Chapter 82

Nathaniel turned to leave.

"Wait!" Sebastian's sharp command froze him mid-step.

Nathaniel halted.

Sebastian's furious glare burned into Harrison. "Harrison, have you no humanity? He's your adoptive father, and you refuse to even recognize him?"

The elite socialites flanking Sebastian chimed in with sneering contempt.

"Harrison, your lowly origins were bad enough. Now you show your true colors - selfish, heartless, only caring about money!"

"How could Nathaniel marry trash like you? You're nothing but a disgrace to his name!"

The accusations rained down on Harrison.

Isabella stood beside Sebastian, her smug smile widening. Gabrielle opened her mouth to defend her friend, but Harrison's firm grip on her arm silenced her.

Victoria stepped forward, her voice dripping with false concern. "Harrison, you're being unreasonable. Vincent is your adoptive father. You should take responsibility for him."

Victoria and Isabella had banked on Harrison staying silent about Vincent's abuse. They knew most victims would rather bury their trauma than expose it.

This was Victoria's cruel design - she wanted Vincent to haunt Harrison forever, to keep her drowning in darkness.

Harrison's piercing gaze locked onto Victoria's face. "Did you arrange this?"

Victoria remained silent.

A cold smile curved Harrison's lips, but her eyes blazed with defiance. "So you knew everything."

Victoria had abandoned her in that village, never once checking on her.

Harrison had wondered if Victoria was ignorant of her suffering. Now she knew the truth - Victoria had known all along.

Victoria was fully aware of every horror Harrison had endured. Gabrielle trembled with rage as she stepped forward. "You knew! And you still brought this monster here to torment Harrison? What kind of mother are you? You're worse than an animal! Mark my words, karma will destroy you, you vile woman!"

Victoria's face darkened at Gabrielle's outburst.

Isabella smirked, her voice laced with mockery. "Harrison, are you really going to abandon your adoptive father like this?"

Sebastian and his privileged circle closed ranks around Isabella. "Harrison, you're despicable!"

Harrison's ice-cold eyes glittered with dangerous intensity. "Gabrielle, we're leaving."

Gabrielle shot them all a final scathing look before following Harrison out.

Isabella, thoroughly pleased with the outcome, turned to Sebastian. "Sebastian, what's wrong with Harrison? After everything her adoptive father did for her, she shows no gratitude."

Sebastian's face twisted in disgust. "Isabella, you're too kind. If Harrison had even a shred of your goodness, she might be tolerable. I'm telling Nathaniel and Alexander about this. They'll despise her too."

Isabella's lips curled in satisfaction. "You're wonderful, Sebastian."

Sebastian grinned. "I can't wait to toast your wedding with Nathaniel."

As Sebastian and his entourage departed, Isabella savored her victory. Mission accomplished.

Victoria noticed Vincent still staring hungrily in Harrison's direction, his expression lecherous.

She smiled. "Vincent, you seem quite taken with Harrison. If you want her, you'll need to be clever about it. You wouldn't want to fail again, would you? Not after she blinded you ten years ago."

Vincent sneered. "Don't worry. I know her dirty little secret. She won't dare defy me!"