Chapter 450

Theodore Montgomery never expected such complications. Transferring his assets to Isabella would spark family-wide opposition. He dismissed the idea with a weary wave. "Not now."

At Rosewood Manor.

Isabella plugged in her silenced phone while preparing for her Westhaven flight. She cradled Oliver, reading until his eyelids grew heavy. By eleven, the child slept peacefully in his bed. "I have to go out," she whispered to Nathaniel. "Watch Christopher for me."

He glanced up from his documents. "At this hour?"

She gave a firm nod. "Benjamin's in serious trouble. This requires my personal intervention."

"I could arrange—"

"Your men can't handle this situation," she interrupted. "It demands specific expertise. Stay with our son."

Isabella retrieved her tactical gear from the dressing room. Nathaniel didn't argue when she resolved like this. Yet after her departure, he immediately contacted Dominic. "Deploy a hundred men to shadow her."

"Yes, sir!"

Driving her compact car from the estate, Isabella noticed multiple missed calls from Theodore. She tried calling back but received no answer. Unusual behavior for her grandfather—he never called repeatedly without urgency.

Suspicion gnawed at her. She executed a sharp U-turn toward Montgomery Manor while contacting Maxwell. "Delay the flight one hour. I'm checking on my grandfather first."

The manor's gates stood locked at eleven, all lights extinguished. Only the entrance lamp cast a feeble glow across the property. Isabella rang the bell repeatedly until a guard appeared.

"Miss Montgomery? You've returned?"

"I need to see my grandfather." She moved to enter but found her path blocked.

"Apologies, but the Senior retired quite distressed tonight. I must inform Sir and Madam before granting entry."

Isabella's eyes narrowed. Since when did she require permission to enter her own home?

Even during her most unpopular years, no one had barred her from the family estate. This was unprecedented.

"What happened today?" Her voice turned icy and sharp.

"Unclear, Miss. Evening orders stated you couldn't pass this gate without authorization. Please understand I'm following instructions."

The adjacent guard was already calling Richard. The phone soon transferred to Isabella. She accepted it with a frosty expression, curious what explanation her uncle would offer.