Chapter 245

Leo locked eyes with Isabella, his gaze carrying a sickly satisfaction. He maintained his smile as he said, "Yes, it was me who informed them. But for some reason, they came out after just a few minutes. And you, well, you stayed inside for a full half hour.

"They must have seen something they weren't supposed to or overheard something they shouldn't have."

Isabella froze. Suddenly, she remembered Sebastian's strange behavior when she got home that day. She recalled his question. "Where have you been?"

And then there was Jack's question. "What are your feelings for Mr. Landon?"

She had always thought it was about company issues, or something Charles had orchestrated.

She thought, 'But could it be that the problem was actually with me?'

Isabella had been in the emergency room, sobbing uncontrollably, begging Matthew not to die. When she came to, Sebastian had been standing outside the door.

She thought, 'How heartbroken must he have been?'

Just thinking about it made Isabella shudder. She took a step back and bumped into the door, which thudded ominously.

Leo observed her expression. He wanted to laugh but couldn't; instead, he felt a tight, uncomfortable pressure in his chest.

Isabella leaned against the door, taking a moment to collect herself. She knew the most urgent task was to find Sebastian and clear everything up.

She opened the door only to find it empty-Jack was already gone.

Stumbling, Isabella rushed into the elevator and frantically pressed the button for the ground floor.

As the doors were about to close, a hand shot in to stop them. The doors slid open again, and a tall man stepped inside.

Isabella didn't look at him. After he entered, she quickly pressed the close door button a few times and leaned against the wall, waiting for the elevator to descend.

The man stood behind her, noticing her anxious behavior. He narrowed his eyes slightly before shifting his gaze to her face.

When the elevator reached the ground floor, Isabella bolted out.

The man followed her out, walking a few steps ahead before stopping to watch her run away. When a car pulled up in front of him, and the driver opened the door, he finally looked away and got in.

Unable to find Sebastian's car, Isabella took out her phone and dialed his number.

The phone rang for what felt like ages before it was answered.

"Sebastian," Isabella's voice was frantic.

There was no response from the other end.

"Sebastian, where are you?" Isabella continued walking forward, her voice filled with desperation. She had no idea where to find him.

The silence continued.

Isabella was almost in tears. "The whole thing was a trap set by Charles. I really didn't know. I'm so sorry. I can explain everything, including what happened in the emergency room. Can you please just listen?"

"Okay," Sebastian finally spoke up, "Stay where you are. I'll have Jack come get you."

It was ten minutes before Jack found Isabella.

She was sitting by the roadside, looking like a lost child.

Once she was in the car, she asked, "Jack, how is Sebastian?"

Jack frowned slightly and replied coldly, "As long as you don't hurt him anymore, he'll be fine."

Isabella was left speechless.

The two sat in silence as Jack drove the car back to the white building. He turned off the engine, parked, and led Isabella upstairs to find Sebastian.

Jack pushed open a door and said, "You can go in now."

Isabella nodded and walked inside.

The door closed softly behind her, leaving the room enveloped in stillness. Isabella spotted Sebastian standing on the balcony.

Her heart leaped. She hurried over and wrapped her arms around him from behind. Before she could say a word, tears began streaming down her face, soaking into his back.

When her sobs had mostly subsided, Sebastian turned around and took her hand in his. "You had something to explain, didn't you? Seeing you like this makes it hard for me to stay mad."

Isabella looked up at him, her eyes searching his face. "Are you angry with me?"

Sebastian gave a small, almost sad smile. "How could I be mad at you, Bella? I'm just worried that I might not be able to protect you the way I should."

"Don't say that," Isabella said, placing a hand over his mouth, "You've done more than enough. It's me who should apologize."

She continued quickly, "Zaire brought me here today because I wanted to learn about business. I was careful, but it turns out Charles had other plans. I didn't mean to say those things. I wanted to expose Charles for the snake he is. But then the microphone went dead, and another voice spoke up instead." Isabella's voice was filled with urgency.

Sebastian listened quietly, nodding. "I know. The voice wasn't yours."

A flicker of hope sparked in Isabella's eyes. "You heard that? You believe me?"

Sebastian gently squeezed her delicate shoulders. "It's too windy out here. Let's talk inside."

Once they were back in the room, Sebastian drew the curtains and, as he turned around, found Isabella hugging him tightly.

He lowered his head, letting his chin brush against her soft hair.

Isabella looked up at him, mustering the courage to ask, "That day in the hospital-did you go to the emergency room?"

Sebastian hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes."

Isabella's anxiety flared. "Did you hear everything?"

"Yeah," Sebastian replied simply.

"It's not exactly as you think. Matthew was on the brink of death in prison, having swallowed nails to kill himself. Charles promised me he'd return Sweetie before I went to rescue him," Isabella explained.

Sebastian's eyes softened with a flicker of hope. "He promised to return Sweetie to us?"

"Yes. Sweetie was taken out of town, which is why it's been so hard to find her. I agreed to help Charles pull Matthew back from the brink of death, and in return, he arranged for Sweetie to be brought back. We should see our daughter by tomorrow at the latest."

Despite the hopeful news, Sebastian's face showed no sign of joy. He looked at Isabella with his hollow eyes. "Bella, you're being foolish."

Isabella felt a pang in her heart and shook her head. "I trust Charles. He wouldn't gamble with Matthew's life."

Sebastian closed his eyes briefly. "I'll have people stationed at all the airports and bus stations in Lakina tomorrow. But Bella, what if Charles goes back on his word?"

"It won't happen!" Isabella blurted out, surprised by her own fierce confidence.

Sebastian continued to look at her in silence.

Isabella muttered, "It won't happen. If Charles breaks his word, he will pay the price."

As her words faded, Sebastian pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. He whispered in her ear, "Bella, I don't trust Charles, but I trust you."

Isabella tightened her grip on her own fingers, but fear was starting to creep into her eyes.

In the hospital, Matthew opened his eyes to see Emma hovering over him.

"Matthew, you're awake?" Emma immediately pressed the call button and then threw her arms around Matthew, sobbing uncontrollably. "My son, you scared me half to death."

Matthew glanced around, his gaze settling on the white ceiling. He tried to speak but couldn't make a sound.

The nails he had swallowed had cut his throat and damaged his vocal cords. He was now truly mute.