Chapter 152

Isabella worried Oliver might fall sick again. She gently tousled his hair. "Mommy needs to handle some family matters. I'll come straight home to you after, okay?"

"Pinky swear! You have to keep your promise!" Oliver held out his tiny pinky, watching her with serious eyes.

She linked her pinky with his. "Mommy will be back soon."

"Yay! I'll walk you to the door!" Oliver beamed, leading her downstairs by the hand.

In the living room, Nathaniel was lounging on the sofa. He held a document, looking effortlessly poised like a magazine cover model.

Isabella's gaze lingered a moment too long. She quickly shook herself out of it. "I need to go to the family manor for a bit. Please watch Christopher for me."

"I'll drive you." Nathaniel immediately set the document aside and grabbed his car keys.

Before she could refuse, Oliver chimed in, "Me too!"

Isabella had no choice. She got into the car, cradling the sleepy Christopher. A maid handed her a breakfast bag. "Mr. Blackwood asked us to prepare this for you."

"Thank you," Isabella murmured, accepting the warm milk and ham sandwich. The simple gesture thawed a small part of her frozen heart. It had been so long since anyone made her breakfast.

Nathaniel could be surprisingly thoughtful.

She handed a sandwich to Oliver. "Let's eat together."

"Yay!" Oliver cheered, taking the food with both hands.

They chatted happily during the short drive. Soon, the grand gates of the Montgomery Manor came into view.

"Just stop here," Isabella said. "I'll walk the rest of the way."

Nathaniel understood she wanted to keep his involvement private. He didn't argue, pulling the car over.

Oliver's cheerful mood vanished. He clung to her arm. "Mommy, you have to come back! Don't forget me!"

"Don't worry. We pinky swore, remember? I'll find you as soon as I'm done." She gave his hair one last ruffle and stepped out.

As she passed the driver's side, Nathaniel rolled down the window. His voice was a deep, steady reassurance. "Call me if you need anything."

Lately, her heart did a strange, heavy thump whenever she looked at him. She pushed the feeling aside. "Don't worry. I can handle the small problems, at least." She turned and walked toward the manor with confident strides.

Nathaniel watched her go, a slight frown forming. Sometimes, he wished she was just an ordinary woman...

Inside the Montgomery Manor's grand hall, the entire family was gathered.

Eleanor was wailing dramatically. "Dad, this truly wasn't Victoria's fault! Gabriella was the one sentenced to jail! How could you give ten percent of Victoria's shares to an outsider like Isabella?"

"I object as well!" Frederick protested. "Isabella now holds twenty-five percent! That's more than my wife and me combined. It's completely unfair!"

The room erupted in noisy agreement. They didn't care about Victoria's guilt. They only cared that valuable shares were in the hands of an outsider.

William sat with his eyes closed, listening to the chaos. After a moment, he opened them. "Are you all finished? Are you attempting to rebel against me now?" Though his voice was soft, his age and authority made it ring with undeniable power. The room fell silent.