Chapter 247

The man, slender and dressed in a loose hoodie, had been struggling futilely against the handcuffs the police had put on him.

Isabella thought, 'So he is a criminal they were after!'

Isabella's tense heart relaxed slightly as the police pulled off the man's mask and hat, revealing a gaunt face.

Even from a distance, Isabella recognized him immediately.

"Samantha?" Isabella exclaimed, already moving toward the commotion.

It was indeed Samantha!

Only now, with her hair cut short and her appearance changed to blend in with men, had Isabella failed to recognize her earlier.

Isabella stepped forward, her excitement palpable, but the police blocked her path.

"Samantha, you're back. Where's my daughter? Where is she?"

Samantha bit her lip, her eyes welling up with unshed tears, but she couldn't answer Isabella's question. She lowered her head in shame.

The officers stopped Isabella from approaching further. "Do you know her?"

Isabella, unaware of Samantha's crimes, was only concerned about Sweetie's whereabouts. "We were college roommates. Could you tell me, officer, what is she being charged with?"

"Child trafficking."

Isabella's eyes widened in shock. "What?"

"We received a tip-off confirming she had indeed kidnapped a child. We were specifically stationed at the airport to catch her. When you asked about your daughter, were you referring to yourself as Isabella?"

Isabella nodded, struggling to keep up with the rapid developments. "Yes."

"According to the tip, Samantha was involved in taking your newborn child, correct?"

Isabella was stunned.

She had known that since Sweetie's birth, Samantha had been taking care of Sweetie. Samantha was now associated with Charles and Emma, and before Sweetie disappeared, it was Samantha who had been with her. Isabella had always believed that finding Samantha would lead her to Sweetie.

But now, Samantha had appeared without Sweetie, who was nowhere to be found. Instead, Samantha was being arrested and charged with child trafficking.

The informant, the tip-off-if Isabella was right, these were likely orchestrated by Charles!

Samantha was taken to the police station.

Isabella and Sebastian followed, leaving part of their group at the airport.

In the interrogation room, the police fired off questions.

"Ms. Miller, when and where was your child born? Was there any blood work done, and what was the baby's gender?

"During your delivery, was Samantha present? Did she take your child directly?

"We understand your child has been missing for at least a month. Why didn't you report it sooner? Did you have any involvement in the child's disappearance?"

Each question pierced Isabella's heart like a dagger, and her answers were few and far between.

With Samantha now a suspect and Sweetie still missing, there was no news from the airport, no updates from the docks, and no movement at any of Lakina's entry points.

Isabella's hope had finally been shattered by nightfall.

Once again, Charles had outplayed her!

Isabella spoke Charles' name.

The police paused in surprise. "Are you saying that Charles is involved in your child's disappearance?"

"Yes! He was the one who incited Samantha to take my child."

"Why didn't you report it?"

Isabella hesitated, then replied, "I was afraid he would hurt the child."

The police took note of her statements and assured her that they would conduct a thorough investigation.

When Isabella emerged from the interrogation room, Jack was waiting outside. "Mr. Landon's in the car, waiting for you," he said before turning and walking away without another word.

At this point, Isabella had lost all desire to face Sebastian. She had promised that Sweetie would come back today, but reality had delivered a harsh blow.

Standing outside the car, Isabella saw Sebastian sitting inside, her heart aching with every beat.

Jack opened the car door. "Get in."

Isabella lifted her leg to step forward, but just then, her phone rang. An unfamiliar number flashed on the screen.

She hesitated for a moment before answering, "Hello?"

A voice on the other end said, "Bella, Matthew wants to see you."

Isabella forced a tight smile. "Emma, you and Charles are really pushing it!"

Sebastian turned slightly in his seat, his gaze fixed on her.

"Bella, I swear I don't know what Charles has done. I'm begging you-come see Matthew. He just wants to see you. I promise he won't harm you."

Isabella's lips curled into a cold smile. "I've already reported Charles. Everything you two have done will come to light eventually. I'm not going to see Matthew."

"Bella, if you don't come, he'll die!"

"Then let him die!" Isabella yelled into the phone, her emotions frayed and on the edge.

The call was on speaker.

Isabella's desperate words, "Then let him die!" echoed through the empty hospital room.

Emma's eyes widened in shock. She grabbed the phone, trying to turn off the speaker, but Isabella had already hung up.

Matthew sat on the hospital bed, holding the phone that had just been hung up. For a long while, he didn't move.

"Matthew," Emma said softly, stepping forward to take the phone from his hand. She wrapped her arms around him in a comforting embrace. "It's okay. It's just one woman. There are plenty more out there. We don't need Isabella.

"Listen to me, Matthew. Once you're back on your feet, we'll sort everything out. Just a few months left, and I'll make sure everything is set up for when you're out. You're still young; this prison stint won't define you. I'm already making plans for a fresh start in a new city. Remember how you've always liked Mosterwania? I'm already checking out houses there. I promise, everything will be ready before you're released."

Emma spoke in a flurry of words, focusing entirely on hopeful plans for the future, leaving the present unmentioned.

Matthew looked at her, as if he were beginning to understand something.

Though Matthew was in the hospital, he was still serving his sentence, and even Emma's presence couldn't change that. Once visiting hours were over, she would have to leave.

When Emma got home, night had already fallen.

"Mrs. Landon, you're back," Karen said, handing Emma her slippers and casting a glance upstairs with a different look in her eyes.

Emma glanced at her and asked casually, "Is Charles back?"

"Yes, he is, in his study handling some business. He's instructed not to be disturbed."

Emma acknowledged this with a nod and started up the stairs.

Karen followed her a few steps, adding, "Mrs. Landon, Mr. Landon isn't in the best of moods today. He's asked not to be disturbed. You might want to think twice before interrupting him."

Emma paused on the stairs at this remark, then turned to look at Karen. "Karen, you're a servant, and I'm the mistress of this house. Do you think it's appropriate for you to speak to me like that?"

"Mrs. Landon, that wasn't my intention at all."

Emma sneered, her eyes full of disdain. "I'm the lady of this house. I'll go where I please, without needing your permission."

Karen fell silent, lowering her head and daring not to say another word.

Emma gave her one last scornful look before continuing up the stairs.

Originally, Emma had intended to head straight to her bedroom, but something prompted her to turn and head towards the study instead.

She knew Karen's warning was well-meaning and that angering Charles could lead to trouble, but at this moment, she felt a pressing need to discuss Matthew's situation with him.

Standing at the door of the study, Emma was about to knock when she heard the sound of a woman's moans coming from inside.

Emma froze, a chill running down her spine. In the next moment, she pushed the door open with a forceful shove.