Chapter 918
No.1
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.2
“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.3
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.4
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.5
“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?”
No.6
He nodded. “The most dangerous place is often the safest. I’m sure Ms. Montgomery understands that principle.”
It suddenly made sense to Isabella. Nathaniel had searched all over Westchester for her, but no one expected him to come to Rosewood Manor. She didn’t know how he managed it, but no one discovered his return. Not even her own people knew!
With Vivienne’s limited abilities, she would never guess Nathaniel planned to stay here with her.
“That’s a good plan,” Isabella agreed. “Let’s do it!”
Vivienne would undoubtedly hunt for them in the coming days, but Isabella would ensure she never succeeded. She would use every resource to make it happen.
Once the birthday celebration was over, Reginald Blackwood would stop pressuring Nathaniel to marry Vivienne.
Still, staying inside the manor for several days seemed challenging.
As if reading her thoughts, Nathaniel assured her, “Everything is arranged. We brought all the necessary supplies. Staying here for a month won’t be a problem.” Isabella glanced around and noticed men’s and children’s items scattered about.
Had Nathaniel planned to live with her for a while?
No.7
But looking at the snacks and food on her table, she decided to accept the situation.
She picked up a fork and ate the cake, sipping the milk he had prepared. Her movements were efficient and straightforward.
Nathaniel sat beside her, watching with gentle eyes.
After a few bites, Isabella remembered something important. Her four uncles mentioned someone had plotted against Nathaniel, that he was set up to sleep with a woman five years ago. They said Nathaniel had no leads on what happened or who was behind it.
She considered asking him for details to help, but hesitated, worried it might hurt his pride. He had kept it hidden from her, just as she kept things from him.
She understood how he felt. Besides, he was a man who had been violated…
She decided not to ask.
She finished her meal around two in the morning. “There are plenty of rooms here,” she said. “All brand new. Take your pick.”
Take his pick?