Chapter 460

The moment Isabella saw Nathan's disinterest, she realized his earlier words had been too crude, too lacking in finesse.

Her man, both then and now, had never given her a moment's peace. Though he couldn't help himself now, a man weighed down by his own sins hadn't even offered her a proper proposal. How could he dare dream of marriage?

The fact that she hadn't slapped him was already more grace than he deserved.

"Oh no, the soup!"

The pot on the stove boiled over, and Isabella rushed to clean the mess.

Nathan took in the bubbling pot, the steaming kettle, the carefully arranged pastries, and suddenly, his throat tightened. A tear escaped the corner of his eye, but he wiped it away before anyone could see.

He couldn't stand watching Isabella work so hard. Without bothering to change, he rolled up his sleeves and started cleaning the kitchen, setting the table with swift efficiency.

Earlier, he'd felt the urge to cry—his emotions a tangled mess of pity for her and shame for himself.

Those lost three years could have been filled with such happiness, yet he'd never appreciated them. But now, he had a second chance. From this moment on, he would cling to this hard-won joy with everything he had.

"Hey, it's been hot lately. I made lemon mint sorbet for dessert. Try it."

Isabella pinched a piece of the sweet treat and held it to Nathan's lips. He leaned in, mouth parting slightly, only for her to pull back with a playful smirk, holding the sorbet between her own lips, eyes dancing with mischief.

Nathan's gaze darkened with desire, his hand trembling as he cupped the back of her neck and caught the other half of the sorbet with his mouth.

First, he savored the cool sweetness. Then he sealed her lips with his own, swallowing her breathy moans and soft whimpers.

When they finally broke apart, Isabella was left weak-kneed, her silk gown damp and clinging to her slender waist, the outline of her body enough to haunt a man's dreams.

Nathan stared down, his gut tightening painfully.

"Sweet?" Isabella traced a finger along his sticky lips, her hand resting on his shoulder.

"Mm. But not half as sweet as you," he murmured, sucking lightly on her fingertip.

"You're getting bolder by the day," she scolded, though her voice trembled as a shiver ran through her. "Alright, let's eat before the food gets cold."

Nathan reluctantly released her, sitting properly and picking up his fork—just as Isabella's phone rang. Seeing it was Daniel, her heart leaped, and she answered immediately on speaker. "Daniel, what's going on?"

"I've got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?" His tone was unreadable.

Isabella and Nathan exchanged a glance. "Good news first."

"We finally have enough to charge Victoria. She won't escape the drug charges. First-time offenders usually get rehab, but given the amount she had, she's looking at three years minimum."

Three years was light. But no matter—this was just the beginning. The real show was yet to come.

"And the bad news?" Nathan asked, voice low.

"The reason we could charge Victoria is because Sebastian turned himself in."

Both froze. Isabella's heart clenched. "Sebastian... turned himself in?!"

"Yes. He handed over all the evidence he had on Victoria to me—and let's just say every piece of it could bring the Vanderbilt Group to its knees and send Reginald's blood pressure through the roof. Even Dominic couldn't get her out of this."

It should have been good news, but Isabella couldn't bring herself to feel happy. Nathan, sensing her distress, pulled her into his arms, voice gentle. "I know you're upset. Let's go to the precinct first. I'll reheat dinner for you later."

She nodded against his chest, brow furrowed.

Sebastian sat calmly in the interrogation room, a wall separating him from Victoria. His serene composure was a stark contrast to the woman next door, who looked like a caged animal.

"Officers, this is my confession—every detail of my crimes, and Victoria's."

Daniel studied him intently. "Sebastian, you know your charges are more severe than hers. Incitement, drug trafficking... you're facing serious time."

"I know." His expression didn't change.

"Then why?" Bound by duty, Daniel could only ask so much.

Sebastian understood the unspoken question. If he'd stayed silent, even if Victoria implicated him, without evidence, the police couldn't touch him. Yet he'd chosen to confess.

"Daniel, surely there's someone you'd sacrifice everything for. Someone you'd do anything to protect."

Daniel's eyes narrowed, Isabella's smiling face flashing in his mind.

"You have your answer. And coincidentally, it's the same as mine." A faint, genuine smile curved Sebastian's lips—the kind a young man might wear when first laying eyes on the girl he admired.

Daniel sighed. "I understand."

"No, you don't. No one can understand this kind of pure, complicated emotion." Sebastian's smile turned proud.

Soon, Isabella and Nathan arrived at the station. But to their shock, Sebastian refused to see them.

Isabella knew he was determined to sacrifice himself without looking back. The thought weighed heavily on her, guilt gnawing at her heart.

Nathan kept his arms tightly around her trembling shoulders, voice warm in her ear. "Isabella, don't panic. I'll hire the best international lawyers for Sebastian—ones who can go toe-to-toe with Dominic. We'll minimize his sentence. After he gets out, he won't have to worry about money. Even if he can't practice medicine, I'll find him another job. He won't suffer."

The words were small comfort, but with Nathan beside her, Isabella found a sliver of peace in the storm.

