Can't Win Me Back (Isabella and Nathan)

The butler's expression turned slightly tense. He hadn't expected that this young girl would pick up on his wariness toward Young Master Theodore.

He immediately flashed a sly smile. "Miss, you must have misunderstood. Young Master Theodore is still young, so the master has instructed us servants to look after him more. When he has visitors, I can't help but ask a few questions. Apologies for offending you." Ava clearly didn't believe his words. "Your young master turned 20 just last week, and you're still treating him like a child. Don't you fear he'll get upset and cause you trouble?" Her words carried a subtle warning.

After Theodore's coming-of-age ceremony, he would officially take charge of the Sanchez family's business. Though his shareholding might not surpass the eldest son's, he would still be in control of real power. If the servants continued to treat him with such blatant suspicion, Theodore might very well become displeased. While he couldn't do much about the higher-ups, it would be far too easy for him to deal with the servants.

The butler broke into a cold sweat, realizing that this seemingly harmless girl was not as easy to handle as she appeared.

"Miss, please wait a moment. I will report to Young Master immediately." He bowed and quickly left.

In Theodore's study, he was sitting in front of his computer, hacking into the internal networks of various prestigious families. As soon as the butler entered, Theodore swiftly switched his screen to a game interface.

The butler heard the sounds of the game and couldn't help but smirk disdainfully. In his mind, he thought, *What's there to fear? This kid is nothing more than a helpless fool.*

"What is it?" Theodore frowned, his sharp gaze fixated on the butler.

"Young Master, there's a young lady outside with a package for you. She says the package is from Miss Thea," the butler reported.

Theodore's face remained as cold as ever, unfazed as if nothing could rattle him. "I understand. You can leave now."

The butler bowed and left the room.

Outside the manor, Theodore walked with long strides toward Ava, who eagerly approached him.

"Young Master," Ava greeted him brightly, handing over the rectangular box.

"Young Master, this is the gift Miss Thea asked me to deliver for your coming-of-age ceremony," she explained with a wink.

The light in Theodore's eyes dimmed, and his voice carried an unmistakable hint of disappointment. "My coming-of-age gift... Is she not coming?"

Ava gave the box a mysterious pat. "Young Master, this gift is something you'll need before the ceremony. As for Miss Thea, don't worry. She's already in the capital, and she hasn't forgotten your coming-of-age." Theodore's mood seemed to lift instantly. He pulled out two gold cards from his pocket and handed them to Ava. "I've already prepared two access cards for Miss Thea and you. You'll be able to enter the event with these." Ava's eyes gleamed with greed as she took the cards. "Wow, these are gold cards?"

She eagerly bit one of the cards, then excitedly said, "It really is gold! These must be worth a lot of money, right?"

Theodore couldn't help but frown, clearly uncomfortable with her enthusiasm.

After the exchange, Ava waved her hand and bid him goodbye. "Young Master, goodbye."

But Theodore lingered, his gaze uncertain, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. Ava, sensing his hesitation, stayed still, not daring to move.

"Young Master, is there anything else?" she asked.

Theodore's face grew somewhat melancholic. "It's been two years since I last saw her. How is she?"

Ava smiled, "She's been busy building her business empire these past two years. It's been tough, but she's done well. Now she's a top name in the fashion industry. Many luxury brands are eager to hire her as their chief designer." Theodore's voice softened. "She must have had a hard time, huh?"

Thinking about how she survived with just one kidney, a pang of pain stirred in his heart.

Ava said, "You know that Sis has a knot in her heart. The engagement with Nathan is something she can't move past until it's resolved."

Theodore's face darkened. "Tell her the marriage is definitely off."

After speaking, Theodore left with a casual air.

Ava stood frozen, shocked. *At his age, how could he possibly challenge the crown prince?*

On his way back to his room, Theodore crossed paths with Guillermo.

Guillermo tossed him a gift box. "Theodore, this is your coming-of-age gift from Mom and Dad."

Theodore caught the box, his sharp eyes not missing the evil grin on Guillermo's face.

He immediately opened the gift. Inside, there was a suit-its fabric slightly wrinkled, with stitching visible at the edges, and rough, mismatched seams. It was obviously a cheap, poorly-made counterfeit.

Guillermo sneered, "Theodore, Dad asked me to tell you this suit is especially for you. You'd better wear it to your coming-of-age ceremony to please him."

The lecherous smile on Guillermo's face made Theodore feel nauseous.

With a flick of his wrist, Theodore threw the suit straight into the trash. "This suit may be to his taste, but not mine."

Guillermo's face twisted with anger. "Theodore, don't get cocky. If you throw that suit away, don't expect anything better for your coming-of-age ceremony." Theodore suppressed his burning fury and replied coldly, "Guillermo, what I wear to my coming-of-age ceremony has nothing to do with you."

Guillermo's face grew awkward as he realized his plan had been seen through.

Theodore hugged the package from Isabella and walked away.

Back in his bedroom, he carefully opened the package. Inside, he found the clothes and accessories that made him freeze in place.

There was a note in the box, detailing the fabric sources, the story behind the accessories, and the selling price. Theodore couldn't help but laugh.

His father's gift, in comparison to the carefully tailored outfit Isabella had made for him, appeared cheap and tacky.

The so-called fatherly love seemed utterly laughable.

With a soft touch, he stroked the luxurious fabric, but the smile in his eyes faded inch by inch.

"Silly Sis, staying up all night making me this outfit... Don't you care about your health?"

Theodore's birthday party arrived as scheduled.

The venue was set at the Sanchez family's clubhouse. However, Mr.Sanchez, feeling unwell, entrusted the entire event to Theodore's biological father. This man, who had forgotten his first wife as soon as he found a new lover, handed the responsibility over to his second wife without a second thought.

The malicious stepmother had no intention of working hard for the son she saw as a thorn in her side. She squandered a huge portion of the budget for herself, allocating only a small amount for the event, using the bare minimum to arrange for servants to carry out the few tasks.

She intended to reduce Theodore's grand coming-of-age celebration into a small, shabby party.

Her cruel treatment of Theodore was nothing more than an attempt to turn his coming-of-age ceremony into a joke within their social circle. She wanted the partners in their business circle to see that Theodore had no power in the Sanchez family, and thus, he would have no influential figures backing him in the future.

This way, she thought, her own son, Guillermo, could rise to prominence.

But she was wrong.