Chapter 466

No.1

Nathaniel simply smirked, looking thoroughly pleased with himself. But as he watched Oliver guiding Isabella down the steps with such care, a shadow crossed his features. His expression darkened, his eyes clouding with a sudden, deep worry.

If she ever discovered the truth about his past… if she learned about the woman he had violated… would she still want him? Would she still be willing to have his child?

Oliver guided Isabella to the dining table. He had spent the entire previous evening scrubbing every surface. He even washed all the dishes and mopped the floors. Isabella was touched by his effort, though her eyes still scanned the room. She spotted her phone resting on a nearby shelf. As she began to rise, Oliver suddenly spoke up. "Mommy, wait! I'll get it!" His small form darted across the room. He carefully retrieved the device and brought it to her. He handled it with extreme caution, as if it were fragile. His entire demeanor radiated a protective anxiety. Isabella reached out and gently tousled his soft hair. "My sweet boy, you're the child here. Let Mommy take care of you, alright?" Oliver shook his head, his expression serious. "But the baby inside you is smaller than me. A big brother protects his sister. Please, just sit. I will bring your breakfast." He hurried toward the kitchen before she could protest. Isabella watched him go, a mixture of surprise and warmth flooding her. She decided not to stop him, allowing him this gesture.

She unlocked her phone. The screen lit up with a flood of overnight notifications. Among them were several messages from Alexander. [Alexander: Good morning.] [Alexander: Sleep well.] [Alexander: Have you eaten?] She stared at them for a long moment, her finger hovering. She chose not to reply. Instead, she tapped on the messages from Maxwell. [Maxwell: Urgent news, Ms. Montgomery! Victoria has acquired Mr. Montgomery's shares! She's launched a massive PR campaign to rebuild her image!] [Maxwell: Ms. Montgomery, are you there? The situation is critical. Victoria now controls sixty percent of Montgomery Group! This is disastrous!] A deep frown etched itself onto Isabella's face. She quickly opened a social media app. The top trending topic was #ThePhoenixInitiative. She scrolled through the feed. There was no criticism. Not a single negative comment. Every post praised Victoria. They highlighted her support for various women's charities. They applauded her donations. They celebrated her work helping women regain their confidence. The most shocking development was her new alliance with city officials. Together, they were investigating major drug rings and criminal syndicates. Her destroyed reputation was not just repaired; it was being sanctified. Isabella's frown deepened. None of this would be possible without the Montgomery family's influence and connections. Those officials were Theodore Montgomery's longtime associates. Why would he ever willingly hand over sixty percent of his life's work? A cold dread settled in her stomach. She immediately dialed her grandfather.

"Grandfather, how are you feeling? Is your health stable?" "I'm managing. I've been better," Theodore Montgomery replied, his voice heavy with a weary sigh. Isabella pressed on, her tone soft but insistent. "Grandfather, something is wrong. I can hear it in your voice. Please, tell me what happened. Let me help you." Another long, drawn-out sigh traveled through the phone. "Ah, Isabella... So many people have called asking the same thing since yesterday. I had no other choice. Just... let it go. I don't want to burden you with this." His evasion only sharpened her concern.

Her voice firmed with resolve. "There is nothing I cannot handle. If you won't tell me, I will use every resource at my disposal to find out the truth myself." Hearing the steel in her words, Theodore finally relented. His voice dropped to a defeated whisper. "Victoria... she has Benjamin. She kidnapped him. He's her prisoner now..."

Everything clicked into place for Isabella. Of course. That explained everything. It was the only leverage powerful enough to force Theodore's hand. To make him surrender his shares and use his influence to rehabilitate Victoria's name. The woman had finally made her move against the family directly. Isabella had anticipated this escalation. "Don't worry, Grandfather. Looking at her current strategy, Benjamin is her only valuable asset. She won't risk harming him. I give you my word. I will get him back safely within three days."

"Truly? You're certain?" A fragile thread of hope wove itself into Theodore's weary tone.

Benjamin was his only grandson. Theodore Montgomery’s concern was completely justified.

