Can't Win Me Back (Isabella and Nathan)

The City of Cycles-this name, nearly engraved into Isabella's bones.

Even though a lifetime had passed, the memories of it were as clear as yesterday.

This Heart Lock, in her past life, had eventually been obtained by her daughter after many twists and turns. It had accompanied her for a few short years and was her daughter's most beloved possession.

In this life, she couldn't bring her daughter into this world. But she could purchase things her daughter had once loved, as keepsakes.

More importantly, this Heart Lock, from what she knew, possessed some magical power-an ability to bring about the cycle of life.

Of course, this was just her speculation.

She needed to obtain it to verify her theory.

If the City of Cycles could indeed make life cycle, then perhaps she could bring her daughter into this world without ever having to share a bed with Nathan.

Isabella hadn't expected that the climax of the auction would revolve around the City of Cycles. She thought no one knew its secret, but when the host announced the start of the bidding, the crowd below raised their paddles in unison. Isabella felt an inexplicable sense of panic in her heart.

No matter what, she had to get the City of Cycles.

The host had no choice but to start raising the price, beginning at 130,000, and it quickly escalated to ten million. As the price soared, fewer and fewer people responded.

However, Victoria and Isabella were stuck in a standoff.

Every time Isabella raised the price, Victoria followed suit, increasing it by ten thousand.

In the end, Isabella had raised the bid to twenty million, but Victoria showed no signs of stopping.

Victoria shot Isabella a meaningful glance and asked, "Isabella, it's already twenty million. Do you really have the money to buy it? I suspect you're intentionally raising the price to drive up the bidding..."

Isabella glanced at Nathan, her eyes flashing with defiance toward Victoria.

She replied, "My husband is the heir of the Hill Group. Two million is nothing for him to pay. But what about you, Sis? Do you really have the money to buy this Heart Lock? You've spent so much on your illness, and the Moore family is almost bankrupt. Over the years, it's only because my husband has been donating to the Moore family that you've managed to survive."

Victoria hadn't expected Isabella to bring up the family's embarrassing matters in public. Moreover, her words were a veiled jab, accusing her of using her brother-in-law's money.

There was nothing wrong with it, but for Victoria, who had been misunderstood by the media for her relationship with Nathan, Isabella's words seemed to confirm the rumors that had circulated some time ago. Victoria's face turned pale, her expression looking as if she had been wronged and on the verge of tears.

She looked pitiful.

Nathan's face, on the other hand, was dark as storm clouds.

His hand, hidden inside his sleeve, was clenched tightly into a fist. His gaze, fixed on Isabella, was filled with murderous intent, as though he wanted to shoot her down where she stood.

However, Nathan, being the seasoned and composed figure he was, soon regained his composure. With a casual air, he raised his paddle and made a decisive move to strike back at Isabella in his own way. "Fifty million," he said coldly. "I want this Heart Lock."

From twenty million to fifty million, this price was astronomical for someone like Isabella and Victoria.

Victoria looked smugly at Isabella, her eyes fixed on the Heart Lock as if it were already hers.

Isabella stared blankly at Nathan. His leg was firmly planted, his intentions clear-he was trying to win the Heart Lock for Victoria.

The onlookers, who didn't understand the full context, cast envious and jealous glances at her.

"Who would've thought that Mr. Hill is such a devoted husband? He's personally stepping in to buy this Heart Lock for his wife. Clearly, he really loves her."

Only Isabella knew the truth-that in her past life, this very same Heart Lock had been auctioned by Nathan. But in the end, he had passed it on to Victoria.

What was even more perplexing was

that Victoria had never discovered the secret of the City of Cycles. Once she grew tired of it, she had handed it over to her precious daughter as a casual favor.

In her past life, when faced with Nathan's favoritism, Isabella had once bitterly confided in him about her grievances: "I am your wife, I also like this Heart Lock, but you gave such a precious thing to my Sis without hesitation. Husband, do you love me?"

What was Nathan's reply?

He couldn't understand her pain at all. He casually said, "If your Sis wants it, then let her have it. If you like jewelry, I'll buy you some more."

Then, the next day, he bought her a cheap Heart Lock worth only a few thousand.

Isabella closed her eyes. Thinking back to everything from her past life still felt like a knife to her heart. The pain of being dismissed by the one she loved-she could never get used to it.

If it had been anything else, Isabella would have let it go. But this Heart Lock was the only clue she had to find her daughter. She would give up everything to get it.

She raised her bidding paddle. "I bid 50.01 million."

Her determination to fight Nathan to the end was evident.

The crowd was stunned. "They're husband and wife! Why is Isabella bidding against Nathan? Isn't he going to give her this Heart Lock anyway?"

Some perceptive people started to catch on. "I fear that if Nathan wins this Heart Lock, it won't be for his wife."

"Ah? How could this be?"

The crowd murmured in disbelief. "How could Nathan treat his wife like this?"

Nathan couldn't help but hear the whispers around him. His face darkened, but his resolve to win the auction remained unwavering.

"60 million."

"60.01 million."

Isabella decisively raised her bid.

Nathan's cold eyes locked onto her, and he finally voiced his thoughts, "Isabella, do you have the money to win this?"

Isabella gave him a charming smile. "Husband, I'm at least Mrs. Hill. I've never spent your money on luxury goods. Just this once, let me spend a little of your money. You wouldn't mind, would you?"

"Ah, Nathan is so stingy with Mrs. Hill, he's never bought her luxury goods?" A woman gasped, her surprise written all over her face.

Nathan glared at Isabella. Her moral blackmail made him sneer.

"I can give you anything else, but this Heart Lock is not for you," he finally said, repeating the words from his past life.

Isabella understood that he was determined to compete with her to the end.

She was a rising star in the fashion industry, but her earnings couldn't compare to the vast wealth of the Hill family, a century-old conglomerate. She lacked the financial power to beat him. Just when Isabella was feeling helpless, a voice suddenly rang out beside her. Theodore slowly raised his paddle. "I bid 100 million."

The room erupted in murmurs.

"What kind of treasure is this? Two big shots are bidding for it?"

"Why would Young Master Sanchez want to buy the 'City of Reincarnation'? He's still young and doesn't have a girlfriend. What's he going to do with this women's Heart Lock?" Theodore didn't care about the gossip. He straightened his back with grace, turned slowly, and his cold eyes locked onto Nathan.

"Nathan, are you still going to compete?"