Chapter 1123
No.1
She grabbed a bottle of bourbon from the kitchen. The gaming room welcomed her with its familiar hum. She booted up the system and took a long swallow of whiskey. Since she couldn't unleash her rage physically, the digital world would suffer her wrath instead.
Her headphones muffled the outside world. Her fingers flew across the keyboard. The mouse clicked rapidly under her control. Her expression remained frozen in icy fury.
Nathaniel watched silently from the doorway. He observed her violent keyboard strikes. He saw the aggressive mouse movements. He noted the frequent, deep drinks of alcohol. Even from behind, her rage radiated like heat from a furnace.
What could have provoked such fury?
He had never seen Isabella in this state before. He considered entering, but decided against it. He simply stood guard, allowing her this catharsis.
Isabella played for hours, her anger fueling a bloody rampage through the game. She slaughtered everything in her path. Chaos erupted in the global chat.
Holy shit! Boss is insane tonight!
Teach me your ways!
I've never seen sniping like this! Best player in the country!
No.2
These moves... they remind me of Kill. The legend from five years ago.
Can't be. This is a new account. Probably not Kill...
Kill hasn't logged in for over four years! That player dominated everyone!
This Boss player is just as terrifying! Another pentakill! Unbelievable!
Players watched her character in awe.
Meanwhile...
Benjamin was also online, playing his own match. He kept seeing global notifications flash across his screen.
Congratulations to Boss for achieving 5 consecutive kills!
Congratulations to Boss for solo killing the Dragon!
No.3
[Congratulations to Boss for 10 consecutive victories!]
Benjamin frowned, his expression skeptical as he swiftly exited his current match to enter spectator mode. He observed a female sniper moving fluidly across the map, seamlessly transitioning between eliminating enemy soldiers and hunting monsters. The sniper even engaged other players without apparent provocation.
Snipers were typically the most fragile class, vulnerable to instant elimination. Yet this player utilized immunization boosts with flawless timing, evading every incoming attack. She consistently turned perilous situations into decisive victories, systematically eliminating all opposition.
Absolutely remarkable! Who could have imagined such lethal prowess from a vulnerable sniper class? The player records indicated a female gamer. A woman with this level of refined skill?
Benjamin immediately sent a direct message. "Hello. Interested in signing with Elite Gaming? Name your price."
He desperately wanted to recruit her, but received no response. The moment her match concluded, she immediately queued for another, as if driven by an insatiable bloodlust.
Many players had stopped participating altogether, choosing instead to spectate her matches. The Eternal Champions forum erupted into chaos, with the player ID 'Boss' rapidly becoming everyone's new obsession. Isabella played relentlessly through the night while drinking, unaware the liquor contained 80% alcohol content. After finishing the bottle, her eyelids grew heavy until she finally collapsed asleep at the desk.
Only then did Nathaniel—who had been observing from the doorway—enter the room. He powered down the computer and gathered Isabella into his arms.
Completely intoxicated, her body went limp as clay, boneless and pliant. Even unconscious, her brows remained slightly furrowed, troubled by some unseen distress. Nathaniel settled her onto the bed and gently drew the covers over her.
No.4
He sat on the edge of the mattress, watching her with concerned eyes. What was he to do with this little wildcat?
Isabella slept restlessly, haunted by dreams of that night five years earlier. A powerfully built body pressed against hers, mountainous and unyielding. She struggled to open her eyes, to see his face, but exhaustion overwhelmed her.
"No...! Stop...!"
A agonized whimper escaped her lips, fragile as a kitten fallen into a well.
Nathaniel's expression darkened. What trauma caused her such pain? His mind connected the fragments he knew: Victoria's attack on Isabella five years ago; Victoria facing prison because of it; the scandal that would ruin them all if exposed.
Unless...
A terrible suspicion formed in his mind.
Isabella moaned in distress, "Don't... release me...!"
Nathaniel's face grew stormy. He lay beside her, wrapping her in his arms while gently stroking her back. With his free hand, he retrieved his phone and texted Dominic. "Investigate what happened to Isabella five years ago."
No.5
Though he'd promised not to interfere, witnessing her torment made inaction impossible. He prayed the investigation wouldn't confirm his fears.
Cradling her head against his chest, he murmured soft assurances. "Don't be afraid, Isabella. I'm here."
His deep voice resonated through her, gradually soothing her back into calm sleep. Nathaniel remained awake all night, his mind racing through possibilities. With Dominic's efficiency, results would arrive by morning, revealing Isabella's past.
If his suspicions proved true...
Isabella Montgomery slept deeply for what felt like an eternity.
Her eyes fluttered open to an opulent ceiling.
What was she resting against?
She turned her head.
Nathaniel Blackwood lay beside her.
No.6
Her head had been pillowed on his right arm.
How did this happen?
She remembered playing games last night.
Why was she in Nathaniel’s embrace?
He noticed her stirring.
Nathaniel set aside his phone.
His voice was a low rumble. “Are you feeling alright?”
Isabella shook her head slowly.
Her gaze caught the time on his phone screen.
No.7
Six in the evening.
She had slept straight through to the next evening.
She sat up abruptly. “You stayed here all day?”
“Mhm.” He attempted to rise.
A flicker of discomfort crossed his features.
His right arm remained motionless.
Isabella’s eyes dropped to his numb limb.
Her hands moved instinctively.
She began massaging his arm. “You’re insane. You could have moved me.”