Chapter 15
Can't Win Me Back Chapter 15
Nathan returned to the capital alone.
When Nathan's father learned that Nathan had not brought Isabella back, he erupted in rage.
He berated Nathan furiously:
"I opposed your marriage to Isabella back then, but you insisted on marrying her to save your 'pure-hearted love. Since you. married her, you should live a good life together and work as a team.
Though Isabella's family background isn't great, she is obedient and filial. We accepted her. Yet, you still entangled yourself with her Sis... You've broken Isabella's heart; that's why she refuses to come back!"
The more Nathan's father spoke, the angrier he became: "If Isabella won't return, then you have no reason to attend the Hill family's annual gathering. It would only invite ridicule."
Nathan's mother paled with fright.
"Honey, Nathan will definitely bring Isabella back. Please give him some time."
Nathan was the Hill family's only son, but that status depended on his ability to sustain the family's enterprise.
If he failed, numerous illegitimate children would emerge to take his place.
This was why Nathan's mother feared Nathan's father's decision to exclude Nathan from the family gathering.
She earnestly persuaded her son
"Nathan, this year's event will be grander than ever. the Hill family is hosting a joint alliance meeting with the Sanchez and Brown families. You must attend as the Hill family's heir to gain the recognition of their elders. Once you have their approval, your career will flourish. "Nathan, listen to me. No matter what it takes, you must coax Isabella to return."
Nathan suddenly opened the door, his face desolate.
"Mom, Isabella is missing."
Nathan's mother froze in shock, words of reproach caught in her throat. Seeing her son's dark, defeated expression, she hesitated.
Nathan's father, however, lashed out, kicking Nathan Hill in the stomach. Nathan did not resist.
Finally, Nathan's father growled in anguish: "How could you fail so miserably as a husband? How could you not realize your wife had been missing for so long? You idiot! Do you know what catastrophic consequences this will bring to you and the Hill family?" "The media must never find out that you wronged Isabella. Remember, the cause of Isabella's disappearance must never point back to you."
Nathan opened his mouth, wanting to defend Isabella, but when he thought of his future prospects, he closed it again.
Nathan's mother took charge: "You're too soft-hearted. Stay out of this matter. I'll handle it."
A few days later, news surfaced online.
It claimed that the Hill family's young mistress had cheated during her marriage and eloped overseas with another man. It further alleged that Nathan, in a desperate bid to win back his wife, had humbled himself and gone abroad, only to be heartlessly abandoned. The report painted Isabella as a woman with no sense of responsibility and a fickle heart.
In contrast, Nathan was portrayed as a devoted and doting husband.
According to the media, Nathan had gone against family pressure to marry a "Cinderella" like Isabella and had showered her with love.
The coverage even included details of his care for Victoria, Isabella's ill Sis.
Photos of Nathan's flight abroad and moments of him tending to Victoria were published.
Under the trending article, Victoria was quick to like the post, subtly confirming its authenticity
As a result, public opinion overflowed with sympathy for Nathan and harsh condemnation for Isabella.
Ignorant netizens began lashing out at Isabella:
"God, marrying Nathan was like winning the lottery, and she still didn't appreciate it. Then she cheated? Where's her shame?"
"Even her own Sis is calling her out. That says a lot about her character. This kind of woman deserves to be hit by a car."
While playing a mobile game, Theodore accidentally glanced at the trending headlines back home.
Seeing Isabellà drowned in waves of public criticism, he couldn't hold back. He registered an account called "Flower Protector" and posted a counter-narrative:
"Has anyone considered that maybe it's Nathan Hill and his Sis-in-law who had an affair, breaking Isabella's heart? Perhaps that's why she doesn't want to be a.tool in their drama anymore."
"This post stands as proof-I'll wait for Isabella to return and expose the truth about this scumbag!"
Theodore even paid to boost his post, sending it into the trending ranks.
His comment quickly drew attention, sparking discussions among netizens.
Some rational voices began to echo the "Flower Protector": "Let's wait and see. This drama doesn't seem like it'll end anytime soon."
Meanwhile, Nathan's mother, closely monitoring the media, noticed this new narrative. Calmly, she ordered her confidant: "This 'Flower Protector' seems to know something. Find out who he is, even if you have to search everywhere. Pay him off and make him retract his statement to support our version of events."
"Understood, Madam."
Recently, Isabella had been busy preparing for her competition, inadvertently neglecting Theodore.
Apparently, to get her attention, he began stirring up more trouble than usual.
That morning, Theodore curled up on the living room sofa, gazing at Isabella with a pitiful look, like a mistreated stray dog.
His schoolbag was carelessly thrown at his feet.
Isabella sighed.
"Theo, are you trying to avoid school again?"
Clutching his stomach, his face pale, Theodore moaned, "Sis, my stomach hurts."
Isabella was stunned.
At first, she thought his claims of pain during class were excuses, but after half a semester, she noticed his recurring headaches, stomachaches, and leg pains before school were real symptoms.
The doctor diagnosed it as a classic case of school aversion syndrome-a severe psychological condition.
His innocent, teary gaze tugged at her heart. Even the hardest hearts would soften under such a look.
Against her better judgment, Isabella nodded.
"Fine, then."
After all, Theodore was still a minor. If he developed severe psychological issues like depression, wouldn't she be an unfit guardian?
His face brightened instantly.
Isabella, however, felt a twinge of guilt: Theodore was a genius with nearly supernatural intelligence. Indulging his resistance to school-would that ruin him?
She reluctantly patted his head.
"As long as you're happy."
Theodore retreated to his room to play games while Isabella stayed home, taking care of him diligently.
While tidying up, she lifted his schoolbag, surprised by its unusual lightness.
Opening it, she found no schoolbooks inside-only an indecent *adult video*.
Isabella's fury erupted instantly.
"Theodore! Get out here right now!"