Chapter 1924
No.1
Stopped trying?
That explained the unanswered calls!
Nathaniel must think she wanted to be with William. He might even believe she was reconciling with Alexander!
Knowing his possessive nature, who knew what wild conclusions he'd drawn?
She grabbed her phone, attempting to reactivate her location services.
"Won't work," Maxwell admitted. "Mr. Worthington had us monitoring Nathaniel and Oliver Blackwood closely. When we checked an hour ago, they'd gone completely off grid."
Off grid...
For the first time, Isabella felt genuine fury toward her team. How would she find them now?
What if Nathaniel hated her because of this? Just when she'd finally decided to be with him...
No.2
What if Oliver had another seizure?
Consumed by worry, she snapped, "This is ridiculous. I want everyone using every resource to locate them immediately! Otherwise, you'll all be mining diamonds in Africa starting tomorrow!"
"Right away! I'm on it!" The terrified man leaped from his seat and frantically worked on his laptop.
He absolutely couldn't go back to Africa.
Isabella seemed truly enraged. Her feelings for Nathaniel were clearly genuine...
Did that mean all hope was lost for William?
No, no! His primary concern should be self-preservation! He had to complete her task, and quickly!
Isabella wanted to search herself, but her phone's programs weren't sophisticated enough to track Nathaniel and Oliver. She demanded to be taken to Rosewood Manor immediately; only there could she access the high-performance computers that would amplify her search capabilities.
As she stepped from the helicopter, she delivered her final warning: "You have one hour!"
No.3
One hour!
Maxwell wanted to cry. How could he possibly find Nathaniel and Oliver when they were deliberately evading Isabella?
Though highly skilled, Nathaniel operated on another level entirely! Where should he even begin?
Isabella stepped into Rosewood Manor.
Maxwell immediately dialed Alistair’s number in a panic. “What should I do? Ms. Montgomery said she’ll exile me to Africa if I can’t locate Nathaniel and Oliver within an hour!”
“Then embrace your African destiny. Your sacrifice honors Isabella. How noble, Maxwell!” Alistair’s voice was oddly cheerful.
Maxwell’s face fell. “But she also threatened to abandon all her research projects if they aren’t found! She said she’d lose all motivation!”
Alistair gasped audibly.
Unthinkable!
No.4
“Find them immediately!” Alistair barked. “Mobilize every resource! Leave no stone unturned!”
Surely their extensive network could locate Nathaniel Blackwood.
Inside the manor…
Isabella rushed straight to the computer room.
Her mind raced with worry for Oliver. What if he suffered another seizure believing she abandoned him? He was just a child; he didn’t deserve that pain.
Knowing Nathaniel’s possessive nature, he might hide Oliver away if he truly thought she was unfaithful.
The Blackwoods owned countless properties. Finding them would require luck.
At that moment…
Her eyes landed on the second-floor living area.
No.5
Nathaniel sat elegantly on the sofa, wearing his signature tailored suit—sharp, expensive, impossibly handsome. Oliver slept peacefully with his head on Nathaniel’s lap, his small face serene and content.
The coffee table before them was laden with snacks, pizzas, cakes, and a glass of milk. Everything appeared meticulously prepared for her return.
Isabella’s breath hitched. “How… Why are you both here?”
“Disappointed to see us?” Nathaniel’s voice was calm, almost teasing.
“Of course not!” she protested quickly. “I’m just surprised. I thought you’d… leave. I thought you’d never want to see me again.”
“If the woman I loved betrayed me,” Nathaniel stated coolly, “I would eliminate her lover, not retreat. So, Ms. Montgomery, I’m afraid we’ve ruined someone’s elaborate scheme.” A faint, knowing smile touched his lips.
Isabella stared, stunned. He knew it was a setup? His perception was terrifying.
And did he just say he’d kill the other man if she cheated?
How brutally possessive.
No.6
She moved instinctively toward the sofa, sitting beside him. “Your extreme response is… notable. But how did you know I’d come here?”
“I’ve shared your space long enough,” Nathaniel replied smoothly, gently shifting Oliver to lean against a cushion. He handed her a slice of cake. “It would be pathetic if I didn’t understand your character by now.”
His movements were fluid and precise, radiating controlled elegance.
Isabella accepted the dessert, a smile tugging at her lips. “You seem very confident I have no interest in William or Alexander.”
“Naturally.”
She didn’t even fully accept him yet. Why would she fall for a bookish academic like William?
As for Alexander Whitmore? Nathaniel almost scoffed. He knew Isabella had better taste.
He admitted feeling furious earlier discovering she’d spent the day with Alexander while he and Oliver waited here. But after hours of fruitless searching, every trail went cold—a signature move of her elite team.
Then he remembered William Peterson, and the puzzle pieces clicked into place.
No.7
“Eat,” Nathaniel urged, his voice softening. “You must be hungry.”
A warm, unfamiliar sensation spread through Isabella’s chest. She’d vanished for an entire day, yet not only did Nathaniel not resent her, he had a feast waiting.
Isabella felt even more convinced about her choice.
She took a bite of her food. “What about the Special Warfare 919 Spy Camera?” she asked. “I want to go back soon and sleep with Christopher.”
Nathaniel’s eyes widened slightly. Did Isabella just say she wanted to return to his estate?
It seemed her feelings had shifted after everything that happened.
Noticing his silence, she eyed him suspiciously. “What? Is it not possible?”
“Everything is possible. I don’t even need to handle it. Let Vivienne watch all she wants. Christopher and I will stay here until my father’s birthday celebration,” Nathaniel stated calmly.
Isabella stared at him, shocked. “Live here?”