Chapter 321

Nathaniel was stunned, his outstretched hands frozen mid-air.

"I saw you were upset. I just wanted to—"

"Let me repeat myself. My business is none of yours!"

Isabella had no patience for male theatrics. She shoved past him, phone clutched in her grip, and sprinted away.

The door slammed shut behind her with a deafening crash.

Nathaniel felt the warmth between them vanish instantly. Everything that had just transpired—every tender moment—was nothing more than a fragile bubble, floating beautifully before she popped it without hesitation.

The priceless antique he'd gifted her? Left behind without a second glance.

To Isabella, family came first. Everything else was disposable.

A sharp pang twisted in his chest.

But now wasn’t the time for self-pity. He snapped into action, striding out of the room.

"Mr. Kingsley! Mrs. Sinclair just stormed out. What happened?" Preston asked, concern lacing his tone.

"Seraphina is in trouble," Nathaniel replied, his voice heavy.

"What? That explains the commotion earlier!"

Preston immediately pulled out his phone, fingers flying across the screen.

His expression darkened. "Mr. Kingsley, look at this!"

Nathaniel glanced down at the video playing on Preston’s phone.

His handsome face tensed instantly. He snatched the device, gripping it tightly.

The footage was grainy, years old, but unmistakable—Seraphina on stage, hands clutching her stomach as liquid trickled down her legs.

Gasps erupted from the audience.

Cameras flashed relentlessly, the blinding lights swallowing her whole.

"My mother was Seraphina’s biggest fan. She told me how her career ended in disgrace—drug rumors, and... this," Preston muttered, unable to watch. "Back then, the internet wasn’t widespread. Phones couldn’t record. But my mom saw it live on TV."

Nathaniel’s jaw clenched.

A woman at the peak of her fame, humiliated in front of thousands. It was worse than death.

"By the next morning, every newspaper headline was about the scandal. But within hours, they all vanished. Someone made them disappear."

Nathaniel’s eyes narrowed.

Of course. Chairman Reginald.

Only a man of his influence could erase a nationwide scandal overnight.

"Whoever leaked this planned it carefully. They’re powerful—and patient," Nathaniel muttered, his mind racing. "Either an insider from the TV station or someone involved in the original incident."

"Brilliant deduction, as always, sir!"

"Track down the source. Every journalist, every account that shared this—detain them. Now."

"Yes, sir!"

Without another word, Nathaniel turned on his heel and strode away.

"Mr. Kingsley! Where are you going?" Preston called after him.

Nathaniel didn’t look back. "Isabella’s facing hell for her family. I’m going to stand beside her."

It didn’t matter if she didn’t love him.

She was in his blood. That was enough.

——

The resurfaced scandal spread like wildfire.

Reporters descended on the Windsor Estates like vultures.

Online, the backlash was brutal.

[I’ve seen stars fall from grace, but this? Disgusting.]

[Did she really pee on stage? How pathetic.]

[Old-timers know the truth. Seraphina was a drug addict. That’s why she lost control.]

[Is this real?]

[Why would Chairman Reginald want her? The Sinclairs are elite. This is disgraceful.]

[Throwing a birthday party for a woman like this? The Sinclair heiress must be seething.]

Isabella sprinted toward the banquet hall, scrolling through the comments.

Her fingers trembled with rage.

Outside, Sebastian, Oliver, and William were locked in heated discussion.

"Isabella!" they called in unison.

"Where’s Seraphina? Is she okay?" she demanded, breathless.

"Dad sent bodyguards to escort her out," Sebastian said, stepping forward to wipe her sweat with his handkerchief.

She shoved his hand away. "How is she?"

The brothers exchanged glances.

"Pale. Shaking. Terrified," Oliver admitted. "Having this dredged up on her birthday? It’s cruel."

"Damn it!" William yanked at his hair. "I’m calling Cyber Security. We’ll find who did this!"

"Stop." Sebastian’s voice was steel. "You’re a public official. This is a private matter. Don’t abuse your power."

William froze, chastened.

A sudden crash silenced them.

Isabella had punched through the fire hydrant’s glass casing. Shards littered the floor.

"Oh my God! Isabella!"

Her brothers lunged forward, panic-stricken.

"You’re bleeding!" Oliver gasped, eyes wide.

"Call an ambulance!" William shouted.

Isabella scoffed. "It’s a scratch."

With a swift motion, she ripped off Oliver’s tie and wrapped it around her bleeding hand.

William whistled. "That was badass."

"Isabella, calm down," Sebastian pleaded, gripping her shoulders. "We’ll handle this together."

"Find who’s behind this. I’m getting Seraphina and Nydia home."

She spun on her heel and ran.

"Isabella! Your hand!" Oliver called uselessly.

"Let her go," Sebastian murmured. "She needs to do this."

——

Isabella didn’t stop for Chairman Reginald. She bolted to the parking garage.

"Miss Sinclair! You can’t go down there!" A bodyguard blocked her path.

"Move." Her glare was lethal.

"Mr. Sebastian’s orders. It’s chaos. Our team will secure their exit!"

"I don’t trust you."

She dodged them effortlessly.

Seconds later, she found her family surrounded by reporters.

"Mrs. Sinclair! Care to comment on the scandal?"

"Is the video real? Were the drug allegations true?"

The mob pressed closer, ravenous.

Nydia clung to Seraphina, while Arabella and Victoria shielded them, snarling at the press.

"Watch your words! We’ll sue for slander!" Arabella snapped.

"Seraphina is innocent!" Victoria added, though her voice shook with fury.

"Innocent?" A smirking reporter jeered. "I was there that night. I saw her wet herself on stage!"

The crowd erupted.

Wet herself.

The words hung in the air like a death sentence.

Who could reconcile the once-glamorous icon with such humiliation?

The scandal had just exploded all over again.