Chapter 59

Cassandra feigned concern, her voice dripping with false sympathy. "Isn't this going too far? She's still your cousin's wife, after all."

Charlotte tightened her grip on Cassandra's arm, her eyes gleaming with vindictive excitement. "Cass, you're too soft-hearted. Remember how she humiliated you at the charity gala? Don't you want revenge? Did you see how she was flirting earlier? I'm being generous—I even let her borrow my boyfriend! She should be thanking me. Relax, if anything goes wrong, I'll take the blame. It won't fall on you!"

"You're such a good friend, Charlotte!"

Though Cassandra's expression was one of gratitude, she was laughing inside at Charlotte's stupidity. The girl had no idea she was being manipulated, yet she was still eagerly doing Cassandra's dirty work.

Moments later, Nathaniel returned to the villa. His tall frame radiated icy fury as he scanned the empty living room. "Where is she?"

His jaw clenched when he didn't spot Isabella.

Cassandra approached him with wide, innocent eyes. "Nathaniel, Miss Lockhart is... well, she's with Micah—"

Charlotte cut in, her voice trembling with fake distress. "Nathaniel, your so-called virtuous wife seduced my boyfriend the second we left! She dragged him straight to her bedroom!"

Without another word, she grabbed Nathaniel's arm and pulled him upstairs. His expression darkened, his lips pressed into a thin line.

When they reached Isabella's old bedroom, the door was shut tight—and unmistakable sounds of passion echoed from inside.

Cassandra tried the handle. "It's locked. I can't open it—"

Nathaniel's control snapped. "Move."

With a single powerful kick, the door burst open—revealing a scene that froze them all in shock.

Micah lay sprawled on the floor, his glazed eyes locked on a life-sized teddy bear as he murmured, "Hey, gorgeous..."

Meanwhile, Isabella lounged on the couch, legs crossed, casually filming the spectacle with one hand while munching popcorn with the other. There was no trace of the drunken act she'd put on earlier.

She grinned at the newcomers. "Perfect timing! Come watch the show—it's getting good!"

Charlotte's face twisted in horror. "What the hell is this?!"

Cassandra's stomach dropped. This wasn't part of the plan. Isabella was supposed to be disgraced, not in control.

With a shriek, Charlotte lunged at Isabella, clawing for the phone. "What did you do to him, you witch?!"

Isabella sidestepped effortlessly, sending Charlotte crashing to the floor in a heap.

"Shouldn't you know exactly why he's like this?" Isabella's voice was laced with mocking amusement as she looked down at Charlotte like she was nothing more than an insect.

Pathetic. I expected better.

She'd known the wine was drugged the second it touched her lips. Switching glasses with Micah had been child's play. Playing along with their little scheme? Just for fun.

"Charlotte, baby... come here..." Micah slurred, abandoning the teddy to grope at Charlotte instead.

The scene descended into chaos.

Isabella raised her phone, grinning. "This is gold." With this footage, Charlotte wouldn't dare cross her again—unless she wanted it broadcast on every billboard in Newport City.

She was mid-recording when a hand fisted in the back of her collar.

"That's enough."

Nathaniel's voice was glacial as he hauled her out of the room like an unruly kitten.