Chapter 244

The moment Alexander Kingsley left, Isabella Sinclair helped a numb Nathaniel Whitmore back to the office.

She guided his trembling body to the couch, his forehead glistening with sweat, lips pressed into a tight line. With the precision of a seasoned surgeon, she began examining his limbs.

"Miss Isabella, I'm fine."

Though Nathaniel was numb, he wasn't completely incapacitated. Seeing her concern for him, his throat tightened. "I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

"Don't be ridiculous. You were protecting me." Her voice softened as she massaged his legs. "Just don't be so reckless next time."

"I wasn't reckless."

Nathaniel forced himself to sit up, his gaze unwavering. "Even if it happened a thousand times, I'd still be the first to jump in front of you."

"Nathaniel, you can't rely on brute strength and underestimate your opponent. You're no match for Alexander! Do you think he spent four years in military school for nothing?"

Her eyes burned with worry. "He went easy on you today. If you weren't my man, he might've broken your arm!"

"I don't care! What's death to me?"

Nathaniel stood shakily, his tall frame towering over her. "Even if it kills me, I won't let that bastard lay a finger on you!"

"Nathaniel."

Her breath caught as she met his tear-filled eyes.

Then, without realizing it, tears spilled down his cheeks.

"Nathaniel, crying again?"

She teased lightly, her heart aching as she wiped his tears away.

Suddenly, he gathered his courage and pulled her into a crushing embrace.

His arms locked around her waist, his hand pressing against her back as if he wanted to fuse her into his pounding chest.

Isabella wasn't oblivious—she felt the raw emotion in his hold.

"Nathaniel, let go. We need to talk."

She gently pushed him away.

"Miss Isabella, I'll accept any punishment you see fit for my actions."

His face was streaked with tears, like melting ice.

He knew he was playing the victim card, shamelessly begging for her mercy.

It was pathetic, but he was furious, desperate, on the verge of losing his mind.

Yet Isabella wasn't one to be swayed by emotions.

Her expression hardened, voice cold. "Starting tomorrow, you're taking a week off. Go home and rest."

"But Miss Isabella—"

His heart twisted.

"Your stress levels are too high, and your emotions are unstable. Use this week to reflect. Think about how you want to continue working beside me."

Meanwhile, Victoria Sterling had been interrogated by the police for a full day.

For someone accustomed to luxury, these twenty-four hours were torture. Though she was given food and water, she wasn't allowed to sleep. Exhaustion weighed on her, dark circles under her eyes, her body stiff from sitting too long.

Harsh lights glared down, making her expensive hair look dry and lifeless.

It was pure agony.

"I didn't do it! Caroline wasn't my spy! This has nothing to do with me! Isabella framed me—I'm the victim here!"

Victoria's voice was hoarse, but she kept denying, stubborn as a mule.

Just then, the interrogation room door opened.

A man in a tailored suit entered, carrying a sleek briefcase, exuding calm confidence.

"Officers, I'm Ms. Sterling's attorney, Cedric Dempsey."

Cedric—the infamous lawyer?

Victoria's eyes lit up.

He gave her a reassuring smile. "I need to speak with my client privately."

Once alone, Victoria grabbed his hand, tears streaming. "Mr. Cedric! Did my father send you? Please, get me out of here—I can't take it anymore!"

"Ms. Sterling, rest assured. If I took your case, I have at least an 80% chance of acquittal."

His voice was smooth, but his gaze sharpened. "But you must cooperate fully. Tell me everything—no lies, no omissions."

"Yes, yes!"

She nodded frantically, recalling how Cedric had handled even her mother's scandals. If anyone could save her, it was him. She spilled every detail.

Cedric listened without interruption.

"Mr. Cedric, can't you do something about Isabella? She's despicable!"

Victoria slammed her fist on the table. "If it weren't for that witch, I wouldn't be in this mess!"

"Ms. Sterling, Isabella is your prosecutor—and the victim. You know her background."

His tone darkened. "Our opponent is formidable. The Sinclair heiress is ruthless. Getting you acquitted is already a challenge. Don't expect more."

Victoria bit back her frustration.

"Your informant, Caroline, had ties to the editor-in-chief of Pioneer Post. That weakens the witness's credibility."

Cedric twirled his pen expertly. "And that suspect, Kevin? He was romantically involved with Caroline before the incident. That's our breakthrough."

