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Nathaniel watched with burning jealousy as Jonathan carried Estella away, unable to understand why she would lean on Jonathan but not on him. His confusion turned to anger when he encountered Isabelle, whose face was twisted with rage. She accused him of breaking his promise to stay away from Estella, but Nathaniel dismissed her outburst, recalling that she had already cheated on him. Isabelle, desperate and tearful, begged Nathaniel to explain why he still wanted to see Estella despite their engagement, but Nathaniel grew cold and confrontational, accusing Isabelle of orchestrating a smear campaign against Estella.

Isabelle denied the accusations but panicked when Nathaniel threatened to cancel their wedding. She pleaded with him not to call off the marriage, professing her love in a way that only deepened Nathaniel’s contempt. He realized how foolish he had been to hurt Estella for Isabelle’s sake and regretted it deeply. Despite his lingering feelings for Estella, he acknowledged that he had already lost her and that Isabelle was no longer worth his time or effort. Yet, for the sake of the Hartwell Group, he resolved to endure Isabelle’s presence.

Meanwhile, Estella was at the hospital undergoing tests for her injured wrist. Jonathan stayed by her side constantly, his anxiety evident whenever she showed discomfort. Estella tried to reassure him, but Jonathan remained vigilant throughout the day and night until Selene arrived to take over. Selene informed Estella that her recent competition performance had gone viral, bringing positive attention to their music center, but expressed concern about Estella’s wrist injury. Estella then asked about Jake, the online troll who had smeared her reputation.

Selene condemned Jake’s behavior and explained that he was now facing serious legal consequences as many victims united against him. Estella was puzzled about why Jake targeted her, suspecting someone might have manipulated him. Selene shared stories of other women who had suffered similar harassment and slander, illustrating the cruel tactics some men use when rejected or seeking control. These tales underscored the dangerous and manipulative environment Estella was navigating.

Nathaniel watched Jonathan carry Estella away, jealousy boiling inside him like a storm.

He couldn’t understand. Why would Estella lean on Jonathan, yet refuse to lean on him?

What could that Jonathan possibly give her?

Nathaniel walked out of the building and saw Isabelle’s face twisted with rage.

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She glared at him. “Nathaniel, you promised you’d stay away from Estella. You went back on your word.”

Nathaniel couldn’t even be bothered to argue.

She had already cheated. What right did she have to stop him from seeing Estella?

Isabelle, unwilling to be ignored, rushed forward, sobbing and screaming. “Nathaniel, answer me! I’ve given you so much–why are you still going to see Estella? Didn’t you promise to marry me? Why? Why?”

Nathaniel despised her shrill, messy tantrum.

Estella would never behave like this.

The comparison made him suddenly see just how far beneath Estella Isabelle truly was.

His tone was cutting. “The smear campaign against Estella–that was your doing, wasn’t it?”

Isabelle froze for a moment, flustered. “It wasn’t me.”

Nathaniel gave a cold laugh. “Then why are you guilty? Haven’t you done this kind of thing more than once already? Isabelle, you knew all along I still liked Estella, didn’t you? If it bothers you that much, then let’s just cancel the wedding.”

“No!” Isabelle panicked. “Don’t cancel the wedding! I get it now. I won’t hurt Estella again, I won’t fight with you. Nathaniel, I really want to marry you. I love you! I love you more than anyone else ever could!”

Her confession only struck Nathaniel as pathetic.

If Isabelle really loved him, why had she cheated?

The realization hit him hard: he had once hurt Estella for the sake of this disgraceful woman. How foolish he had been.

He regretted it.

He regretted it more than anything.

Isabelle wasn’t worth an ounce of his time or effort.

Estella was the one he should have protected, the one he should have truly loved.

But he had already lost her.

Chapter 224 Shattered Illusions

They could never go back.

The exhaustion weighed heavily on him.

Yet for Hartwell Group’s sake, no matter how much he now despised Isabelle, he had to endure her.

“Let’s go home.”