“Yes,” Isabella answered calmly. “Don’t worry, Grandpa. But please don’t let Victoria know we spoke. I’ll do everything I can to save Benjamin.”

No.2

“Alright, Isabella. Be careful. Victoria… She’s changed so much it frightens me now.” Theodore had believed Victoria would free Benjamin after he transferred his shares. Instead, she extended their agreement, stating she’d only release him after her reputation improved. Meaning, Theodore remained under her control.

Isabella’s lips curved slightly. “Don’t worry, Grandpa. I’m not the same person I was five years ago. I can handle this and protect myself.”

Theodore sighed, finally relieved. Inside his prayer room, he opened a drawer and spoke to a portrait with deep emotion. “Did you hear that? Isabella has grown into a remarkably capable woman. She can take care of herself now. We don’t need to worry about her anymore…”

Ending the call, Isabella stared at the overcast sky with fierce determination. Benjamin had vanished after Victoria’s wedding. But he’d also packed his belongings beforehand, indicating he planned to leave. She’d heard Victoria hired Takashi Yamamoto to train him. Was Takashi involved? If Benjamin had gone to Westhaven, things would become complicated.

Isabella retrieved her phone and texted Maxwell.

[Isabella: Locate Benjamin’s current whereabouts. Keep this completely confidential.]

[Maxwell: Understood.]

Just then, Oliver approached with a plate of toast. “Mommy, try this toast! I made it myself!”

“Thank you, Momo.” Isabella took a piece. The breakfast machine had perfectly controlled the heat and timing, resulting in a soft, delicious slice. “Momo is so talented!” she praised warmly. “This is really yummy!”

“Yay! Momo is clever, and my sister will be cute and clever too!” Oliver beamed, gazing expectantly at Isabella’s stomach.

No.3

Isabella was speechless.

Nathaniel joined them at the table. He took some toast and a glass of milk, instructing Oliver, “I’m returning to the company today. You stay home and look after Mommy and your sister.”

“Don’t worry, Daddy. Momo will complete his mission!” Oliver saluted.

Isabella felt a pang of confusion. She could handle a childish Oliver, but a childish Nathaniel? How disappointed Oliver would be when he discovered there was no sister.

Nathaniel’s phone lit up on the table.

[Sebastian: Results from 30 DNA tests are in. Major updates! Get to the company now, Bro. You won’t believe who was in that room!]

Nathaniel frowned. The presidential suite was his private domain. No one accessed it without permission. How could Sebastian claim over 30 DNA profiles were identified from that room? This meant they might finally track down the woman from five years ago.

Finding the truth now… his relationship with Isabella… Nathaniel instinctively glanced at Isabella sharing toast with Oliver—a heartwarming scene. He quickly looked away, grabbed his suit jacket, and headed out. Regardless of who it was, he needed closure. He wouldn’t let this jeopardize what he had with Isabella.

Shortly after Nathaniel departed, Isabella received a text from Maxwell.

Maxwell: I’ve confirmed Robert was taken to Westhaven by Takashi Yamamoto. They’re staying in a secluded mountain estate with heavy security. Approaching undetected will be difficult.

No.4

Isabella’s brow furrowed. Takashi Yamamoto was not known for his charity. Why would he help Victoria? Clearly, some underhanded deal had been struck.

Another question nagged at her. Why had Victoria remained at Montgomery Manor after securing sixty percent of the family shares? Why was Benjamin still up on that mountain?

A thought occurred to her. Her fingers flew across the screen.

Isabella: Maintain surveillance. Identify their patterns and vulnerabilities. Do not engage until I give the order.

Maxwell: Understood.

Isabella pocketed her phone, the online headlines flashing through her mind. She turned to Oliver.

“Momo, are you getting bored staying indoors? Would you like to go out with Mommy?”

“Yes! Yes!” Oliver bounced with excitement.

Since Nathaniel and Oliver had moved into her residence, they had avoided public outings. The fear of McKenzie’s photographers kept them confined. The mere prospect of leaving the house thrilled him.

