Chapter 792

Isabella felt the sting of public humiliation as if Henry Lancaster and her own mother had physically struck her.

The ballroom buzzed with whispers as dozens of eyes locked onto her. Some guests hid smirks behind champagne flutes, others openly sneered, while a few offered pitying glances she didn't want. The air thickened with judgment.

Once, she'd basked in the golden glow of being the Lancaster heiress. Now that crown lay shattered at her feet.

How had everything unraveled so completely?

Bitter resentment coiled in her chest like a venomous snake.

"Mr. Falcon's arrived!" someone announced.

Nathaniel had come.

Isabella lifted her chin to see the crowd parting like the Red Sea. His imposing figure emerged through the gap, commanding attention without effort.

Dressed in a bespoke midnight suit that hugged his broad shoulders, Nathaniel moved with the predatory grace of a panther. Every step radiated power and privilege.

Isabella's breath caught. This was the man she loved, the only one worthy of her.

Eleanor whispered urgently, "This isn't over. Nathaniel is our ace. If you can't be a Lancaster, you'll still be Mrs. Falcon."

A slow smile curved Isabella's lips. Of course. Marriage would secure her position just as well.

As Nathaniel approached, Henry and her mother greeted him warmly. "Nathaniel, glad you could make it."

He nodded curtly, then his gaze found Harrison. The breath visibly left his lungs. Harrison looked ethereal tonight, a vision in emerald silk that made his fingers twitch with the need to touch.

Rosalind smirked. "Close your mouth, Falcon. You're drooling."

Under Nathaniel's heated stare, Harrison allowed herself a small, knowing smile.

"Mr. Falcon!" Eleanor interjected sharply. "The Falcon and Lancaster families have an engagement agreement. Isabella is your rightful fiancée. When will you make an honest woman of her?"

Rosalind snorted. "In his dreams maybe."

"That's not for you to decide!" Isabella snapped.

Eleanor turned to Nathaniel. "Well? What's your answer?"

Silence stretched.

With narrowed eyes, Eleanor muttered an ancient incantation under her breath.

A faint hiss slithered through the air.

Nathaniel suddenly clutched his head, face draining of color as invisible knives seemed to stab through his skull.

"Nathaniel!" Henry steadied him as he swayed.

Harrison's hands twitched toward him instinctively before she forced them to her sides. She couldn't intervene.

Isabella smiled coldly. "Why endure this pain? Just say yes and it stops. Harrison is your torment. You need to cut her from your life!"

Rosalind's fists clenched, ready to strike, but Harrison stopped her with a look. Turning to Nathaniel, she said calmly, "Marry her."

She was telling Nathaniel to wed Isabella.

His head snapped up, searching her face. "You truly want this?"

Harrison nodded. "I'm telling you to marry her. It's over between us."

Rosalind opened her mouth to protest, then remembered the Heartchain Curse binding Nathaniel. There was no way out.

Eleanor pressed, voice turning dangerous. "Decide now. We won't ask again. If we can't have this, we'll destroy everything."

Isabella gazed at Nathaniel with naked adoration. "I love you! Marry me."

Nathaniel's eyes flicked to Harrison one last time before settling on Isabella. He nodded.

"Fine. I'll marry you."