Chapter 56

Agnes gasped when she spotted Nathan approaching. Her mind raced. Could the young master really be blind to this scheming woman's manipulations? If so, he was being utterly foolish.

Nathan grabbed a black umbrella and stormed out the front door. His expression mirrored the storm clouds gathering overhead.

"Young Master!" Agnes called after him desperately.

But he marched into the rain without hesitation. Agnes clenched her fists in frustration.

Outside Cliffside Manor, Victoria sat drenched on the pavement. This pathetic charade was testing her limits, and she nearly abandoned it.

Then she saw him.

That striking silhouette striding toward her through the downpour. Her pulse quickened. Immediately, she unleashed a torrent of theatrical sobs.

Nathan's eyes narrowed as he approached. With one swift motion, he hoisted the umbrella over her head while pulling her upright. His grip was unyielding.

"Nathan..." Victoria whimpered, collapsing against his chest.

Moments ago she'd appeared near death, but now she clung to him with viper-like intensity. Her damp face nuzzled against his shirt as her arms coiled around his waist.

"You're already frail," Nathan growled. "Do you want to catch pneumonia?"

Her tear-streaked face tilted upward. "Would you see me otherwise? I just needed to look at you. Why are you pushing me away?" Her voice cracked. "Don't you love me anymore? You've been so distant lately... Is this about that dress incident? I'll apologize to Evelyn! I'll beg her forgiveness!"

"That's not it." Nathan's tone remained icy. "You've seen me now. Go home, Victoria. When the storm passes, I'll visit."

"Nathan, please!" Panic flashed across her features as she tightened her grip. "My brother's being sentenced! No lawyer in Crestview will touch his case because of the Kingsleys! They're crushing our family! We're nearly bankrupt and Damian's going to prison!" Her manicured nails dug into his arms. "I'm begging you!"

Nathan's expression didn't waver. He'd built his empire on ruthless principles, yet remained inexplicably devoted to Victoria. A teenage vow had shackled him for fifteen years, making him betray his wife and defy his grandfather without hesitation.

But business was sacred. The Sterlings' crimes repulsed him, and he'd made that clear.

Memories surfaced of how he'd weaponized their downfall against Evelyn during their divorce. Regret twisted in his gut, hardening his resolve.

"The Kingsleys aren't at fault here. Your brother made his choices. He should confess and seek leniency." Nathan's voice turned glacial. "Sterling Corporation needs complete restructuring. Another billion won't save it without systemic changes."

Victoria's mouth fell open in shock.

She'd expected tears would melt his resistance like always.

This time, she'd miscalculated. Nathan's previous leniency existed because she'd never crossed this line.

Now, even love wouldn't make him compromise.

Eventually, Nathan bundled the sobbing woman into his car, ordered the doors locked, and watched her disappear down the drive. Only then did his shoulders relax.

He stood motionless in the rain, umbrella forgotten. The memory of Evelyn's devastated gaze haunted him, sending sharp pangs through his chest.

The Sterlings' mansion felt hollow after Damian's arrest.

When Victoria stumbled inside, soaked and disheveled, her parents didn't ask about her condition. Their first words were demands about whether Nathan would intervene for Damian.

Victoria could only shake her head silently, her face a mask of defeat.