Chapter 1460
No.1
Yet, something felt incomplete. It wasn't until she was nearly at Rosewood Manor that she remembered her promise to Oliver. She had promised to celebrate with them when she got home, and she had returned empty-handed.
She pulled over to the side of the road and called Maxwell. “Get a bottle of Silas’s special reserve sent over immediately. The good one.”
“That’s difficult,” Maxwell replied. “You know how he is about his wine collection. He guards it like his life.”
“Just tell him I’ve hit a wall with the autonomous drone navigation system,” Isabella insisted. “I need some… inspiration.”
“That might work. I’ll relay the message right away.”
“Wait,” Isabella added. “Also, get a bottle of Peach Nectar on the way.”
The Peach Nectar was one of Silas’s original creations. Every year during the peak of the peach blossom season, he would personally collect the morning dew from the petals, along with the most perfect blossom from each tree, to ferment into a delicate, fragrant essence. The alcohol content was low, but the peach flavor was intense and refreshing, its aroma instantly uplifting.
Maxwell let out a low chuckle. “I can already picture Silas having a heart attack.”
Isabella smiled and ended the call. Today had been immensely satisfying, the most in years. Celebration was absolutely necessary. She could always help Silas collect more peach blossoms next season to make it up to him.
No.2
A light, cheerful feeling accompanied her as she finally entered Rosewood Manor. She was greeted by the sight of Oliver fast asleep on the sofa.
Meanwhile, Nathaniel…
Nathaniel was focused on his laptop.
From her position, Isabella could clearly see the screen.
It displayed photos of her leaving The Grand Monarch.
There were also images of Alexander Whitmore.
Had Nathaniel sent people to follow her?
He heard the door open and turned quickly.
His eyes narrowed as he quietly closed the laptop.
No.3
"You're home," he stated.
Isabella nodded and locked the door behind her.
She entered the room casually.
"I saw everything," she said nonchalantly.
Had she really seen it all?
Nathaniel frowned deeply.
Did she see the images? Did she know he had her followed?
He pushed the thought aside.
His gaze swept over her critically.
No.4
"You changed clothes?" His voice was low and demanding.
He looked like a lion guarding his territory.
Isabella had intended to question him first.
She didn't expect him to turn the tables.
Memories of her interaction with Alexander surfaced.
A strange guilt washed over her.
"I ran into a dog," she replied coolly. "It was disgusting, so I changed."
Nathaniel's eyes darkened instantly.
That's all she had to say? 'Ran into a dog'?
No.5
She was in a room with a completely drunk Alexander.
They had a history together.
How was that just 'running into a dog'?
He suddenly rose from his seat.
He advanced toward her slowly, one deliberate step at a time.
Isabella frowned. "What—"
He was already in front of her before she could finish.
He scooped her into his arms effortlessly.
He carried her straight to the first-floor bathroom.
No.6
Unease prickled her skin. "What are you doing, Nathaniel?"
His silence felt ominous and distant.
He shut the bathroom door firmly behind them.
He placed her inside the large bathtub.
He turned on the water tap without a word.
Isabella tried to get up.
Nathaniel pressed her down firmly by her shoulders.
"Clean up," he instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument.
It finally dawned on her.
No.7
He was an even bigger clean freak than she was.
He was making her bathe because she encountered Alexander?
"Nathaniel, it was nothing. He just grabbed my wrists, touched my shoulder—"
"Just?" His eyes darkened dangerously. "You were expecting more than that?"
She was right. He was jealous.
Nathaniel took her wrists firmly.
He began rubbing them under the running water.
He scrubbed from her left wrist to her right.
He was so thorough her skin turned red.