Chapter 1336
No.1
What crucial detail was she missing?
Meanwhile, at The Grand Monarch Hotel...
The luxury establishment stood a kilometer away from Phoenix Hotel, its presidential suite occupying the entire top floor.
Nathaniel stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, his gaze fixed on the lavish bed behind him. Five years ago—on Valentine's Day—he had taken a girl's innocence on that very bed. Who was she? Why had she vanished without leaving a single trace?
Sebastian was usually highly competent. Why couldn't he solve this mystery?
At that moment, Sebastian entered with Oliver.
"Brother, I've gathered all staff members who were working here five years ago."
As he spoke, about ten employees filed into the room. They stood with their heads bowed, visibly trembling with fear.
Nathaniel turned and scrutinized the group. His voice remained ice-cold. "Who was the girl in this room five years ago on Valentine's Day?"
No.2
"Mr. Blackwood, we truly don't know."
They all gave identical answers, their eyes fixed on the floor in terror.
Nathaniel's tone turned dangerous. "Think very carefully before you answer. I have a hungry alligator waiting in my pond at home."
The staff turned pale at his words. Their bodies shook with uncontrolled fear.
Rumors about Nathaniel Blackwood's cruelty were well-known. That he kept an alligator as a pet was apparently true.
What if he decided to feed them to his pet?
One female staff member suddenly spoke up. "Mr. Blackwood, I don't know who that girl was... but he might know."
She pointed at the man standing beside her. Nathaniel's sharp gaze immediately focused on the indicated man.
The man in the tailored suit stood frozen. Gregory Whitmore, now manager of The Grand Monarch Hotel, felt his blood run cold.
No.3
His knees nearly buckled when the server singled him out. "That's absurd!" he blurted. "I was just a cleaner back then. How would I remember who accessed the presidential suite?"
"Exactly why you'd know." The server's voice remained steady. "Valentine's Day, five years ago. My shift ended at 5 AM, but my boyfriend wanted to celebrate. I swapped with you."
She took a step closer. "You covered the night watch. You monitored that entire floor. You saw everything."
Gregory's face lost all color. His hands trembled visibly.
Nathaniel Blackwood's gaze sharpened, darkening with intensity. "Seems you'd prefer to meet my alligator. Sebastian, bring him."
Sebastian moved forward, his expression grim.
Terror seized Gregory. He dropped to the floor with a heavy thud. "Mr. Blackwood, have mercy! I don't know the woman! I never saw her, I swear!"
"Then why hide working the night shift? Why the guilt?" Sebastian pressed.
As a doctor, Sebastian read people's eyes with precision.
No.4
Cornered, Gregory broke into a cold sweat. He stammered, "I... I was on duty that night. I... administered medication to Mr. Blackwood."
He trembled violently, addressing Nathaniel. "Victoria Kensington made me do it. She threatened me. Said she'd ruin my career if I refused. I slipped the drug into your drink."
"Mr. Blackwood, I beg your forgiveness! My wife is pregnant, nearly due. They need me! Please spare my life!"
Nathaniel glanced at Sebastian, who studied Gregory carefully. After a moment, Sebastian nodded. "He's truthful, brother."
So, five years ago, Victoria drugged him—not the mystery woman.
Nathaniel's voice turned icy. "If Victoria drugged me, why did another woman enter my room?"
"I don't know! After dosing your drink, I panicked. I hid on the stairwell. Victoria ordered everyone to stay away. I saw nothing else," Gregory confessed, his voice shaking.
Nathaniel's expression hardened. Only Victoria held the answers now.
He rose, pausing beside the kneeling man. "Your wife needs you. Go home to her." The dismissal was clear.
No.5
Gregory collapsed in relief. He'd been fired, but he was alive. That was mercy enough.
"Thank you, Mr. Blackwood!" He bowed deeply, gratitude overwhelming him.
The three Blackwood men entered the elevator, descending in silence.
The entire surveillance system conveniently malfunctioned that exact night.
Not a single clue remained.
"What an unfortunate coincidence," remarked Sebastian.
"Only Victoria holds the answers now. Do you wish to confront her yourself, Nathaniel?"
"No. Handle this alone. Extract the truth from her," Nathaniel replied coldly.
Sebastian frowned deeply. "Then where are you going?"
No.6
They stepped out of the elevator into The Grand Monarch's opulent lobby.
Nathaniel's intense gaze was already fixed on the Phoenix Hotel across the boulevard.
"I have another pressing matter. Take Christopher with you."
"No! I want to stay with Daddy! Daddy promised we'd see Mommy!" Oliver instantly clung to Nathaniel's leg.
Nathaniel glanced down at the small boy attached to him. He gently patted his son's head.
"Be good. Your mother and I require some privacy. Do you truly wish to interrupt us?"
Oliver pouted, his expression stubborn. "I'll be quiet! I can sleep in the next room!"
"Go with Uncle Sebastian," Nathaniel persuaded softly. "I must locate your birth mother. I need to provide her compensation. Only then can your Mommy stay with us forever."
Oliver's face instantly brightened. That made perfect sense. If his birth mother returned, Mommy would have to leave. He couldn't let that happen. He adored her too much.
No.7
"Okay! I'll go!" He immediately grabbed Sebastian's hand and practically dragged him away.
Nathaniel slid into his sleek car and drove straight to the Phoenix Hotel.
While technically a five-star establishment, the Phoenix Hotel occupied the lower tier of luxury. The truly elite would never choose to stay there. Nathaniel himself had never set foot inside.
For Isabella, he was breaking that precedent.
In Room 909 of the Phoenix Hotel…
Isabella had managed a few forced bites of food. She waited with simmering impatience.
The doorbell finally chimed.
She peered through the peephole. A man in a sharp suit and polished leather shoes stood there. A brass name tag on his chest read 'Lawrence Chamberlain, Floor Manager'.
This was the manager Beatrice had mentioned.