Isabelle brightened instantly at his words, stepping forward to grab his hand.

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“I knew it–Nathaniel, you still care about me. We’ll be together forever, won’t we? Right, Nathaniel?”

Together forever?

Nathaniel almost laughed.

A woman as shameless as Isabelle–what right did she have to talk about growing old together?

He didn’t answer. He let her ramble on by herself as they both climbed into the car, each lost in their own thoughts.

Estella went to the hospital for tests.

After the scans, the doctor prescribed medication.

Once she took it, the pain in her wrist eased a little.

Jonathan never left her side.

He barely spoke, but every time she so much as frowned, his breathing grew tight and uneven.

Seeing how tense he was, Estella finally tried to soothe him. “I’m fine. Don’t worry so much.”

Even with a nurse present, Jonathan insisted on staying with her for an entire day and night.

By the next afternoon, Selene arrived to take over.

She sat by Estella’s bed and said, “That performance you gave during the competition–it’s gone viral online. It’s basically free advertising for our music center. But your hand…”

She looked down at Estella’s wrist, worry written all over her face.

Estella smiled faintly. “I’ll be fine. By the way, what happened to that Jake–the online troll who started smearing me?”

Selene bristled immediately. “That guy’s trash. I can’t believe he dared slander you like that. But at least you proved him wrong with your performance. He’s in serious trouble now. Word is he’s been throwing mud at all kinds of people without evidence, and now a whole bunch of them have banded together to sue him. Even if he doesn’t end up in jail, he’ll have to pay a fortune. His followers are dropping fast too. He won’t be able to stir up trouble again.”

Estella frowned. “But I don’t even know him. Why would he target me?”

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Chapter 224 Shattered Illusions

“You think someone put him up to it?”

Estella nodded.

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Selene thought for a moment. “Could be. Or maybe he’s just one of those sick men who can’t handle rejection. Trust me, there are plenty like that. I used to work with this gorgeous woman, and the moment she turned down a guy, he spread rumors she was sleeping with some old sugar daddy. She had no choice but to quit. And there’s an even scarier case–one of my old neighbors, a really pretty girl, had her photo doctored into nudes and plastered all over seedy sites. Suddenly, creeps were showing up at her door to harass her. One man even swooped in to ‘save‘ her. They dated for years, almost got married–only for her to discover he was the one who had faked those photos in the first place. He put her in danger just to play the hero and get her to fall for him…”

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This chapter poignantly captures the tangled emotions of love, betrayal, and regret that weigh heavily on Nathaniel and Estella. Nathaniel’s internal struggle reveals his awakening to the truth about Isabelle and the depth of his feelings for Estella, even as the consequences of past mistakes loom large. Meanwhile, Estella’s quiet resilience amid the pain and public scrutiny highlights her strength and the unjust challenges she faces, underscoring the themes of vulnerability and endurance.

The contrasting dynamics between the characters emphasize the complexity of trust and loyalty, as well as the destructive power of jealousy and deceit. Despite the fractures in their lives, there remains a flicker of hope in the possibility of redemption and protection for those truly deserving. The chapter leaves us with a profound sense of shattered illusions but also a subtle promise that genuine love and integrity may yet prevail.

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled web of emotions and betrayals that surround Nathaniel, Estella, and Isabelle. As Nathaniel grapples with his regret and the harsh truths about Isabelle’s actions, readers will witness the fragile balance between duty and desire being tested like never before. The simmering tension between past mistakes and present loyalties hints at a confrontation that could shatter the fragile peace they’ve all been clinging to.

Meanwhile, Estella’s world remains precarious, not just physically but emotionally, as the shadow of the online smear campaign looms larger. The mysterious motives behind the attacks and the unsettling stories shared by Selene suggest that Estella’s struggle is far from over. This chapter will explore the darker side of fame and trust, raising questions about who can truly be relied upon when appearances deceive and danger lurks beneath the surface. Emotions will run high, and alliances may be tested in ways that leave everyone questioning their next move.

Cedella

Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.