CHAPTER 248: LET’S WORK TOGETHER.

Nathaniel’s face darkened in disbelief. He had assumed Liam was plotting to end things with Riya publicly at the engagement party, but this was far beyond what he had expected. The realization unsettled him deeply.

Whatever Liam was planning, it smelled of danger.

"Have you lost your mind?" Nathaniel burst out, irritated. "I’m trying to protect you and your family, and you are walking straight into trouble. You know she is tied to Zachary. They even got a marriage certificate, yet you still want to stay with her? Are you courting death?"

"I know exactly what I’m doing," Liam shot back. "Tell me, why would I step away when she is so desperate to marry me? And Zachary isn’t stopping her either. Don’t you wonder why?"

Nathaniel froze. The question struck him hard. He hadn’t considered that angle before.

Liam had a point. Riya and Zachary might be scheming something far darker than he had thought.

"I am curious," Liam went on. "I want to know what Riya is after and whether Zachary can really stand by and watch his so-called wife marry another man."

His anger and frustration slipped through, and Nathaniel caught it immediately.

"I get that you are angry," Nathaniel said, his voice gentler now. "But this isn’t the way to handle it. You are only putting yourself in more danger. Step away from all of this before you still have time. Think about your and your family’s safety first."

"I’m already in this mess," Liam said urgently. "They are using me to cover up their affair and achieve whatever scheme they are plotting. I have to stay close to Riya if I want to uncover their plan."

His eyes hardened as he continued, "You already know about her and Zachary, yet you’ve stayed silent. Don’t tell me you are doing nothing. I’m sure you are planning to strike back. I’m on the same mission. Why don’t we join forces?"

"This is my fight," Nathaniel cut in sharply. He wasn’t about to drag anyone else into the danger. "I don’t need anyone."

"Stop being so damn stubborn, Nate," Liam snapped, his patience wearing thin. "I’m already a part of this battle, whether you accept it or not. I’m not backing out."

Nathaniel caught the determination in his friend’s eyes and realized he meant every word. Still, he hesitated.

"We used to face everything together," Liam reminded him quietly. "We can do that again. Let’s deal with them together."

Nathaniel finally gave in. He nodded curtly. "Fine. You are in. But this time, we do it my way. Are you okay with that?"

Liam’s jaw tightened. He had seen that coming. Nathaniel had always carried an air of authority—the star player of their school’s basketball team, a born leader who never tolerated losing control. That same commanding presence now seemed even more intense than before.

"I knew it," Liam muttered. "You still haven’t dropped that bossy MVP habit."

"Bad joke," Nathaniel replied flatly. "Not even laughable."

"Alright, you win." Liam lifted his hands in mock surrender. "I’ll follow your lead."

"Rule number one," Nathaniel said coldly, his gaze hardening. "Stay away from my wife."

Liam sighed in dismay. "Man, working with you is going to be exhausting," he muttered under his breath.

"Second," Nathaniel continued, ignoring the comment, "no one should know we are working together. We’ll keep up the appearance of being competitors."

Liam’s lips curled into a smirk. He liked that part.

"And third—" Nathaniel began, but his phone buzzed, interrupting him. Seeing Zara’s name flash on the screen, he immediately picked up.

"Hello?"

"Daddy," Zane whispered.

Nathaniel froze, instantly alert. "Zane? Are you alright?" he asked with concern.

"I’m fine, but Mommy’s not," Zane replied in the same hushed tone, as if scared someone might overhear. "She has been crying for so long. I asked her why, but she said she wasn’t. I can tell she is lying. Her eyes are red and puffy. I don’t know what happened."

Nathaniel’s expression darkened. The thought that his mother or maybe Riya had hurt Zara filled him with unease. He shot up from his seat, urgency taking over.

"I’m coming," he said shortly, ending the call.

"What’s wrong? Is Zane okay?" Liam called after him, but Nathaniel didn’t answer. He was already out of the café door with quick and determined steps.

Zane quickly set the phone aside when he saw his mother move. Grabbing a crayon, he bent over his drawing, pretending to be completely absorbed in it.

Zara turned toward him, her tear-streaked eyes narrowing slightly. She was sure she had heard him whispering a moment ago.

"Zane?" she called softly. "What were you doing?"

"Nothing," he replied, trying to sound casual. "I wasn’t talking to anyone."

But Zara wasn’t fooled. Her gaze fell on the phone beside him, and she picked it up. One glance at the call log revealed

Nathaniel’s name.

"You called your daddy?" Zara asked.

Zane shook his head quickly, but before he could say anything, Zara cut him off, "Zane, no lying." Her tone was serious.

Zane’s small shoulders slumped. "Yes, I called Daddy," he admitted slowly, eyes downcast. "You were crying, and I got scared."

Zara’s sternness melted away. She had tried so hard to hide her tears, but her little boy had noticed anyway. Overcome with emotion, she pulled him into her arms.

"You shouldn’t have called him," she murmured. "He is busy with work, and now he’ll worry."

Zane looked up at her, concern filling his eyes. "But I didn’t want to see you sad. Your eyes are all red." He reached out, gently touching her cheek.

Zara took his tiny hand and kissed it tenderly. "See? I’m not crying anymore. Don’t worry, okay?" She forced a small smile, and he returned it.

She brushed his hair fondly. "Alright, that’s enough drawing for now. Go play for a bit."

Zane’s face brightened, and with a grin, he shut his drawing book and went to play with his toys.

Zara’s faint smile faded as the ache in her chest returned. Doubt crept into her mind—would Nathaniel even believe her? What if he, too, ended up blaming her like everyone else?

She had planned to check the security footage to confirm what really happened, but the servants informed her that the cameras were broken and would take several days to fix. The helplessness frustrated her, and she couldn’t hold back her tears. She had no proof to defend herself.

’You managed to escape this time,’ Zara thought bitterly. ’But you won’t always be so fortunate. I won’t let you harm anyone in this family again.’