Chapter 152

Matthew's eyes locked onto Isabella, and the pain in them was almost too much to bear.

Since losing his voice, he hadn't uttered a single word. But his eyes still betrayed his feelings for Isabella.

Sebastian narrowed his eyes and stopped. "Can I help you with something?"

Matthew stared at Sebastian for a long moment, then shook his head.

"Don't go out unless you have to. If you hurt someone, I won't tolerate it! This isn't your house." Sebastian's voice was firm. "In my place, you follow my rules. One slip-up, and even if Grandma insists, you're out."

Matthew lowered his eyes and stepped aside without a word.

Sebastian carried Isabella past him.

Upstairs, Sebastian's cold demeanor hadn't faded.

Isabella looked at his stern face and asked, "Are you mad?"

Sebastian placed her on the bed, his tall frame looming over her. "Bella, you're mine now. Keep your distance from Matthew."

His possessiveness was palpable.

Isabella rarely saw this side of him. She was taken aback but nodded. "Okay."

Sebastian's hand caressed her waist, a satisfied look on his face. "You've been so good; don't you deserve a reward?"

In matters of intimacy, Isabella always followed his lead. "What?"

Sebastian smiled and kissed her deeply.

The door was slightly open, and a sliver of light from the hallway shone in. Matthew stood silently at the door, listening. His fists clenched at his sides.

It was unclear how long he stood there before he quietly walked away.

That night, Matthew sat by the window until dawn. As the sun rose, he picked up his phone and dialed a number.

The person on the other end answered cautiously, "Mr. Landon."

Matthew's expression didn't change. "Have her call Sebastian."

here was a hesitation. "Yes."

Isabella was half-asleep when the phone rang. Next to her, the bed shifted as Sebastian went to the balcony to take the call. She turned over and went back to sleep.

"Who is this?" Sebastian answered.

"Mr. Landon, is this Mr. Landon? Help me; please help me. I'm being held captive; I'm about to die. Please save me; save me." The woman's voice was frantic and disjointed.

She kept repeating, "Save me."

Sebastian had a hunch. "Who are you?"

The woman on the other end said, "Samantha, I'm Samantha, Mr. Landon."

Before Samantha could finish, the call was abruptly cut off.

When Sebastian tried to call back, the phone was already off.

He stood on the balcony for a long time, the morning breeze brushing his face. Sebastian gripped his phone, deep in thought.

He dialed Jack. "Look into Samantha."

Jack replied, "Yes, Mr. Landon."

After hanging up, Sebastian returned to the bedroom.

Isabella was still curled up in bed. He lifted the covers and got in. She immediately snuggled up to him, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face in his chest.

Sebastian chuckled softly and kissed her forehead.

Jack's call came back quickly. "Since Samantha's miscarriage, she took a long leave from school and went back to her hometown to recuperate. She was originally an orphan, later adopted by the Cook family. After her adoptive parents passed away, she was raised by her brother. It's said her family was very poor, and her brother was harsh on her. When she came to Lakina for college, she couldn't even afford the tuition."

Thinking about the call that morning, Sebastian felt something was off. "Go to her hometown and get the details about her and Matthew."

Jack hesitated. "Do you think Samantha's captivity is connected to Matthew?"

Sebastian didn't answer directly. "Just handle it properly."

Jack replied, "Don't worry, Mr. Landon."

When Isabella woke up, Sebastian was no longer in the bedroom. She washed up and went downstairs for breakfast.

As soon as she entered the dining room, she saw Matthew sitting there, having breakfast.

They exchanged a glance, and Matthew nodded at her.

But Isabella noticed he looked exhausted, especially his bloodshot eyes.

She didn't ask, remembering her promise to Sebastian to keep her distance from Matthew.

A servant brought breakfast. Isabella had just sat down and hadn't taken a bite when Matthew suddenly slid off his chair.

"Matthew?" Isabella stood up in shock and went over to support him.

Matthew's eyes were half-closed, his face pale, and his bloodshot eyes looked even more terrifying.

Isabella felt something was wrong. "I'll call an ambulance."

As soon as she let go, Matthew grabbed her wrist.

He spoke hoarsely, pleading. "Bella, don't go."

Isabella felt the weight on her leg as Matthew leaned against her, weak and frail.

The fact that Matthew could speak surprised Isabella.

"You don't look well," Isabella said, "We should call an ambulance."

Matthew shook his head. "Medicine."

Isabella had spent some time with him at the Landon family and knew he was on medication. However, she didn't know where the medicine was.

Matthew said, "Pocket."

"The medicine is in your pocket?" Isabella knelt down.

Matthew nodded, his eyes completely closed.

Isabella feared he might suddenly die, so she reached into his pocket to get the medicine.

Just as her hand went into Matthew's pocket, Sebastian's cold voice came from behind her. "What are you doing?"

Isabella froze. Before she could react, Sebastian had already walked over, grabbed her arm, and pulled her up without a word.

The force was frightening.

Isabella crashed into Sebastian's chest, while Matthew, losing her support, fell heavily to the ground. He landed face-first.

Whether it was the impact or something else, a few seconds later, blood started to trickle from Matthew's nose.

"Matthew!" Isabella exclaimed, reaching for a tissue to hand to him.

However, as soon as she extended her hand, Sebastian knocked the tissue box to the floor.

The tissue box fell to the ground.

Isabella's wrist went numb; she looked at Sebastian in a daze.

Sebastian also looked down at her, his eyes cold and devoid of any warmth. "Is this what you call keeping your distance from him?"