Chapter 343

Meanwhile, at the Sinclair Estate.

Just like Alexander, Mr. Vanderbilt didn't live with his sons but maintained his own sprawling estate. Though slightly smaller than the Kingsley's Windsor Estates, it remained one of the country's top ten properties.

By now, every member of the Sinclair household, from the highest-ranking to the lowest servant, knew about the scandal. Even the maids whispered about Isabella's disgrace during their breaks.

With Nathaniel and the Kingsley family maintaining radio silence, Isabella appeared as nothing more than a discarded plaything. The Sinclair name had been dragged through the mud without mercy.

"Has Ms. Isabella arrived yet?" The maids huddled together, voices hushed.

"She's here, sobbing in Mr. Sebastian's study. Poor thing! She's really going through it!"

"What good will crying do? As the Sinclair heiress, how could she be so reckless? A woman's reputation is everything. Being caught in such a compromising position with the Kingsley CEO—who'd want her now?"

"Maybe Nathaniel would. They were seen together at that hotel—something must've happened. Now that it's public, he has to take responsibility!"

"Please. He's clearly avoiding it. The man's dodging accountability like a pro."

"Aren't Mr. Sebastian and Nathaniel close friends? This is beyond awkward."

"Shh! Quiet—here comes Mr. Dominic!"

The servants scattered, dipping into quick curtsies. "Good afternoon, Mr. Dominic!"

The man ascending the stairs, his dark hair impeccably styled and navy suit pristine, was none other than Barry Vanderbilt's second son—Sebastian's uncle, Dominic Vanderbilt.

With a chilling smile, Dominic passed them, tossing a warning over his shoulder. "Keep gossiping, and it won't be me you answer to. My nephew isn't as forgiving."

The maids paled, trembling.

"Grandpa, you have to help me! I can't show my face anywhere now!"

Isabella collapsed into Barry's arms, her sobs uncontrollable, eyes swollen to the size of marbles.

"My dear, stop crying! You'll ruin those pretty eyes!" Barry patted her shaking back, his own eyes misting. "Don't worry. If your mother and brother won't handle this, I will!"

"Father's absolutely right." Dominic strolled in, feigning concern. "Isabella is our family's pride. Now that Nathaniel's disrespected her, we can't let this slide."

"Uncle Dominic!" Isabella wailed louder.

Barry frowned. "Dominic, you know about this?"

"Rumors spread like wildfire in Elmsworth. Especially juicy ones." Dominic lounged on the sofa, plucking an orange from the fruit bowl. "My suggestion? Force Nathaniel to marry her."

Barry's bushy white eyebrows shot up.

Isabella hid her smirk in her grandfather's sleeve.

"Despite being illegitimate, Nathaniel will inherit Kingsley Group. Marrying him would make Isabella a Kingsley matriarch. Not a bad deal." Dominic popped an orange slice into his mouth.

"Uncle Dominic!" Isabella flushed crimson.

"I've thought it through. We'll tell the press they've been dating privately to avoid media frenzy. Young couples deserve privacy. The public overreacted—look how they've traumatized our Isabella."

Dominic owned several PR firms. Spin doctoring was his specialty.

"Your talent for rewriting narratives is truly impressive. A masterclass in deception."

A mocking voice cut through the room as Sebastian strode in, his towering frame radiating menace.

"Sebastian." Isabella shrank deeper into Barry's embrace.

Dominic's smile faltered, the orange in his hand crushed. "Sebastian, in a foul mood? Taking it out on your dear uncle?"

"Mind your tone with elders," Barry snapped.

Sebastian's lips curled into a frosty smile, his handsome face glacial. He sat opposite Dominic, radiating dangerous charm. "Since becoming CEO, you've meddled in every Sinclair affair. No children of your own, so you're living vicariously through Isabella's marriage plans? How pathetic."

Dominic's throat tightened as fury surged.

Childlessness was his greatest shame.

Publicly, he blamed his wife. Only she knew the truth—he was impotent.

But he couldn't lose his temper here. Gritting his teeth, his eyes burned crimson.

"Sebastian! How dare you speak to your uncle like that?" Barry slammed the armrest.

