Chapter 499

Nathaniel watched the motorcycle vanish down the winding road.

He turned to face Oliver, who was pouting with clear displeasure.

"You would have been finished, Daddy, if I hadn't stepped in. You need to fix everything with that woman. I won't call you Daddy again until you do."

"Don't worry." Nathaniel ruffled his son's hair, his voice firm. His mind was set. Everything he felt for Sophia was just guilt.

Dominic returned just then, carrying a stack of files. "Mr. Blackwood, our investigation confirms everything Ms. Sophia stated. She currently lives with her parents in Willowbrook. Their conditions are... difficult."

Because Sophia had a child out of wedlock, the villagers had shunned her. They hurled insults and looked down on her. No one would marry her. No one offered her family any help. She used her wages from The Grand Mariner to support her parents. Their life was a constant struggle.

Dominic continued. "I've collected her blood sample. We'll have the drug composition analyzed shortly. I also obtained strands of her hair. Should I send it for DNA testing?"

Nathaniel scanned the documents and gave a single nod. Even with the evidence, a DNA test was essential. "Have Sebastian handle this personally."

This matter was too important. There was no room for error.

"Yes, Sir." Dominic nodded and prepared to leave.

Nathaniel stopped him, a new thought occurring. "Her living and working conditions need immediate improvement."

The report mentioned Sophia lived in a dilapidated tile house. It was so old it threatened to collapse at any moment.

Dominic understood the unspoken order. He left to make the arrangements.

Oliver's pout deepened. "I don't like how nice you're being to this Auntie!"

"Ollie, it's not about being nice. It's about repaying a debt. I can only fix things once the debt is cleared." His voice was rough, thick with emotion.

Oliver grunted in acknowledgment, still mumbling under his breath. "I still don't like it..."

Nathaniel frowned. Children had sharp instincts. If Sophia was truly his mother, why did Oliver feel nothing for her? Was it because he had spent too much time with Isabella?

He didn't linger on the thought.

Maxwell, watching from the shadows, was equally puzzled. The investigations by Isabella's uncles had pointed to a secret plot against Nathaniel. How did it lead back to this seemingly helpless woman?

And if Sophia was the woman from that night, why had all the data and video footage vanished? Their best technicians couldn't recover a single trace.

How could a weak, harmless woman possess that kind of power?

He called Silas to report his findings.

He was met with Silas's cheerful response. "So you're saying Nathaniel's first love has returned?"

"Yes, but something feels off about it..."

"What's off? It doesn't matter if something's off! Nathaniel was never right for Isabella anyway! Now that his old flame is back, things will work out. This gives William a real chance! Maxwell, I'm warning you: Don't tell Isabella things she doesn't need to know. Just do your job." Silas's tone was stern, leaving no room for argument.

Maxwell still felt he was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle, but it eluded him. He reconsidered. Nathaniel was a businessman with countless enemies and a complicated family. William was a researcher from a respectable, scholarly family with a clean reputation.

"Understood. Don't worry. I also believe Boss Montgomery needs a gentle, uncomplicated man," Maxwell replied.

Meanwhile, Isabella sped away from Rosewood Manor on her motorcycle.

She called Maxwell as she rode. "Prepare five billion. Any news from the doctors you contacted?"

"Don't worry, Boss Montgomery. They've already responded. They will visit Benjamin today," Maxwell informed her.

Isabella felt a wave of relief. She continued her ride.

After a long distance, she spotted two familiar figures waiting at a bus stop.