Chapter 281
At the Blackwood Estate, Isabella was on a call.
“You don’t need to help me anymore, Isabella,” Arabella’s weak voice came through, heavy with guilt. “Let me go out and confess. Someone like me deserves to die. I can’t drag you and your company down with me.”
“You’ll drag the company down if you die now! Do you have any idea how much GoldenPhoenix has lost because of you? If you truly want to die, at least pay me back seven billion first,” Isabella shot back.
Arabella was stunned by the harsh words. Seven billion… How could she possibly have that kind of money? Supermodels appeared to live glamorous lives, but the reality was different. They spent fortunes on designer gowns and jewelry for every public appearance. While regular people could wear affordable clothes, a supermodel would be crucified online for it. On top of that, Arabella had made significant charitable donations and had given Harrison a substantial amount of money.
She didn’t have seven billion. If she died now, Isabella would suffer a massive financial loss because of her…
Her pride wouldn’t allow that.
Noting Arabella’s silence, Isabella continued, “Don’t worry. My people are gathering evidence right now. This will be resolved before the Celestial Gala. If you feel guilty, just focus on staying alive until then.”
Arabella gave a quiet sound of acknowledgment before hanging up, still consumed by misery and depression. Netizens were scrutinizing her, Isabella, and GoldenPhoenix relentlessly. The situation was incredibly complex. Could Isabella really turn things around?
It seemed highly unlikely…
Isabella sat by the garden pond, absently picking up a small stone and tossing it into the water. She wasn’t worried about Arabella anymore; she was more preoccupied with her complicated relationship with Nathaniel.
Should she tell him the whole truth? She still hadn’t told him about the pregnancy all those years ago…
Yet, it might not even matter. Nathaniel was so determined and persistent. Why was he so certain about her after such a short time? Everything was moving too fast. Isabella didn’t feel ready for any of it.
Suddenly, a deep red rose appeared in her line of sight. She turned to find Nathaniel standing beside her, having approached without a sound. He offered her the rose with an elegant, refined gesture. “When you can’t decide, let fate decide for you.”
Let fate decide?
Nathaniel began plucking the petals from the rose one by one, mimicking a scene from a romantic movie. What would be left once all the petals were gone?
Isabella stood up, brushing off her clothes. “I’m not a child. A person should make their own decisions. This is serious. Give me two more months. I’ll give you my answer before our contract ends.”
Nathaniel frowned. Two months felt like an eternity.
Nevertheless…
“Alright. I’ll wait for your answer.”
Since she would be staying at the Blackwood Estate for the next two months, he had plenty of time to win her over.
At that moment, Isabella remembered Vivienne. “Maybe I should move back to Rosewood Manor for a while?” Her eyes met his. “I’d prefer to keep this private for now.”
“Don’t worry. Today was just a coincidence. I wasn’t prepared. When she comes tomorrow, she’ll want to leave immediately.” A subtle glint shone in Nathaniel’s dark eyes.
Isabella frowned. Did that mean he had a plan for tomorrow? Vivienne was notoriously stubborn. How could she be made to back down so easily?
Isabella was deeply curious. She could hardly wait for the next day to arrive.
The next day came. Isabella was in the computer room from the crack of dawn. She was completely absorbed in her research, headphones on, blocking out the world.