Chapter 166
When Catherine arrived at Maple Grove, she witnessed an unusual scene all the servants were lined up outside Henry’s bedroom on the second floor Her heart raced with excitement.
Had Isabella truly succeeded?
The way the servants stared unblinkingly into the bedroom suggested that something significant had indeed occurred.
A sharp–eyed servant spotted her and immediately called out, “Mrs. Harding is back!”
Richard turned to see his wife approaching. His brow furrowed slightly as he carefully observed her.
Something seemed off–there was a strange scent on her that even perfume couldn’t disguise.
For
a woman who claimed to have been playing cards all night with society ladies, she appeared remarkably refreshed. There were no dark circles under her eyes; on the contrary, she was radiant, her hair perfectly styled without a single strand out of place.
Distinctly odd, but Richard had more pressing matters to address.
He immediately confronted the issue at hand. “The security team claims you instructed them
this true?”
to
allow Isabella unrestricted access to the Harding estate. Is
Catherine had reached the bedroom doorway by now, the scene inside immediately apparent–Isabella huddled in the corner of the bed, wrapped in sheets, perfectly playing the role of a victim.
Catherine’s heart soared with joy; Isabell,
must have accomplished her mission.
She acknowledged the accusation without hesitation. “Yes! I did say that. Isabella has always been my choice for a Harding daughter–in–law. Once Henry divorces Sophia, she will naturally become the next Mrs. Harding. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that!”
Richard showed no reaction to her admission. Instead, he turned to the head of security. “When you allowed Miss Scott to enter, what did she say?”
The security chief thought for a moment before responding. “Miss Scott approached us directly, sir. She specifically said that Mr. Henry had invited her over and told us to let her in.”
Richard’s eyes narrowed as he turned to his son. “Did you invite Isabella to Maple Grove? To your marital home with Sophia? To your shared bedroom?” His voice dangerously lowered. “Think carefully before you answer!”
Richard was seething with anger. If his son dared to defend Isabella by claiming he had invited her, Richard wouldn’t hesitate to beat him mercilessly on the
spot.
For Henry, the situation suddenly became crystal clear–Isabella was lying!
After taking his medication last night, he had fallen into a deep sleep. He hadn’t touched his phone, let alone invited anyone over.
‘Absolutely not, Henry stated firmly. “I had a cardiac episode last night. After taking my medication, I went straight to sleep. I didn’t contact anyone!‘
Isabella began to panic. She had been confident that Henry’s feelings for her would lead him to provide this false testimony, sparing her public humiliation
But the current situation had her completely rattled.
Tears welled in her eyes as she looked pleadingly/at Henry. “Henry, are you sure you’re not mistaken? You really did text me to come over.”
Throughout their relationship, she had carefully cultivated an image of gentle elegance mature, cultured, and dignified. If people discovered she had actively pursued Henry, even going so far as to undress and slip uninvited into his bed, her reputation would be irreparably damaged.
Isabella, I had a heart attack,” Henry replied coldly. ‘I didn’t invite you over. Perhaps you misunderstood something.”
Six years ago, seeing Isabella in such distress would have immediately triggered his protective instincts. Now, watching her brazenly lie to his face, treating
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him like a fool she could manipulate, he would never again feel the impulse to protect her.
Richard turned his attention to Isabella. “If my son texted you, make the messages publict
Isabella obviously had no evidence to provide. She bit her lower lip hard, her body visibly beginning to tremble. L… I accidentally deleted our comar
Catherine rushed to her defense. “There’s no need to interrogate her further. I sent the message asking Isabella to come over. She must have misunderstand thinking it came from Henry.”
She quickly opened her phone, navigated to her chat history with Isabella, and showed it to Richard.
After examining the messages, Richard seemed somewhat convinced. Seeing this, Catherine moved closer, slipping her aim through his and whispering in his ear. “Darling, this is a private matter between Henty and Isabella. Why are you making such a fuss?”
Henry seized the opportunity to press further. “If my residence first?”
invited you, why did you come directly to Maple Grove?! Shouldn’t you have gone to her
This was precisely what Richard had been wondering.
He studied his wife with growing suspicion, feeling that things weren’t so simple.
The timestamp on the messages showed Catherine had contacted Isabella at 11:40 PM the previous night. What kind of hostess invites a guest over, then immediately leaves to play cards elsewhere?
More suspiciously, Isabella had replied with a simple “okay,” then headed straight to Maple Grove, completely bypassing Catherine’s residence–as if she already knew Henry would be at Maple Grove.
None of these suspicious elements made sense.
Catherine hadn’t known about Henry’s cardiac episode last night. When she left her residence, her thoughts had been entirely consumed by her lover. Now, with both husband and son staring at her, their penetrating gazes made her unusually nervous.
Her true motive in summoning Isabella had been simple–she wanted Isabella to secure her relationship with Henry.
A physical relationship between them would provide a certain guarantee.
It would also accelerate Sophia’s departure, achieving two goals at once.
But now, how had things gone so terribly wrong?
‘Last night, I went to play poker with ladies from various prominent families,” she hastily explained. “We played all night. Mrs. Wall and Mrs. Brown can
vouch for me!”
‘I left in a hurry and didn’t see Isabella before departing. Knowing she cares for Henry, I suggested she come directly to Maple Grove.” Catherine deliberately kept her explanation vague.
“As for exactly how she entered Maple Grove, I’m not sure.”
Throughout her explanation, Catherine repeatedly shot meaningful glances at Isabella, urging her to find an opportunity to leave.
But her silent signals went unheeded–Isabella was trapped, unable to dress with everyone watching. Walking out wrapped only in a sheet would make her the laughingstock of all New York.
Isabella desperately craved Henry’s sympathy, shifting her already numb legs, looking at him with tear–filled eyes, hoping he would come to her rescue,
But Henry’s gaze remained cold and merciless If not for his father summoning the entire household staff, who knows what malicious rumors might be circulating by now?
The truth was painful yet clear to Henry.
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Last night, weakened by his heart condition and medication, he had fallen into a deep sleep, completely unaware of what was happening around him,
Isabella had deliberately entered his bedroom and undressed, creating the illusion of marital infidelity. Fortunately, his father had arrived in time. Otherwise, his reputation would have suffered irreparable damage.
In that moment, Henry finally recognized Isabella’s calculating nature.
He had nearly become a victim of her scheme.
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