Chapter 28

Thaddeus Kingsley had graduated from West Point and served three years in the Marines. Even now, as a businessman, his muscular frame was evident beneath his tailored suit. So when Nathan Prescott's fist connected with his jaw, he barely flinched, though a bruise darkened the corner of his mouth.

"Damn love rival," Lucas muttered under his breath, recalling Isabella's sharp remarks about his arrogance.

Nathan swung again, but Thaddeus dodged effortlessly.

"Thaddeus, didn't I warn you to stay away from Isabella? Are you deaf?" Nathan's chest heaved with fury, his eyes blazing. "If she gets hurt again, I'll make sure the Kingsley family pays for it."

"Mr. Prescott, you're overreacting," Lucas interjected nervously. "It's just a dislocated shoulder—"

"Just a dislocation?" Nathan scoffed, his voice dripping with venom. "You two—one treats women like playthings, the other like trophies. You'll never understand what she means to me. Isabella is the woman I love, the one I'll protect with my life. Keep your filthy hands off her!"

His words were raw, filled with a passion Thaddeus had never dared to express.

A flicker of surprise crossed Thaddeus' face. Since their divorce, Isabella had only grown more radiant, attracting men like moths to a flame—first Alexander, now Lucas.

The bitterness in his chest was unbearable. He had taken her for granted, and now others fought for her attention.

"Sue me if you want," Thaddeus said coldly. "But let me remind you—Isabella and I aren't officially divorced yet. She's still my wife, still a Kingsley."

Lucas winced. Thaddeus really knew how to twist the knife.

Nathan looked ready to spit in his face but restrained himself.

"Mr. Prescott."

A soft yet firm voice cut through the tension.

The three men turned.

Isabella stood alone, her left arm in a sling, her face pale but proud, like a delicate daffodil refusing to wilt.

Thaddeus' throat tightened.

The hallway stretched wide and empty around her. Her clear, innocent eyes shimmered, pure and untainted, stirring something deep within him—a distant, fragmented memory.

Isabella?

A sharp pain lanced through his skull, then vanished just as quickly.

Nathan rushed to her side, his voice rough with worry. "Are you in pain?"

"No. Let's go home."

She smiled at him, warm and intimate, making Thaddeus' chest ache.

Nathan wrapped an arm around her waist, guiding her away without so much as a glance at Thaddeus.

Thaddeus moved to follow, but Lucas stopped him.

"Don't. You've hurt her enough. You know who called Alexander, don't you? Don't humiliate yourself further."

Watching them disappear, Thaddeus clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white.

Sebastian arrived moments later, summoned by Nathan but still clueless.

"Miss Sinclair! What happened? Who hurt you?"

"That bastard Thaddeus," Nathan growled.

Sebastian's face darkened. "I'll kill him—"

Isabella cut him off. "No. You can't take him. He was Special Forces—you'd just get yourself hurt. Besides, he didn't mean to. He's always been rough."

Sebastian frowned. "You sound like you know him well."

Isabella hesitated, biting her lip. Sebastian didn't know about her past with Thaddeus. She wasn't hiding it—she just didn't want to relive it.

Back at the penthouse, Nathan brewed coffee while ranting about Thaddeus.

"I'm sorry," Isabella murmured.

Nathan blinked. "For what?"

"For dragging you into this. I didn't want you to think I was using you."

Nathan's expression softened. He pulled her into a careful hug. "Idiot. We've protected you since the day you were born. Next time you get married, we'll be your dowry." He paused, then added, "And if you never marry again, we'll still be here, guarding you forever."

Isabella almost laughed. Four brothers as dowry? Might as well join a convent.

——

Thaddeus couldn't focus during the afternoon meeting, barely listening as executives presented reports.

His grim expression kept the room tense. No one dared breathe too loudly.

Though an illegitimate heir, Thaddeus now ruled the Kingsley Group unchallenged. His half-brother was bedridden overseas, and his stepsisters were deemed unfit to inherit.

"Mr. Kingsley, the Farley Group's hotel in Wye—it's been acquired by another party," a nervous executive reported.

Thaddeus' gaze sharpened. "By whom?"

"The K Group. It'll be their second luxury hotel in Elmsworth."

Thaddeus' jaw tightened. "Why wasn't I informed sooner?"

"We were in final negotiations when Mr. Ashbourne swooped in. We never saw it coming."

"Almost isn't good enough." Thaddeus' voice turned icy. "That location is prime real estate—600 meters from the future Universal Studios. I wanted it secured at any cost. Your hesitation cost us dearly. Report to the Eldoria branch next week. One more mistake, and you're done."

He stormed out, leaving the room in stunned silence.

——

"Retaliation?" Gordon ventured on the drive home, eyeing the rearview mirror nervously. "First Ms. Sterling attacks Ms. Sinclair, then Mr. Ashbourne steals our project, and now the Sterling Group's scandal breaks—could he be behind it all?"

Thaddeus met his gaze in the mirror, and Gordon nearly choked.

"Pull over at the tailor shop ahead."