Chapter 272

The hospital corridor stretched long and silent.

Lucas stood frozen outside the ward door, his gaze sweeping over the two rows of guards lining the hallway. Their rigid posture, unreadable expressions, and the sheer intensity of their presence sent an involuntary shiver down his spine.

The door swung open with a sharp click of polished boots against tile.

Sebastian stepped out, adjusting his military cap with practiced precision. Years of discipline had trained him to keep his emotions locked away, especially in front of outsiders.

"Salute!" The guards snapped to attention in perfect unison.

"Move out."

With that single command, Sebastian strode past Lucas, his retinue falling into step behind him.

The corridor plunged back into silence.

Lucas watched Sebastian's retreating figure—the sharp angles of his profile, the effortless authority in his stride, the quiet confidence that demanded respect. Even as a grown man, Lucas couldn't help but feel dwarfed by the sheer presence of someone like him.

The gap between them wasn't just status—it was something deeper, something unbridgeable.

Just as the thought settled, Nathaniel emerged, his steps heavy, his eyes shadowed.

"Nathaniel, you shouldn't be pushing yourself like this. In your condition, leaving the hospital is reckless!"

Lucas rushed forward to support him, only to be shrugged off with stubborn defiance. "I have no choice. If I don't return to the company, Dominic and Arabella will start asking questions. They'll use any excuse to undermine my authority. My hospitalization—my injuries—they can't become public knowledge—"

The strain of his argument with Sebastian finally took its toll. Nathaniel doubled over in a coughing fit, the sound hollow and painful.

Fear spiked through Lucas. His chest tightened at the sight, his eyes burning.

"Nathaniel, the company, the presidency—none of it matters more than your health!"

"Don't worry. I won't die." Nathaniel straightened with effort, forcing a steady breath. "I've survived worse than this over the years. I'm still here, aren't I?"

But when he remembered Sebastian's cutting words—You disgrace the uniform—his eyes darkened with something raw.

It wasn't fair.

That evening, Isabella had reserved the finest suite at The Grand Chateau, laying out an extravagant spread of wine and delicacies for Sebastian.

Oliver, Harrison, and Seraphina—all working or studying in Elmsworth—had rushed over. A rare gathering of siblings was always cause for celebration, and the atmosphere buzzed with warmth.

Yet, their joy was bittersweet. They'd barely reunited before having to say goodbye to Sebastian again. Regret hung heavy in the air, and Isabella, unable to hold back her emotions, drowned her sorrows in glass after glass of wine.

Her thoughts tangled in frustration. Why did Nathaniel like her?

Was it because of their shared ordeal on Misty Mountain? Or was it some misplaced guilt after learning she was the girl he'd saved thirteen years ago?

Or—worse—was he just fickle, shifting his affections from the delicate Valentina to her, the untouchable queen of thorns?

A cold smirk curled her lips.

So Valentina's betrayal hadn't cut as deep as she'd thought. He'd moved on to her so easily.

Pathetic.

"Isabella! I heard you went back to that damn mountain and nearly got yourself killed saving someone!" Oliver had gotten the full story from Adrian. Terrified, he yanked her into a crushing hug. "You little menace! You're going to give me a heart attack! If anything happens to you, I swear I'll never marry—I'll just follow you into the grave!"

"Oliver! You're suffocating her!" Sebastian intervened, prying him off as Isabella gasped for air.

"Wow. Dying for love is one thing, but dying for a sibling? That's new." Harrison smirked around a mouthful of steak.

Seraphina nearly choked on her drink, covering her mouth with a delicate hand.

Always the quiet one among her brothers, she wasn't used to such blunt teasing.

Adrian, ever the caretaker, patted her back while adding dryly, "Oliver, Isabella just survived a near-death experience. Stop saying things like 'little menace' and 'heart attack.' It's bad luck."

"Damn it, I'm just worried!"

Oliver had lost his grip on Isabella to Sebastian, but he refused to let go entirely, clinging to her hand like a lifeline.

What should have been a harmonious family dinner quickly devolved into a battle for their sister's attention.

"Speaking of which, Isabella, you risked your life for that woman. Didn’t she send a thank-you banner or something?" Harrison asked, curiosity piqued.

"I passed out right after. No idea what happened." Isabella shrugged, popping another shrimp into her mouth—peeled, of course, by Sebastian.

"Oh, there was a banner." Adrian wiped his mouth with a napkin.

