Chapter 256

Four words. Spoken in a low, husky tone that carried an unexpected tenderness.

Isabella’s cheeks flushed. She turned and walked toward the sofa, forcing an air of calm. “I was just concerned you might get bitten by that snake. You’re still my contractual partner, after all.”

Just contractual partners? That was a weak excuse.

Nathaniel’s lips curved into a faint smile as he watched her. “Isabella, admitting you care about me—or even worry about me—isn’t something to be ashamed of.”

Cough, cough. His choice of words was… bold.

“Care about you? In your dreams!” Isabella denied it vehemently. “I was worried you’d get hurt because of me. I don’t want to owe you anything.”

Nathaniel gave a slight smirk but said nothing. He took off his jacket, hung it on the coat stand, then moved to sit beside her. “If I really had been bitten… would you look down on me?”

Look down on him?

Isabella frowned. “What about you?” Her gaze was serious, darker than usual.

His lips tightened slightly. “Do you really think I’m that shallow?” His voice was deep and steady, piercing straight through her. His expression was solemn—not dismissive in the least.

For a moment, Isabella almost believed him. But what man in the world wouldn’t care about something like that?

A faint smile touched her lips. “Whether it’s true or not, only you would know. But why did you agree to meet Victoria today? Was it because you wanted to know what happened five years ago?”

At that, Nathaniel’s eyes darkened. He reached for his phone to show her something, but it had suddenly stopped working. He fixed her with a questioning look. “What if I said I only wanted to help you solve your problems? Would you believe me?”

Solve her problems?

Isabella was sharp. She understood almost instantly. “Victoria is a fraud. You can’t trust a word she says. As for what happened five years ago… it’s not a big deal. But if you really want to know, I can tell you.” She picked up the glass of water from the coffee table and took a sip.

Nathaniel watched her closely. Drinking before speaking—she was nervous. She wasn’t ready.

Just as she set the glass down and opened her mouth to speak, he cut in. “You don’t have to tell me. I just want to know one thing: Does that incident force you to make choices you don’t want to make? Or… does it still cause you pain?” His tone was full of genuine concern.

Isabella’s lips curved slightly. “If it did, why would I have spent so much time with him on stage last night at the ceremony? As for pain…”

She met his gaze, her voice low and intense. “The more you ask, the more it hurts. Even if you knew everything—even with all your resources—you couldn’t fix it.”

“Nathaniel, like I’ve told you before, some things in this world can’t be solved with money or power. Material problems are easy. Matters of the heart… are much harder to untangle.”

It was rare for Isabella to speak to him with such gravity. Nathaniel’s expression grew somber. He had never seen her this serious.

After a moment, he nodded. “I understand. From now on, I won’t pry. But if you ever decide you want to tell me… I’ll be here.”

Isabella’s brow furrowed. He wasn’t going to ask anymore?

Suddenly, Maxwell burst into the room, his voice bursting with excitement. “Boss Isabella! Big news! Huge breaking news!”