Chapter 1215

No.1

She was sure he’d failed at that task earlier.

Probably ordered takeout instead.

Nathaniel’s eyes darkened. “Are you saying you won’t make it up to me?”

Isabella coughed, caught off guard.

Why did he have to be so direct?

“I need some air,” she deflected, moving toward the door. “It’s getting stuffy in here.”

But when she turned the knob, it didn’t budge.

She pulled harder.

Nothing.

Frowning, she glanced back at Nathaniel.

“What’s wrong with the door?”

“Your son’s doing,” he replied simply.

Oliver.

Of course.

“What do we do now?” she asked, a hint of panic in her voice. “How do we get out?”

Nathaniel settled onto the edge of the bed.

“We wait.”

The room was completely sealed.

No sound could escape, not even if they screamed.

No.2

Their phones had been confiscated outside.

Contacting Oliver was impossible.

They were trapped until he decided to release them.

Isabella’s brow furrowed deeply.

“How long must we stay here?”

“That depends on how long he believes his father requires,” Nathaniel stated plainly.

A flush crept up Isabella’s neck at his implication.

She scanned the room desperately.

The windows were securely locked from the outside.

The door was their only exit, and it was solid, immovable.

No tools were available to force it open.

“Try to rest tonight,” Nathaniel suggested, his voice calm. “We will find a solution in the morning.”

Isabella recalled his promise not to overstep.

She forced herself to relax slightly.

Oliver would surely let them out tomorrow.

He wouldn't let them starve.

She noticed some old architectural blueprints and checkers strategy books she’d left in the room previously.

She moved to the desk, deciding to occupy her mind.

The wall clock showed 8 PM.

No.3

Having slept all day, sleep felt miles away.

Nathaniel seemed equally alert.

Isabella could study her designs, but Nathaniel’s work documents were outside.

He had nothing to do.

He came and stood behind her, looking over her shoulder.

She was sketching the framework for a new skyscraper.

He picked up a pencil and added a few precise lines.

“A pyramidal base here increases structural integrity and allows for greater height.”

Isabella studied the modified foundation.

His adjustment was brilliant, a masterstroke of engineering.

Combined with her original vision, the design would be revolutionary.

She stared at him, impressed.

“How do you know this? Blackwood Industries doesn’t deal in architecture.”

Blackwood Industries was a global investment titan, not a construction firm.

They hunted profitable markets, not designed buildings.

Yet, every project they backed was a guaranteed success.

She assumed Nathaniel only understood finance and investment.

His knowledge of structural engineering was a complete surprise.

A faint, knowing smile touched his lips.

No.4

“I possess many talents. You will discover them all after we are married.”

Married.

She nearly choked.

Why did he constantly bring that up?

“I... I need to focus on this drawing,” she mumbled, bowing her head and pretending he wasn't there.

Fortunately, Nathaniel didn’t press further.

He picked up one of her advanced checkers manuals instead.

The publications were dated, from years ago.

The mentors who had given them to her were legends in their fields.

Time slipped away unnoticed.

It was 2 AM.

Exhaustion finally pulled at Isabella.

She turned to Nathaniel.

“Oliver isn’t watching. We don’t have to share the bed. You take the floor.”

She couldn’t risk a repeat of earlier… incidents.

His eyes darkened, a storm brewing in their depths.

“Your memory is conveniently selective when you’re sober.”

“You said you wouldn’t mention the kiss again!” she retorted, irritation flaring.

He countered smoothly. “After everything that has transpired between us, you relegate me to the floor?”

No.5

Without waiting for a reply, he stretched out on the bed beside her.

Isabella was rendered speechless by his audacity.

He was utterly unreasonable.

Was she destined to be stuck with him, even without an audience?

Was this his new permanent arrangement?

“I’ll be good,” Nathaniel murmured, his voice low and husky as he wrapped his arm around Isabella’s waist, pulling her firmly against him.

She stiffened for a moment, ready to push him away, but then she relaxed. He had promised not to overstep. Resisting now would only make her seem childish. It was just sleep, after all.

Moonlight spilled into the room, casting a silvery glow over them like a delicate veil.

The next morning, the distinct sound of a key turning in the lock echoed through the room. Christopher was finally unlocking the door. Isabella immediately tried to sit up, but Nathaniel’s arm tightened around her. “In a rush to leave?” he asked, his voice still rough with sleep.

“Obviously,” she replied, confused.

