Chapter 124

Isabella emerged from the bedroom, finding the entire villa enveloped in silence.

At this hour every day, Matthew would seclude himself in his studio for creation.

Once he shut himself in, it would be for several hours and only come out in the evening.

Isabella had never set foot in his studio. The servants of the Landon family mentioned that Matthew's studio was his private sanctuary. Not even Charles and Emma were allowed in, let alone anyone else.

She picked up her bag and coat and left the Landon family estate.

Just as she stepped out of the gate, a car horn beeped behind her.

Startled, Isabella turned to see a silver-gray car approaching.

The window rolled down, revealing a face she hadn't seen in a long time. 'Who is he ?' Isabella thought.

"Forgot me so soon?" Leo sat in the car, raising an eyebrow and smiling at her. Isabella was at a loss for words. She had indeed forgotten Leo's name, but she still recognized his face.

"What are you doing here?" Leo, still in his car and dressed in a suit, looked nothing like his former rogue self.

"Get in," Leo opened the car door, his expression somewhat grave. "I have something to tell you."

Standing under the sun, Isabella felt a bit dizzy. She hesitated for a couple of seconds before bending down to get in.

As the car drove off, Leo glanced at her and asked, "You don't look well. Are you sick?"

Isabella shook her head and said, "I'm fine. What do you have to tell me? Is it about Samantha?"

Leo glanced at her again. "You are retty smart. " Isabella's heart skipped a beat. "Do you have news about Samantha?"

Leo furrowed his brows. "About three days ago, I received a call from her."

He pulled over to the side of the road and retrieved an old black phone from the deepest part of the glove compartment.

After turning it on, Leo found a recorded call and pressed the play button.

"Hello, who is this?"

"Leo, Leo, help me!"

"Samantha?"

"Help me. I'm being held captive. Help me!"

The recording ended.

Samantha's final scream sent chills down Isabella's spine.

Leo, with a furrowed brow, said, "The number belongs to Samantha's hometown. After that, the number couldn't be reached again."

Isabella looked at him. "Do you know about Samantha and Matthew?"

"I do," Leo nodded. "From the beginning, I said Matthew wasn't sincere. If Samantha hadn't schemed, how would Matthew have fallen into her trap? Given Matthew's nature, once he realized he was being played, how could he possibly let her off easily?"

A chill ran down Isabella's spine. "Are you saying Matthew is holding her captive?"

"I didn't say that and it's your speculation," Leo smiled at her, pausing for a moment. "Isabella, you really don't look well. Let me take you to the hospital."

Just as he was about to start the car, a black car drove up from the side and screeched to a halt in front of Leo's car.

The door opened. Sebastian walked over, immediately opening the passenger door and unbuckling Isabella's seatbelt.

She stared at him, momentarily too stunned to react.

Sebastian looked up and met her gaze with his deep, dark eyes. "Are you getting out yourself, or should I carry you?"

Isabella hesitated for just a couple of seconds before Sebastian reached out to pick her up.

At the same time, her anther hand was grasped by Leo.

Leo smiled at Sebastian. "Mr. Landon, long time no see."

Sebastian ignored him, his gaze fixed on Isabella, with a storm seemingly brewing in his eyes.

Leo spoke again, "Mr. Landon, everything should follow the order of arrival. I haven't finished my conversation with Isabella."

Sebastian finally glanced at him. "What, isn't the Anderson family's mess enough for you to handle? You still have time to meddle in others' affairs?" Leo was momentarily speechless.

Sebastian's eyes fell on the hand Leo had on Isabella, his tone devoid of emotion. He said, "Let go!" His voice was filled with danger.

Considering how much their future cooperation depended on Sebastian, Leo hesitated for a moment before finally releasing his grip.

Almost the instant Leo let go, Isabella found herself lifted into the air as Sebastian pulled her out of the car.

"Mr. Landon," Isabella exclaimed softly.

'With cars passing by on the street, if anyone sees us, Sebastian would have a hard time explaining to Vanessa,' Isabella thought.

Sebastian seemed completely unconcerned. With a stern face, he placed Isabella in his car.

He shut the door but didn't release her, his hands still gripping her waist, his eyes never leaving her face. He coldly instructed the driver, "Drive!"

The car began to move slowly, and the partition in the middle gradually rose, dividing the space inside.

This made Isabella feel the air grow thinner. She held her breath, not daring to make a sound. While Sebastian continued to stare at her, his gaze intense enough to bore a hole through her.

Isabella's face turned red from holding her breath, but he didn't budge.

Finally, Isabella couldn't hold it any longer, saying, "Mr. Landon, if you have something to say, can you let go of me first?"

She tried to push Sebastian away. Sebastian held her and she was practically sitting on his lap, which was an uncomfortably intimate position.

But Sebastian's arms were like iron bands, tightly holding her, giving her no room to struggle.

Isabella, out of options, looked at him with a flushed face. "Mr. Landon, why are you staring at me like this? Did I do something wrong?"

"Don't you have a clue?" Sebastian's words left Isabella speechless. Though Sebastian appeared calm, Isabella felt he was waiting for something.

"If I've done something wrong, please tell me, Mr. Landon," Isabella mustered the courage to say. After staring at him for so long, she found herself less afraid of him.

Sebastian remained silent for a long time before speaking, "Vanessa told me everything about that night."

Isabella's eyelashes fluttered, a hint of guilt flashing in her eyes. She blinked, feigning innocence. "What night? Mr. Landon, I don't understand what you're talking about."

After years of navigating the business world, Sebastian had developed a keen eye.

The fleeting emotion in Isabella's eyes did not escape him.

Sebastian thought he already knew the answer. He just needed to find a way to make Isabella admit it.

With the answer in hand, Sebastian felt a weight lift off his chest.

He smirked, freeing one hand to slip under Isabella's shirt, his eyes never leaving her face. "Don't understand? Then let's see if you can remember."

With that, Isabella found herself pressed against the leather seat. Sebastian hovered over her, their noses almost touching, his hot breath washing over her.

His hand didn't stop, his fingers brushing over her abdomen, sending electric shocks through her.

Isabella tensed and widened her eyes. "Mr. Landon."

"Didn't you say you don't understand?" Sebastian said, "Then let me help you remember."