Can't Win Me Back (Isabella and Nathan)

Victoria resumed her lecturing tone, taking on the role of the older Sis. "Bella, you spent so much money on the Newcomer Competition, it must have been a loan, right? You still haven't paid off your debts, and now you're spending so lavishly at the most expensive club in Milan. You're going to accumulate a lot of debt this way. You know, Dad's company hasn't been doing well these past two years, and it's not making much profit. He doesn't have the money to help you pay off your debts." Isabella looked at Victoria indifferently. "He doesn't have money to help me pay off my debts, but he has money to help you get a kidney transplant. Is that right?"

Tears rolled down Victoria's face. "Bella, I didn't want to use Dad's money..."

"Then why don't you just die? If you die, you won't drag the Moore family down, will you?"

Isabella could no longer tolerate Victoria's self-righteousness.

*Slap...*

Nathan's slap landed hard on Isabella's face, like a wild beast, his eyes bloodshot with rage as he glared at her.

"Isabella, how dare you curse your Sis? You're asking for death!"

Isabella covered her burning cheek, glaring at Nathan with pure malice.

"Mr. Hill, I remember we haven't even gotten our divorce certificate yet. You're willing to protect other women and curse your wife to die, but don't you think it's really-unlucky-for the woman who's your wife?" In her eyes, Nathan saw a reflection of his own vicious image.

He calmed himself, reaching out to touch her face, but Isabella instinctively recoiled.

On the side, Ava, having not expected the seemingly gentlemanly Nathan to suddenly hit someone, angrily stepped in front of him.

"Mr. Hill, if you touch my Sis again, don't blame me for not being polite."

She gritted her teeth, her voice full of fury.

Nathan's hand hung in the air for a moment, before he reluctantly let it drop upon seeing the hate in Isabella's eyes.

"Bella, I'm really tired of being stuck between you and your Sis. Can't you stop making a scene?"

He sounded frustrated, something rarely seen in him.

Isabella sneered. "Nathan, then divorce me, and go live happily ever after with your white moonlight. Why live this twisted life?"

A glimmer of light flashed in Victoria's eyes.

But Nathan immediately rejected it without hesitation. "Bella, I admit I haven't been attentive enough to you in the past, but I'll change. Once you're back by my side, we'll live a good life together." Isabella looked at him like he was crazy. "Nathan, if you want to wait, then wait."

With that, she turned and left.

Ava shot Nathan a vicious look. "My Sis is a Virgo, and she would never accept a man who's mentally unfaithful. So I advise you to be smart and divorce her as soon as possible, set my Sis free." With that, Ava stuck out her tongue at him and walked off.

Nathan's face darkened, his expression as black as coal.

Victoria mumbled, "What happened to Bella? She's so rude now, so vain and materialistic. I really worry that she'll cause trouble."

Nathan watched Isabella walk into the presidential suite, his gaze filled with unwillingness. He followed her in right after.

"Nathan, wait for me!"

Victoria hurried after him.

---

**Presidential Suite.**

Isabella opened the door and immediately saw a tall figure standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, bathed in the warm sunlight of winter, casting a golden halo around him. "Theo."

Isabella was genuinely pleased.

She walked quickly toward him, not noticing that Ava had not followed, instead thoughtfully closing the door and standing like a statue at the entrance.

Theodore turned around, extending his arms as if asking for a hug. "Sis, it's been so long. Give me a hug."

Isabella took a step back, her face showing a playful innocence.

"Why do you want a hug? Theo, you're a big kid now..."

She had planned to say that hugging was no longer appropriate for them, but then she thought about how this boy had never been pampered or loved, and now, as rare as it was, he treated her as close as family. Why not indulge him? She decided to boldly reach out for a hug. Thinking it would be a brief embrace, she didn't expect Theodore, being so tall, would accidentally cause her petite frame to wrap her arms around his slender waist.

This little guy really had a great physique-lean but firm, as if sculpted from years of fitness.

Without overthinking, Isabella bombarded him with questions:

"Are you getting used to being back home?"

"Did your stepmother and brother give you the cold shoulder?"

"Does Grandpa treat you well?"

Theodore held her tightly, as though afraid she might turn into a butterfly and fly away.

He recalled his first day back home: after retorting to his stepmother during dinner, she deliberately complained to his father. Without asking for the truth, his father slammed his bowl on the ground and ordered him to kneel as punishment. He knew they were sending him a message a warning that he was merely an outsider in the Sanchez family.

That night, he endured it.

"I'm fine, Sis," he finally released her, smiling brightly.

Isabella examined him up and down, circling around him to confirm he was truly unharmed. Only then did she let out a sigh of relief.

She suddenly remembered her purpose for coming and extended her hand unapologetically. "Didn't you say you had a surprise for me?"

Theodore stepped closer, pointing to his face. "Sis, the surprise is right here."

Isabella finally understood his so-called surprise was himself.

She couldn't help but chuckle, feigning annoyance. "What kind of surprise is that? I can't eat it or admire it..."

Theodore feigned grievance. "Sis, am I not good-looking? If you can admire flowers and the moon, why not admire me too? I'm the most handsome guy in our school."

Isabella affectionately adjusted his tie. "Yes, my Theo is the most handsome. Too bad it's wasted on that wretched mother-and-son duo. Seeing someone as good-looking as you every day must be making them eat two extra bowls of rice." Theodore gave a modest smile, though his heart was clear. That pair would sooner drink his blood and flay his skin than appreciate his looks.

"After becoming Mater Jasmine's apprentice, Sis, do you have any plans?" he asked as they sat down, voicing the question on his mind.

A tranquil peace reflected in Isabella's eyes. "For now, I'll follow Teacher Jasmine and learn from her. Once I've mastered my skills, I want to create my own fashion brand and start my own fashion and jewelry company." Theodore frowned slightly. "Is that all?"

Isabella nodded. To her, achieving those two dreams would already feel like a tremendous blessing.

"And what about you and Nathan?" he probed.

Her face turned pale, her whole demeanor filled with resistance. "This tormenting relationship with Nathan has left me covered in scars. I'm determined to divorce him. But the cost of divorcing him is too high-he won't agree to it easily." Theodore fell silent for a moment before smiling. "Sis, it wasn't easy for you to become Teacher Jasmine's apprentice. This is the best time for you to focus on your career. As for the divorce, let's take our time." Stars sparkled in Isabella's eyes. "Yes, I'll devote all my passion to my career."

Theodore poured a glass of milk and handed it to Isabella. Then, holding up a glass of white wine, he said, "Let's have a toast. I wish you a brilliant future, Sis. When you return someday, you'll shine like the brightest star."

Isabella smiled, but her expression quickly turned stern when she noticed the wine in his hand. She angrily snatched it away, replacing it with a cup of iced tea. "I wish you, Theo, to return one day, still as pure and youthful as ever." They shared a warm smile, the unspoken complexities of their emotions blending into the milk and tea.

---

Nathan stormed out of the elevator, striding angrily toward Ava.

"Is Isabella in there?" he demanded.