Chapter 419
No.1
Alexander led them to a dark cave, using his phone as a flashlight.
Both were drenched, especially Alexander. His white shirt clung to him, water dripping from his hair.
He gestured deeper into the cave. “Come inside. It’s too cold by the entrance.”
She tossed his jacket back. “Explain. Now.”
She didn’t want to spend another minute trapped with him.
He sighed, unsurprised by her hostility. “When I came after you, Rex told me this village has another name—Ghost Village. Once night falls, no one can leave. Not even the locals.”
Ghost Village?
Isabella scoffed. “Do I look like a child to you?”
“I’m not lying. You’ve changed, Isabella. You must have heard of architectural designs that create labyrinths. This village was built on that principle. Without proper light, everyone walks in circles after dark.”
She frowned. She knew the concept well.
No.2
Without clear markers, people naturally circled similar-looking environments.
At night, with limited visibility and identical huts and fields, it was easy to get disoriented.
The distant houses were strategically placed to mislead travelers.
She would have to wait for sunrise to see the ridges clearly and find her way out.
Alexander noticed her expression shift. His voice softened. “Sit. Rest. I’ll start a fire.”
He began gathering dry wood from the cave’s edges.
Isabella noticed Alexander gathering firewood but showed no concern as she retrieved her phone and began tapping on the screen.
Alexander made no move to stop her. He was certain this remote village had zero signal coverage. Nothing she attempted would transmit.
Trapped together in this cave, Isabella would have to endure the night with him until dawn. He would build a fire to provide warmth. He would dry her clothes, tend to her, watch over her. She would undoubtedly be touched by his care!
Soaked through, she would have to remove her wet garments for him to dry them. That was when things would inevitably progress.
No.3
By morning's light, Isabella would belong to him!
Isabella, however, seemed utterly indifferent to his presence. She leaned against the rough cave wall, her attention fully absorbed by her phone.
Across from her, Alexander maintained his devoted act, skillfully igniting a fire between them. He picked up his own suit jacket and began drying it near the flames. After a moment, he adopted a gentle tone. "You should wear this once it's dry. Why not try to get some rest first?"
"Rest? Where exactly?" Isabella retorted sharply.
Alexander frowned. She was being difficult. The cave floor was nothing but hard, uneven stone. No comfortable place to lie down.
But did her挑剔matter? The important thing was she was engaging with him. Progress!
Her continued quiet presence also suggested a willingness to stay here with him!
He doubled down on his performance, responding kindly, "I'll prepare a bed for you."
He had stashed some hay deeper inside the cave earlier, intentionally placing it out of immediate sight to seem more spontaneous. The image of Isabella lying on that hay sent a thrill of anticipation and raw desire through him.
They were completely alone here. He would have her.
No.4
Eagerly, he ventured further into the cave's depths to retrieve the hay. It took nearly an hour of meticulous effort to arrange a passable sleeping area.
"It's ready for you now," he announced.
The cave was growing colder. Sitting on the cold stone was tiresome. She would surely choose to lie down now!
However...
"You lie down if you want. I have no need for it," Isabella sneered, her voice dripping with disdain.
No need for it? What did she mean?
Before he could fully comprehend her words, a powerful, rhythmic thrumming sound echoed from above, followed by a blindingly bright searchlight piercing the darkness.
That sound...
Alexander stared in disbelief. He rushed to the cave entrance and looked up. A helicopter was descending from the night sky. Just as he feared, it was the distinct sound of rotor blades!
He whirled around to face Isabella, his expression dark. "You called them? How?"
No.5
"Not entirely stupid, are you?" A mocking smile curled her perfect lips as she brushed off her clothes. "I'm leaving now. Enjoy your night in the cave."
With that, she strode confidently toward the cave exit.
Alexander lunged forward, grabbing her arm tightly. "How did you contact them? When? There's no signal here! It's impossible!"
"Do you genuinely believe my phone lacks a signal booster?" she shot back, her tone laced with amusement.
While the village itself was a dead zone, Isabella had personally modified her device. It could latch onto a signal and connect to the outside world from virtually anywhere, even the deepest ancient forest!
She effortlessly shook off his grip and marched toward the waiting helicopter.
The aircraft hovered about two meters above the ground. Without hesitation, Isabella took a running leap. She sprang upward with agile grace, her hand catching the landing skid with precision. Using her formidable core strength, she swung her body up and into the open cabin door.
Her movements were fluid, efficient, and utterly controlled.
Alexander watched her retreating, arrogant figure, his eyes clouded with fury and humiliation. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
She had known she could leave this place the entire time. She had just sat there, calmly watching him gather wood, start the fire, dry his clothes, and painstakingly build that stupid bed?
No.6
Her composure wasn't born from a willingness to spend the night with him. She was simply biding her time, waiting for her ride out! "Isabella! How can you be so heartless?!"
“Cold-hearted?” Isabella’s scoff echoed inside the helicopter as she glared down at Alexander. “I suppose I am. But nothing compared to you. So artificial, yet you don’t even come close to that phony girlfriend of yours! You both plotted to trap me, to win my trust and seize my fortune, didn’t you? Ha! Keep dreaming!”
Her voice, sharp and icy, cut through the night air as the helicopter climbed higher.
Alexander flinched at her words. She had known his scheme all along?
How had she become so perceptive?
The timid, foolish girl who once trailed after him—how did she transform into this shrewd, cautious woman?
His fists clenched as he watched Isabella being carried away. Why was she so merciless? Couldn’t she see his feelings had turned genuine lately?
One day… He would make her love him. He swore it.
Frustrated, he kicked a loose rock in the cave. His eyes fell on the makeshift bed of hay he’d prepared. He had been so close. They could have bonded. But it was all wasted.
Damn it. He wanted her desperately.
No.7
Images of her lean, proud figure haunted him.
Inside the helicopter…
Maxwell handed Isabella a fresh set of clothes. “Ms. Montgomery, please change. Don’t catch a cold.”
“Alright.” She took the clothes and moved to the helicopter’s small restroom.