Chapter 314

The biting sarcasm in his voice sent a shiver down her spine.

Isabelle's cheeks burned crimson, humiliation crashing over her like a tidal wave.

"I...I apologize, Mr. Black," she stuttered, fingers twisting the fabric of her dress. "It wasn't my intention. I merely wished to clarify about Evelyn. She's never shown interest in anyone else."

Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Only you."

Nathan let out a dark, humorless laugh, his icy gaze piercing through her.

"Frankly, I couldn't care less," he said, each word dripping with disdain. "But your desperate explanations...they make me question everything."

His eyes raked over her trembling form with deliberate cruelty.

"Tell me, Miss Laurent—should I believe your pathetic excuses or not?"

Isabelle's breath hitched, her face frozen in a mask of terror. The silence stretched unbearably before she finally choked out, "I'm speaking the truth."

"Pathetic." Nathan's voice was devoid of emotion.

Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode away, leaving Isabelle rooted to the spot. His cutting words hung in the air like poisoned daggers, their meaning as elusive as they were cruel.

A storm of emotions flickered across her face—fear, anger, shame. In the end, she merely bit her lip until it bled and fled the scene without another word.

Eleanor and her entourage didn't linger at the Grant estate. After exchanging pleasantries in the grand foyer, Nathan and Evelyn saw them off.

Once the guests departed, Leonard summoned Nathan to his study.

The older man's voice was steady when he spoke. "I've discussed your situation with Evelyn's grandmother."

Nathan remained silent, his expression unreadable.

"Eleanor supports the divorce," Leonard continued. "She's asked me not to interfere if you and Evelyn still wish to proceed after my birthday celebrations."

At this, Nathan's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly. He'd anticipated this outcome.

"She refuses to let Evelyn waste her life on a man who doesn't love her," Leonard added. "And I can't fault her for that. She's protecting her granddaughter. So if you still want the divorce after my birthday, I won't stand in your way."

The silence that followed was deafening. Nathan wasn't disagreeing—he simply had nothing to say.

Leonard leaned forward, his gaze intense. "Nathan, have you truly considered this? Is divorce really what you want?"

After an eternity, Nathan finally spoke, his voice hollow. "Yes."

The single word fell like a guillotine's blade. Yet as it left his lips, an unfamiliar tightness gripped his chest. He quickly dismissed it—this was what he'd wanted all along, wasn't it? He should be relieved. Happy even.

Leonard studied his son's impassive face, emotions warring behind his own eyes. Finally, he straightened in his chair. "Very well. If that's your decision, I'll say no more. You may go."