Chapter 1145
No.1
“Got it!” Adrian sensed the urgency and sprang into action.
Isabella glanced at the sky.
Though it was only evening, dark clouds loomed overhead.
A heavy rain was coming.
If they didn’t find Arabella soon, the downpour would make everything much harder.
It wasn’t just about the massive penalty fee owed to Celestial.
Given Harrison’s temperament, who knew what he might do to Arabella?
If anything happened…
"I need to leave now." Isabella turned to Nathaniel and Oliver, who were seated on the sofa. "Go to bed early. Don't wait up for me."
No.2
"I want to go with Mommy!" Oliver immediately jumped to his feet.
Nathaniel's gaze fixed on her. "Where are you going? I'll drive you."
Their concern was palpable, their care for her evident.
A warm feeling bloomed in Isabella's chest. "That's not necessary. I'm just meeting someone. There are photographers waiting outside to catch us together."
If only she were photographed alone, she could still claim she visited the Montgomerys for business. But if she and Nathaniel were seen together, things would become complicated.
"Don't worry about that," Nathaniel assured her. "I have my methods."
He then turned to Oliver. "Go to bed and wait for us to return. It's raining tonight. You shouldn't go out."
Nathaniel emphasized the words 'it's raining tonight.' Oliver's eyes darted with sudden understanding.
Rainy nights were perfect for couples to bond. If he stayed home, Daddy and Mommy could spend quality time together!
No.3
Oliver nodded eagerly. "Okay! Momo will stay home. Daddy must protect Mommy. Help Mommy find her friend. Then bring Mommy home safely."
"Hmph." Nathaniel ruffled his son's hair before turning to Isabella. "Follow me."
Nathaniel walked away from the main entrance. Isabella had no choice but to follow him.
They moved through a hallway and stopped before an elevator. This one appeared significantly larger than the others.
Nathaniel pressed the call button. The doors slid open smoothly.
The elevator interior spanned at least thirty square meters. A matte black luxury vehicle sat inside. The elevator's sleek, metallic walls made the car look impeccably polished and sophisticated.
Nathaniel opened the passenger door like the gentleman he was. Isabella got in without much thought.
She didn't realize how much her relationship with Nathaniel had transformed. She used to maintain a careful distance from him in the car.
Now, over the past few days, they had begun to feel like an actual married couple.
No.4
Nathaniel looked at her with affection before taking the driver's seat. As the car doors closed, the elevator doors shut automatically.
The elevator began its descent to the basement.
Nathaniel glanced toward the garage.
His voice dropped to a low warning. "For your safety, you need to lie down."
"Lie down?" Isabella frowned at the strange instruction.
Before she could question him further, he pulled her arm.
She tumbled forward, landing across his lap.
His clean, masculine scent filled her senses.
The position was completely improper.
No.5
She struggled to sit up.
"Someone's there," he stated curtly.
Two words. Grave and serious.
She immediately stopped moving.
The tinted windows of Nathaniel's car were no match for modern paparazzi equipment. Their high-tech cameras could see right through them. If a photographer captured Isabella sitting beside Nathaniel, Vivienne would undoubtedly show the evidence to Reginald Blackwood.
Isabella had no choice. She remained pressed against his thigh.
Nathaniel hit the accelerator. The car shot out of the garage.
The man hiding outside the mansion scowled. The car emerged from a different exit? That was suspicious.
Someone else must be inside. He raised his camera, focusing the lens on the vehicle.
No.6
He was startled to see only Nathaniel driving. No passenger.
How odd. Where was Isabella? Why use a different garage then?
The car accelerated onto the main road. Golden evening light glinted off its polished surface.
Once certain they weren't being followed, Isabella began to push herself upright.
A sharp pain shot through her scalp. She cried out.
Her hair was caught. Tangled in the zipper of his pants.
She tugged at the metal fastener in a panic.
Nathaniel had no choice. He swerved, pulling over beneath a large tree.
"Don't move," he commanded. "Let me handle it."
No.7
Mortified, Isabella dropped her hands.
Nathaniel carefully gathered her hair, moving it to one side. A single strand was tightly wound around the zipper's teeth. He tried to work it free gently.
His efforts only made it worse. More hairs became ensnared in the metal.
Isabella's neck ached from holding her head at an awkward angle. She shifted slightly to relieve the strain.
"How is it going?" she asked, her voice strained.
"Bear with me," he replied softly, his focus entirely on the delicate task.
Isabella finally relaxed her grip, noticing Nathaniel’s uncomfortable expression.
“It’s just hair,” she said quickly, brushing it off. “Don’t worry about it.”
He stayed quiet. She was right—it was only a few strands tangled.