Chapter 418
Alexander actually dared to question her and Nathaniel?
He even used that disrespectful tone?
“What if I refuse you?” Isabella sneered. “What if I’m with Nathaniel? A man like you doesn’t stand a chance!”
She raised her hand to push him away, but Alexander seized her wrists and snarled, “Isabella! Nathaniel will never marry you! He wouldn’t even waste a moment on you if he knew your history! He would despise you! Marry me, be with me, and I can pretend none of this ever happened—”
“Hah! Do you believe everyone is like you? Do you think all men are as selfish as you are?” Isabella met his gaze and enunciated each word with cold clarity. “You discarded Victoria the instant you discovered her past with Harrison. But did you ever consider why she acted that way? If it weren’t for your own actions, she never would have done those things! You are nothing but a selfish, disgusting, narcissistic man! Nathaniel is nothing like you!”
Her expression softened slightly at the mention of Nathaniel. “He knew I was assaulted five years ago. I know you would have abandoned me immediately if you were in his position. Nathaniel chose to help me investigate what happened. He never once looked down on me! So you have no chance with someone like me anymore. The moment I agree, he will marry me without hesitation!”
Her voice was sharp and filled with contempt as she shoved him away with surprising strength.
Alexander was thrown back onto the nearby sofa like a broken marionette. He made no move to get up, his eyes wide with stunned disbelief. Nathaniel… Nathaniel knew everything? And instead of casting her aside, he helped her? How? Why? How could Nathaniel not despise Isabella?
The scent of alcohol still clung to Isabella’s clothes even after she left The Grand Monarch. She stopped at a boutique to buy a new jacket before riding her motorcycle back toward Rosewood Manor.
The image of Alexander’s devastated face replayed in her mind during the ride home. A deep sense of satisfaction settled within her. Finally. That despicable man got exactly what he deserved. Perfect karma.
Yet, something felt incomplete. It wasn't until she was nearly at Rosewood Manor that she remembered her promise to Oliver. She had promised to celebrate with them when she got home, and she had returned empty-handed.
She pulled over to the side of the road and called Maxwell. “Get a bottle of Silas’s special reserve sent over immediately. The good one.”
“That’s difficult,” Maxwell replied. “You know how he is about his wine collection. He guards it like his life.”
“Just tell him I’ve hit a wall with the autonomous drone navigation system,” Isabella insisted. “I need some… inspiration.”
“That might work. I’ll relay the message right away.”
“Wait,” Isabella added. “Also, get a bottle of Peach Nectar on the way.”
The Peach Nectar was one of Silas’s original creations. Every year during the peak of the peach blossom season, he would personally collect the morning dew from the petals, along with the most perfect blossom from each tree, to ferment into a delicate, fragrant essence. The alcohol content was low, but the peach flavor was intense and refreshing, its aroma instantly uplifting.
Maxwell let out a low chuckle. “I can already picture Silas having a heart attack.”
Isabella smiled and ended the call. Today had been immensely satisfying, the most in years. Celebration was absolutely necessary. She could always help Silas collect more peach blossoms next season to make it up to him.
A light, cheerful feeling accompanied her as she finally entered Rosewood Manor. She was greeted by the sight of Oliver fast asleep on the sofa.
Meanwhile, Nathaniel…