Chapter 464

"Hey? Alexander, where's Isabella?" Harrison craned his neck, peering outside with persistent curiosity.

"She won't be joining us tonight, Harrison. Isabella is injured and needs her rest. I've told her to stay put and recover," Alexander replied with a nonchalant shrug.

"Alexander, you're being unfair, man. You promised to bring Isabella over this time. Besides, we're practically family now, not just guests!" Harrison rambled on, though confusion gnawed at him inside.

Alexander settled into his seat. "If you really care about Isabella, you should let her heal properly. No need to drag her around."

It was just before that horse race that he'd met with Alexander in private.

They had hit it off, and Alexander seemed quite taken with his son, assuring him that he would support the union between Isabella and Nathaniel, welcoming Isabella into the Prescott family as a daughter-in-law.

He had also pondered Sebastian's marriage prospects, his beloved second son, second only to his eldest in his affections.

He was angling for a double celebration, hoping to propose to Alexander and Margaret's daughter Seraphina on behalf of Sebastian.

Originally, he didn't think Seraphina was a match for Sebastian given her modest background.

But now that Sebastian was down to one good leg, he wasn't in a position to be choosy, and Ms. Seraphina suddenly seemed much more appealing. That was why he'd eagerly brought Sebastian along tonight, to meet with Seraphina.

But what he couldn't fathom was why Alexander, who had virtually handpicked Nathaniel as his son-in-law, had come without Isabella and with a noticeably cooler demeanor.

Nathaniel, his interest thoroughly extinguished, downed a glass of bourbon in frustration.

Tonight, the unsuspecting Seraphina was a vision in an elegant white dress that highlighted her flawless porcelain skin. Her dancer's physique was lithe and graceful as a swan, and her exposed legs were as perfect as a sculpted masterpiece.

Usually, Isabella's stunning beauty and presence overshadowed Seraphina.

But now, it was clear that both sisters were beauties in their own right, reminiscent of the classic novel's contrasting heroines, like the fair and virtuous Amy and the fiery and passionate Jo.

Sebastian, having spent too much time in the hospital and away from female company aside from nurses, couldn't take his eyes off Seraphina.

Nathaniel, reading his less-than-pure thoughts with a glance, couldn't help but suppress a cold, mocking smile.

The feast was served, and Alexander barely touched his food, seemingly without an appetite.

Seraphina sat next to Sebastian, who was diligently attentive, serving her food and pouring her drinks, but she only responded with polite reserve, leaving the food he offered untouched.

In Seraphina's heart and eyes, there was only room for her dear Jason. Other men barely warranted a second glance.

"Alexander, now that the race's over, about the arrangement we discussed."

Before Harrison could finish, Alexander finally spoke up with a grave tone. "Harrison, I know how much you adore Isabella. You've practically raised her alongside your daughter. And I'm aware of Nathaniel's esteem for her, and he's shown nothing but respect and diligence, qualities I admire in a young man. But feelings can't be forced. Isabella has given her heart to another, and you know very well who that is."

His words caught the Prescott men completely off guard.

Nathaniel's eyes flashed with anger, a dangerous red mingling with the fury, his handsome features tight as if carved from ice. Even without a word, his presence was chilling.

Sebastian couldn't help but snicker at the sight of his brother's displeasure.

He thought, Nathaniel, dreaming of marrying into the Sinclair family and becoming Alexander's favored son-in-law to leverage control over the Prescott Group against your brother? Dream on, you moron!

"Alexander, what are you implying? Didn't we have an agreement?"

Harrison's brows knitted together as his temper flared, and for the first time, he turned red-faced with Alexander. "We've been friends for over thirty years. How do you think I've treated you? Better than your own brothers! When you were targeted for assassination, with a sniper lurking on a rooftop, I stood in front of you without knowing where the shooter was, ready to take a bullet for you!"

Alexander listened silently, the harrowing memory of that life-or-death shootout resurfacing.

They were young then, kindred spirits with a brotherly bond. Harrison had risked his life for him, a testament to their genuine friendship.

He truly was grateful to Harrison.

And it was that same event that had led to his fortuitous rescue by the daughter of S-Star Group's magnate, Aviana, leading to their marriage.

"Indeed, Harrison, I will never forget your kindness in this lifetime," Alexander's voice was hoarse with emotion.

"Seems you've forgotten everything! Otherwise, you wouldn't go back on your word and make a fool out of me!"

Harrison's anger escalated as he grabbed a crystal glass from the table and hurled it to the floor, his face crimson with rage.

Seraphina and Margaret were shocked.

They had never seen Harrison so furious with Alexander, who usually joked around with him. It was evident how much he prized this potential alliance, enough to risk a fallout with a brother of over three decades.

"Dad, mind your health. Don't get too worked up."

Both Prescott sons stood up in alarm, but Sebastian's injured leg delayed him, and Nathaniel reached their father first.

Nathaniel gently soothed Harrison's heaving back, comforting him with care. "Dad, please calm down. You and Mr. Alexander have been close for decades, a bond forged through trials and tribulations that even us younger folks envy. Please, don't let my marriage prospects come between you. If that happened, I'd be the villain of the century, living with guilt forever."

"Nathaniel, don't blame yourself. This situation has nothing to do with you."

