Chapter 181
Isabella stared at her phone for what felt like the hundredth time, her heart racing with anxiety. Three days had passed without a single call from Henry. Despite technically staying in a VIP hospital room, she wasn’t enjoying any of the special treatment she’d grown accustomed to. In less than five days, she had lost a noticeable amount of weight, her face paler than ever before.
That damn old man William, she thought bitterly, cursing him repeatedly in her mind.
With no other options left, she finally called Catherine for help. Catherine had been in a foul mood lately. Grace was under house arrest, with Richard issuing strict orders–his daughter would receive only one meal per day, and absolutely no visitors were allowed. Anyone who dared let someone see Grace would not only forfeit their salary but would also be blacklisted throughout New York’s elite circles.
This situation had Catherine pacing anxiously around her room. What angered her even more was the paternity test report she’d posted online. Internet users had immediately spotted it was fake with just a glance. The scandal she’d hoped to create had fizzled before it even began.
When Isabella’s call came through, Catherine’s tone was far from welcoming. “Miss Scott, what a rare honor,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Calling me so early in the morning? What could possibly be the matter?”
Catherine secretly blamed Isabella for her current predicament. During their last scheme, Isabella had failed to capitalize on the perfect opportunity, and now they were both suffering the consequences. Richard had been cold and distant, showing none of the trust or care expected between spouses.
Isabella, having grown up constantly belittled by her family, immediately recognized the dissatisfaction in Catherine’s voice. She quickly lowered her pride and began pledging her loyalty to the older woman.
“Enough with the emotional performance,” Catherine cut her off, completely unmoved. “Just tell me what you want.”
“I need to know where Henry is,” Isabella admitted desperately. “He’s disappeared like he’s vanished from the face of the earth.
Catherine barely showed interest, offering a halfhearted response. “I suppose he’s probably at Maple Grove? Really, Isabella, shouldn’t you know better than I do what Henry’s up to? Why are you asking me?” She paused before delivering a cutting remark. “Let me ask you one thing: can you win him over or not? If not, step aside and let someone else have a chance!”
To be honest, Catherine preferred Isabella as a potential daughter–in–law. The girl was extremely generous–whenever Henry gave her expensive jewelry, she would promptly pass it along to Catherine. Sophia, on the other hand, did nothing but work hard and never knew how to say the right things. Nevertheless, Isabella’s recent failure had infuriated Catherine. She’d handed the girl a perfect opportunity on a silver platter, and somehow Isabella had failed to capitalize on it.
Isabella caught the disappointment in Catherine’s voice and rushed to explain. “Please don’t be angry, Mrs. Harding! I’m so grateful for the opportunity you gave me that night, and I know you’ve done so much for me. I truly appreciate it all. But that night, Henry was having a heart attack and was sleeping like the dead. I couldn’t move him at all, which is why everything fell apart.” She paused, then added her sweetener: “That ruby necklace Henry gave me doesn’t suit my coloring at all. I’ve been meaning to give it to you. Perhaps we could meet in person?”
Despite how her heart bled at the thought of parting with the ruby necklace she adored, Isabella knew she needed to appease Catherine. Compared to winning Henry, what was one ruby necklace? Once she became Mrs. Harding, she could afford not just one but thousands of such necklaces!
Seeing potential profit, Catherine’s mood immediately brightened. “You poor thing, why didn’t you tell me Henry was ill? I’ll go to Maple Grove and check on him for you. Let’s meet this afternoon.”
Unfortunately, Catherine’s search of Maple Grove proved fruitless. She turned the place upside down but found no trace of Henry. Every servant in the house was questioned, yet remarkably, not a single person knew where Henry had gone. Catherine began to worry. How could a grown man simply disappear?
With no sign of Henry at home, she called James, only to learn that Henry hadn’t been to the office either, and James had no idea of his whereabouts. Finally, she called Richard.
‘Richard, Henry isn’t at Maple Grove. I need to speak with him about something important.”
Richard’s voice came through the phone, cool and matter–of–fact. “Henry had some business to attend to. He’s temporarily left New York and will return soon. There’s no need to worry about it.”
This answer surprised Catherine immensely. “He’s not in New York? Where did he go? Why did he leave?” she pressed, not hiding her shock. “When is he coming back? Is he just abandoning all his responsibilities here?”
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Chapter 181
Richard had no intention of answering her barrage of questions. “This isn’t your concern, he stated bluntly. Focus your attention on Grace instead. That girl has been thoroughly spoiled by you.”
Faced with her husband’s accusation, Catherine felt deeply wronged but couldn’t offer any explanation. She hung up angrily and immediately texted Isabella to inform her that Henry had left New York.
When Isabella read the message confirming llenry’s absence from the city, she nearly collapsed. Without Henry’s protection, how could she, a vulnerable woman, possibly stand against William’s machinations? As she stared at the message in despair, a doctor walked into her room and handed her a form.
“Isabella Scott, correct? We need to run some tests. Someone from the lab is coming to draw your blood.”
Blood draw?!
This was her most dreaded procedure! In the past, when Henry was with her during blood draws, he would cover her eyes and comfort her with gentle words, making the experience less frightening. Now, facing this terrifying procedure without Henry by her side seemed unbearable.
Instinctively, she wanted to refuse. However, before she could even prepare herself mentally, several nurses rushed in, held her down, and forcibly drew her blood.
Isabella’s face turned ghostly white with fear. She screamed and cried, threatening to expose the hospital’s “bullying” tactics to the media.
At that moment, William walked in. Leaning on his cane, he watched with obvious delight as the doctor extracted blood from Isabella’s arm.
Once the nurses finished, he turned to the hospital director standing beside him. “These nurses are excellent. They should participate in that new research project I’m funding.”
“Oh, and speaking of which,” he continued casually, the research requires test subjects. This young lady seems perfect for it.”
“Her kidneys aren’t functioning well–uremia, I believe? That’s exactly what our project focuses on.”
The director nodded enthusiastically. “You’re absolutely right, Mr. Harding. I completely agree.”
“Wonderful. I’ll have someone prepare the application right away to include her in this project.”
Isabella stared at the two men in absolute terror.
“NO!” she screamed hysterically. “I don’t want to participate! I refuse!”
Her terrified voice echoed through the room as she called out desperately: ‘Henry, where are you? Help me!”
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