Chapter 426

Aaron dramatically wiped his forehead, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Isabella, you've helped us crack two murder cases before. In one, you found the crucial piece of evidence that broke the case wide open. In the other, you spotted a flaw in the suspect's alibi that led to a full confession!"

Nathaniel was stunned, his wide eyes fixed on the composed woman beside him.

This was it. He was done for.

How could Isabella be this extraordinary? No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn’t keep up.

Before, Nathaniel had considered himself decent, maybe even exceptional.

Now, standing next to Isabella, he felt as insignificant as a discarded tissue in a public restroom.

"Hut, I'm surprised you remember my shining moments, Aaron," Isabella teased, her eyes twinkling. "If it weren't for Alexander and Vanessa blocking my path, I might’ve joined the police academy and become a gun-toting officer by now. You’d probably be calling me 'Sergeant Sinclair' today."

"That’s because you’re our most precious gem," Aaron chuckled nervously, catching himself before he revealed too much. "We couldn’t risk you getting hurt playing with guns and knives. So, in the end, we stopped you."

Isabella arched a brow, and Aaron quickly clamped his mouth shut, nearly letting the truth slip.

With that, Aaron confidently led them to meet the Chief.

The Chief immediately recognized the sharp-witted young woman who had assisted in solving major cases with her keen observations.

What surprised him more was seeing Mr. Kingsley by her side!

The Kingsley Group, Nathaniel Kingsley—these names carried immense weight in Elmsworth!

"Mr. Kingsley! I didn’t expect you to come in person. My apologies for not greeting you earlier."

While meeting Isabella was a pleasure, seeing Nathaniel was an outright delight. The Chief went beyond pleasantries, even ordering Aaron, the head of the detective squad, to pour tea for Nathaniel!

Aaron blinked in disbelief. Nathaniel immediately stood. "I’ll do it myself!"

Letting his future brother-in-law serve him tea in front of Isabella? Was he out of his mind?

He still wanted to marry the Sinclair family’s daughter!

Aaron smirked, impressed by Nathaniel’s understanding of social etiquette.

"Oh no, no, how could I let you do that? Allow me!" The Chief personally served the tea, a move that made Aaron roll his eyes.

If this man knew the "Aaron" he’d been ordering around for years was the son of Skyrim’s wealthiest man, would he offer him his own office chair?

Nathaniel didn’t drink immediately. He tested the cup’s temperature, blew on it gently, then handed it to Isabella.

"It’s not too hot now. You can drink."

Aaron and the Chief gaped.

"Thank you. You should have some too." Isabella took a sip before passing it back.

Nathaniel accepted the cup, drinking from the exact spot her lips had touched.

The sweetness between them was enough to make the others envious.

"Chief, we came for one reason—to see Ward and speak with him."

Before the Sinclair siblings could speak, Nathaniel’s starry eyes turned serious, cutting straight to the point.

"Aaron, Mr. Kingsley wants to see him. Arrange it immediately," the Chief ordered.

The three of them froze.

That was it?

"Yes, sir." Aaron was just as shocked at how smoothly things were going.

"But Ward is extremely dangerous. It’s not safe for you to meet him alone. Let Aaron accompany you—"

"No need," Nathaniel declined calmly.

"It’s fine. Mr. Kingsley’s skills surpass even Ward’s and Captain Sinclair’s," Isabella said, tilting her head toward Nathaniel with a smile as sweet as pearls. "When he gets stubborn, you’d better have extra guards ready. I’m afraid Ward might not survive jail otherwise."

Aaron and two officers waited outside while Isabella and Nathaniel confronted Ward.

After a tense wait, Ward, clad in prison garb and shackles, was escorted in.

"Well, well, look who it is."

Ward smirked, lounging on the steel chair as his lecherous gaze raked over Isabella. "What’s the matter, Ms. Sinclair? Miss me?"

Isabella remained cold and composed, but Nathaniel’s fury was already at its peak. His jaw clenched, eyes burning with unrestrained rage. The beast inside him was ready to break free!

Seeing Nathaniel’s anger only amused Ward further. He threw his head back and laughed behind the iron bars.