Everyone turned to him in surprise. Isabella, mid-bite, blinked. "What?"

"I left my number with Ranger Captain Sean. He called me two days ago. The woman you saved came by in a wheelchair with her family. They brought a banner and wanted to thank you personally. Unfortunately, they didn’t know your name—just called you 'the kind stranger.'"

"You gave Sean your number? So—"

"Yes. Both Professor Leo, whom you respect so much, and Captain Sean now know exactly who you are."

Adrian gave her a knowing look. "Neither of them was particularly shocked to learn you're the Sinclair heiress. They just asked me to take care of you—as any brother should. They also mentioned your donations to Misty Mountain Park over the years have been more than enough. Professor Leo stored everything in the maintenance fund, and they genuinely can't spend it all. They appreciate your generosity but asked you to stop donating. And, most importantly, they want you to take better care of yourself and stop volunteering so recklessly."

"Adrian!" Isabella set down her fork, pouting.

He sighed, equal parts fond and exasperated. "Isabella, your identity as a Sinclair shouldn’t be a secret. We don’t want it to be. You're our sister—Father's favorite. Even if some people know now, it's inevitable. If you ever take over the family business, stepping into the public eye is unavoidable. You need to get used to it."

"Wait." Her eyes lit up. "Adrian, are you saying I passed Father's test? Am I finally done with the 'grassroots experience'? Can I join the corporate world now?"

The thought lifted her spirits, washing away the lingering irritation from that infuriating man.

After all, right now, she had two goals: climbing the corporate ladder and destroying her so-called husband. The latter was already in motion. Time to focus on the former.

Adrian chuckled. "I know you're eager, but patience. Father's busy. Once he wraps up his current commitments, he'll give you the final assessment."

"Honestly, Father's being too strict. It's a family business. One word from him, and Isabella's in!" Harrison stuffed another piece of steak into his mouth like a starved man.

Adrian sighed. Isabella and Seraphina exchanged glances.

Oliver cleared his throat. "Harrison, are you implying it's not as simple as Father saying one word?"

"Huh? Yeah, that's what I meant!" Harrison grinned, utterly unbothered.

"Well, then, a toast to our sister first."

Seraphina stood, cheeks flushed, wine glass raised. "To your promotion, Isabella. May all your wishes come true."

"Now that's what I like to hear. Cheers!" Isabella grinned, downing her wine and blowing Seraphina a playful kiss.

Seraphina turned even pinker.

"Come on, everyone! A toast to Isabella! May all her dreams come true!"

Glasses clinked. Laughter filled the room. The warmth of family wrapped around her, and for a moment, Isabella's eyes stung.

The dinner ended in high spirits.

Isabella and Sebastian clung to each other. They'd joked and laughed all evening, but now, faced with goodbye, their eyes were red.

Sebastian's base was in Azeroth City—not far.

But his position meant he could be gone for months at a time, making his visits rare.

"Sebastian, will you be back for Genevieve's birthday?" Isabella reached up, fingers brushing the insignia on his uniform before adjusting his cap.

"I'm sorry, Isabella."

Regret flickered in his eyes as he pinched her cheek, then turned to Seraphina. "I'm sorry, Seraphina. Please tell Genevieve I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay! We understand!" Seraphina waved her hands frantically.

"But I already got her a gift." Sebastian smiled faintly. "Isabella, when the time comes, give it to her for me?"

"Of course."

In the hotel's underground garage, Sebastian's bulletproof car—specially driven from Azeroth City—waited.

His aide held the door open. After final goodbyes, Sebastian slid inside, rolling down the window for one last warning.

"Stay away from Nathaniel. Let him deal with his own mess. Understood?"

"Got it! Bye, Sebastian!"

Isabella grinned, eyes sparkling, lips red—looking, in that moment, even more adorable than the naturally gentle Seraphina.

After Sebastian left, Oliver and Harrison returned to work.

Isabella, slightly tipsy, asked Adrian to take her home.

"Miss Isabella, let me escort you." Preston stepped forward without hesitation.

Caring for her was second nature to him.

"But if you leave, who's taking care of Seraphina? She's had a bit too much to drink too!"

Isabella looped an arm around Seraphina's slender waist and, with surprising strength (thanks to the alcohol), shoved the petite woman straight into Preston's arms.

Seraphina, already unsteady, nearly stumbled—

But Preston caught her effortlessly, pulling her flush against his chest.

Their eyes met.

Breaths tangled.

Hearts skipped.