Chapter 349

The grand hall was deathly silent, the air thick with tension as Isabella's commanding presence sent chills down everyone's spines.

Her aura was just as formidable as Dominic's—a man feared in both legal and underground circles.

Victoria, who had been smirking in anticipation of drama, froze. She'd assumed Isabella had come to confront Nathaniel over the Vanderbilt family's marriage proposal. She thought this was going to be a showdown between Isabella and Evelyn over Nathaniel.

Victoria had been ready for a vicious catfight, but her smirk vanished when Isabella declared she was there for her.

"Ms. Isabella, you're looking for me?" Victoria scoffed, though her eyes betrayed her shock. "I don't recall us having any unfinished business."

"Whatever issues we had ended the day Nathaniel and I divorced," Isabella replied coolly, her tone glacial. "But you still have unfinished business with an old friend of yours."

Her words, though softly spoken, detonated like a bomb, leaving the room in stunned silence.

"Evelyn! What is Ms. Isabella talking about? An ex-wife? What's going on?" Dominic demanded, his face darkening.

"Grandfather, I told you about this," Evelyn said weakly.

"You told me? When? I may be old, but I'm not senile! You never mentioned Nathaniel was divorced!"

Dominic, who had spent most of the year overseas, had no idea Nathaniel had been married before—let alone that his ex-wife was Reginald Sinclair's daughter!

The realization that he'd been deceived made his blood boil.

"Mr. Dominic, what's the big deal about Nathaniel being divorced?" Margaret, who had endured enough of his theatrics, snapped. "Nathaniel is a catch. Even if he divorced ten times, women would still line up to marry him! Besides, isn't your granddaughter desperate to marry him? If she doesn't mind, why should you?"

"Who gave you the right to speak, you insolent woman!" Dominic roared.

"This is the Kingsley estate, not the Vanderbilt mansion. I can say whatever I please," Margaret shot back, turning away dismissively.

Dominic seethed but refused to stoop to arguing with a servant.

William, who had stayed silent, smirked when Margaret put Dominic in his place. He might disapprove of Nathaniel's choices, but no one insulted his son in his own home.

Nathaniel took a deep breath, his pulse racing as he approached Isabella. "Isabella," he murmured, voice low, "if you need to say something, say it to me. I can help you."

"Afraid I'll ruin your precious engagement?"

Isabella's lashes fluttered, her gaze sharp as ice. In a whisper meant only for him, she said, "Relax. I'm not here to sabotage your little meeting. I only came for Victoria. Once I'm done with her, I'll leave."

"I told you—if you're in trouble, I'll help you," Nathaniel insisted, his dark eyes stormy with emotion.

"You can't help me. And I don't want your help."

She turned away, her attention locking onto Victoria. There was no warmth in her eyes.

"Ms. Isabella, you came all this way. Stay for a drink before you go," Victoria said, chin lifted arrogantly. "But between you and me, there's nothing to discuss. As for your so-called 'old friend,' I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Nothing to say about Seraphina?" Isabella's voice was like a blade, slicing through Victoria's composure.

Victoria's heart lurched. Why was Isabella bringing up Seraphina? Had she found out? Had that man betrayed her?

No. Impossible.

Isabella was bluffing.

"Ms. Isabella, perhaps we can talk another time," William interjected, sensing the tension. "As you can see, we have guests. This isn't the best moment."

Before Isabella could respond, Nathaniel grabbed her wrist and dragged her toward the stairs, ignoring her protests. "Nathaniel! Let go of me!" she hissed, cheeks flushing, but his grip was unrelenting.

Once Nathaniel made up his mind, nothing stopped him.

"Oh my!" Margaret gasped, covering her mouth.

Nathaniel was ruthless.

And Mrs. Kingsley was adorable when flustered.

"Nathaniel! Nathaniel, where are you going? Come back here!"

William's shouts fell on deaf ears. Nathaniel and Isabella vanished upstairs, leaving the Vanderbilts standing awkwardly in the hall, the meeting in shambles.

Evelyn, in particular, was trembling with rage.

Every time Isabella appeared, she stole the spotlight. She was the heroine, the center of attention—always.

Evelyn finally understood.

Her hatred for Isabella wasn't just because Nathaniel loved her.

It was because Isabella shone in a way she never could.

In Evelyn's world, she was supposed to be the sun. She couldn't stand being outshone.

"Dad! Mom! I'm home!"

Amelia stumbled in, reeking of alcohol.

She had changed into presentable clothes, but her face was pale, her lips overly red, and dark circles shadowed her eyes. She looked like a ghost.

Victoria recoiled in disgust, wishing she could shove her daughter into a closet. Disgraceful.

"Amelia, where have you been? You smell like a distillery!" William frowned.

"Just had a few drinks with friends," Amelia slurred, belching loudly.

"Someone, take Miss Amelia to her room!" Victoria snapped.

"Oh, Evelyn!"

Drunk and bold, Amelia waltzed over to Evelyn with a mocking grin. "Congratulations! After scheming to get rid of Arabella and Isabella, you're finally marrying my brother! You must be thrilled."

Dominic's expression darkened.

The Vanderbilt women paled.

"Amelia, are you mocking me, or are you just drunk?" Evelyn hissed, her patience snapping.

"I know what you're thinking," Amelia sneered. "You're bitter because you wanted to marry my brother, and when I didn't help you, you held a grudge."

Dominic's gaze turned scathing.

Thank God his grandson had standards. This drunken mess was not fit to be a Vanderbilt.

Amelia's eyes bulged with fury.

Evelyn smirked. "No matter how much you whine, it won't change anything. My brother chose me."

"Pfft." Amelia clutched her chest, laughing bitterly. "The feeling's mutual. My brother doesn't love you either, does he?"

Evelyn's face twisted.

"When I got here, I saw Isabella's limited-edition Bugatti parked outside," Amelia drawled, yawning. "She's already here, huh? And my brother's gone with her, leaving you here like a fool?"

"Amelia!" Evelyn's eyes burned with hatred.

"Oh, Evelyn, darling," Amelia cooed, "you'll get used to it. When he was married to Isabella, he was obsessed with Arabella. Now that he's with you, he still can't forget Isabella. Men are all the same—always wanting what they can't have. Isabella endured it for three years. Since you're so in love with him, I'm sure you'll adjust faster, right?"

The room erupted in gasps.

This wasn't just an argument—it was war.

If the elders hadn't been present, Evelyn would have lunged at Amelia.

"Amelia! Are you out of your mind?!" Victoria shrieked, her blood pressure skyrocketing. "Someone take her away now!"

"Nathaniel! Let me go!"

Nathaniel strode ahead, dragging Isabella with him, her wrist red from his grip.

He was furious.

No—he'd been furious for a long time, and now, she was his outlet.

"Where are you taking me?" Isabella demanded, her almond eyes blazing.

"You were my wife," he growled, not looking back. "This was your home for three years. You know every room here better than I do. So tell me—where do you think I'm taking you?"

"Nathaniel, are you that arrogant, or do you just assume you know me?"

Isabella suddenly yanked her wrist free and bit his arm.

"Ah—!"

Nathaniel hissed in pain, instinctively releasing her.

Isabella stumbled back, rubbing her bruised wrist, glaring at him. "I never considered this place my home. To me, it was always a cage."

The cage hadn't trapped her body—it had trapped her heart.

Nathaniel's chest ached. Even in his rage, the pain was unbearable.

His eyes darkened. Before she could react, he swept her off her feet.

"Ah—!"

Isabella gasped as he lifted her effortlessly, her hands instinctively clutching his shirt.

"Nathaniel! You bastard! Put me down!"