Chapter 355

Isabella Sinclair's breath caught in her throat as she watched the scene unfold before her.

Margaret Fairhaven suddenly choked, her hand flying to her chest where her heart was pounding erratically.

"Pathetic," Isabella scoffed, her lips curling in disdain. "You couldn't even outwit Arabella, yet you dare to challenge me?"

"Isabella!" Evelyn Prescott cried out, clinging to Harrison like a lifeline. "How dare you speak to my mother that way? Show some respect!"

Nathaniel Kingsley's expression darkened at the sound of Evelyn's voice, his contempt for her barely concealed.

"Age doesn't automatically command respect," Isabella shot back, her icy glare making Evelyn shrink back in fear.

Evelyn trembled, her lips quivering as she wisely chose not to respond further.

Margaret knew Harrison wouldn't make a scene over something so trivial, but she couldn't help shooting a pleading look at Sebastian, silently urging him to intervene.

Sebastian cleared his throat awkwardly. "Isabella, I—"

Her frosty gaze silenced him mid-sentence, making him quickly change tack. "Let me drive you home. It's late, and the roads aren't safe."

"No need. I have my car."

With that, Isabella turned on her heel and strode out of the mansion, the sharp click of her stilettos echoing through the grand hallway.

Sebastian ran a hand through his hair sheepishly, much to Harrison's visible annoyance. "Let's go," Sebastian announced, leading the Fairhaven family's retreat.

"Oh, my head," Arabella moaned dramatically, collapsing against Frederick as if her bones had turned to jelly. "I feel so faint."

"Always playing the victim," Vanessa muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes. "With acting skills like that, I'm surprised Eleanor kept you under her thumb for so long." Arabella heard every word, her face turning crimson with rage.

Frederick, pale-faced, turned to Vanessa. "Help her to her room."

"Apologies, Mr. Frederick," Vanessa replied coolly. "I only attend to Mr. Nathaniel's needs. And I doubt Arabella would want my assistance anyway."

With that, Vanessa walked away, leaving Frederick speechless.

Nathaniel stood rooted to the spot, his face a mask of conflicting emotions.

"Nate! What are you still doing here?" Sebastian approached, clapping him on the shoulder. "Isabella's leaving. This might be your last chance to explain things between you and my sister."

Nathaniel's breath hitched, his feet suddenly feeling like lead weights.

During the car ride home, Margaret was still seething. Accustomed to being protected by her husband and son, she'd never experienced such humiliation.

"Don't worry, Evelyn," she reassured her daughter through gritted teeth. "This isn't over. I'll make sure you get your revenge."

"But how?" Evelyn wailed. "Sebastian controls everything, and he's so close with Nathaniel and Isabella."

Margaret's lips curled into a sneer. "If he won't let you have Nathaniel, then he can't have that Sinclair girl either. Your grandfather won't allow the Fairhaven name to be tarnished. He'll ensure you marry Nathaniel."

"But Sebastian's so protective!" Evelyn protested. "And he guards Eleanor like she's his most prized possession. How can we possibly get to her?"

"There will be an opportunity," Margaret assured her darkly. "He can't watch her every moment of every day."

As Isabella exited the Windsor Estates and slid into her car, she exhaled deeply, as if escaping a toxic environment. But as she drove away, her grip on the steering wheel tightened.

Under the dim glow of streetlights, Adrian Lockwood leaned casually against his electric blue sports car, his posture relaxed yet elegant. There was no telling how long he'd been waiting, but not a trace of impatience showed on his handsome features.

When Isabella's car approached, his deep-set eyes lit up. He pushed off from the car, waving at her with boyish enthusiasm.

Her car screeched to a halt before him.

"What are you doing here?" Isabella asked as she stepped out, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Waiting for you," Adrian replied, his gaze softening like ripples on a tranquil pond.

"Waiting for me? Why?"

"I pulled some strings to find out you were headed to the Kingsley estate," he explained. "I didn't mean to intrude—just didn't want you facing them alone."

With a self-deprecating smile, he added, "Turns out I couldn't even get past the gates. But seeing you makes the trip worthwhile."

Isabella blinked, a mix of emotions swirling within her. She'd always valued her independence above all else. The idea of someone tracking her movements unsettled her.

"I can handle myself," she said, forcing a smile. "The Kingsleys aren't lions. I lived there for three years, remember? I come and go as I please."

Adrian's expression darkened just as he was about to speak.

In the distance, Nathaniel stood frozen, his handsome face etched with sorrow. He was so still, so pale, he might have been a statue carved from moonlight.

"Adrian, I—" Isabella began, only to be cut off as she was suddenly pulled into a firm embrace.

All at once, she found herself pressed against Adrian's chest, feeling his ragged breath against her skin. His arm around her waist tightened possessively.

"Adrian! What are you doing?" She pushed against his shoulders, panic rising.

To Nathaniel, however, her struggle looked more like coy resistance.

Adrian didn't respond, only pulling her closer, his gaze locking with Nathaniel's as a mocking smirk played on his lips.

Despite Isabella's struggles, he refused to let go.

Nathaniel felt as if a thousand knives were piercing his heart. Watching Isabella in another man's arms was more painful than any battlefield wound.

Pale-faced, Nathaniel turned and staggered away like a man who'd drunk too much whiskey.

As he left, Adrian finally loosened his grip, allowing Isabella to wrench herself free, her eyes blazing with anger.

"Mr. Lockwood, don't ever do that again," she warned, her voice trembling with fury. "Or we can't even be friends."

"I'm sorry, Isabella," he said quickly, his hands hovering awkwardly in the air. "I know you only see me as a friend, and I'm trying to respect that. I lost control. It won't happen again, I swear. Can you forgive me? I was just worried about you."

Isabella sighed in frustration. "I hate when men other than my brothers touch me without permission. Remember that."

Adrian clenched his fists, his heart aching. Why can't you accept me? What about Nathaniel? Even your secretary gets closer to you. Is it just me you reject, Isabella?

"Thanks for your concern. It's late. I should go," Isabella said, suddenly sensing a familiar yet unsettling presence. She turned, but found only empty darkness behind her.

Nathaniel dragged his heavy feet back to the mansion.

"Nate!" Sebastian called out, having stayed behind instead of leaving with the Fairhavens. Seeing Nathaniel return alone, he rushed forward.

But Nathaniel walked right past him, his mind clearly elsewhere.

"Nate! Nate!" Sebastian shouted, grabbing his arm. "Where's Isabella? How did your talk go? Did she forgive you?"

"Why would I need her forgiveness?" Nathaniel replied, his red-rimmed eyes filled with exhaustion. "I've done nothing wrong. I'm tired, Sebastian. If she doesn't want to stay, if no amount of chasing can catch her... then let her go."