Chapter 386

Nathaniel gave a curt nod before adding, "Mr. Martin, you and Ms. Davis are currently trending online. The situation is escalating rapidly. Mr. Richard Martin requested I contact you immediately to handle this matter. What would you like our official response to be?"

Instead of answering, Nathaniel's gaze remained fixed on Isabella lying in the hospital bed. He raised his phone, continuing the call with Samuel while scrolling through the viral posts about him and Isabella.

The engagement metrics were staggering - over ten thousand shares and comments, with numbers climbing by the minute.

His eyes turned glacial, features hardening as he issued a terse command. "Get it taken down. Now."

"Understood, Mr. Martin," Samuel responded promptly. The PR team had already prepared multiple response drafts, but Nathaniel's ambiguous relationship with Isabella made approval difficult - sometimes distant, yet occasionally indulgent.

Phone still in hand, Nathaniel's dark eyes held a flicker of warmth as he addressed Isabella. "I need to return to the office. Rest well."

"Nathaniel, you're leaving already?" Isabella's voice carried a brittle cheerfulness that barely masked her disappointment.

His expression remained impassive, the chill in his demeanor almost imperceptible unless one studied the depths of his gaze. "The Martin Group is launching a new project with tight deadlines. Your injury isn't serious - Vanessa can stay with you."

Isabella lowered her head, voice barely above a whisper. "If I hadn't remembered that information, would you have even come to see me?"

Nathaniel maintained his stony silence.

Isabella's breathing hitched. "I know you and Evelyn are serious now. You've chosen her, especially since she's carrying your heir. What am I compared to that? If we have any connection left, it's only because of my involvement in last year's incident."

"Isabella." Nathaniel's voice cut like ice. "You prioritized your career over us. Are you having second thoughts now?"

"But you must realize," he continued, tone sharpening, "even with our contractual agreements, do you honestly believe I view you merely as a business associate? If any partner attempted to betray me, do you imagine they'd remain in my circle?"

The warning in his words was unmistakable. Isabella understood perfectly - he was cautioning her to quash today's scandalous rumors and never repeat such reckless actions. Her eyes narrowed into slits as she fell silent.

Nathaniel observed her dispassionately, the ghost of a smirk touching his lips. "Get some rest. I'm leaving."

"Fine." She nodded stiffly, watching him exit the hospital room with barely concealed venom in her gaze.

Their entanglement had lasted too long. Isabella refused to let go. She wanted Nathaniel permanently - not just Evelyn standing in her way, but all the insurmountable barriers keeping them apart.

If she couldn't have him, no one would. He was perfection incarnate, and only by destroying him could she ensure they'd fall together.

The darker her thoughts grew, the more sinister the glint in her eyes became.

Pursing her lips, she finally reached for her phone and dialed a familiar number.

When the line connected, her voice dripped with icy precision. "I delivered your message. But are you certain he'll believe it?"