But then…

No.5

“Won’t the bad Auntie find us? What if she tells Grandpa and Grandma to take me away?” Oliver’s lower lip trembled.

Isabella ruffled his hair. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. No one will recognize us. Mommy will give you a makeover.”

She led him to her dressing room. Using special child-safe cosmetics, she transformed his features. His large, doe-like eyes were reshaped into a sharper, more angular shape. His full lips were made to appear thinner. Strategic contouring gave his face a less cherubic, more defined look.

She topped it off with a stylish golden wig and dressed him in a trendy, street-style outfit. The elegant little boy was gone, replaced by a cool, slightly spoiled-looking kid.

Oliver stared at his reflection, clapping his hands in delight. “Wow! I love it! I look like a little superhero! Ready to protect Mommy and my sister!”

Isabella smiled warmly. “I’m glad you like it.”

She then turned her attention to herself. With skillful application, she softened her own striking features, creating a more subdued, ordinary appearance. A simple white dress completed the look of a typical, unassuming stay-at-home mother.

She studied her reflection, a satisfied smirk playing on her lips. So, Victoria thought she could just stay, did she? She had clearly pushed her into a corner, but Victoria wasn’t finished. She must have another card to play before she’d finally leave.

Isabella had no intention of giving her the chance to play it. She would ensure Victoria had no opportunity to salvage her reputation in the days to come.

Isabella hailed a taxi with Oliver and headed downtown to Whitmore Plaza. The mall, owned by Whitmore Enterprises, was a bustling hub of restaurants and entertainment—a shopper’s paradise.

No.6

Remembering her plan, she bent down to Oliver’s level. “Momo, you need to be extra good today, okay? It will be very crowded. Do not wander off. Wait for my instructions.”

“Don’t worry, Mommy. I’ll be good,” Oliver promised, his eyes wide with excitement. His father rarely took him to crowded places, usually arranging for private shopping. This was a thrilling first for him.

Seeing his anticipation, Isabella took him straight to the fifth floor. It was the mall’s main entertainment level, packed with arcade games, children’s play areas, dart boards, and bowling alleys.

The main attraction, however, was the long rows of gleaming claw machines. They were filled with an array of adorable plush toys—Hello Kitty, Mickey Mouse, and various other cute animals.

Isabella scanned the area. The person she expected to see wasn’t there yet. Her eyes narrowed slightly. It seemed they would have to wait a little longer.

Oliver's eyes sparkled at the sight of the arcade machines.

That spark vanished just as quickly.

He noticed a figure in the distance and immediately tugged Isabella's arm.

"Let's go," he whispered urgently.

Isabella looked down at him. "What's wrong, Christopher?"

No.7

"I saw Amelia," he mumbled, his voice low. "Uncle Gregory's daughter. She'll make fun of me if she sees me here. And Daddy... Daddy always said these machines are a waste of time. He never lets me play."

Isabella's expression tightened. Uncle Gregory? She recalled Nathaniel had a younger brother, Gregory Blackwood. Gregory constantly battled Nathaniel for control of the family empire, always losing. To his credit, Gregory was a shrewd businessman. He'd married Sophia Delacroix, an acclaimed actress from an old-money dynasty. The press adored them as the perfect power couple.

Naturally, since Gregory and Nathaniel were rivals, his daughter Amelia would despire Oliver. The entire Blackwood clan, it seemed, looked down on the boy.

Isabella squeezed his small hand and smoothed his hair. "Christopher, look at you today. Your disguise is perfect. She won't recognize you. And remember, I'm right here. No one gets to bully you. Not on my watch. Now, tell me the truth: do you want to play that claw machine? Do you want to show Amelia Blackwood what you can do?"

He nodded instantly, his earlier fear replaced by determination. "Yes! I really do!"

"Then let's go." She led him firmly toward the arcade.

Inside, Amelia Blackwood was furiously jabbing at a claw machine controls. She'd already wasted a stack of tokens with nothing to show for it. She stamped her foot in frustration.