Chapter 468

Isabella remained deep in thought, analyzing Victoria's next potential move.

A sudden roar shattered her concentration.

"Isabella Montgomery! Return my grandson this instant! I'll beat that wretched girl to death!"

She looked up to see William and Beatrice Kensington storming toward her.

These were Eleanor's parents—her maternal grandparents.

Eleanor had been their only daughter, and they adored her children immensely.

They had reserved substantial family assets for Victoria and Benjamin.

Vacationing abroad when news of Benjamin's crisis reached them, they had rushed directly to the hospital.

Beatrice now raised her walking cane, preparing to strike Isabella with full force.

Caught off guard, Isabella barely registered the attack.

Just as the cane descended, a powerful hand intercepted it mid-air.

In the next moment, she was pulled into a solid, protective embrace.

She glanced up at Nathaniel's striking profile.

His expression was ice-cold, radiating undeniable authority.

Matte black sunglasses concealed half his face, revealing only his sharp, commanding jawline.

Beatrice failed to recognize him as she shook her cane violently. "Who do you think you are? Release my cane! I'm disciplining my granddaughter! Step aside immediately!"

"I protect what's mine. This doesn't concern you," Nathaniel's voice resonated deeply as he released the cane.

Beatrice stared in shock. His woman? Isabella belonged to him?

A realization dawned on her face. She scowled at Isabella. "Now I understand! No wonder Victoria mentioned you keeping some stray man! That's why you refuse to return home! It's true!"

William stepped forward, his expression dark. "Isabella, do you believe wealth grants you impunity? How dare you shame our family with this... this paramour!"

Nathaniel's brow furrowed. A stray man?

Never had anyone referred to the President of Blackwood Corporation in such terms.

And they dared insult his woman in his presence.

He began removing his sunglasses.

Isabella caught his hand, her gaze hardening toward her grandparents. "When I have a genuine partner, you call it shameful. Yet when Victoria sleeps with numerous men—including her fiancé's assistant—what exactly would you call that?"

Her clear voice hung in the air.

The elderly couple's faces stiffened instantly.

Their agitation intensified at her words.

They had been on an extended cruise when the scandal erupted.

The voyage to a remote island had taken two months without port calls.

They remained confined aboard until returning just last night.

Victoria had always been their cherished granddaughter.

They never anticipated such disgraceful behavior.

Upon their return, they immediately contacted Eleanor.

Hearing the truth from her had enraged them.

After a stunned moment, Beatrice's glare sharpened. "How dare you mention that? Your mother rescued you from the streets! Clothed you! Fed you! And you repay her by destroying our family! Victoria's reputation would be intact if not for your schemes! I've never witnessed such ingratitude!"

Another accusation of thanklessness.

Isabella had grown accustomed to these claims.

A mocking smile touched her lips. "If you insist on labeling me ungrateful, so be it. Your opinion means nothing to me."

She scoffed, tightening her grip on Nathaniel's hand.

They walked past the elderly couple shoulder-to-shoulder.

Her steps were crisp and deliberate.

Undeniably arrogant.