Chapter 357

"Yo, Zaire," Susan's voice came through the phone, sounding a bit shy. "How'd you know I got my period?"

Zaire kicked back on the couch and replied casually, "You had a stain on your pants."

Susan felt a bit embarrassed and fished around in a plastic bag for a pad. "Thanks. You're always so thoughtful."

Zaire didn't say anything.

Susan clearly didn't want to hang up yet and started reminiscing. "I still remember the first time I got my period. I was clueless, jumping around the playground like an idiot. You showed up outta nowhere and tied your white jacket around my waist."

"It's getting late. You should get some rest," Zaire cut her off in a calm voice.

Susan paused for a moment and said, "Alright then. You should rest too. Sorry for bothering you today."

"No trouble," Zaire muttered through clenched teeth before ending the call.

Zaire got up, went to the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, and chugged it. Even though he felt better, he didn't look happy.

He pulled out his phone and pulled up Miley's Facebook. Their chat history was still stuck on last month.

That was the last time Zaire sent money to Miley. She accepted it and sent a text: [Thanks, Mr. Jose.]

On a whim, Zaire clicked on Miley's status.

Zaire thought, 'I can't see anything. Did Miley block me? I could see it before!'

Zaire exited the status and went back to the chat. After thinking for a moment, he transferred five thousand dollars.

As soon as the message was sent, a gray checkmark appeared.

Zaire was speechless and thought, 'Alright, alright, did Miley delete me?'

Zaire didn't add her back. After exiting the chat, he felt a bit irritated.

The mall.

Since Esme was heading back to Silvercrest tomorrow, Isabella and Nina decided to buy her some gifts.

Isabella and Nina wandered around the mall. Isabella bought a scarf, and Nina got a bottle of perfume.

Considering Esme didn't lack jewelry or anything, the most important thing about a gift was the thought behind it. So Isabella and Nina spent the afternoon making two cups by hand.

By the time Isabella and Nina got home with the gifts, it was already dark.

When Esme got the gifts, she was super happy and insisted that Isabella and Nina stay for a chat.

Nina had just sat down when her phone rang; it was something from work.

Nina answered the call and then stood up. She said, "Sorry, Aunt Esme, there's something at work I need to handle. I'll definitely see you off at the airport tomorrow."

Knowing Nina was busy, Esme didn't insist and saw her to the door.

Isabella went to the bathroom, and when she opened the door to come out, a dark shadow darted past her.

She was startled. Even though it moved quickly, Isabella still recognized it as the cat named Cheese.

Lately, Isabella often saw it wandering around. Sometimes it would even cry under the windowsill in the middle of the night, like a ghost.

Isabella wasn't afraid of cats, but the memory of Cheese pouncing on her that night still lingered, so she was pretty wary of Cheese now.

However, Cheese seemed to be just passing by, and it quickly disappeared around the corner.

Isabella spun around and walked the other way. Just as she was about to reach the end of the hallway, a figure popped up, and she almost ran into it.

"Mr. Black?" Isabella called out.

Quentin looked at her. "What's up? Why are you in such a rush?"

"Nothing." Isabella patted her chest and was about to leave.

Quentin called out, "Isabella, give Sebastian a call."

Isabella paused. "What do you mean?"

Quentin didn't answer, just stared at her quietly.

His gaze made Isabella uncomfortable.

Esme's voice came from the living room. "Bella?"

Isabella quickly walked over. She stayed for about ten more minutes before saying goodbye and leaving.

The yard was empty; Sebastian hadn't come back yet. Worried, she went inside and called Sebastian.

The phone rang for ages before someone finally picked up.

But it was Jack. "Isabella, do you need something?"

Isabella was taken aback.

Since Charles died, her life with Sebastian had been pretty stable. Usually, when she called, Sebastian would answer.

Isabella remembered Quentin's look, and her heart tightened. "Where's Sebastian?"

Jack said, "Mr. Landon is in a meeting."

Isabella checked the time.

After the Landon Group crisis, Sebastian had been super strict about the company's schedule. At this time, the Landon Group should be having dinner and chilling, not in a meeting.

Realizing the inconsistency, Jack added, "A client showed up unexpectedly, and Mr. Landon is entertaining them. Isabella, is it urgent? Should I notify Mr. Landon?"

Isabella said, "No need. It's nothing urgent. Let him be."

Jack said, "Alright."

After hanging up, Jack, still uneasy, called Laura.

Laura answered, "Mr. Brown?"

Jack said, "Laura, if Isabella calls you asking about Mr. Landon, do you know what to say?"

Laura hesitated. "I'll just say Mr. Landon is sick, and an ambulance came this afternoon to take him to the hospital. Wait, shouldn't Isabella know if Mr. Landon is sick?"

"Don't say that," Jack replied, "Isabella doesn't know. Mr. Landon didn't want her to know. If she calls, just say Mr. Landon is in the meeting room with an important client. Got it?"

Laura felt conflicted. "But Isabella is my friend. I can't lie to a friend. And why wouldn't Mr. Landon tell Isabella about something as serious as being sick? Aren't couples supposed to face things together?"

Jack said, "This is Mr. Landon's decision. I can't change it. I've delivered the message. How you handle it is up to you."

As Jack had anticipated, no sooner had he finished speaking with Laura than Isabella called her, asking about Sebastian.

With Jack's instructions in mind, Laura didn't dare to say anything else and repeated what he had told her.

Isabella sighed in relief. "As long as he's okay."

Laura felt a bit guilty. "But Mr. Landon has been very busy lately. Isabella, if you have time, you should take care of his health. He seems a bit worn out these days."

Isabella said, "Got it. Thanks, Laura."

Laura replied, "You're welcome."

Meanwhile, in a sealed treatment room, Sebastian's eyes shot open and he bolted upright halfway through the session.

As before, Sebastian's hands were clenched into fists, and veins bulged on his forehead. The mirror on the opposite wall showed just how fierce he looked.