Chapter 786

What?!

Outside the door, Nathaniel, Henry, and Isabella froze simultaneously.

Harrison and Eleanor had departed. Though Eleanor's Frostholm witchcraft had been exposed, they hadn't lost the battle.

Isabella's eyes glittered with excitement. "Do you truly believe Nathaniel will marry me?"

Eleanor sipped her tea calmly. "Without question. Prepare your bridal gown. Only I can undo the Heartchain Curse within him."

Isabella linked arms with Eleanor. "You're the only one who genuinely cares for me."

Eleanor smiled. "Now that you're my daughter, naturally I'll look after you."

"Thank you, Mother!" Isabella cooed.

In Isabella's world, anyone useful or kind earned the title of "Mother."

A maid rushed in breathlessly. "A delivery has arrived."

Eleanor arched a brow. "What is it?"

The maid produced a gilded invitation. "An invitation, madam."

Eleanor took it. "To what occasion?"

As she unfolded the gold-embossed card, Isabella peered over her shoulder. Both women's expressions darkened instantly.

The maid trembled. "Rumors say Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster have adopted Ms. Harrison as their goddaughter. The Lancasters are hosting a grand celebration, inviting all Metropolia's elite families. This invitation... requests your attendance."

What?

Isabella shot up, fury contorting her features. "How dare they?! They actually made Harrison their goddaughter?"

Eleanor's face turned icy. She'd believed victory was hers when Isabella called her "Mother," but Henry and Isabella had moved shockingly fast to claim Harrison.

The truth remained—Harrison was Henry and Isabella's biological daughter.

Eleanor locked eyes with Isabella.

"I've long suspected Henry and Isabella favored Harrison. Even believing you're their child, their affections have shifted. Now with this adoption... if the truth surfaces, you'll become worthless to them!"

Isabella's stomach plummeted.

Despite her elaborate schemes to pose as the Lancasters' daughter, despite blocking Harrison at every turn—Harrison had waltzed straight into the family.

If Harrison's true identity emerged, Isabella would lose everything.

She collapsed onto the sofa. "Impossible! The DNA test confirmed it. They won't suspect a thing."

Eleanor nodded grimly. "Then we must act swiftly. We'll attend this farce of a celebration."

Isabella's lips curled. "Even as their goddaughter, Harrison won't keep Nathaniel. This round is still ours to win!"

Their matching wicked smiles spoke volumes.

On the event night, Lancaster Manor blazed with light. Metropolia's crème de la crème arrived—billionaires, power brokers, influencers. Tonight's gala was the ultimate battlefield of prestige and influence.