Chapter 1301

No.1

She looked up, eyes glistening with manufactured concern.

“She used to adore you, but now… I doubt she even remembers your name.

Now that she’s won, Nathaniel will be all over her.

What if she hands her diamond mines to him?

You’ve known her since childhood, Alexander…

But you can’t compete with a man like Nathaniel Blackwood.”

Alexander’s expression hardened.

Isabella had not only survived the scandal—she’d turned it into a triumph.

Everyone was stunned.

Nathaniel would only want her more now.

And Isabella… she no longer needed Alexander.

She’d outgrown him.

He pulled Victoria closer, voice low and reassuring.

“Don’t worry about any of that.

Take a few days off.

Rest.

Stay off the internet.

I’ll handle Isabella.

Remember… I still have that card to play.

And I’m ready to use it when the time is right.”

“What card?” she asked, feigning confusion.

“Is it enough to… ruin her?”

No.2

“It’s a trap she set for herself these past few days while coming after you.

Don’t give her another thought,” he murmured, holding her tighter.

Victoria melted into his embrace, playing the fragile, broken bird.

But behind the helpless act, her mind was sharp, calculating.

Whatever Alexander had… it had better destroy Isabella completely.

She didn’t need to lift a finger—not when Alexander was willing to do it for her.

He felt her tremble in his arms and his heart clenched.

How could he not love someone who always put him first?

He would find a way to strip Isabella of everything she’d gained.

Victoria deserved to feel safe.

She deserved to win.

Outside, lightning split the sky.

Thunder boomed.

Rain began to pour, hammering against the windows.

The bright afternoon had vanished behind a wall of storm.

At Violet Villa, the doorbell rang.

Isabella looked through the peephole.

Nathaniel stood there, umbrella in hand, little Oliver clinging to his leg.

Even with protection, both were damp from the downpour.

She hadn’t planned on letting them back into her life.

But she couldn’t leave them standing in the storm.

She opened the door.

No.3

“What are you doing here?”

“We came to celebrate, Mommy!” Oliver chirped, wobbling under the weight of a large gift bag.

Nathaniel stepped inside, closing the umbrella.

He carried two bottles of expensive red wine.

“Celebrate what?” she asked, arching a brow.

“Your victory,” Nathaniel said smoothly.

“Turning the tables on Victoria… that was impressive.

It calls for a celebration.”

She hadn’t expected this.

“It’s really not that big of a deal.

I’ve beaten plenty of people before.

I’ll beat plenty more.”

Nathaniel almost smiled at her confidence.

“Then let’s just have a simple barbecue.

No occasion needed.”

He moved toward the kitchen, unpacking the bag with practiced elegance.

Prime cuts of wagyu beef.

Fresh Argentine lobster.

Herbs, truffles, delicate sauces.

Everything was pre-prepped in polished containers, ready for the grill.

Isabella stared.

This was his idea of a simple barbecue?

No.4

The spread before her was worth a fortune.

Even for someone like her, it felt… excessive.

Living alone meant minimal cooking for her.

Instant noodles became her default meal solution.

She had even perfected a self-heating boxed meal technique...

Nathaniel noticed her stillness and approached.

He gently tugged her hand and urged, "Mommy, let's eat now."

His voice carried excitement as he continued, "Barbecue tastes amazing during rainfall. Everything's incredibly tasty."

With determined pulls, he guided her toward the dining area.

Isabella glimpsed the torrential downpour through the window.

Reluctantly, she abandoned her plan to eject them.

She settled at the table opposite Nathaniel.

He expertly grilled pork belly with practiced movements.

Tongs flipped sizzling meat with precise timing.

He brushed oil lightly before seasoning with salt, pepper, and cumin.

The aroma of perfectly charred meat soon permeated the air.

Isabella's brow furrowed in suspicion.

How did someone previously clueless in kitchens master grilling so flawlessly?

Her eyes caught a prominent burn blister on his forearm.

Fresh and angry-looking.

"Did you take cooking lessons just for this?" she questioned.

"Indeed," Nathaniel confirmed elegantly.

No.5

He wrapped a perfectly cooked pork slice in fresh lettuce.

His hands presented the neat bundle to her lips. "Try this."

His gaze held tender concern that felt uncomfortably intimate.

Such husband-wife dynamics felt misplaced between near-strangers...

She blinked away the thought. "I can serve myself."

She selected raw meat to grill independently.

Disappointment flickered in Nathaniel's eyes briefly.

He maintained his outstretched hand steadily.

His voice dropped to a magnetic murmur. "Ms. Montgomery, consider my injury."

"Won't you humor me just this once?"

The velvety baritone weakened her resistance inexplicably.

Against better judgment, she acquiesced.

A subtle smile touched his lips.

He brought the lettuce wrap closer to her mouth.

Her lower lip accidentally grazed his fingertips during the bite.

Electric stillness seized both instantly.

A peculiar sensation radiated through their bodies.

Isabella frowned like witnessing supernatural phenomena.

Had she developed cardiac issues recently?

A comprehensive medical checkup seemed urgently necessary!

Nathaniel's smile deepened intriguingly.

He ate another grilled piece himself.

No.6

Then he deliberately sucked his fingertips while maintaining eye contact.

