut in sharply, "Nathaniel!"

Nathaniel paused mid-step, his broad shoulders tensing before he glanced back over his shoulder. "Is there something else?"

Henry's voice was firm, unyielding. "Since you've made it clear you don't wish to marry my daughter, I won't force the matter. However, our families signed a formal contract when this engagement was arranged. Bring it here, tear it up—then it will be officially dissolved."

Nathaniel gave a curt nod. "Fine."

Without another word, he resumed his exit, his figure disappearing through the grand double doors.

"Nathaniel!" Isabella gasped, her face paling. She clutched at her mother's sleeve. "Mom, Dad, what am I supposed to do? He doesn't want me anymore!"

Isabella Lancaster turned to Henry, confusion knitting her brows. "What's happening? Doesn't Mr. Falcon love Isabella?"

Henry shook his head slowly. "No. He never did."

"Then who does he love?" Isabella pressed. "The way he spoke—it sounded like his heart belongs to someone else."

"I'll tell you who!" Isabella burst out, her voice sharp with bitterness. "He's in love with Harrison!"

What?

Nathaniel was in love with Harrison?

Isabella Lancaster froze.

Henry nodded grimly. "Yes. Nathaniel is in love with Harrison. They fell for each other back in Willowbrook."

The name caught Isabella Lancaster off guard, but the moment it settled in her mind, it made sense. Harrison was brilliant, poised—impossible not to admire. Though the revelation was unexpected, it wasn’t entirely surprising.

"Mom, you have to help me! I need to marry Nathaniel. I have to!" Isabella begged, her voice breaking.

Isabella Lancaster softened, reaching out to stroke her daughter’s hair. "But he loves Harrison, darling. And I know Harrison—she’s a remarkable woman. If they care for each other, we should respect that and let this engagement go."

Isabella recoiled as if struck. "What are you saying? Nathaniel wants to break our engagement, and instead of standing by me, you're siding with her? Some outsider?"

"Harrison—"

"Harrison, Harrison! It's always about her with you! Have you forgotten who your real daughter is? She’s nothing but a scheming seductress! She must have tricked Nathaniel into her bed!"

"Isabella!" Isabella Lancaster's face turned icy, her voice slicing through the air like a blade.

Isabella flinched. Since her mother had returned, she had never looked at her with such chilling disapproval.

Isabella Lancaster’s gaze was unrelenting. "How dare you speak about Harrison like that? Where is your dignity? You can’t just fling baseless accusations that ruin someone’s reputation."

Henry stepped beside his wife, his expression stern. "She’s right, Isabella. You went too far. Harrison isn’t that kind of person."

Isabella stared at them, standing united against her, and something inside her shattered. Blood was supposed to be thicker than water—yet here they were, choosing Harrison over her.

She was the outsider.

"What am I supposed to do, then?" Isabella cried, her voice raw. "Nathaniel wants to call off the engagement! Am I just supposed to accept this humiliation?"

"You can’t force love," Henry said gently. "It’s clear now—Nathaniel doesn’t have feelings for you. We should end this. There are countless accomplished men in Metropolia. I’ll find someone better, someone who truly cherishes you."

"Listen to your father," Isabella Lancaster added softly. "Let go of Nathaniel. Holding onto someone who doesn’t love you will only bring you pain."

Both of them were urging her to give up. They had already accepted the broken engagement.

Isabella couldn’t.

"No! I won’t! There’s no second Nathaniel in all of Metropolia! I will marry him—no one else is worthy of me!"

With that, she whirled around and stormed out, her heels striking the floor like gunshots.

"Isabella!"