Just then, Isabella firmly grasped Nathaniel’s trembling hand beneath the table.

Her warmth seeped into him, steadying his turbulent emotions.

"Get to the point. I need my beauty sleep," Ward sneered, clearly prepared to fight them to the end.

"Ward, we’re here to discuss a collaboration," Isabella began smoothly.

"A collaboration?" Ward barked a laugh. "Ms. Sinclair, do you think I’m a child? I nearly killed both of you, and now you want to work with me? That’s hilarious!"

"Yes, you tried. And failed," Isabella countered, her smile razor-thin.

Ward’s smirk faltered.

As a former mercenary, her words were a direct insult to his professionalism.

"You know our laws. Even foreign criminals serve no more than twenty years. But do you really want to rot here for two decades? By the time you’re shipped back to Country T at sixty, do you think your connections will still protect you? You know the conditions there. Do you think you’ll survive?"

Every word struck like a blade, leaving no room for deflection.

A born negotiator.

Nathaniel squeezed her hand, his gaze filled with admiration.

Ward’s smirk vanished.

Seizing the moment, Isabella narrowed her eyes. "We know Elspeth orchestrated this. Without her, none of this would’ve happened. Our real enemy isn’t you—it’s her."

"While you’re locked up, she’s living comfortably as the darling of the Kingsley Group, acting like your suffering has nothing to do with her. Can you really accept that?"

Ward let out a cold chuckle but stayed silent.

"Cooperate with us. Testify against Elspeth for Erica’s murder, and we’ll ensure you return to Country T within a year. My sister has ties to the royal family. With her influence, you might not even serve two years before walking free."

Her smile was sweet, but her words were lethal. "What do you say, Mr. Ward? Care to reconsider?"

Nathaniel’s eyes shone with awe.

In strategy and intellect, Isabella outmatched even the most seasoned businessmen.

Thank God she was on his side.

Otherwise, he’d have been outmaneuvered long ago.

Ward scoffed. "If this offer came from anyone else, I might’ve considered it. But from you, Ms. Sinclair? Not a shred of credibility."

"My current predicament is thanks to you. Now you need my testimony to take down Elspeth, using me as your pawn. Do you think I’m blind to your games?"

He stood abruptly, the chair screeching against the floor.

"Don’t waste your breath. Use this time to figure out how to beat Elspeth on your own."

When Isabella and Nathaniel left, their expressions were grim.

Aaron didn’t pry. Seeing the failed negotiation, he reassured them he’d push for Ward’s trial.

Back in the car, Nathaniel pulled Isabella close, his jaw resting gently on her head as he comforted her.

"Isabella, don’t lose heart. Even without Ward’s testimony, we have Erica’s recording. It’s not direct evidence, but after twenty years, exposing it will devastate Elspeth. She’ll be ruined, and Frederic won’t protect her anymore."

"Nathaniel, is that all you want?" Isabella’s voice was icy.

His breath hitched, heart aching.

He wanted more.

He wanted Elspeth dead.

"After twenty years, what can a recording really do?" Isabella pressed a hand to his pounding chest, feeling the resentment only she understood. "The statute of limitations is up. All evidence is gone. Without direct proof, we can’t give her a severe sentence. Just disgracing her, making Frederic abandon her—how is that enough? How is that justice?"

"Isabella." His voice was raw with restraint.

"Our only chance to make Elspeth suffer is using Erica’s death and Ward’s testimony to charge her with hiring a hitman!"

Tears brimmed in Isabella’s stormy eyes. "Erica sacrificed her life to uncover the truth about your mother’s murder. This is the opportunity she gave us. We can’t waste it!"

"Do you really think Ward will talk? He seemed defiant."

"He will," Isabella insisted. "I saw hesitation in him. Otherwise, why would he even listen to us? He wouldn’t have agreed to meet."

Nathaniel nodded slowly.

"But right now, he doesn’t trust me. He’s still comfortable. He doesn’t see the need to risk cooperating."

"A comfortable life?" A dangerous glint flashed in Nathaniel’s eyes. "Soon, he’ll realize cooperating is his only chance at survival—even if temporary."