Chapter 105
The moment Isabella stepped out of the Blackwood family villa, she immediately dialed Julian, her voice sharp with urgency.
Any sign of William yet?
She had been too distracted earlier to notice the blatant lies, but now she had no time to dwell on the fact that she’d fallen for them. William’s well-being, however, was non-negotiable.
Julian swiftly flipped through his records and delivered his findings without delay.
Mr. Blackwood is currently in Etron. He seems to be deliberately avoiding the rest of the family, preferring solitude. Health-wise, he’s perfectly fine—no medical concerns to report. Julian chuckled lightly. Not only is he in good shape, but he’s surprisingly spry for his age. He’s even signed up for a ski trip.
Isabella exhaled, unaware she’d been holding her breath. At least William was safe—that was all that truly mattered. She assumed he’d left the country out of frustration over his grandson Ethan’s divorce. With a resigned sigh, she accepted that some things simply weren’t meant to be. No matter what, she and William were never destined to be family.
Back at home, she began packing. Olivia, ever the overachiever, had already organized everything as if they were preparing for a grand expedition.
Isabella rubbed her temples in mild exasperation. I’m just moving, not fleeing the apocalypse. Why does it feel like we’re evacuating?
When she’d first moved into the Montgomery family villa, she’d arrived with little. Now, it seemed her belongings had multiplied tenfold. Olivia had even packed unopened kitchenware.
“I just worry about you living alone, and honestly, it’s not a bad idea,” Olivia replied smoothly, her hands moving deftly as she double-checked the boxes. She wasn’t about to let Isabella settle into her new place unprepared.
“Fine, but just know—everything here is from me. If you try to refuse, I will be offended.”
Before Isabella could argue, Olivia tugged her toward the car. “Come on! I’m helping you move whether you like it or not.”
When they arrived at the house near Muisvedo, Isabella finally understood what Alexander had meant when he’d called the security top-notch.
The place was a fortress.
The exclusive neighborhood was tucked between towering skyscrapers, an impenetrable enclave for the elite. High-end private clubs—accessible only to the wealthy and famous—dotted the area, explaining the tight security. Most people couldn’t even step foot on this street.
The villa itself was grander than Isabella had imagined. Every detail exuded luxury—from the neoclassical façade to the pristine courtyard fountain, a miniature replica of the one at Begio. In short, the place could easily be mistaken for a royal palace.
“Three hundred a month for this?” Olivia arched a brow, lips curling in amusement. She’d assumed the rent was for a high-end apartment, not a villa fit for royalty. “Alexander’s supposed to be a business genius, right? Then why is he practically giving this place away? No one’s going to believe he’s renting this palace for just three hundred bucks.”
Isabella rolled her eyes and dialed Alexander’s number before Olivia could continue.
“You’re just doing me a favor for your niece,” he replied smoothly, brushing off Olivia’s teasing as the line connected.
The moment he answered, Isabella composed herself. “Thank you, Mr. Kingsley. I’ve arrived at the property, and the rate you’ve given me is… incredibly generous.”
Alexander chuckled, his tone effortlessly casual. “Why thank me? If anything, I should be thanking you for the medicine.”
A pause. Then—
“Anyway, you’re free tonight. I’d like to take you to dinner.”
Beside her, Olivia gasped audibly. She tugged at Isabella’s sleeve, her expression screaming: You still think there’s nothing between you two?
Isabella cleared her throat, fighting a blush. “Mr. Kingsley, you’ve already done more than enough with that discount. I couldn’t possibly impose further.”
“It’s no trouble at all…” His voice was soft, almost coaxing.
But Alexander wasn’t one to be deterred.
“It’s not just about dinner,” he began, amusement lacing his words. “I forgot to mention—the villa has the latest security system. Any intruder triggers an alarm that alerts the Kingsley Group directly. The only catch? I have the control panel. I’ll need to drop by to set it up.”
Isabella hesitated.
It was a very good excuse.
Biting her lip, she knew she couldn’t refuse. “Then… I suppose I’ll see you tonight, Mr. Kingsley.”
The moment she hung up, Olivia broke into a triumphant grin, practically bouncing.
“Well, well. Looks like Mr. Kingsley has dinner plans tonight.” She looped her arm through Isabella’s, mischief sparkling in her eyes. “Come on, let’s finish unpacking! We have just enough time for a shopping spree. It’s been ages since we had a girls’ day.”
Isabella smiled, realizing how long it had been since she’d taken a proper break.
“Fine, fine,” she relented, laughing.
