Chapter 1497

No.1

Because Sophia had a child out of wedlock, the villagers had shunned her. They hurled insults and looked down on her. No one would marry her. No one offered her family any help. She used her wages from The Grand Mariner to support her parents. Their life was a constant struggle.

Dominic continued. "I've collected her blood sample. We'll have the drug composition analyzed shortly. I also obtained strands of her hair. Should I send it for DNA testing?"

Nathaniel scanned the documents and gave a single nod. Even with the evidence, a DNA test was essential. "Have Sebastian handle this personally."

This matter was too important. There was no room for error.

"Yes, Sir." Dominic nodded and prepared to leave.

Nathaniel stopped him, a new thought occurring. "Her living and working conditions need immediate improvement."

The report mentioned Sophia lived in a dilapidated tile house. It was so old it threatened to collapse at any moment.

Dominic understood the unspoken order. He left to make the arrangements.

Oliver's pout deepened. "I don't like how nice you're being to this Auntie!"

"Ollie, it's not about being nice. It's about repaying a debt. I can only fix things once the debt is cleared." His voice was rough, thick with emotion.

No.2

Oliver grunted in acknowledgment, still mumbling under his breath. "I still don't like it..."

Nathaniel frowned. Children had sharp instincts. If Sophia was truly his mother, why did Oliver feel nothing for her? Was it because he had spent too much time with Isabella?

He didn't linger on the thought.

Maxwell, watching from the shadows, was equally puzzled. The investigations by Isabella's uncles had pointed to a secret plot against Nathaniel. How did it lead back to this seemingly helpless woman?

And if Sophia was the woman from that night, why had all the data and video footage vanished? Their best technicians couldn't recover a single trace.

How could a weak, harmless woman possess that kind of power?

He called Silas to report his findings.

He was met with Silas's cheerful response. "So you're saying Nathaniel's first love has returned?"

"Yes, but something feels off about it..."

"What's off? It doesn't matter if something's off! Nathaniel was never right for Isabella anyway! Now that his old flame is back, things will work out. This gives William a real chance! Maxwell, I'm warning you: Don't tell Isabella things she doesn't need to know. Just do your job." Silas's tone was stern, leaving no room for argument.

No.3

Maxwell still felt he was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle, but it eluded him. He reconsidered. Nathaniel was a businessman with countless enemies and a complicated family. William was a researcher from a respectable, scholarly family with a clean reputation.

"Understood. Don't worry. I also believe Boss Montgomery needs a gentle, uncomplicated man," Maxwell replied.

Meanwhile, Isabella sped away from Rosewood Manor on her motorcycle.

She called Maxwell as she rode. "Prepare five billion. Any news from the doctors you contacted?"

"Don't worry, Boss Montgomery. They've already responded. They will visit Benjamin today," Maxwell informed her.

Isabella felt a wave of relief. She continued her ride.

After a long distance, she spotted two familiar figures waiting at a bus stop.

They were Eleanor and Richard.

With the Montgomery family bankrupt, they no longer owned any vehicles. Public transportation was their only option now. They had taken the bus to see Isabella.

The bus stop was a thirty-minute walk from Rosewood Manor.

No.4

Eleanor and Richard felt a deep sense of shame and discomfort when they spotted Isabella. This level of poverty was entirely new to them; they had never experienced such hardship in their entire lives.

They never imagined Isabella would witness them at their absolute lowest point…

Isabella’s grip on the bicycle handles tightened. She paused for a brief second. Then, she pedaled away swiftly. She did not even glance in their direction, treating them like complete strangers.

Did she feel sorry for them? Not in the slightest.

During Isabella’s first year of middle school, Richard had slapped her. The reason was trivial—she had accidentally dropped ice cream on Victoria in the car. As punishment, he forced her to take public transit for an entire month.

They attended the most exclusive private school in Westchester. Every student came from an immensely wealthy family. Luxury vehicles were the norm. Some even arrived in rare, limited-edition cars. Victoria was chauffeured in a custom white sedan.

