Chapter 104

The living room was unnervingly quiet when Isabella stepped inside.

Her fingers trembled as she flicked the light switch. "Nathaniel?" Her voice was rough with worry. "Nathaniel, where are you?"

A faint sound came from the bedroom.

Her pulse spiked. She rushed toward the door, calling out, "Nathaniel! What's wrong? Are you sick?"

"Isabella, don't come in!" His voice was strained, his breathing ragged.

"Nathaniel! What the hell is going on? You're scaring me!"

Her face drained of color. She was about to push the door open when it suddenly flew back with a violent crash.

Nathaniel stood there, drenched, as if he'd been submerged in water. His skin was flushed, his shirt clinging to his body, the fabric nearly transparent. The top buttons were undone, revealing his scorching red chest.

"Nathaniel?"

"I've been drugged." His vision blurred as he fought to focus on her. "I tried cold showers, ice—nothing's working. This isn't just some weak sedative."

"What the hell happened?!" Fury and panic warred inside her.

She was a surgeon, capable of performing intricate brain operations, but faced with her brother in this state, she felt utterly helpless. "Isabella, it's a setup. Lock the door and leave. I can fight this." His breathing grew heavier, his pupils dilated.

His gaze dropped to her bare arm.

A wave of terror crashed over him at the hunger that surged through his veins.

If she stayed, he wouldn't be able to control himself.

"Nathaniel! I'm not leaving you like this! We're going to the hospital—now!"

She'd never seen him in such agony. Tears burned in her eyes.

Just as she moved toward him, a loud shatter split the air.

Nathaniel had smashed a vase against the wall.

He grabbed a jagged shard and clenched it in his fist. Blood dripped between his fingers, but he held on, using the pain to anchor himself.

"Nathaniel!" Her heart shattered.

He was hurting himself to protect her.

"Isabella, please—go!" His voice was raw with desperation. "Get out!"

The banquet hall buzzed with energy.

Alexander sat at the head table, deep in conversation with Harrison, his presence alone warding off unwanted interruptions.

Few dared approach when the Sinclair patriarch was in such a formidable mood.

After a few glasses of wine, Harrison was in high spirits and summoned his children to join them.

Mr. Langley gestured for Sebastian to take a seat beside Alexander.

"Alexander, what do you think of Sebastian?" Harrison asked, grinning.

Alexander offered a polite smile. "Mr. Vanderbilt is undoubtedly talented. The younger generation continues to impress."

Harrison coughed, wondering how Alexander had built an empire with such blunt diplomacy.

Sebastian was Harrison’s son. Praising the son over the father wasn’t exactly tactful.

"Ha! Sebastian’s nothing compared to me at his age. I had twice his vision!" Harrison boasted. "Though I will say—he’s got a good heart. His flaw? Stubbornness. Never listens to me."

His tone was laced with disappointment.

Sebastian remained silent, sipping his coffee with an unreadable expression.

"Sebastian isn’t as bad as you make him out to be," Richard interjected. "As CEO, his results speak for themselves. Among his peers, he’s unmatched."

He wasn’t just defending Sebastian—he was defending his own pride. He couldn’t let Alexander think the Vanderbilts were weak.

"Hmph. That’s his job. If he can’t lead, I’ll find someone who can!" Harrison snapped, clearly enjoying needling Richard.

"Men like Sebastian are rare in New York," Alexander said smoothly. "He’s set a standard for others to follow."

Since Sebastian took over, Vanderbilt Industries had soared. His reforms made it the top conglomerate in three years.

Harrison’s criticism was just a front. Alexander could see the pride beneath.

"Ah! So you admire him?" Harrison’s grin widened. "Perhaps our families should strengthen ties. A marriage, perhaps?"

The table froze.

Sebastian’s expression darkened. "Don’t joke."

Alexander raised a brow.

"Alexander, you have three daughters, yes? Any new additions?" Harrison pressed.

"Still just the three. Nine children total—that’s enough."

"And are they married?"

"My eldest, Arabella, is wed overseas. My youngest, Lillian, is still in school. Too young for such things."

"Ah, but your favorite—what was her name again?"

Alexander’s gaze softened. "Isabella."

Sebastian’s hand twitched at the name, his jaw tightening.

"Yes! Isabella! I remember her as a child—well-mannered, beautiful. She must be in her mid-twenties now? Any suitors?"

"None."

"So, what do you think of Sebastian?"

Alexander nearly choked. Was Harrison seriously suggesting this?

"I’m engaged," Sebastian bit out. "Even if I weren’t, Isabella Sinclair is out of my league."

Harrison opened his mouth, but Alexander cut in, frowning. "Mr. Vanderbilt, are you implying my daughter isn’t good enough? I wouldn’t marry her to a prince, yet you dismiss her without a thought? That’s bold."

If Harrison weren’t here, Alexander would’ve been far harsher.

Sebastian had nerve.

"Isabella is exceptional. We’ve crossed paths in business. She’s brilliant, fearless—equal to any man." Sebastian’s tone was neutral, but his eyes were stormy. "But we’re incompatible. That line won’t be crossed."

"Enough with the excuses! I’ll arrange a meeting tomorrow. Maybe this ‘incompatibility’ is just in your head!" Harrison slammed his palm on the table. "It’s settled!"

Desperate to stop Sebastian from marrying Vanessa, Harrison was playing matchmaker blindly.

Sebastian’s expression turned thunderous. Before he could refuse, Elspeth blurted, "Sebastian’s marrying Vanessa! Introducing Isabella now is inappropriate!"

"They’re not married yet." Harrison’s smile vanished. "Business and marriage aren’t so different. Until the papers are signed, anything can change."

"But their engagement’s public! What would people think of Isabella?" Elspeth scoffed. "She’s Alexander’s treasure. The Vanderbilts can’t toy with her!"

"Elspeth, enough!" Richard yanked her back, fearing Harrison’s temper.

Harrison’s face reddened with rage.

Alexander watched silently, sipping his wine.

The Vanderbilts were a circus. No sane man would let his daughter near them.

As Harrison’s coughing worsened, Richard, Sebastian, and Mr. Langley rushed to his side.

"Stop crowding me! Where’s Natalia? Get her here—now!" Harrison barked.

In his heart, Natalia was his favorite. Without her, he couldn’t breathe right.

"Speaking of, where is Miss Natalia? I haven’t seen her," Glynnis asked innocently, hiding her smirk.

Just then, Vanessa glided over.

"Vanessa, have you seen Natalia? Harrison’s asking for her," Glynnis pressed.

"I have." Vanessa fidgeted, eyes darting. "But... I’m not sure I should say."