Harrison sighed heavily, slapping his thigh in frustration. "I'm a failure as a father. After all these years, I still couldn't outdo the Vanderbilt Group and be New York's top dog. Mr. Alexander, I understand why you look down on our family's standing. You want to ally with the mighty Vanderbilts, and I get it."

"Dad, don't say that. It's not your fault. It's mine."

Nathaniel forced a wry smile, his eyes brimming with pain. "It's because I couldn't win Isabella's love. It's just that Isabella and I are star-crossed. Mr. Alexander is right. You can't force love. If that's the case, then I wish Isabella and Mr. Thaddeus a lifetime of happiness together."

The phrase "lifetime" rang in his ears, sounding bitterly harsh.

"So be it. I understand now."

Harrison rose angrily, his gaze at Alexander filled with utter disappointment. "Chairman Alexander, since you have made your choice, I have nothing left to say. All good things come to an end. Chairman Alexander, from now on, we are rivals. We'll see what the future holds! Sebastian, Nathaniel, let's go!"

"Harrison, wait."

Alexander's brow furrowed deeply as he stood up slowly and approached him. "I've always favored Nathaniel as a son-in-law for the Sinclair family. I hoped our families could be united through marriage. But at the horse racing event, as you saw, the whole nation witnessed Isabella and Thaddeus's relationship. It's practically public now. Talking marriage at this point would tarnish both the Prescott Group and your son's reputation."

Harrison fell into deep thought.

Nathaniel adjusted his glasses, casting a cold, swift glance at Alexander.

What was this sly old man up to? Why did it feel like he was secretly trying to set up Isabella with Thaddeus?

Why this?

"Seraphina," Alexander suddenly called out to Seraphina.

"Yes, Daddy?" Seraphina snapped out of her daze and obediently walked over to her father.

Alexander's piercing gaze settled on her and then shifted back to Harrison. "Seraphina is my youngest daughter, the apple of our eye. We've been searching for the right match for her. Initially, I hoped she would marry into the Prescott family, but you were set on Isabella, and I had to make other arrangements for Seraphina. Now that Isabella is dating Mr. Thaddeus, let's sit down and discuss a potential marriage between your son and my little girl. After she graduates, Seraphina could be your daughter-in-law. What do you think?"

The room seemed to explode with that suggestion, like lightning striking Seraphina's head!

She trembled, her crystal-like eyes shrinking, her face draining of color. "Daddy?"

Suddenly, Margaret grabbed her arm, her fingers digging into Seraphina's flesh.

Seraphina looked anxiously at her mother, who was shaking her head.

In the end, she could only lower her head in resignation, tears swirling in her eyes.

Alexander's proposal to align Seraphina with the Prescott family mended the fracturing relationship between the two families.

But Nathaniel, anxious and furious, excused himself and stormed onto the dark, empty balcony to pace.

He breathed heavily, red-eyed and furious, his fists pounding against the railing, swollen and red, yet unable to quell the rage in his heart.

What to do, what to do?

It wasn't Isabella but Seraphina as a consolation.

Harrison's true desire was to marry into a powerful alliance that would dominate New York, even if it wasn't Isabella.

But now, Sebastian was crippled.

Alexander would never marry his daughter to a disabled man, so the burden of the alliance would inevitably fall on Nathaniel.

He couldn't possibly marry anyone but Isabella!

"Nathaniel, all your schemes and yet you've played yourself. Isn't this what they call 'all dressed up and nowhere to go'?"

Sebastian hobbled over, his grin stretching ear to ear upon seeing Nathaniel trapped by his own ploys. "You were so set on marrying Isabella, pulling out all the stops, and still you ended up being defeated by Thaddeus. Ms. Isabella and Thaddeus have both been married before. She'd rather go back to him than be with you. How pathetic is that, huh?"

Nathaniel's face turned a sickly shade of pale with rage, his fingers clawing at the railing.

Suddenly, when Nathaniel recalled Sebastian's fawning over Seraphina, an idea sparked in his mind, and he smirked. "Sebastian, how can you mock me? Better worry about yourself. You're crippled now, can't manage much of the family business, and Dad's losing patience with you. Your only chance to turn things around is a good marriage alliance. But even the Sinclair's least desirable daughter, Chairman Alexander wouldn't want to marry her off to you. Of course, if I were Chairman Alexander, I wouldn't want my daughter marrying a cripple either."

"Who are you calling a cripple? Say that again!" Sebastian bellowed, his eyes bloodshot with fury.

"Even if I can't marry the Sinclair heiress, securing a union with Ms. Seraphina of the Sinclair family isn't such a bad deal. Either way, I'll be Chairman Alexander's son-in-law. It's the same either way. But you—you better think hard. Once I marry into the Sinclair family, I'll naturally earn Dad's favor. Then what place will there be for you in the Prescott Group?"

With that, Nathaniel walked off with a proud smile, striding past Sebastian.

"Nathaniel! Don't get too ahead of yourself!"

Sebastian slammed his cane on the ground in a fit of rage. "Whether or not this marriage happens isn't up to you to decide!"

As Nathaniel left the balcony, a sly grin curled his lips. He knew Sebastian had taken the bait.

"This billion-dollar son-in-law position, I'm practically giving it away."