For that entire month, Isabella had to ride the bus. She always arrived at school with scuffed shoes. Her hair was often disheveled. She carried the strange, unpleasant smells of the crowded bus with her.

The other students would look at her with pure disdain. Their sneers were constant and cruel. “The Montgomerys have an adopted daughter like this? How utterly humiliating!” “One Victoria is more than enough for that family. Why did they bother picking up this trash?” “If I were part of that family, I’d have thrown her out immediately. She’s disgusting!”

Remembering those days, Isabella’s eyes turned cold and distant. It was only fair they finally understood the humiliation they had forced upon her.

At Grace Memorial Hospital.

No.5

Theodore Montgomery, Gregory, Penelope, and Sophia were gathered in the hospital room. They were supposedly there to watch over Benjamin. In truth, every single one of them was waiting for Isabella.

Theodore felt a knot of anxiety. He wondered if Isabella would actually agree to have a meal with them. The other three, however, had a different hope. They were waiting to see if she would save the family. They desperately wanted to escape their current situation. This vulgar existence was beneath them.

The private room was spacious, over seventy square meters. It included a sofa and an ensuite bathroom. For the once-pampered Montgomerys, however, living together in this single room was intolerable. It felt cramped and undignified.

The sound of approaching footsteps caught their attention. They all turned toward the door, expecting to see Isabella. Their surprise was palpable when Alexander Whitmore appeared instead.

Alexander was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit. He looked every bit the powerful, handsome executive. Theodore’s eyelids twitched with irritation at the sight of him. “Get out!” he commanded sharply.

There was still much they didn’t understand about the recent events. But Theodore’s disgust was clear. He despised how Alexander had toyed with the emotions of both his granddaughters.

Alexander remained completely calm. “Theodore,” he said, his voice steady. “I’m here to help Benjamin.” He stepped aside, revealing a man standing behind him.

The man was young and wore a green long-sleeved shirt. He carried an air of sharp intelligence and crisp professionalism. The family’s eyes widened in recognition.

It was Sebastian Worthington. A brilliantly renowned physician in Westchester, despite his youth.

Sebastian was only thirty years old, yet his fame was widespread. There was a famous case of an athlete who had been disabled. Confined to a wheelchair for a decade, every specialist had given up on him. Sebastian, using only acupuncture, had miraculously treated him. The athlete walked again. The story had gone viral.

No.6

Rumors said Sebastian was the sole apprentice of the legendary Dr. Weir. The Weir family was considered the best in the medical field. Their ancestors had served as physicians to the Royal Palace. Their exceptional reputation had been maintained for centuries.

The Weir name was synonymous with medical excellence worldwide. As Dr. Weir’s protégé, Sebastian was notoriously private and rarely made public appearances.

After Benjamin’s accident, Theodore had tried everything to contact Sebastian. All his attempts had failed. He had no success at all.

Who could have predicted that Alexander would be the one to bring him here?

The Ritz-Carlton

Isabella Montgomery moved heavily down the grand hallway, her swollen belly leading the way. Her eyes scanned the opulent ballroom, searching desperately for one face among the glittering crowd.

Today should have been her engagement celebration. The day she would promise forever to Alexander Whitmore. Yet the ceremony was minutes from starting, and her fiancé remained conspicuously absent.

A familiar feminine laugh echoed from the secluded staircase alcove. Isabella froze mid-step.

"Alexander, my love, are you certain about marrying that adopted girl? Especially when she's carrying another man's child?"

Isabella's blood ran cold. She knew that voice. Victoria Kensington—her beloved older sister.

No.7

Alexander's low chuckle followed. "Of course I know. I was in the hotel suite next door when it happened. If she ever discovered you arranged that entire assault, she'd never have signed over those fifteen percent shares."

Isabella's hand flew to her mouth. No. This couldn't be real.

Victoria's petulant whine carried clearly. "It's not fair! Why did Grandfather Theodore give her company shares? She's not even a real Montgomery!"

"Darling, don't fret," Alexander soothed. "The moment your mother switched you at birth, you became the true heiress. Isabella is common and plain. I'd never choose her over you. Once I control her shares, I'll discard her and give you the grand engagement you deserve."