Chapter 659

No.1

“Isabella Montgomery!” Uncle Silas used her full name, his tone grave.

“Enough,” Isabella interjected calmly. “I understand the risks. It’s very late. I am only twenty-three. Marriage is not a consideration for at least another seven years. You should all rest. Guest rooms are prepared upstairs.”

“Isabella, this conversation is not over—” Uncle Lawrence tried to persist.

Isabella glanced at the clock. “It’s one in the morning. How can I face Takashi Yamamoto later without proper rest? If I lose because I’m tired, I will never forgive myself. I won’t be able to focus on the Go match. My research will suffer…”

“Alright, alright! We’ll stop. Go to sleep. This can wait.”

“Please reconsider this relationship. Think very carefully.”

“Go on. Goodnight.”

The four men stood and hurried from the study, each retiring to a guest room.

Isabella smiled faintly at their retreating backs. She wished she had used that excuse sooner. It would have saved her from their lengthy lecture.

She returned to her bedroom and lay down. A cool sensation touched her neck.

No.2

Her fingers found the necklace Nathaniel had given her. She recalled trying to remove it initially. Over time, she had forgotten it was there, wearing it almost unconsciously now…

She had been hesitant about Nathaniel. But her uncles’ revelations changed everything. It explained his strange behavior whenever Oliver’s mother was mentioned. A powerful man like him, taken advantage of by a woman? Of course he would be embarrassed.

Knowing Nathaniel had also been violated made her feel they were equals. There was nothing left to fret over.

She and Nathaniel were the same.

This thought brought a smile to her lips as her eyes closed.

Isabella enjoyed the most restful sleep she had experienced in a very long time.

Morning arrived. Her phone rang on the nightstand. It was a video call from Oliver.

Isabella sat up and answered. Oliver’s adorable, round face filled the screen. He waved excitedly. “Mommy! Mommy! I saw the news! That’s you, right?”

“Hmm? What news?” Isabella was confused.

Oliver continued, his eyes wide. “Eternal Champions! Someone deposited a billion dollars to challenge Takashi Yamamoto! Everyone is guessing who it is. Daddy and I both knew it had to be you! It is you, isn’t it?” He blinked his adorable doe eyes, looking like a curious little teddy bear.

No.3

Isabella frowned. The news spread that fast? Should she tell Oliver? If she told him…

Isabella hesitated to share her gaming pursuits with Oliver. He was still so young. Exposing him to that world felt irresponsible.

She had raised him as her own. Protecting his innocence remained her priority.

Nathaniel’s voice resonated through the phone, deep and assured. “Oliver was last year’s top player in Eternal Champions.”

Isabella froze. “Seriously?”

She knew Oliver was brilliant. But Eternal Champions was intensely complex. Fewer than two hundred players worldwide ever achieved that rank.

Oliver nodded eagerly, his small face bobbing like a little bird’s. “Yes! I’m really good, Mommy! But it got boring. No one could beat me. I quit almost a year ago.”

No one could beat him.

Boring.

Isabella nearly choked. This child!

No.4

“That’s amazing! You’re absolutely my brilliant boy!”

She praised him, her fingers itching to pinch his adorable cheeks through the screen.

She decided honesty was best. “It’s true, sweetheart. Mommy did challenge Takashi Yamamoto. I want to make Westchester proud. But this is our secret. You can’t tell anyone.”

The people from Westhaven were notoriously ruthless, especially Takashi. If they discovered her identity, her life would be in danger. She was already entangled in the events from five years ago and Victoria’s vendetta. More trouble was the last thing she needed.

“Yes, Mommy! Oliver and Daddy will keep your secret!” He gave a playful salute through the camera.

A warm, maternal smile spread across Isabella’s face. She was embracing this role more than she’d expected.

Oliver suddenly switched to the rear camera. “Mommy, we’re eating! Have you eaten?”

The phone panned over the breakfast table, focusing mostly on Nathaniel.

Isabella saw him sitting at the other end. He ate with perfect elegance, knife and fork in hand.

He looked like a scene from a film—devastatingly handsome and composed.

No.5

Her heart fluttered wildly at the sight. He was too perfect. She could watch him forever.

Remembering the news from her uncles, she didn’t hold back. “Breakfast looks delicious,” she said, a smile in her voice. “And your Daddy is incredibly handsome.”

Nathaniel’s hand stilled mid-bite at her words, broadcast through the speaker.

Did she just call him handsome?

In all their time together, she had never given him a direct compliment.

For a moment, he doubted his own hearing.

Isabella bit back a laugh at his reaction. Teasing him was far too enjoyable. After a few more words, she heard footsteps descending the stairs.

Her uncles were coming down!

“Enjoy your breakfast, my darlings,” she said quickly into the phone. “Mommy has to go. I’ll call you later.”

“Okay!” chirped Oliver before ending the call.

No.6

At that moment, urgent knocking rattled her door. The voices of her four elderly mentors echoed from the hallway.

“Isabella! Wake up! It’s happening! Get up!”

“Takashi Yamamoto is online! He’s waiting for you!”

Isabella Montgomery rose from her seat and opened the door. “He’s online? Waiting?” she addressed the four elderly men standing at her doorstep.

“Hmph! More than that. They’re being insufferably arrogant! Come to the computer room and see for yourself!” grumbled Uncle Lawrence, grabbing her arm and leading her toward the computer room.

The entire Esports community had erupted into chaos overnight. News had spread like wildfire that someone had challenged Takashi Yamamoto with a staggering billion-dollar wager.

Countless spectators were glued to their screens, eagerly anticipating the upcoming duel.

Isabella settled into the chair at the computer desk and saw Takashi Yamamoto actively posting on his feed.

Takashi Yamamoto: [You challenged me, but now you’ve gone silent since I came online?]

Takashi Yamamoto: [If you had the courage to issue a challenge, you should have the guts to show up!]

No.7

Netizens quickly echoed his sentiments in the comments:

[Hahaha! Maybe this person got so scared they wet themselves?]

[Perhaps it was just an accidental click?]

[Haha! Probably just another attention-seeker trying to buy fame. Now everyone knows this user named Boss.]

[It’s already ten in the morning! They must be terrified!]