Chapter 463

"What's Emeric's issue? Why drag Jason into Cedric's mess?"

Isabella slammed her palm on the table, ready to storm out, but Olivia caught her wrist. "Don't. This isn't your battle. Getting involved will only infuriate your father."

"Jason is my closest friend, and Nydia is my sister. How can I stand by?" Isabella's voice trembled with frustration. She knew the sting of forbidden love all too well—she wouldn't let Nydia suffer the same fate.

Being the Sinclair heiress didn’t grant her immunity to heartbreak. Jason was just a secretary, and Nydia, though sweet, lacked the backbone to defy their family. Their love was a fragile boat in a storm.

"Stop being stubborn," Sophia interjected, gripping Isabella's arm. "Your father’s finally warming up to Alexander. Don’t ruin this peace. If you provoke him now, he might take it out on Alexander."

"And Nydia is Olivia’s daughter," Vanessa added quietly. "It’s not your place to interfere."

Isabella exhaled sharply, returning to the table to gulp down a bowl of soup, forcing herself to calm down.

When Olivia stepped out to see her daughter, Isabella followed.

In the living room, Jason and Nydia sat side by side, fingers entwined, their gazes locked in silent adoration. The sight made Isabella’s heart swell—pink bubbles of joy nearly escaping her lips.

"Jason, Nydia. Long time no see."

The couple sprang to their feet. Nydia, cheeks flushed, whispered, "Sis, how are you? Is your injury healed?"

"Completely. Especially after seeing you two."

"Mrs. Sinclair, Ms. Sinclair." Jason bowed gracefully, every inch the polished gentleman. Even in love, he never forgot his place.

"Jason, how’s your recovery?" Isabella asked, concern lacing her tone.

"Fully healed. Thank you for your concern, Ms. Sinclair." His words were for her, but his tender gaze never left Nydia’s face.

"Since you’re here—"

"Nydia, go upstairs. I need to speak with Jason alone." Olivia’s calm interruption sliced through the moment.

With a worried glance at Jason, Nydia obeyed, climbing the stairs silently.

Jason’s eyes lingered on her retreating figure before Olivia’s voice cooled. "Jason, you know Chairman Sinclair’s stance. He doesn’t approve. And neither do I."

Isabella stiffened. Olivia, usually so gentle, was unyielding when it came to her children’s futures.

"Mrs. Sinclair, I love Nydia." Jason stood rigid, his steady voice cracking. "Please. Give me a chance to prove myself."

Olivia shook her head. "Jason, I’ve known you since your days at Silverlake Harbor. I don’t doubt your sincerity. But love alone isn’t enough. There are... practical considerations."

Her words hit like boulders, crushing the hope in Jason’s eyes.

Without another word, Olivia turned to leave. Isabella chased after her, gripping her hand. "Olivia, why? You’ve always praised Jason. What changed?"

"I like him. But liking someone and welcoming him as a son-in-law are different." Olivia’s voice was soft but sharp. "Your father accepted Jason as family because he admires him. But the Dempseys’ recent actions have angered him. Emeric isn’t a snob, but he won’t let Nydia marry into a family with questionable values. We agree on this."

"Olivia, Cedric is Cedric! He doesn’t represent the entire Dempsey family!" Isabella pleaded desperately.

"Our decision stands. Nydia is too young for marriage. We’ll revisit this later." Olivia walked away, leaving Isabella reeling.

Emeric’s stubbornness was expected. But Olivia’s sudden shift? It felt like a silent pact had been made.

"Ms. Sinclair." Jason’s voice was hollow.

Isabella turned, guilt gnawing at her. "You heard everything?"

"Thank you for caring about us." Jason forced a smile. "We’ll take it slow. As long as we stay true to each other, one day—"

One day. But how long would that take? His voice broke, unable to finish.

Isabella’s heart ached. She gripped his shoulder. "Jason, your road won’t be easy. Nydia is timid, and Olivia has little sway at home. Your brother crossed Emeric, and now the Dempseys are under fire. It’s understandable."

"Cedric stopped being my brother the moment he sided with Elspeth." Jason’s jaw clenched. "If my father continues to ignore his actions, I’ll sever ties with the Dempseys. For good."

"Don’t be rash," Isabella warned. "Extreme measures won’t help. Alexander and I will handle Cedric. He’s still your parents’ golden child. Crushing them won’t solve anything."

Jason’s eyes welled with unshed tears.

"You value family, like me. I won’t let you become the villain." Isabella’s gaze burned with determination. "I’ll fight for you and Nydia. Even if it means I’m the one who gets burned."

Meanwhile, at the Dempsey residence.

"My god! What happened to your nose?!" Mrs. Dempsey shrieked.

Cedric, nursing a broken nose courtesy of Alexander, scowled. The hospital said he might lose his sense of smell—not that he could tell right from wrong anyway. The humiliation was unbearable.

"Who did this to you?!" Mrs. Dempsey clutched her chest. "You’re a respected lawyer!"

"Someone we can’t afford to provoke," Cedric muttered darkly.

Dave Dempsey’s expression darkened. "You’ve been working with the Abernathys lately. Did Evadne do this?"

"Alexander threw the punch, but it was Evadne’s doing." Cedric’s teeth ground together. "They’re two sides of the same coin."

"That Sinclair girl has gone too far!" Mrs. Dempsey trembled with rage. "After all we’ve done for them! Your father was Minister of Justice! Jason serves their family! And this is how they repay us?!"

"The Sinclairs think they can trample us now that I’ve retired," Dave seethed. "And Jason wants to marry their bastard daughter? Unacceptable!"

Cedric’s ears perked up. "Jason’s serious about that Ashbourne girl?"

"Your brother’s lost his mind," Mrs. Dempsey spat. "That girl is beneath him. The Sinclairs’ leftovers."

Cedric smirked inwardly. If Jason married Nydia, he’d rise above them all. That couldn’t happen.

"Jason’s a top law graduate. Why settle for less?" Cedric feigned concern. "Once Chairman Sinclair discards Myra and her daughter, where does that leave him? Supporting them? We’d be a laughingstock!"

The Dempseys exchanged uneasy glances.

Cedric hid his satisfaction. Crushing Jason and Nydia would hurt Evadne—and that alone brought him joy.

That evening, Jeff Lyle hosted Emeric at his private club.

"Mr. Lyle, inform Olivia and Nydia they’ll accompany me tonight," Emeric instructed his tailor, his expression troubled. "And keep this from Isabella."

Inside the lavish private room, Jeff wasn’t alone. Avery and a recovering Byron Chambers sat with him. Byron’s glare could melt steel.

"Avery, why the death stare? Want a toast?" Avery raised his glass, then smirked. "Ah, right. Doctor’s orders—no alcohol for you. My bad."

Byron’s fists clenched. Thanks to Evadne, he’d kept his leg, but the phantom pains were relentless. And his prosthetic was a constant reminder of Avery’s betrayal.

"Avery. Enough," Jeff warned, though his tone lacked its usual bite.

"Dad, I’m just concerned." Avery spread his hands innocently. "But I get it. If I were in his shoes, I’d be bitter too."

"Avery!" Byron slammed the table.

The door opened.

Emeric entered, followed by Olivia and Nydia—but no Isabella.

Avery’s hopeful smile vanished.