Chapter 148
No.1
Only Isabella remained with him in the room now. She felt the sudden shift in energy and stood to leave, but Nathaniel's arms encircled her waist, pulling her back.
"Weren't you just claiming you wanted to be my wife?" His voice dropped to a low, suggestive timbre that made her heart race uncontrollably.
He tightened his hold, drawing her closer against him. Unaccustomed to such intimacy, Isabella pressed her palms against his chest to push away, but the contact only intensified the desire blazing in his eyes.
Her touch ignited a fire within him, his temperature spiking instantly. As she struggled to break free, his voice turned authoritative and strained. "Don't move!"
The raw hunger in his tone froze her completely. He always lost his composure when she was this near, and it wasn't the first time. Why did he have to restrain himself around her?
"Damn it...! Stay here." Nathaniel lifted her onto the sofa and strode quickly to the bathroom.
If he didn't release her now, he would lose all control.
Before Isabella could process what happened, the bathroom door slammed shut, followed by the sound of running water.
So rushed? He probably hadn't even removed his clothes.
Her mind wandered to the image of Nathaniel under the shower, his white shirt soaked and clinging to his sculpted chest and abs, nearly transparent...
No.2
Cough, cough! What was she thinking? Since when had she become so captivated by him? She was free now—she should leave!
With that decision, Isabella hurried out of the room.
When Nathaniel emerged from the shower, the room was empty, and his eyes darkened at the sight.
He told her to wait, yet she fled?
Did she only stay until Vivienne left? Was it all just an act? Displeasure and frustration coiled within him.
Everything felt like a performance. Why was Isabella the only woman who could unravel him so completely? Why did a single touch from her shatter the self-control he once prided himself on?
He had only felt this once before, five years ago.
What was the reason?
Meanwhile...
Vivienne slid into her car, still reeling from the shocking scene she witnessed. Hailing from an educated, upper-class lineage, she had never encountered anything so brazen in her life!
No.3
She always believed Nathaniel was a man of refinement like herself, but she never imagined...
This felt like discovering a beloved idol was secretly a addict—it shouldn't be happening!
Miranda sat beside her, speaking softly. "Vivienne, are you still planning to get engaged to Mr. Blackwood?"
Isabella’s nails pressed sharply into her palms.
She was known for her pristine reputation and virtuous character.
She had always envisioned her future husband to be equally pure.
But now…
Although it seemed like a trap set by both Nathaniel and Isabella, their connection appeared far from superficial.
The way Nathaniel held her, even kissed her…they must have been intimate.
Isabella had an intense aversion to impurity.
No.4
How could she accept a man who had been with another woman?
She rubbed her temples and murmured, “I need time. Wait for my instructions over the next few days. And deal with Isabella.”
Did that fool Isabella actually think she could marry into the Blackwood family? Ha!
Once the Blackwoods found out, Vivienne wouldn’t even need to lift a finger to destroy her.
“Understood,” Miranda nodded, already typing on her phone.
The midsummer sky darkened abruptly as a strong wind swept through.
Rain threatened to pour.
A figure lurked near the Blackwood estate, waiting for the right moment to capture photos.
Meanwhile…
Isabella received a call from Maxwell. “Boss Montgomery, someone is attempting to photograph you and Mr. Blackwood together.”
No.5
Isabella frowned. Already?
It seemed Vivienne was planning to use Senior Blackwood against her.
But did Vivienne really think it would be that easy to get a photo? Ha!
“Monitor them,” Isabella ordered. “Keep me informed.”
She ended the call, her expression hardening.
She had no plans to leave the estate for the next two days anyway.
Let them wait all they wanted.
The scorching weather made the task nearly impossible.
The spy hired by Miranda endured blistering heat by day and swarms of mosquitoes by night.
Still, not a single photo of Isabella was captured.
No.6
Before long, the Celestial Gala was just one day away.
The organizing team had invested heavily to promote traditional culture.
Isabella, wanting to spend time with Oliver, passed all opportunities to her signed artists and stayed out of the spotlight.
However, on the evening before the event, Adrian called urgently. “It’s bad! We can’t locate Arabella!”
“Arabella is missing?” Isabella’s eyes narrowed. “Have you searched everywhere?”
“Yes! We lost contact this afternoon. Her manager and assistants have turned everywhere upside down. Her phone is off. It’s strange,” Adrian explained.
Isabella frowned. Of all days, why today?
Arabella had been in high spirits lately.
Isabella had provided her with an excellent proposal that would let her shine at the event.
After all she had been through, it made no sense for her to disappear now.
No.7
A thought struck Isabella. “Find Harrison Winslow. Check all his usual spots. Notify Julian and Maxwell immediately.”
“Got it!” Adrian sensed the urgency and sprang into action.
Isabella glanced at the sky.
Though it was only evening, dark clouds loomed overhead.