Chapter 793
No.1
How dare she wear something so provocative in front of another man?
Nathaniel’s eyes darkened with displeasure. He stepped forward, shoving Alexander aside, and shielded Isabella with his own body.
Isabella flushed with embarrassment at his possessive display in front of others.
Before she could speak, Nathaniel pulled her firmly against his chest. He glared at Alexander, his voice cold and threatening. “She belongs to me. If I catch you near her again, your entire family will be exiled from Westchester.”
Alexander stared, stunned. The threat echoed in his mind.
‘Isabella is with Nathaniel Blackwood? He’s willing to go this far to protect her?’
Nathaniel turned sharply to the four men he had brought. “What are you waiting for? Introduce yourselves.”
The command snapped them to attention. They bowed in unison.
“Good morning, Ms. Montgomery. I am Marguerite Dubois, head chef of a three-Michelin-star restaurant in Paris. I will be preparing your breakfast today.”
“A pleasure, Ms. Montgomery. I am Philippe Moreau, executive chef from Le Grand Mariner. I will be assisting as sous chef.”
No.2
“Greetings, Ms. Montgomery. I am…”
Alexander was speechless. These were world-renowned chefs, each commanding six-figure fees. Nathaniel had hired them all just to make Isabella breakfast.
His earlier boast—'no one will treat you better than me’—now seemed pathetic.
Isabella was equally shocked.
‘Did he bring this entire team just to defend me? How much money did he spend?’
While she was still processing it, Nathaniel spoke softly to her. “Tell them whatever you’d like to eat. They will make it for you.”
Then he turned his icy gaze back to Alexander. “Are you leaving on your own, or shall I have you escorted out?”
Alexander paled. He knew better than to test Nathaniel’s patience.
“My apologies. I didn’t realize she was yours. I’ll take my leave immediately.”
He retreated quickly, his expression grim.
No.3
He couldn’t comprehend it. How did a woman as arrogant and damaged as Isabella win Nathaniel’s devotion?
So that was why she rejected him—she was already with Nathaniel Blackwood.
What made her so special?
His assistant walked beside him, voice tense with worry. “What do we do now? If they’re together, we’ll never get the diamond mine or the shares. And with the competition between Isabella and Victoria coming up… if Nathaniel helps her, Victoria doesn’t stand a chance.”
Alexander’s mood soured further.
‘Victoria has the full support of the Montgomery family. But Isabella… she’s clearly using Nathaniel to crush us both. I can’t let her win.’
He looked at his assistant, his eyes cold and decisive. “Send the photos from my e-drive to the media. Now.”
The four chefs began preparing breakfast in the kitchen moments after Alexander departed the estate.
Nathaniel seized Isabella’s waist, pulling her firmly against him as he swept inside and shut the door.
Isabella was bewildered.
No.4
She had assumed he’d overheard their exchange. Yet he behaved as though nothing occurred.
‘Maybe he truly didn’t hear,’ she reasoned, forcing herself to dismiss it.
“Thank you for your assistance earlier. You may dismiss the chefs now.” She stepped out of his embrace, her tone detached.
“Did I say I came to help you?” he replied smoothly.
Isabella stiffened. If not to help, then why was he here?
“I hired these chefs to prepare your breakfast. Helping you humiliate that woman was merely a fortunate coincidence,” Nathaniel stated, a smirk playing on his lips. “If you’re so grateful, I wouldn’t refuse you offering yourself to me.”
She glared, utterly speechless at his arrogance.
Fury ignited within her.
“Just wait,” she snapped, storming back into the mansion to change.
She reappeared moments later wearing a simple chiffon blouse and fitted jeans.
No.5
Nathaniel’s expression darkened.
He hadn’t expected such casual attire to look so provocatively alluring on her. The jeans elongated her legs and accentuated her curves perfectly.
For the first time, a possessive desire to keep her hidden from the world surged through him. It vanished when she thrust his coat back at him.
“I don’t need your favors. Keep your kindness to yourself. I dislike owing people,” she stated, her voice icy and flat.
Nathaniel’s heart clenched. He loved her deeply, yet she only ever pushed him away. “I choose to be good to you. You owe me nothing. If you must, then simply reciprocate my efforts.”
“Nathaniel, how can you say that? I’ve rejected you from the very beginning,” Isabella retorted sharply.
“You have every right to refuse me. And I have every right to pursue you. I endure the pain of your rejection. Can’t you tolerate my pursuit in return?” he declared, his confidence making him sound like the wounded party.
Exasperated, Isabella chose to ignore him.
She sank onto the sofa and announced coldly, “Do whatever you want. I won’t be eating that breakfast.”
Nathaniel was irritated, questioning the strength of her resolve.
No.6
The four chefs presented the lavish spread. Seagull egg fried sandwiches paired with Scottish lobster and crab, garnished with exquisite truffles. Fried spaghetti with sirloin steak, drizzled with a rare caviar sauce.
It was an opulent, extravagant feast.
The rich, fresh scent of milk wafted through the air as it was poured from its carton.
The four men finished serving the meal and quietly exited the room.
Nathaniel's voice broke the silence. "Ms. Montgomery, your breakfast is ready."
"I'm not eating," Isabella stated firmly. "Nothing you say will change my mind. You should give up now." She needed to maintain her resolve, to force Nathaniel to back down.
Suddenly, a sweet, high-pitched voice echoed from the hallway. "Mommy! Mommy!" Little Oliver came running into the room, his small body wobbling with each step. He leaped directly into Isabella's waiting arms.
Isabella frowned slightly. "Ollie, what are you doing here?"
"Ollie woke up and Daddy was gone," the child explained, his voice trembling. "I heard Daddy was coming to see you, so I came too." His chubby fingers tightened around her sleeve.
His lower lip began to quiver. "Wah... Ollie's so hungry. Haven't eaten all day. My tummy's making noises." He rubbed his stomach dramatically. "Grrr, grrr, grrr."
No.7
"Oh, sweetheart, why didn't you eat before leaving?" Isabella scooped him up and carried him to the dining table. "Luckily there's breakfast here."
Oliver clung to her hand desperately. "I want Mommy to eat with me!"
"I'm sorry, baby. Mommy isn't hungry right now." She gently stroked his soft hair. "You'll have to eat by yourself."
He tugged insistently on her hand, pulling her toward the chair. He placed a breakfast setting in front of her and looked up with pleading eyes. "Please, Mommy? Ollie's five years old but never had breakfast with Mommy before. I just want to know what it feels like. Please? Just this once?"