"You mean... pin it all on Kevin?"

Her voice dropped to a whisper, shock lacing her tone.

Cedric smirked.

"But would he take the fall? He cut ties with Caroline."

"Leave that to me."

Cedric had built his reputation not just through the Dempsey family's influence or his legal brilliance—but through cunning ruthlessness.

To win, sometimes you had to play dirty.

Despite Nathaniel's pleas, Isabella stood firm on his suspension.

It wasn't for rest—it was for reflection.

Meanwhile, after persistent requests, Isabella—under her alias, Alea—finally agreed to meet Ada.

Ada, the international superstar, shed all pretense in front of Isabella. She poured tea, her gaze nothing short of worshipful.

Isabella didn't toy with her. Business came first. Pride was pointless—profit and publicity mattered.

So, she agreed to redesign Ada's wedding.

Ada nearly collapsed in gratitude.

Not only that, she promised an unlimited budget and swore to be K Group's free spokesperson—anything to make amends.

"President Sinclair, what's this?"

Ada stared at the document in shock.

Isabella sipped her coffee elegantly. "Your new wedding plan."

Ada and her manager exchanged stunned looks. "Already?"

Such speed was unheard of.

"I was prepared."

Isabella set her cup down. "When I designed your first wedding, I had a backup. Didn't think I'd need it."

Ada's lips trembled.

"President Sinclair, the wedding's soon. Is this too ambitious? Will there be time?"

Her manager frowned.

"You love gothic style, don't you? Ever considered black roses?"

Isabella's almond eyes curved knowingly.

"Black roses?"

Ada gasped.

"The original venue was red roses. Replacing them with Black Swan roses would save time."

Ada's face flushed with excitement.

The first design was perfect—but this was her dream.

Black roses symbolized mystery, desire, exclusivity.

Dark, yet deeply romantic.

"Black roses? Isn't that... ominous?"

Her manager paled.

He knew this would trend online—a celebrity wedding with black roses? The publicity would be insane.

President Sinclair was a commercial genius. Profit was just the bonus—brand exposure was the real prize. But wasn't Ada being exploited?

"Is this my wedding or yours?"

Ada shot him a glare. "I trust President Sinclair completely. I accept all her suggestions. Stay out of it!"

After resigning the contract, Isabella sent them away and briefed her team before heading home.

Outside, Cassius Sinclair's Rolls Royce waited, the door held open respectfully.

"Cassius! You're free to pick me up today?"

She leaped into the car, throwing her arms around his neck playfully.

"I heard you suspended Nathaniel."

He ruffled her hair.

"Mmm, he's been overworked. Needs rest."

"Really?"

Cassius saw right through her. "You're swamped. Now's when you need help most. Suspending him now—what's the real reason? Did you two fight?"

She frowned. "Cassius, that's a weird way to put it. We're not in a relationship—there's nothing to fight about."

"So, he has feelings for you, and you panicked?"

Her eyes widened. "Cassius!"

"Nathaniel's crush is obvious to everyone."

He smiled faintly.

"Everyone?"

"Suri told me days ago. She didn't want to say it directly, so she told me."

Isabella groaned. Nathaniel's secret was public knowledge now.

How mortifying.

"Suri's worried his feelings might affect your daily life. You two live alone in the Elmsworth mansion. She's concerned."

Cassius's tone turned serious as he held her hand.

Isabella understood. Suri saw her as a daughter—of course she'd worry.

She feared Nathaniel might lose control.

"I trust Nathaniel's character. He wouldn't cross the line. But you suddenly suspended him—I had to ask."

His eyes darkened with concern.

"I gave him time to reflect."

Facing Cassius, she dropped all pretense. "I noticed his feelings. This suspension is for him to adjust. If he can't move on, I can't keep him by my side."

Cassius frowned. "You'd really cut him off?"

"It's for his own good."

She sighed. "I won't fall in love again in this lifetime. There's no future for us. If he stays, seeing me every day but never having me—wouldn't that hurt him? I know the pain of unrequited love. I won't let someone I care about suffer like that. Nathaniel deserves better."

Cassius's heart ached. He pulled her into a tight embrace.

Then his phone rang.

Holding her with one arm, he answered coldly. "What?"

"President Sinclair, Victoria's been acquitted! Cedric bailed her out!"

After three days in custody, Victoria Sterling was finally free.