“Think about it,” he said softly. “Oliver went to all this trouble to get us together. If he finds out nothing happened, he’ll be heartbroken. You know how his health is.”

Isabella’s heart clenched. There was still no reliable treatment for his condition. A severe emotional shock could trigger another episode. She couldn’t bear to see him suffer.

But still…

“If neither of us says anything, how would he know?” she argued, frowning.

“Do you really think he’s that naive?” Nathaniel countered, his voice dropping to a whisper.

Isabella wanted to protest. Oliver was only five! He was incredibly bright for his age, but surely a child wouldn’t understand these things.

Suddenly, Nathaniel shifted, moving over her. “For Oliver’s sake, I’m afraid you’ll have to play along, Ms. Montgomery.”

Before she could process his words, he was leaning down. His lips found the sensitive skin of her neck, sucking gently until a faint mark bloomed beneath them. Just as she was about to push him away, he pulled back. “There. That should do it.”

Done? That was it? Just a few kisses?

No.6

Isabella was baffled until she caught her reflection in the mirror. Several vivid love bites stood out against her skin. Had this man really been celibate all these years? She found it hard to believe.

Nathaniel chose that moment to open the door. Oliver immediately bounded into the room.

“Good morning, Daddy! Good morning, Mommy!” he chirped.

Isabella instinctively tried to cover her neck, but her collarless shirt offered no protection. Oliver’s sharp eyes immediately spotted the marks. A brilliant smile spread across his little face. “Mommy, I used the breakfast machine to make us a meal. You can’t skip breakfast. It’s not good for you.” He hurried over, taking her hand carefully as if she were made of glass, and began leading her downstairs.

Isabella shot a glare over her shoulder at Nathaniel. The damage was done. There was no undoing this misunderstanding now.

Nathaniel simply smirked, looking thoroughly pleased with himself. But as he watched Oliver guiding Isabella down the steps with such care, a shadow crossed his features. His expression darkened, his eyes clouding with a sudden, deep worry.

If she ever discovered the truth about his past… if she learned about the woman he had violated… would she still want him? Would she still be willing to have his child?

Oliver guided Isabella to the dining table. He had spent the entire previous evening scrubbing every surface. He even washed all the dishes and mopped the floors. Isabella was touched by his effort, though her eyes still scanned the room. She spotted her phone resting on a nearby shelf. As she began to rise, Oliver suddenly spoke up. "Mommy, wait! I'll get it!" His small form darted across the room. He carefully retrieved the device and brought it to her. He handled it with extreme caution, as if it were fragile. His entire demeanor radiated a protective anxiety. Isabella reached out and gently tousled his soft hair. "My sweet boy, you're the child here. Let Mommy take care of you, alright?" Oliver shook his head, his expression serious. "But the baby inside you is smaller than me. A big brother protects his sister. Please, just sit. I will bring your breakfast." He hurried toward the kitchen before she could protest. Isabella watched him go, a mixture of surprise and warmth flooding her. She decided not to stop him, allowing him this gesture.

She unlocked her phone. The screen lit up with a flood of overnight notifications. Among them were several messages from Alexander. [Alexander: Good morning.] [Alexander: Sleep well.] [Alexander: Have you eaten?] She stared at them for a long moment, her finger hovering. She chose not to reply. Instead, she tapped on the messages from Maxwell. [Maxwell: Urgent news, Ms. Montgomery! Victoria has acquired Mr. Montgomery's shares! She's launched a massive PR campaign to rebuild her image!] [Maxwell: Ms. Montgomery, are you there? The situation is critical. Victoria now controls sixty percent of Montgomery Group! This is disastrous!] A deep frown etched itself onto Isabella's face. She quickly opened a social media app. The top trending topic was #ThePhoenixInitiative. She scrolled through the feed. There was no criticism. Not a single negative comment. Every post praised Victoria. They highlighted her support for various women's charities. They applauded her donations. They celebrated her work helping women regain their confidence. The most shocking development was her new alliance with city officials. Together, they were investigating major drug rings and criminal syndicates. Her destroyed reputation was not just repaired; it was being sanctified. Isabella's frown deepened. None of this would be possible without the Montgomery family's influence and connections. Those officials were Theodore Montgomery's longtime associates. Why would he ever willingly hand over sixty percent of his life's work? A cold dread settled in her stomach. She immediately dialed her grandfather.