"Just joking, Grandpa." Sebastian flashed a cheeky grin at Dominic. "Uncle loves me too much to stay mad, right?"

The audacity was infuriating.

Dominic maintained his smile while mentally shooting his nephew a thousand times.

"As for Isabella's marriage, don't bother. I'll find her a worthy match—but it won't be Nathaniel." Sebastian punctuated each word, dropping the room's temperature.

Isabella's face fell from smug to shattered.

"Sebastian, explain yourself. If not Nathaniel, then who?" Dominic adopted a stern tone. "After this scandal, if Kingsley Group rejects her, it's a direct insult to Sinclairs. Does Nathaniel think our family is beneath him?"

Before he finished, Isabella burst into fresh tears. "Grandpa, Uncle Dominic—I'd rather die than face this humiliation!"

"Calm down, my dear! I'll get justice!" Barry, a man of influence, wouldn't tolerate this. Enraged, he shattered his teacup. "Nathaniel thinks he can play with her and walk away? He's crossed a line! Sebastian, is it true your mother was hospitalized over this?"

Sebastian swallowed hard, silent.

"Once she's discharged, you'll propose to the Kingsleys. If you refuse, I'll go myself!"

"Grandpa, be reasonable!"

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you and Nathaniel like brothers?" Dominic crossed his legs, enjoying the show. "This would unite our families. Why oppose it?"

"Exactly because we're close that I know his character." Sebastian's voice turned icy. "Nathaniel's in love with Evadne Ashbourne!"

The name "Evadne" froze all three Sinclairs.

Even Barry's gaze flickered with unease.

"Isabella, you've thrown yourself at Nathaniel repeatedly. Did it work? Has he ever glanced your way? You had to scheme just to get a moment with him. So how could he possibly have been with you at that hotel? Face reality!"

Sebastian's voice rose, a vein throbbing at his temple.

He tolerated Isabella's tantrums—but not her manipulations.

"Grandpa, hear how he talks about me?" Isabella played the victim flawlessly. "I'm his sister, yet he makes me sound like some cheap seductress! Yes, I love Nathaniel—but it takes two. If he didn't want me, why go to that hotel?"

Her suggestive pause spoke volumes.

"Even if Nathaniel loves Evadne, that's over now." Barry stroked Isabella's hair, jaw clenched. "My granddaughter gets what she wants. End of discussion."

Isabella peeked up, tears masking her triumph.

"Grandpa!" Sebastian's fists trembled.

"What a joyous occasion—Sinclairs and Kingsleys united." Dominic stood, bowing mockingly. "Congratulations in advance, Isabella. I'll gift you something exquisite."

Dominic exited Barry's mansion, his expression stormy.

His secretary followed, confused. "Sir, why support this match? Nathaniel would never agree."

"You think I don't know that?" Dominic smirked. "Nathaniel nearly died for Evadne recently. Anyone with eyes sees their bond. Isabella's delusional. That's exactly why I'm stirring the pot—the more chaos, the better for us."

"Brilliant!"

A sinister glint flashed in Dominic's eyes. "Nothing destroys friendships like a woman. Brothers? What a joke."

As he descended the stairs, a thought struck him. "That girl Sebastian's keeping—what's her name?"

"Sophia!"

"Watch her closely. She might be useful."

"Sebastian! You're hurting me! Let go!"

Sebastian dragged Isabella into an empty room, his grip brutal.

He slammed the door and flung her to the floor.

Isabella cried out, her arm already bruising.

"Tell me what really happened at that hotel!" Sebastian barely restrained his rage.

"I don't know what you're talking about!" She clutched her arm, defiant.

"You're not smart enough to orchestrate this alone. Who helped you?"

Sebastian loomed over her, eyes blazing. "Who's pulling your strings?"

Isabella's heart pounded, sweat beading her brow.

How could she tell him? She didn't even know.

Gritting her teeth, she spat, "It was all me!"

"Still lying?" Sebastian's voice turned deadly.

"What'll you do? Hit me? Kill me?" Isabella laughed bitterly. "Go ahead!"