Chapter 142

The sterile hospital room was quiet except for the steady beeping of machines. Isabella sat by the bed, gently stroking Arabella's hair as she spoke in hushed tones.

"Sebastian pulled every string and spent a fortune to get Dominic to help Seraphina evade the prosecutors. It's obvious how much he cares about her. With her influence, your marriage to Nathaniel is practically guaranteed! And let's not forget—he’s been visiting you every single day. The way he talks to you now? So much warmer. Your relationship has clearly improved!"

Isabella couldn’t hide her smug smile. She was already picturing herself as Nathaniel’s mother-in-law.

"You know Nathaniel better than I do. If he was truly done with you, why would he even bother coming to the hospital?"

Arabella bit her lip, her fingers twisting the edge of the blanket. "I know it sounds logical, but after everything that’s happened, I can’t shake this unease."

The memory of Nathaniel’s icy glare sent a shudder down her spine. "Even though he’s been here, taking care of me, something feels... different. The way he looks at me—it’s not the same."

"Stop overthinking it," Isabella chided.

The door creaked open, and Nathaniel strode in.

Arabella immediately slumped against the pillows, her eyes welling up with practiced tears. "Nathaniel..."

She reached for him as he approached, but he stopped just out of reach.

Her hand hovered awkwardly in the air, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"I have to head back to the office. I’ll see you tonight." His voice was smooth, his expression unreadable.

"Nathaniel, I’m so sorry." Tears spilled down her cheeks as she put on her most pitiful expression. "I’ve caused you so much trouble. This is all my fault."

"Just rest."

Without another word, he turned and left.

Arabella clenched the sheets, frustration bubbling inside her. The Nathaniel who once doted on her was gone. Now, his cold detachment terrified her.

She shot Isabella a desperate look.

Isabella nodded and hurried after him.

"Mr. Kingsley!"

Nathaniel paused, his gaze sharp as he turned. "What?"

"You’ve seen Arabella’s condition. She’s barely holding it together. She suffered so much abroad, and all she wanted was to come back to you. If you abandon her now—"

"I’ll take responsibility for her illness. She did save my life once."

Then he walked away, leaving Isabella frozen in the hallway, a chill creeping down her spine.

Meanwhile, at The Regal Palace, Seraphina was buried in work, overseeing every detail of Victoria’s wedding.

In the middle of a heated discussion with her team, her phone buzzed.

"Sebastian, I’m busy. What is it?" She wedged the phone between her ear and shoulder, flipping through contracts.

Sebastian?

The room fell silent.

That was their untouchable CEO.

"It’s time." His voice was low, cryptic.

"What?"

"It’s time for your blind date!"

Seraphina yanked the phone away as Sebastian’s booming voice echoed through the room.

Every head snapped toward her, eyes wide.

Their fierce, brilliant President Ashbourne—being forced on a blind date?

"Sebastian, I’m in a meeting. We’ll discuss this nonsense later."

"Nonsense? You think your future is nonsense?" His tone hardened. "Let me ask you this—do you want to be CEO of Sinclair Holdings, or not?"

Seraphina gritted her teeth. Sebastian, you manipulative snake. Did Nathaniel teach you this?

"Fine. I’ll go. But not today. I have meetings."

"You can’t run forever."

The rest of the meeting passed in tense silence.

Back in her office, Seraphina collapsed onto the couch, exhausted.

Lawrence entered with coffee. "Ms. Ashbourne, is everything alright?"

"That traitor," she muttered, punching a cushion. "I clean up his messes, secure deals, and now he throws a blind date at me? Maybe I should join the FBI and disappear."

Lawrence chuckled. "You’re too loyal for that. The chairman’s stepping back—he needs you. And Sinclair Holdings can’t expand without you."

Seraphina sighed, kicking off her heels.

Lawrence draped a blanket over her legs, tucking it gently around her.

"You’re right. I’ll handle it." She smirked. "Sebastian has his games, but I have mine."

She marched to her desk, barefoot, and scribbled a list.

Lawrence took it, scanning the items before bursting into laughter.

"You’re evil."

Seraphina grinned. "Just making sure this blind date is... memorable."