Chapter 767

Rosalind's lips curved into a knowing smirk. "Go ahead then, darling. I'll be right here enjoying the show."

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, clearly relishing the drama about to unfold.

Isabella remained unshaken. There was no way Nathaniel would abandon her—not when the Heartchain Curse still bound him to her will.

With deliberate movements, she retrieved her phone, maintaining eye contact with Rosalind. "Watch closely, sweetheart. You're about to eat your words."

The dial tone echoed through the tense silence. Once. Twice. Five times.

No answer.

Only the robotic voice of the automated system responded. "The number you have dialed is currently unavailable—"

Her perfectly manicured fingers trembled as she redialed. Again. And again.

Each unanswered call felt like another nail in her coffin.

He'd promised. Just last night, over champagne at The Celestial, he'd sworn to meet her here at The Grand View.

Where was he?

A melodic chuckle broke her spiraling thoughts.

Rosalind leaned forward, resting her chin on interlaced fingers. "Oh dear. No Nathaniel yet? Do tell—what did he say when you called just now? Is our dear CEO running late?"

The mock concern in her voice was sharper than any blade.

Isabella's crimson nails bit into her palms, yet she felt nothing.

"Cat got your tongue?" Rosalind continued, gesturing to Isabella's designer dress. "All this effort for nothing? How tragic. Oh wait—he's not coming at all, is he? And he's ignoring your calls! My, my... The great Nathaniel Lancaster standing up the mighty Isabella Whitmore. Delicious."

Peals of laughter spilled from Rosalind's lips.

The sight of Isabella's crumbling composure was sweeter than dessert. Deep down, Rosalind knew Nathaniel's character—this erratic behavior made no sense. Yet here they were.

Undeterred, Isabella kept dialing. The same infuriating silence answered each attempt.

Then Rosalind pulled out her own phone with theatrical flair. "Since he's ghosting you, let's see if he picks up for me."

Isabella's jaw tightened. "By all means."

The ringing pierced the air between them. Once. Twice. Five times.

Silence.

This time, it was Isabella's turn to laugh—a brittle, hollow sound. "See? He's clearly occupied. Probably finalizing that merger with Quantum Innovations. He'll be here."

Rosalind's smirk deepened. "Adorable how you cling to that fantasy. Let me enlighten you—there's only one person important enough to make Nathaniel ignore us both."

Isabella's champagne flute froze midway to her lips. "And who might that be?"

"Must I spell it out?" Rosalind's eyes glittered with triumph. "Harrison. He's with Harrison right now—and darling, you weren't even a passing thought."