Chapter 97
Isabella moved with swift precision as she administered the medication to Alexander. His eyelids fluttered open, blinking against the lingering haze of unconsciousness.
She felt the cool weight of the glass in her hand, her voice steady but gentle. “Mr. Kingsley, you’re feeling better now.”
Alexander frowned slightly, as if surprised to see her there. “Yes,” he murmured, the tension in his features easing. But then his gaze dropped to the label on the capsule bottle. The familiar logo of the research institute flickered in his eyes, something unreadable passing through them.
“Thank you, Miss Sinclair,” he said hoarsely. “This is the second time you’ve saved me.”
Isabella shrugged, feigning indifference. “No big deal. It would’ve been a waste not to use it.”
After all, she wasn’t about to let something so valuable fall into the greedy hands of the Blackwood family.
Just then, Alexander’s expression sharpened with curiosity. “This medicine… It’s from the MDH Pharmaceutical Research Institute, isn’t it? I heard it’s reserved for elite clients. Most people don’t even know it exists.”
His voice held a note of intrigue, as if he were peeling back layers of a mystery. Just how many secrets did this woman have? And why was she staying in Ontdale?
Isabella smirked, her lips curling playfully. “You’re well-informed, Mr. Kingsley. But I only found this by sheer luck.”
Their words circled each other like chess pieces, testing boundaries, enjoying the subtle game.
Before Isabella could steer the conversation elsewhere, her phone rang. An unknown number flashed on the screen. She rejected it immediately and blocked it—only for another call to come through. Then another. And another.
Frustrated, she was about to shut off her phone when Alexander’s voice stopped her.
“Why aren’t you answering, Ms. Sinclair? Are you being harassed? Do you need help?”
“It’s Ethan,” she said flatly. “His mother needs the exact same medicine. But I only had one dose.”
Alexander didn’t need further explanation. His gaze lingered on her, watching the wind tousle strands of her hair. She had given him the pill without hesitation, even knowing someone else needed it just as badly.
For reasons he couldn’t explain, his chest tightened.
Then the phone rang again, shattering the moment.
Isabella’s expression hardened as she finally answered. Ethan’s furious voice exploded through the receiver.
“Isabella! How dare you attack my men in broad daylight! I sent them for medicine, not a fight! Look at the state you left them in!”
She had long grown immune to Ethan’s tantrums. Arguing with him was pointless.
“Not my problem,” she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “If it’s that bad, call the police.”
Ethan knew full well that reporting his men for stalking her wouldn’t end well. He swallowed his pride, his voice softening into a plea.
“Isabella, I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t urgent. My mother is suffering. Name your price—just give me that pill.”
“Of course,” Isabella said lightly, amusement dancing in her voice. “After all, we were married for three years. I’ll send you an address. Be there in ten minutes.”
“Fine,” Ethan growled before hanging up, his face twisted in fury. He glared at the thugs groaning on the ground. “Useless idiots! Can’t even handle one woman. Now I have to pay their damn medical bills. Damn it.”
“Don’t be mad, Ethan,” Sophia purred, stroking his chest. “At least we’ll get the medicine. Who knew Isabella would be so desperate for money? If you’d just offered a price sooner, we could’ve avoided this mess.”
Ethan scoffed. “That greedy bitch. Money’s the only thing that moves her.”
Luckily, the address wasn’t far. They arrived quickly—only to find themselves standing in front of a run-down theater, a grinning clown’s face painted on the sign.
Ethan called Isabella again, struggling to keep his voice steady. “I’m here. Where are you?”
Isabella’s laughter crackled through the phone. “Oh, perfect! You’re in the right place. Step inside, get on stage, and make sure all the spotlights are on you. Then repeat every ridiculous thing you just said to me. I’m sure it’ll be the best act of the night!”
Ethan’s stomach dropped.
She had played him.
