Chapter 476

"You're no longer a Montgomery. Don't you dare set foot in this manor again." Eleanor's voice dripped with venom. "I brought you into this family, which means I own your life. If Benjamin doesn't survive, I'll take everything from you!"

Isabella had built walls against such cruelty, but hearing those words from her own flesh and blood still pierced through her defenses.

Suddenly, a small warm hand slipped into hers. "Don't be sad, Mommy." Oliver's voice was soft yet firm. "Daddy and I will always protect you. We're your real family now."

Her heart clenched at his words. She looked down at the boy standing beside her, his crystal-clear eyes filled with unwavering loyalty.

It was ironic. Those who shared her blood sought to destroy her, while those bound by choice stood as her fortress.

A gentle smile touched her lips. "Mommy's alright, sweetheart. Thank you." She squeezed his hand. "Let's get you to bed."

Nathaniel was ascending the staircase when he saw them. He had expected devastation after that confrontation, but Isabella stood composed, her strength evident in her steady posture.

How much pain had she endured to become this resilient? The thought made his chest tighten with protectiveness.

Isabella's gaze swept over him, noticing the shard of glass embedded in his forearm, blood staining his sleeve.

Her brow furrowed. She immediately retrieved the first-aid kit. "Sit down," she instructed, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Nathaniel took the kit from her. "I can manage. You should rest."

"Be quiet," she countered sharply.

Though no medic, Isabella possessed competent emergency skills. With precise movements, she extracted the glass using tweezers, applying pressure with sterile gauze to stem the bleeding.

Oliver, observing from the sidelines, understood his cue. He retreated downstairs to give them privacy.

The lower level was chaos. Shattered windows littered the floor with glittering debris. The exterior walls bore ugly scars from the impact.

His small face hardened. How dare they attack his mother! Blood relation meant nothing when they acted like monsters.

Pulling out his phone, he dialed Dominic. "Uncle Dominic, I need two snakes. Put them in those horrible people's car before they leave."

The reptiles would deliver a fitting scare without traceable evidence. Mommy would never suspect a thing.

Dominic approved the plan immediately, moving to execute it. Shortly after, Maxwell arrived with a repair crew. He had been monitoring the property from the shadows but held back upon recognizing Eleanor and Richard. He understood Isabella's deliberate pacing around the situation.

Even with Victoria's reputation in tatters, the Montgomerys still favored her. They discarded their true daughter for a malicious imposter. Fools.

Maxwell eagerly anticipated their eventual reckoning when the truth finally emerged.

Upstairs, Isabella finished dressing Nathaniel's wound, discarding bloodied gauze into the bin. The sight was gruesome.

"You shouldn't have intervened," she murmured, avoiding his gaze.

"I'm your real boyfriend. Protecting you is my responsibility." He emphasized the title, his voice low.

Isabella felt heat rise to her cheeks. She had said that in the heat of the moment to defy her parents. Why was he latching onto it?

Now wasn't the time for this discussion. "I'm exhausted. I need to rest before dealing with tonight's matters." She stood to leave.

Nathaniel's eyebrow quirked. She didn't correct him... Did that mean she accepted it? His hand shot out, capturing her wrist before she could retreat.