Chapter 318

No matter how desperately Isabella begged, Sebastian stood his ground. Eventually, he shoved her away with brutal force.

"Guards!" Sebastian barked. "Restrain her immediately."

Silence.

His brow furrowed as he stormed toward the doorway. "I gave you an order! Are you all deaf—"

The words died in his throat.

Nathan Sterling's piercing gaze locked onto him, radiating such intensity that Sebastian instinctively stepped back.

"Mr. Sterling? To what do we owe this... unexpected visit?"

Nathan ignored him, striding past into the room. When Isabella saw him, hope flashed across her tear-streaked face.

She scrambled forward. "Nathan! Thank God you're here! Please, you have to help me!"

He halted abruptly.

Looking down at her, his expression held no sympathy—only cold disdain.

"Mr. Sterling," Sebastian ventured cautiously, "surely you're not here for her?" Isabella's eyes lit up.

"Take me away from here!" she pleaded, clutching Nathan's sleeve. "I'll do anything! I swear I'll never bother Evelyn again!"

Nathan's lips curled in a humorless smile. His voice cut like ice. "Sebastian. I'm taking her. You'll have her back in two hours."

Confusion flickered across Sebastian's face, but he knew better than to challenge Nathan directly.

He shot Isabella a venomous look. "Mr. Sterling, is this treacherous woman really worth your time? Let me dispose of her in Dunhill's slums—"

Nathan didn't even glance his way. "This isn't a negotiation. It's a courtesy notification."

With that, he signaled his men. They seized Isabella roughly, ignoring Sebastian's darkening expression.

Fury erupted as Sebastian slammed his fist into the wall. "This isn't over, Sterling."

...

Nathan brought Isabella to an elegant Victorian townhouse.

His guards threw her to the marble floor without ceremony.

Struggling up, Isabella approached Nathan with desperate hope. "You still care about me, don't you? Get me out of Pamore—"

"Enough." Nathan's voice froze her in place. "I want the truth, Isabella. Nothing more."

"The... truth?" Her confusion seemed genuine.

Nathan turned slowly. His gaze bored into her. "That child. Whose was it really?"

Three seconds of silence. Then understanding dawned.

Seeing his grim expression, Isabella suddenly laughed—a wild, triumphant sound echoing through the grand hall.

When her laughter subsided, a calculating gleam entered her eyes. "So that's why you came? For Evelyn's sake, isn't it?"

Nathan remained impassive. "Answer the question."

She shook her head, smirking. "Why not believe it was yours, Nathan? The evidence is gone now. Who can prove otherwise?"

Her voice dripped with smug satisfaction, as if she'd finally found leverage against the mighty Nathan Sterling.