Chapter 253

Adrian watched her reaction with amusement. "I've never seen you so worked up before," he teased. "So you do have feelings after all."

They had maintained contact over the past five years, but the Isabella he knew now was completely different from the woman he remembered. She had transformed into someone who rarely showed emotion, as if nothing could penetrate her icy exterior.

Isabella's brow furrowed slightly. Before returning to the city, she hadn't cared about finding that man. She only wanted closure. But after spending time with Nathaniel, her hatred had grown into something visceral and consuming.

She released her grip on Adrian's wrist, composing herself. "Of course I care. A monster like that shouldn't be allowed to walk free. He's a danger to everyone."

"Always the responsible CEO," Adrian remarked. His expression turned serious. "But at the club, we were too far apart. I only caught a glimpse of him through the crowd. Couldn't see his face clearly. The only thing I noticed was that he was one of Sebastian's men."

"Sebastian Blackwood?" Isabella's eyes narrowed.

Adrian nodded. "The man wore a distinctive half-moon ring. I remember it because the design caught my eye. It was the Blackthorn Syndicate's symbol. If you want to investigate, have Maxwell and his team put pressure on them. You might find some leads."

Isabella considered this. Putting pressure on the syndicate sounded like a solid plan.

Just as she was about to act, her phone rang urgently. Maxwell's excited voice came through. "Boss Montgomery! That Nightshade formula you developed last year just sold for ninety million! You'll never guess who bought it!"

"Not interested," Isabella said flatly. She had created the formula out of boredom and hadn't cared about its fate.

Maxwell sounded disappointed. "It was your sister Victoria! She even arranged to meet Boss Blackwood at The Ivy! Room 999!"

"What?" Isabella's expression darkened. "She's meeting Nathaniel?"

The Nightshade perfume had powerful aphrodisiac properties. This could lead to disastrous consequences. "Forget about Nathaniel for now," she ordered. "I want you to round up every member of the Blackthorn Syndicate. Leave no one behind."

"All of them? Boss, are you serious-"

Beep, beep, beep!

Isabella ended the call without waiting for his response. She didn't have time to explain further to Adrian as she strode out of the building, already dialing Nathaniel's number.

Meanwhile, Nathaniel sat in the back of his luxury car as Dominic drove into The Ivy's parking lot. His eyes were closed, but Isabella's words from their confrontation at The Ritz-Carlton echoed in his mind. She had made it clear she didn't want his involvement, and as a man of honor, he should respect that.

But someone had threatened her. How could he possibly stay out of it?

As he wrestled with his thoughts...

Ring, ring! His phone vibrated, the screen displaying the caller ID: (Wife).