Chapter 1840
No.1
"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.
No.2
Isabella opened the door and gestured for him to enter.
Manager Chamberlain stepped inside and offered a slight, respectful bow. "Ms. Montgomery. You requested my presence?"
"Yes. Please, have a seat."
Once he was inside, Isabella closed the door and took a seat opposite him on the sofa. She wasted no time. "I understand you are the manager for this floor. I'm told all comings and goings are meticulously registered."
"Our hotel policy mandates full registration for all visitors. Guest security and comfort are our utmost priority," Manager Chamberlain stated professionally. "We also provide a welcome gift for all our distinguished guests. Today's offering is a commemorative porcelain cup." He presented a beautifully wrapped box to her. "This system allows us to prepare personalized gifts from our inventory. It also requires us to record the primary guest's name and all accompanying visitors. We strive for complete customer satisfaction."
Isabella accepted the box. A vague memory surfaced. She had been offered a small gift upon leaving this very room five years ago.
Alexander had scoffed at the hotel's "tacky" offering. He'd sent her out to purchase something more suitable instead. At the time, she mistook his action for generosity. Now, she saw the truth. He hadn't wanted a single piece of evidence linking them to this place.
Every item could have been used against Victoria.
She pushed the bitter thought aside and focused on Manager Chamberlain. "Then, do you recall how many people were registered to this room over the past five years?"
No.3
Manager Chamberlain's polite smile faltered. His expression grew tense. "Well…"
Isabella Montgomery suspected the manager required monetary incentive. She made her offer clear.
“I’ll compensate you generously for any useful information.”
Lawrence Chamberlain remained unmoved. His demeanor showed no trace of the greed she expected.
“That won’t be necessary,” he declined politely. “I’m simply attempting to reconstruct the events accurately.”
He paused thoughtfully before studying her intently. “Ms. Montgomery, are you feeling unwell?”
Isabella frowned. Why would he ask that?
Suddenly, a wave of dizziness washed over her. Her body temperature spiked alarmingly. Coherent thought became increasingly difficult.
Damn it! He had drugged her!
No.4
“Are you insane?!”
Summoning her fading strength, Isabella grabbed a nearby vase. She attempted to hurl it at him with force.
But her limbs betrayed her. They turned to lead. She collapsed onto the floor, utterly limp. The vase crashed beside her, shattering loudly.
The drug was potent. Fast-acting.
Lawrence Chamberlain stood up. He adjusted his bow tie meticulously. All warmth vanished from his face, replaced by a sinister, predatory smirk.
“You’re so eager to dig up the past, Ms. Montgomery. Was that man five years ago really that good? Don’t worry. I’m quite skilled myself. I’ll ensure you enjoy tonight thoroughly.”
He began unbuttoning his shirt deliberately. He moved toward her and knelt on the floor beside her prone form.
Isabella’s voice was a weak whisper. “You…you’ll regret this…This is a crime…I will destroy you…”
“A crime?” He chuckled darkly. “You checked into this hotel. You inquired about our…special services from Beatrice. You specifically requested me after hearing about my…talents. The security footage will show you inviting me into your suite yourself!”
No.5
He leaned closer, his breath hot against her ear. “Wealthy women like you always crave young men like me. The narrative will be easily believed. No one will question my story.”
His evil smile widened. His hands grabbed the fabric of her blouse.
Isabella’s mind raced. It was all a trap! Even Beatrice Holloway was in on it!
She had asked for him. She had opened the door for him. The realization filled her with cold, paralyzing dread.
A sharp tearing sound filled the room. Her buttons popped, scattering across the floor.
Her jeans and button-down top were violated. Her flawless figure was exposed to his lecherous gaze.
Isabella clenched her fists. She willed her body to fight, to move. But her muscles refused to obey. She was completely conscious yet utterly powerless. Nausea churned in her stomach.
Lawrence Chamberlain pressed his weight onto her. He devoured her with a ravenous look. “I’ve had many women. But never one as wealthy and exquisite as you. You are utterly intoxicating, Isabella.”
He lowered his head. His lips sought the sensitive skin of her neck.
No.6
Revulsion surged through her. She tried to push him away. Her efforts were pathetically weak. Her feeble struggles only seemed to amuse him.
The drug held her captive. It twisted her resistance into something playful. Something inviting.
No. This couldn’t happen. Not again. She had to fight it. She had to…
Her consciousness blurred further. Unwanted, chaotic thoughts invaded her mind. Was history repeating itself? Was she doomed to relive the nightmare of five years ago?
Lawrence Chamberlain unbuckled his belt. His focus was singular. He stared at her irresistible beauty. He was consumed by the desire to claim her.
As he moved to remove his trousers, the door exploded inward.
A tall, formidable figure filled the doorway.
Isabella’s vision swam. She couldn’t identify the man. But a profound sense of relief flooded her. A hero. Her savior had arrived.
The feeling was irrational yet undeniable. Hope ignited within her.
No.7
Nathaniel Blackwood burst into the room. His eyes immediately found Isabella pinned beneath another man. She looked up at him, dazed and helpless.
A violent tremor of rage shook him. How dare anyone assault a woman in such a vulnerable state?!
He charged forward without hesitation. His fist connected with Lawrence Chamberlain’s face with brutal force.
“Ah!”
Nathaniel’s fist slammed into Lawrence’s face, sending him stumbling backward.
His pants slid down his waist as he hit the floor.
Lawrence scrambled to his feet, ready to fight back.
But he froze the moment he recognized the man before him.
It was Mr. Blackwood. The powerful Mr. Blackwood from Westchester was here at The Ritz-Carlton!