Chapter 348
The moment was utterly absurd to Nathaniel.
He'd believed that despite Arabella's flaws, she still held some remnant of childhood innocence. After all, she was the only sister of his closest friend.
But he'd been wrong.
She shared nothing with Sebastian but blood.
She was spoiled rotten—perhaps always had been. He'd only seen her through rose-tinted glasses because of Sebastian.
Well, if that was the case, he no longer needed to hold back for his friend's sake.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Getting hit by a car? If something happened to you, how would your mother survive?" Mrs. Vanderbilt clutched her chest, tears welling in her eyes.
"Arabella is my only granddaughter, the jewel of my heart! We've given her everything the Vanderbilt name can offer. She's never known hardship! She'd even curse herself just to prove her innocence to you—that alone should tell you she's speaking the truth!"
Dominic stroked Arabella's hair, glaring at Nathaniel. "Arabella may be pampered, but she's never lied! Is the heir of the Kingsley Group so spineless that he won't take responsibility for his actions?"
Nathaniel's eyes darkened, his fists clenching as he suppressed his fury.
"Mr. Dominic, your words are crossing a line."
Frederic couldn't tolerate his son being insulted so brazenly in front of everyone. "Stick to the matter at hand. If you have a grievance, state it plainly."
"Our families are among the most respected in New York. Your presence here tonight has already caused enough chaos. Do you truly wish to start a feud with the Kingsley Group?"
Arabella's eyes gleamed with malice.
She'd brought her grandfather here for one purpose—to force Nathaniel into marrying her.
She wouldn't let this opportunity slip away.
"Mr. Frederic, I have two demands."
Dominic's expression hardened. "First, I want your son to apologize to Arabella immediately. Because of him, my granddaughter was hounded by the press, nearly ruining her reputation!"
"Originally, I wanted the Kingsley Group to hold a press conference, but you're right—we're both public figures. A private apology will suffice. Your son admits his mistake to Arabella, and I'll consider the matter closed."
The Kingsley staff watching from the sidelines seethed with anger.
Their young master, a man of such stature, being bullied by this old man?
They wanted to unleash the hounds on him.
"Mr. Dominic! What has Mr. Nathaniel done wrong? Why should he apologize to Ms. Arabella? Isn't this blatant bullying?"
All eyes turned as Olivia stormed forward, standing defiantly in Nathaniel's defense.
Eleanor hid behind Frederic, first startled—then smirking.
She'd long despised Olivia, who'd grown bold under Nathaniel's protection, daring to disregard her authority as the lady of the house.
Now that she was sticking her neck out for this bastard, she'd get what she deserved.
"Olivia, step back," Nathaniel warned in a low voice.
"Mr. Nathaniel, I can't stand by and watch them bully you!" Olivia's eyes brimmed with tears.
She'd been watching from upstairs, her anger boiling over when Dominic demanded an apology.
"Mr. Frederic, Eleanor, has your household staff grown so bold they dare interrupt guests? How disrespectful!" Mrs. Vanderbilt sneered.
"Mrs. Vanderbilt, you may not be aware. Olivia, though a maid, holds a special position in our home."
Eleanor couldn't resist twisting the knife. "She answers to no one—not even us, the masters."
"You know exactly why Olivia holds such a position, Eleanor."
Nathaniel moved to shield Olivia, his gaze icy as it pinned Eleanor in place. "After my mother passed, Olivia cared for me as if I were her own. She is family. In my heart, her place is no less than my mother's."
"Mr. Nathaniel..." Olivia's voice trembled with emotion.
"And as I've said before, in this house, Olivia serves only me. She is not your maid. Why should she care about you, Eleanor?"
A ripple of laughter spread through the room.
In the Kingsley household, Olivia was far more respected than Eleanor and her daughter.
Eleanor gritted her teeth, but she couldn't retort without making a scene.
"Beyond the apology, there's a second demand."
Dominic, uninterested in the women's squabbles, continued coldly. "Mr. Frederic, given the circumstances, there's only one proper resolution—a marriage alliance. Your son must wed Arabella."
Gasps filled the room.
"Marry Arabella?"
Nathaniel laughed, his dark eyes glacial. "Mr. Dominic, do you think so little of me that any woman will do? That any woman is worthy of being my wife? I may not chase skirts, but that doesn't mean I lack standards."
The room fell silent, stunned.
Not a single insult, yet every word cut Arabella to the bone.
Her lips trembled, her face white with rage.
"Nathaniel, mind your tongue!" Frederic snapped. He disliked the Vanderbilts' bullying but didn't want an outright feud.
Dominic slammed his cane against the floor. "How dare you insult my granddaughter! She's too good for you!"
"In this life, there is only one woman who will ever be my wife. It was her before, and it will be her in the future."
Before Nathaniel could finish, the butler rushed in. "Mr. Frederic, Mr. Nathaniel—Miss Isabella has arrived!"
The sharp click of heels echoed through the hall—confident, commanding.
Nathaniel's breath caught, his gaze locking onto the stunning figure striding toward them. He memorized every detail, as if imprinting her image into his soul.
Arabella watched, jealousy twisting her features, helpless as Nathaniel's entire being focused on Isabella.
His heart, his eyes—there was room for no one else.
If not for the desperate measures she'd taken, she might never have shared a room with him.
"Mrs. Kingsley!" Olivia gasped.
"It's really her!"
The staff whispered excitedly, their eyes alight with anticipation.
By now, everyone knew—Nathaniel's heart belonged to his ex-wife.
What was she doing here now?
Had she come to rescue him from the Vanderbilts' forced marriage?
Isabella wore a sleek black dress, a tailored velvet blazer draped over her shoulders. Her raven hair cascaded down her back, her lips a bold crimson. She was breathtaking—radiant yet commanding.
Two seemingly contradictory qualities melded perfectly in her, inspiring awe.
One glance from her was enough to crush Arabella, leaving her unable to lift her head.
Mrs. Vanderbilt clutched her chest, her heart pounding.
She'd heard of Isabella's brilliance. Even with the Vanderbilt fortune, they stood no chance against this woman.
"Grandfather, that's Isabella," Arabella whispered urgently. "She's bullied me before. You have to help me!"
Dominic studied Isabella's striking features, his expression conflicted.
Though this was their first meeting, her father, William, was an old acquaintance.
They weren't friends, but William was a man of integrity. He could feud with Frederic, but William's daughter? That gave him pause.
"Good evening, Mr. Frederic. My apologies for intruding." Isabella's smile was polite as she inclined her head toward Dominic. "Isabella Sinclair, at your service, Mr. Dominic."
Her manners were impeccable—exactly what one would expect from William's daughter.
"Grandfather! Why aren't you saying anything? She bullied me! She stole Nathaniel from me!"
Dominic pressed his lips together. He couldn't bring himself to confront a young woman.
As a man of power and pride, bickering with a girl was beneath him.
Nathaniel's gaze burned as he drank in Isabella's beauty.
Logic told him this woman had hurt him deeply—he should be furious.
But his body betrayed him, desire coursing through his veins.
"Miss Isabella, what brings you here so late?" Frederic asked, his tone cool.
"Yes, Miss Isabella," Eleanor added with a smirk. "We're entertaining important guests. If there's news, we'll inform you."
Her words dripped with provocation.
Nathaniel's expression darkened, but before he could speak, Isabella laughed lightly.
"Eleanor, you misunderstand. I have no interest in your family affairs. I'm here to see you."
The room buzzed with confusion.
Eleanor frowned. "Me? Why?"
"Shall we speak privately, or would you prefer I say it here?" Isabella's eyes glinted with icy amusement.