"Mmm, exceptionally flavorful," he declared meaningfully.

Isabella's cheeks flushed crimson immediately.

Was he praising the meat's taste or... something else entirely?

As she pondered, Nathaniel grilled a sizable Argentine lobster.

He offered a succulent piece to her lips again.

Using the same hand he'd just sucked clean?

"I don't— Oh!" Her protest got cut off by the inserted morsel.

Her mind reeled at the indirect kiss implication.

"Nathaniel!"

"Present. What requires attention?" He feigned innocence perfectly.

Isabella scowled at his audacious thick-skinned act.

Clearly, direct confrontation became necessary.

She turned to Oliver. "Sweetheart, fetch Mommy's orange juice from the upstairs fridge please?"

"Right away!" Oliver abandoned his utensils cheerfully.

He scampered off on his mission.

Nathaniel's brow tightened almost imperceptibly.

Isabella deliberately sent Oliver away.

Whatever she planned to discuss privately likely boded ill for him.

Just as he anticipated, the moment Christopher left the room, Isabella spun around to face him with a stern expression. “Nathaniel. I expect you to behave appropriately around me from now on. Especially in front of the child. He’s still young and impressionable.”

“Hmm? Behave inappropriately? When did that happen?” Nathaniel’s expression was the picture of pure innocence.

Isabella was momentarily speechless. ‘Am I reading too much into this? His acting skills are truly exceptional,’ she thought to herself.

No.7

“In that case, let’s address the real issue. Starting today, do not come looking for me with Christopher,” Isabella stated firmly.

Nathaniel’s hand, which was holding the fork, twitched almost imperceptibly. The warmth in his eyes gradually cooled.

Isabella continued, undeterred by his shifting mood. “You know perfectly well that nothing can ever happen between us. Oliver needs to adjust to life without me. A clean break is better than a prolonged attachment. As his father, you should help him move on. Otherwise, he’ll be devastated when the inevitable separation comes.”

Nathaniel’s face darkened. He set down his fork and fixed her with an intense gaze. “I’m curious. What gave you the impression that we are impossible? What exactly is it about me that you find so objectionable? Feel free to be blunt.” His demeanor was deadly serious, his eyes probing.

Isabella’s heart gave a little flip before the memories of five years ago came rushing back. She remembered her circumstances.

Avoiding his penetrating stare, she replied coolly, “I don’t care for men who are overly persistent. It’s unattractive. I prefer men who are aloof and unattainable. I enjoy the challenge. Furthermore, I believe in instant connections. To be perfectly honest, my first impression of you was not favorable. I never developed any feelings for you. Love cannot be forced.”

Nathaniel suddenly rose and leaned across the table, closing the distance between them. Isabella watched his face draw nearer, her heart beginning to race uncontrollably. She struggled to maintain her composure. “What are you doing?”

He captured her wrist with one hand, his other tilting her chin upward. His lips moved inexorably closer. Trapped by his grip, Isabella could neither retreat nor pull away. In an instant, his face was mere inches from hers, so close their noses almost touched.

With each breath, she was enveloped by his distinct, masculine scent. One small movement forward would bring their lips together… Her heart hammered wildly against her ribs, like a frightened animal fleeing for its life. It felt ready to burst from her chest.

Nathaniel watched her, his lips beginning their final descent. Isabella quickly turned her head, evading the kiss. His cool lips brushed against her cheekbone, landing perilously close to her earlobe. A wave of sensation swept through her, leaving her momentarily paralyzed.

A faint smile touched Nathaniel’s lips as he whispered near her ear, “A normal resting heart rate for a woman is between sixty and one hundred beats per minute. In the last thirty seconds, yours was fifty-five. Are you still certain you feel nothing for me? Hmm?”

As he spoke, his grip on her wrist tightened almost imperceptibly. Isabella’s body went rigid. So that was his game. Grabbing her wrist, moving closer… all to measure her pulse? The man was infuriatingly meticulous.

She snatched her hand back, fighting to keep her voice steady. “Has no one ever told you that heart rates fluctuate? Temperature, digestion… countless factors affect it. I told you I have no feelings for you. That is the truth. From now on, unless it’s strictly business, do not seek me out.” Her tone was ice-cold, utterly devoid of emotion.

For the first time, Nathaniel felt a sharp, slicing pain deep in his chest. He was silent for a long moment before replying with quiet resignation, “Very well. I will respect your wishes.”

Perfectly on cue, Christopher returned with the juice, entering the kitchen. Nathaniel took the glass and set it on the counter before reaching for the boy. “Come. We’re leaving.”

“But… Oliver hasn’t finished his steak yet…” Christopher’s face fell, disappointment written all over it.

Nathaniel gently stroked his hair. “Be good. I’ll make you more another time. We mustn’t disturb Mommy today, alright?”

“Okay.” Christopher pouted, turning to wave at Isabella. “Goodbye, Mommy. Eat lots and get super full.”

An unexpected ache tightened Isabella’s throat. It felt constricted, and it took her a moment to force out a single word.

“Alright,” Isabella responded to Oliver.

Nathaniel carried the boy and stepped outside. The storm raged violently. Lightning flashed across the sky, followed by deafening thunder.

Though it was daytime, the heavy clouds made it feel like dusk had fallen early.