Chapter 1575

No.1

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

“It’s me,” a deep, magnetic voice announced from behind the door. Nathaniel.

Isabella’s brow furrowed in confusion.

What was Nathaniel doing here at this hour?

Since it was his estate, she had no choice but to yield.

“Come in,” she murmured softly.

Nathaniel entered, followed by maids carrying a mattress and blankets.

They moved with swift efficiency.

Within moments, a sleek gray mattress was laid out on the floor.

Simple, yet undeniably elegant.

The maids exited, closing the door behind them.

Isabella’s frown deepened.

“Mr. Blackwood, what is the meaning of this?”

“Oliver could fall ill at any moment tonight,” Nathaniel stated flatly, already settling onto the mattress.

No.2

He wore pure black silk pajamas.

“I need to be here.”

Isabella fell silent, standing just a meter away.

Was this really necessary?

Still, his reasoning wasn’t entirely unfounded.

Having him nearby if Oliver’s condition worsened did make sense.

Choosing not to argue, she closed her eyes and tried to rest.

Nathaniel lay down and used his phone to switch off the lights.

Darkness enveloped the room instantly.

Only a sliver of moonlight filtered through the window, casting a soft silver glow.

Nathaniel turned onto his side, facing Isabella’s back.

A faint smile touched his lips as he watched her silhouette.

They were inching closer.

The day he had waited for was finally approaching.

No.3

That night was the most peaceful sleep Isabella had experienced in five years.

No nightmares haunted her.

She slept straight through until ten in the morning.

“Good morning, Mommy!” he chirped, his voice sweet and cheerful.

His plump cheeks were lifted in an adorable grin.

Isabella’s heart melted instantly.

She sat up, surprised.

“Oliver, are you feeling better now?”

“Yes! Thank you for asking, Mommy! I feel much better!”

His small, jelly-like arms wrapped around her neck.

His eyes sparkled as he asked, “Did Mommy hold Oliver while he slept? Did I sleep in your arms?”

“Mhm. Mommy will always be with you,” Isabella said, gently smoothing his hair.

“So you have to be good and focus on getting better, okay?”

Oliver’s eyes widened with hope.

No.4

“Does that mean Mommy will never leave Oliver? Daddy told me you would be my mommy forever! Is it true?”

Isabella was momentarily caught off guard, but she nodded gently.

Her only concern was ensuring Oliver’s full recovery in the coming months.

Overjoyed, Oliver began bouncing on the bed in circles.

“Oliver has a Mommy now! Mommy won’t ever leave again!”

His adorable face beamed with pure delight.

Isabella wanted to savor the moment longer, but her phone rang abruptly.

It was her grandfather.

The moment she answered, she heard the urgency in his voice.

“Isabella? Are you busy? Can you come to the manor right away? They’re all causing a scene, pressuring me to change my decision!”

Isabella’s expression tightened.

Pressure? This had to be about the ten percent shares.

Victoria was undoubtedly behind it.

If Victoria wanted to play games, Isabella was more than ready to engage.

No.5

“Alright, I’ll be there soon,” she replied.

As she ended the call, she noticed Oliver pouting, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“Mommy is leaving… Mommy doesn’t want Oliver anymore.”

“Of course not! Never think that,” Isabella reassured him softly.

Isabella worried Oliver might fall sick again. She gently tousled his hair. "Mommy needs to handle some family matters. I'll come straight home to you after, okay?"

"Pinky swear! You have to keep your promise!" Oliver held out his tiny pinky, watching her with serious eyes.

She linked her pinky with his. "Mommy will be back soon."

"Yay! I'll walk you to the door!" Oliver beamed, leading her downstairs by the hand.

In the living room, Nathaniel was lounging on the sofa. He held a document, looking effortlessly poised like a magazine cover model.

Isabella's gaze lingered a moment too long. She quickly shook herself out of it. "I need to go to the family manor for a bit. Please watch Christopher for me."

"I'll drive you." Nathaniel immediately set the document aside and grabbed his car keys.

Before she could refuse, Oliver chimed in, "Me too!"

Isabella had no choice. She got into the car, cradling the sleepy Christopher. A maid handed her a breakfast bag. "Mr. Blackwood asked us to prepare this for you."

"Thank you," Isabella murmured, accepting the warm milk and ham sandwich. The simple gesture thawed a small part of her frozen heart. It had been so long since anyone made her breakfast.

No.6

Nathaniel could be surprisingly thoughtful.

She handed a sandwich to Oliver. "Let's eat together."

"Yay!" Oliver cheered, taking the food with both hands.

They chatted happily during the short drive. Soon, the grand gates of the Montgomery Manor came into view.

"Just stop here," Isabella said. "I'll walk the rest of the way."

Nathaniel understood she wanted to keep his involvement private. He didn't argue, pulling the car over.

Oliver's cheerful mood vanished. He clung to her arm. "Mommy, you have to come back! Don't forget me!"

"Don't worry. We pinky swore, remember? I'll find you as soon as I'm done." She gave his hair one last ruffle and stepped out.

As she passed the driver's side, Nathaniel rolled down the window. His voice was a deep, steady reassurance. "Call me if you need anything."

Lately, her heart did a strange, heavy thump whenever she looked at him. She pushed the feeling aside. "Don't worry. I can handle the small problems, at least." She turned and walked toward the manor with confident strides.

Nathaniel watched her go, a slight frown forming. Sometimes, he wished she was just an ordinary woman...

Inside the Montgomery Manor's grand hall, the entire family was gathered.

Eleanor was wailing dramatically. "Dad, this truly wasn't Victoria's fault! Gabriella was the one sentenced to jail! How could you give ten percent of Victoria's shares to an outsider like Isabella?"

"I object as well!" Frederick protested. "Isabella now holds twenty-five percent! That's more than my wife and me combined. It's completely unfair!"

No.7

The room erupted in noisy agreement. They didn't care about Victoria's guilt. They only cared that valuable shares were in the hands of an outsider.

William sat with his eyes closed, listening to the chaos. After a moment, he opened them. "Are you all finished? Are you attempting to rebel against me now?" Though his voice was soft, his age and authority made it ring with undeniable power. The room fell silent.

Victoria’s sudden move caught everyone by surprise. She tried to backtrack quickly. “Father, why would we ever fight you? All we want is what’s best for the family. Handing over most of our family shares to an outsider… it just doesn’t make sense.”

“That’s right,” Gregory chimed in, frustration clear in his tone. “Even if Victoria was somehow involved… taking her shares is one thing. But why give them to Isabella? She isn’t one of us.”

William’s eyes hardened. “How many times must I say it? Isabella grew up in this house. She lost her parents—we are her family. She is not an outsider!

“Since she returned from Africa, has she brought any disgrace to this family? Look at what Victoria has done! Anyone with half a brain can see the truth!”

Victoria’s face went pale. The old man clearly didn’t trust her at all. She quickly put on a pitiful expression and weakly stepped toward him. “Grandfather, I know you suspect me, but I am innocent. I would never hurt my sister. Gabriella did everything, I swear to heaven. I would never—”

“Enough.” William’s voice cut like ice. “You might fool a child with that act, but not me. I am neither a fool nor an idiot!” He struck his cane hard against the floor, silencing her.

Victoria’s face lost even more color. She had gathered everyone here today hoping to reclaim her ten percent share, but the old man was being impossibly stubborn.

Why did he favor an adopted child so much? Over the past five years, she had contributed so much to the family. She brought them honor, bought expensive gifts. Ten percent was a fortune… and it was going to Isabella?

No. She would get it back, no matter what it took. Her eyes burned with fierce determination, though she masked it behind a veil of tears.