Chapter 475

Nathaniel exploded into motion like a detonated grenade, his entire body coiled for attack!

Just as he lunged forward, Isabella seized his wrist with bone-white knuckles. "Don't," she pleaded, voice trembling. "Nathaniel, please."

After all, Harrison was the golden heir of the Vanderbilt dynasty, and she had the Ashbourne name shielding her—but what about Nathaniel?

She couldn't let him drown in this mess because of her.

Before Nathaniel could react, Arabella moved like lightning—a striker delivering a championship-winning kick straight to Harrison's face!

"Ugh—"

The impact sent Harrison's front teeth flying, leaving his mouth a bloody cavern with two grotesque gaps.

Lucas inhaled sharply, his Adam's apple bobbing in silent awe.

His almond eyes narrowed, lips curling upward.

So fierce. So unapologetically bold. He was utterly smitten.

"Damn." Preston shuddered, pressing closer to Alexander for support. "Your sister's terrifying. She's got gang leader energy—violence first, questions later. Hey, as her brother-in-law, you should get Lucas some life insurance. Consider it a wedding gift."

"Dr. Lockwood," Alexander's voice dripped sarcasm, "don't you have patients to attend to?"

"Arabella." Harrison spat blood through his ruined smile, words whistling between gaps. "You've got no proof. But what you and Lucas did? I'll bury you both in lawsuits! Your reputations will be ash!"

"You think I care?" Arabella cracked her knuckles, lips twisted in contempt. "Keep talking, and I'll remove the rest of your teeth."

Harrison promptly shut his mouth.

"You've already done so much." Isabella leaned weakly into Nathaniel's embrace, tears streaking her cheeks. "Let it go. Please."

Timid as she was, her greatest fear was dragging her family into the abyss with her.

"Bullshit." Lucas's voice was steel wrapped in velvet. "Over my dead body."

The endearment "sister" sent warmth flooding Arabella's chest. She exchanged a grateful glance with Nathaniel.

Preston approached Isabella with uncharacteristic gentleness. "Ms. Isabella, I know you're exhausted, but try to recall—what happened before you blacked out? Even tiny details matter."

Alexander arched a brow. He'd never seen the sharp-tongued doctor this tender.

Isabella frowned. "I... bumped into a waiter. Felt a sting on my arm—like a bee. It faded fast."

Arabella yanked back the blanket. There—a tiny puncture mark on Isabella's porcelain skin.

"You bastard!" Arabella's roar shook the walls. "What did you inject into my sister?!"

"Proof!" Harrison sneered, though sweat soaked his collar. "She came onto me! This is a setup!"

Lucas grabbed Harrison's hair, wrenching his head back. "If that substance harmed my sister, I'll turn you into a pincushion."

Preston checked Isabella's pulse, then exhaled. "Anesthetic side effects—rapid heart rate, fever. One dose shouldn't cause lasting damage, but she needs bloodwork."

"Thank you," Nathaniel choked out.

"Please." Preston's gaze flicked to Alexander. "We're practically family."

As they debated Harrison's fate, Lucas's phone rang. He put it on speaker.

"Lucas! Called it!" Adrian's voice crackled with excitement. "Caught a 'waiter' sneaking out—turns out he's Vanderbilt security!"

Harrison's face turned sheet-white.

"Good work." Lucas's calm tone belied the menace beneath. "Hold him until after dinner, then hand him to police."

"Or," Adrian chuckled darkly, "keep him as your personal punching bag. Arabella might enjoy that."

Arabella rolled her eyes.

Harrison was shaking now. "Ms. Arabella, I beg you! It was a moment of madness—I just wanted to one-up my brother! For our fathers' friendship, spare me!"

"Rot in jail." Arabella's smile was arctic. "But first, our family will teach you manners."

In desperation, Harrison blurted the humiliating truth: "I can't even get it up! The meds ruined me! I just stripped her to fake it!"

The room froze.

"Karma," Arabella spat. "You deserve to die childless. But you still violated her with your eyes. Gouge them out, and maybe I'll spare your miserable life!"

Harrison whimpered. Crippled was bad enough—blind would be unbearable.

Then Alexander and Lucas's phones rang simultaneously.

Emeric and Frederick. Summoning them back for an announcement—the partnership decision.

"Go," Alexander said, eyeing the human trash at his feet. "Preston and I will clean up here."

"Sis!" Isabella grabbed Arabella's sleeve, eyes swimming. "Don't tell Dad. His health... I can't—"

"I'll handle it." Arabella squeezed her hand, voice thick. "Even if it costs everything, I'll sever you from the Vanderbilts."