Chapter 34

Isabella's pupils dilated sharply, her chest constricting with tension.

Her fiery gaze locked onto Nathaniel. Those usually mesmerizing eyes now burned with such intensity it could make anyone's pulse race. The heat in her stare was so palpable that Nathaniel found himself unable to look away.

After a long moment, Isabella scoffed, her expression turning glacial as if they were complete strangers. "So, Mr. Prescott, you're here to defend your precious Victoria, is that it? You're absolutely fuming. Planning to take it out on me, or are you just here to throw a tantrum?"

"Nathaniel, you've gone too far." Her voice was steel wrapped in velvet. "Three years of devotion, and I never expected you to cherish the memories. But to degrade me with such vile words? Unacceptable. Besides, I'm not your wife anymore. No—let's be honest, you never truly made me your wife. I was just some stray you occasionally tossed scraps to, foolish enough to hope for more while you gave me nothing but cold indifference."

"Did you really think I'd endure your cruelty forever? Not a chance."

"Here's the unfortunate truth for you—even with all your power, you can't save Sterling Enterprises from collapse. With the evidence against Ives—corruption, fraud, defamation, and violating K Group's interests—it's a done deal. He's beyond saving."

Isabella's smile was razor-sharp. "Since you can't fix your mess, you resort to attacking my personal life, mocking and belittling me. But I don't play by your rules. I fight for what I deserve and discard what doesn't serve me without hesitation."

"I couldn't care less what anyone thinks of me—especially you. I want Sterling Enterprises to burn for what they've done, and I won't rest until it happens. No one can stop me."

Nathaniel's jaw clenched, veins standing out along his neck. With that man by her side, she stood taller, spoke bolder. He knew her words were unfair yet couldn't refute them.

What truly infuriated him wasn't her using the Ashbourne brothers to dismantle Sterling Enterprises. It was seeing her laugh with Adrian, that radiant smile—meant for someone else—that sent his mind spiraling.

"You're shameless," Nathaniel spat, the words scraping his throat.

Isabella laughed, the sound like shattering glass. "Even if I am, what's it to you? I answer to no one—least of all you." Done with this conversation, she turned to leave.

Without thinking, Nathaniel seized her recently healed arm, his grip bruising.

"Let go!" She hissed through gritted teeth, pain flashing across her face as she resisted jerking away, fearing she'd reopen the wound.

"Tell me, Isabella," Nathaniel's voice was rough, his gaze probing like a gambler desperate to see her cards, "what am I to you now?"

Her laugh was pure venom. "Nothing but a worthless ex-husband."

"Isabella!" His grip tightened.

"Nathaniel, release me—now!"

Suddenly, a broad-shouldered figure materialized between them, shoving Nathaniel back and shielding Isabella protectively.

"Daniel, it's fine—we were just talking," Isabella said calmly, though her fingers trembled slightly.

"Talking? He was manhandling your injured arm!" Daniel's glare at Nathaniel could've melted steel. "After the pain you endured last night because of him, he dares to—"

Nathaniel's stomach dropped. His fingers, which had just gripped her, curled into his palm.

Isabella shot Daniel a warning look, silently pleading for him to stop. This wasn't the time or place.

"You're Cas sius's secretary," Nathaniel realized coldly, his expression darkening.

"Yes, but now I'm her—" Daniel began, only for Isabella to yank his sleeve sharply.

"Cassi us lent me his most trusted aide. How generous." Nathaniel's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Congratulations on securing another wealthy match. First you fooled me, now it's Cassius's turn. Let's see how long you can keep up the act."

Each word was a dagger twisting in Isabella's chest. Daniel felt her tremble beside him but was more confused by Nathaniel's insinuations. What was he implying?

"Daniel, allow me to reintroduce you." Isabella inhaled deeply, masking her pain behind a polished smile. "This is Mr. Nathaniel Prescott of the Vanderbilt Group. My ex-husband."

Daniel's face drained of color. The missing three years—she'd been married to Nathaniel? Hidden from the world, from her own family? Why?

"But we're divorced now," Isabella continued smoothly. "I left with nothing, severing all ties to the Vanderbilt Group. Next time we meet, we'll be strangers."

"We're not legally divorced yet! Grandfather's birthday—"

"Enough!" Isabella exploded, eyes blazing crimson. "Stop using Grandfather as your excuse! Is that why you think you can humiliate me? Because you know I'd never hurt him?!"

Nathaniel flinched as if struck. In all their years together, Isabella had never raised her voice. She'd been soft as down, absorbing every slight without complaint. But now? Her fury was a living thing, her hatred palpable.

"Our marriage died long ago. You killed it when you betrayed me. You committed adultery, yet I never held you accountable. And now you expect me to mourn you forever? To never move on? How pathetically selfish!"

Selfish? The word lodged in Nathaniel's chest like shrapnel. He didn't recognize this version of himself—obsessed, irrational, consumed by a woman who'd supposedly meant nothing to him.

"I kept my word—our divorce would stay secret until Grandfather's birthday. But you? You let Victoria spill everything." Isabella's smile was bitter. "Now you're blaming me because I'm the only one you can blame. You'd never dare hold Victoria accountable, would you?"

Nathaniel stood frozen, watching helplessly as Daniel led his ex-wife away. His face burned as if she'd slapped him repeatedly.

His fist clenched empty air. He'd been the one to push her away first. So why did it feel like she'd discarded him? The bitterness in his throat was suffocating, his heart pierced by an agony he couldn't name—