Chapter 1017

No.1

Meanwhile, at the Blackwood Estate…

Oliver came running toward Nathaniel, clutching a phone tightly. “Daddy, there’s trouble! Mommy looks like she’s trapped inside her house!” he cried, his small voice trembling with worry. “She’s walking around everywhere, like she’s searching for something!” He handed the phone over to his father.

The device was linked to a high-tech drone no bigger than a leaf. Equipped with a four-million-pixel pinhole camera, it could capture crystal-clear images through glass from hundreds of meters away.

“Are we going to see Mommy, Daddy?” Oliver asked, eyes bright with excitement.

“Yes,” Nathaniel replied simply. He carried the boy out to the car and buckled him into the backseat.

Nathaniel drove at high speed until they reached a luxury shopping mall. After parking, he turned to Oliver. “Wait for me here. Clear the paparazzi outside Rosewood Manor before we arrive.”

“Don’t worry, Daddy. I can handle it.” Oliver puffed out his chest confidently and pulled out an iPad.

Inside the mall, Nathaniel grabbed a shopping cart and began scanning the aisles. It was his first time in such a place, but he adapted quickly. Still, he couldn’t ignore the stares from other shoppers.

He filled the cart rapidly—fresh vegetables, gourmet snacks, essential groceries.

No.2

Then he reached the feminine hygiene aisle. Nathaniel froze, momentarily overwhelmed by the sheer variety of products. Shoppers around him whispered and stared in admiration.

“That man is unbelievably handsome! Way hotter than any supermodel or celebrity!”

“Oh my god, is he really buying pads? So gorgeous and thoughtful! I want a man like that!”

“Who’s his girlfriend? She’s the luckiest woman alive! I’d trade places with her in a heartbeat!”

Women nearby pulled out their phones, snapping pictures discreetly. As the crowd thickened, Nathaniel grabbed one of every type of pad on the shelf. He pushed two overflowing carts toward the checkout.

Cashiers rushed to assist him, their hearts racing just from being near him.

His purchases were packed into several large bags. Suddenly, five bodyguards in black appeared, loading the bags into the car. As Nathaniel reached the exit, he turned to Dominic. “Handle everyone who took photos.”

“Understood,” Dominic nodded, moving off to erase every digital trace.

Back at Rosewood Manor, Isabella lay on her sofa, debating whether to ask her security team to disperse the paparazzi gathered outside. It felt trivial to assign them such a minor task.

No.3

Just then, a firm knock sounded at the door. One, two, three raps—steady and evenly spaced.

Had she forgotten to activate the high-voltage security grid? Who could be knocking?

Frowning, she moved to the window and looked down. Two figures stood at her door—one tall, one small. Nathaniel wore heavily insulated gloves. Beside him stood little Oliver, adorable as always.

How did they get through? Where were the paparazzi?

As if sensing her gaze, Oliver looked up and shouted, “Mommy, open up! We brought you groceries!”

Isabella noticed Nathaniel and Oliver carrying several shopping bags. She had no alternative but to enter the control room and press two red buttons. The security gates at the main entrance retracted smoothly.

Nathaniel stepped inside the manor, holding Oliver's hand. He placed the grocery bags on the table. When Isabella came downstairs, she found her table covered with packages, including multiple bags filled with sanitary pads.

An involuntary smile touched her lips. "Why so many?"

There were enough pads to last an entire year.

No.4

"I wasn't sure which brand you preferred, so I bought one of each," Nathaniel stated bluntly, his expression neutral.

"How much do I owe you? I'll transfer the money."

"Mommy, these are for you! Daddy got them specially! But if you really want to repay him, you could just hug and kiss me," Oliver chirped, stepping forward with his chubby arms outstretched.

Isabella initially intended to refuse, but his adorable pouting face melted her resistance. She bent down and lifted him into her arms. "Sweetheart, you shouldn't be so wasteful. Money doesn't come easily, and I need to reimburse him."

"But you're my Mommy, and we're family! It's perfectly fine," Oliver insisted cheerfully.

Isabella gently stroked his cheek and spoke softly. "Darling, I know you care about me, but I'm not actually your mother. Do you understand that?"

"Yes, Mommy," Oliver replied casually.

She decided to drop the subject, reasoning that their interactions would be limited anyway. Turning to Nathaniel, she said, "It's getting rather late. You should take Oliver home to rest. He's at a growing age and needs proper sleep."

Nathaniel's brow furrowed. He had come specifically to look after her, and she was dismissing him already?

No.5

A sudden idea sparked in his eyes. "Oliver, come here." Nathaniel reached for the boy. "We're leaving now."

"No! I only want Mommy to hold me! I want to stay with Mommy tonight!" Oliver clung tightly to Isabella's neck.

Nathaniel's expression tightened. "Don't be difficult."

"But I just want to be with Mommy!" Oliver gripped even tighter.

Nathaniel's elegant features darkened immediately. "Come here this instant." He seized Oliver's arm. "What was our agreement before we left home today? Have you forgotten already?" His voice sharpened as he delivered a firm smack to the boy's rear.

Smack!

A loud slap echoed through the room, followed by Oliver's pained sobs.

"Sniff... sniff... It hurts... Stop hitting me...!"

Nathaniel's handsome face grew colder. "Stop crying immediately. Big boys don't cry." He raised his hand threateningly for another strike.

No.6

"Waa... Mommy! Help! Save me!" Oliver cried hoarsely, tears streaming down his face as he blinked desperately.

Isabella could no longer remain silent. She swiftly pulled Oliver away from Nathaniel, glaring at him angrily. "Mr. Blackwood, I don't mean to interfere, but this is no way to discipline your son! He's just a child! This kind of treatment could traumatize him!"

"He disobeyed me first," Nathaniel reasoned impassively.

"Waa... I didn't do anything wrong...!" Oliver whimpered again. "I just want to be with Mommy. I miss Mommy! I've never had the chance to sleep with Mommy... I don't want to sleep alone in the children's room... I want Mommy's hugs! I want to be with Mommy..."

His tears flowed freely down his cheeks like waterfalls.

Isabella's heart melted with compassion. "Sweetheart, don't cry, don't cry," she soothed gently. "You can stay here tonight. I'll protect you."

"Really?" Oliver stopped crying instantly, a radiant smile spreading across his face.

"My apologies for the inconvenience, and thank you for your understanding, Miss Montgomery." With those words, Nathaniel walked to the door and closed it firmly behind him.

???

No.7

What just happened?

“I permitted Christopher to remain. I never authorized your stay.”

Isabella’s tone was firm as she addressed Nathaniel.

He stepped closer, expression serious. “My apologies. Oliver’s condition is unpredictable. Nighttime seizures are a real concern. I can’t leave him unsupervised.”

“Mommy, please let Daddy stay. He cooks. He cleans. He’s useful!” Oliver’s voice was sweet, persuasive.

Isabella raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “Your father does housework?”

“Yes! Ask him yourself.” Oliver glanced toward Nathaniel.

Nathaniel paused briefly under her scrutinizing gaze, then nodded. “It’s true.”