"Isabella, among the evidence Sebastian gave me... there's this." Daniel hesitated. "He insisted it be entered as evidence, but I'm reluctant. With or without it, Victoria's guilt is clear. But this... this would make Reginald disown her for good."

He pulled out a laptop and played a surveillance video. Though silent, the images were explosive.

Nathan inhaled sharply. They were adults, but he still wanted to shield Isabella's eyes.

On-screen, Sebastian and Victoria were entangled, Victoria straddling him, eyes closed in pleasure—completely bare.

Daniel's expression didn't flicker. After years as a detective, he'd seen worse—brains splattered, body parts in bags. This was nothing.

Isabella, however, smirked. "Well, the old witch still keeps in shape."

"Sebastian sacrificed more than we realized," Daniel muttered.

After closing the laptop, Isabella spoke firmly. "This video never existed. It can't be exposed."

Both men understood—she was protecting Sebastian's last shred of dignity. He had willingly been her pawn, never seeing himself as anything but a tool in her game. His loyalty was absolute.

"If I trample on others' self-respect to get revenge, if I profit from their pain... I'd despise myself. I won't become a slave to hatred." Her voice was tight, heart aching.

"Isabella."

The two men stood behind her, watching her delicate yet resolute silhouette, at a loss for words.

Daniel walked them out. They hadn't gone far when they ran into Dominic, his face stormy.

Nathan tightened his grip on Isabella's hand, gaze sharp as a blade. Dominic stiffened, feeling an invisible dagger at his throat.

Still, he steadied himself and sneered. "Ms. Sinclair, your connections truly are impressive."

"I'm flattered." Isabella smiled haughtily. "But what a shame, Dominic. After all your running around for Victoria, it was all for nothing. Pity."

"And isn't it true," Nathan added with a mocking raise of his brow, "that in your decade of practice, you've never lost a case? That sign outside your firm—'The Undefeated'—might need to come down tomorrow. Save yourself the embarrassment when Victoria's case goes to trial and people start smashing it for you."

Daniel chuckled behind them.

This couple matched not just in looks but in sharp tongues. Was it from all the kissing they shared wits?

Dominic seethed. The case wasn't huge—just drug charges. But a loss would tarnish his golden reputation, his standing in the legal community, and most of all, in Reginald's eyes.

He had never lost. He couldn't stand the thought.

Bristling, he spat, "Ms. Sinclair, I underestimated you. With your family's influence, I expected force. But to see how you make men sell themselves out for you, bend over backward—"

Isabella remained calm. If she couldn't handle petty insults, how would she run a billion-dollar empire?

But the two men beside her were no longer calm—especially Nathan, fists clenched, face frosty with rage.

Seeing Nathan provoked, and knowing he couldn't do much in a police station, Dominic grew bolder. "Hah! Mr. Prescott, you're lucky. Next time you face a tough opponent, just have Ms. Sinclair step in. With one look from her, which tycoon wouldn't fall at her feet? Whatever you want would come pouring in—"

"Ah!"

His arrogance lasted five seconds before darkness swallowed his vision. Pain, numbness, and stars exploded behind his eyes as he crashed to the ground.

"Nathan?!"

Isabella's eyes widened, staring at the tall, icy figure before her, heart pounding.

Even Daniel was stunned. He hadn't even seen Nathan move before Dominic was on the floor. He needed to review the surveillance footage—that move was incredible!

"Nathan! This is a police station! How dare you hit me?!" Clutching his possibly broken nose, tears and blood streaming, Dominic shouted, "I'll sue you for assault! I will!"

"Hit a person? I hit what's clearly a dog." Nathan cracked his knuckles, looking down coldly. "No, calling you a dog insults dogs. You're nothing but a beast."

Dominic trembled, fury and fear warring inside him. He was no nobody—he was a renowned attorney, heir to the Dempsey family. When had he ever been humiliated like this?

So he deliberately raised his voice, drawing officers' attention. "The Vanderbilt Group's president abuses his power, assaults innocent citizens, and spews insults—in a police station, no less! Nathan, don't think your wealth lets you do whatever you want! Attacking here shows contempt for the law!"

"Dominic, listen carefully." Nathan's gaze was a blade to his heart, voice icy. "You have a problem with me? Come at me. But if you so much as whisper one word against my woman, I swear—even if I end up in prison, I'll make you pay. Next time, I'll rip out that filthy tongue of yours and flush it. Don't believe me? Try me."

Dominic's eyes bulged, tongue stiffening with fear.

Isabella stepped forward, cradling Nathan's hand, blowing softly on his reddened knuckles. "You used too much force. Your hand is swollen."

"It's nothing," he said softly.

She met his gaze, eyes sparkling, then turned to Dominic with a mocking laugh. "If you end up in the slammer, I'll have to throw a few punches myself. I'd be so bored without you—I'd have to keep you company."

Daniel's jaw dropped. Were they flirting mid-fight? This couple's thought process was beyond him.

Dominic forgot his pain, utterly dumbfounded. What did they think he was—some kind of toy?!

Just then, hurried footsteps approached.

"Nathan! What the hell are you doing?!"

Nathan's head snapped up, his expression turning to ice.