"Grandfather, how are you feeling? Is your health stable?" "I'm managing. I've been better," Theodore Montgomery replied, his voice heavy with a weary sigh. Isabella pressed on, her tone soft but insistent. "Grandfather, something is wrong. I can hear it in your voice. Please, tell me what happened. Let me help you." Another long, drawn-out sigh traveled through the phone. "Ah, Isabella... So many people have called asking the same thing since yesterday. I had no other choice. Just... let it go. I don't want to burden you with this." His evasion only sharpened her concern.

Her voice firmed with resolve. "There is nothing I cannot handle. If you won't tell me, I will use every resource at my disposal to find out the truth myself." Hearing the steel in her words, Theodore finally relented. His voice dropped to a defeated whisper. "Victoria... she has Benjamin. She kidnapped him. He's her prisoner now..."

Everything clicked into place for Isabella. Of course. That explained everything. It was the only leverage powerful enough to force Theodore's hand. To make him surrender his shares and use his influence to rehabilitate Victoria's name. The woman had finally made her move against the family directly. Isabella had anticipated this escalation. "Don't worry, Grandfather. Looking at her current strategy, Benjamin is her only valuable asset. She won't risk harming him. I give you my word. I will get him back safely within three days."

"Truly? You're certain?" A fragile thread of hope wove itself into Theodore's weary tone.

Benjamin was his only grandson. Theodore Montgomery’s concern was completely justified.

“Yes,” Isabella answered calmly. “Don’t worry, Grandpa. But please don’t let Victoria know we spoke. I’ll do everything I can to save Benjamin.”

“Alright, Isabella. Be careful. Victoria… She’s changed so much it frightens me now.” Theodore had believed Victoria would free Benjamin after he transferred his shares. Instead, she extended their agreement, stating she’d only release him after her reputation improved. Meaning, Theodore remained under her control.

Isabella’s lips curved slightly. “Don’t worry, Grandpa. I’m not the same person I was five years ago. I can handle this and protect myself.”

Theodore sighed, finally relieved. Inside his prayer room, he opened a drawer and spoke to a portrait with deep emotion. “Did you hear that? Isabella has grown into a remarkably capable woman. She can take care of herself now. We don’t need to worry about her anymore…”

Ending the call, Isabella stared at the overcast sky with fierce determination. Benjamin had vanished after Victoria’s wedding. But he’d also packed his belongings beforehand, indicating he planned to leave. She’d heard Victoria hired Takashi Yamamoto to train him. Was Takashi involved? If Benjamin had gone to Westhaven, things would become complicated.

No.7

Isabella retrieved her phone and texted Maxwell.

[Isabella: Locate Benjamin’s current whereabouts. Keep this completely confidential.]

[Maxwell: Understood.]

Just then, Oliver approached with a plate of toast. “Mommy, try this toast! I made it myself!”

“Thank you, Momo.” Isabella took a piece. The breakfast machine had perfectly controlled the heat and timing, resulting in a soft, delicious slice. “Momo is so talented!” she praised warmly. “This is really yummy!”

“Yay! Momo is clever, and my sister will be cute and clever too!” Oliver beamed, gazing expectantly at Isabella’s stomach.

Isabella was speechless.

Nathaniel joined them at the table. He took some toast and a glass of milk, instructing Oliver, “I’m returning to the company today. You stay home and look after Mommy and your sister.”

“Don’t worry, Daddy. Momo will complete his mission!” Oliver saluted.

Isabella felt a pang of confusion. She could handle a childish Oliver, but a childish Nathaniel? How disappointed Oliver would be when he discovered there was no sister.

Nathaniel’s phone lit up on the table.

[Sebastian: Results from 30 DNA tests are in. Major updates! Get to the company now, Bro. You won’t believe who was in that room!]

Nathaniel frowned. The presidential suite was his private domain. No one accessed it without permission. How could Sebastian claim over 30 DNA profiles were identified from that room? This meant they might finally track down the woman from five years ago.

Finding the truth now… his relationship with Isabella… Nathaniel instinctively glanced at Isabella sharing toast with Oliver—a heartwarming scene. He quickly looked away, grabbed his suit jacket, and headed out. Regardless of who it was, he needed closure. He wouldn’t let this jeopardize what he had with Isabella.

Shortly after Nathaniel departed, Isabella received a text from Maxwell.

Maxwell: I’ve confirmed Robert was taken to Westhaven by Takashi Yamamoto. They’re staying in a secluded mountain estate with heavy security. Approaching undetected will be difficult.

Isabella’s brow furrowed. Takashi Yamamoto was not known for his charity. Why would he help Victoria? Clearly, some underhanded deal had been struck.