Isabella sat by the window, lost in memories of the past. For a fleeting moment, her eyes filled with genuine longing.
If she could turn back time, she might have chosen differently. She might have declined that money, no matter how large the sum.
Back then, Henry’s heart condition was severe he would collapse without warning, brushing with death multiple times.
While she craved the Harding fortune, she also wanted a healthy husband who could provide her with happiness. How could a sickly man like. Henry give her the life she desired?
So after witnessing Henry’s repeated near–death experiences, she ultimately accepted William’s arrangement–taking the enormous payout and leaving New York to live abroad. Whether Henry lived or died, how long he survived–none of that truly mattered to her.
That night six years ago, when she texted Henry, she merely wanted to test his devotion.
More than anything else, she craved the validation of being desperately pursued.
She had already checked into the hotel, preparing to catch an early morning flight overseas,
As the rain poured heavier, she made a bet with her adoptive mother.
“Let’s see if he comes,” she had said, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. “Let’s see if he truly loves me.”
The city was practically flooded; driving was nearly impossible, walking even worse. If Henry managed to reach her in such terrible weather, it would prove his love was genuine.
So she sent the message from her phone, then hid with her adoptive mother in the hotel’s upper floors, watching through the glass for Henry’s desperate arrival. She had assumed that with such terrible weather and his poor health, he wouldn’t show up.
But when Henry appeared at the Palace Grand Hotel with his pants soaked through, she was
In that moment, her heart flooded with conflicting emotions–touched, concerned,
But most of all, she felt an overwhelming sense of validation.
completely stunned.
Having a CEO with a heart condition brave such terrible weather just for her–what glory! It was something she could boast about for a lifetime. So she rode the elevator down and rushed toward Henry.
By that time, Isabella and Catherine had recognized each other’s true identities, though both kept their knowledge hidden.
Catherine, concerned for her daughter, wanted to prevent her from being sent abroad. So the moment Henry and Isabella entered the hotel room, she secretly sprayed something into the air.
She knew that if Isabella and Henry consummated their relationship, William might allow Isabella to stay.
She had seen Isabella enter the room with her own eyes, yet she also witnessed Henry fleeing from that same room.
Confused, Catherine rushed into the room to ask Isabella what had happened. Isabella just cried, refusing to say anything.
Later, they heard a girl’s terrible screams and sobbing from the adjacent room. With a single glance at each other, they guessed what had occurred.
After the neighboring room fell silent; the two women left their hiding place.
Catherine, using her position as Mrs. Harding, opened the door to the next room. On the white sheets lay a bright stain of virgin blood.
1/3
Chapter 350
Isabella was ecstatic, rushing forward to cut it out and keep it for herself.
six years ago, she hadn’t thought much of it–thankfully Catherine had reminded her of its potential value.
Only now did she understand how crucial her mother’s decision had been.
“Henry,” she continued her tale, “I was being watched by your grandfather’s bodyguards at the time. I wasn’t supposed to see you, I snuck out, but they found me and took me away, forcing me onto a plane leaving the city. Her voice cracked with emotion. “I wanted to be with you, but I couldn’t defy your grandfather. All I could take with me was that bloodstained sheet and my memories of you.”
By the end of her story, tears were streaming down her face.
Most of what Isabella said was true.
She had simply replaced the woman with herself–95% truth mixed with 5% lies, making it nearly impossible to distinguish fact from fiction.
Combined with her emotional delivery and heartbroken tears, she left Henry speechless.
Of the events six years ago, Henry had only fragmented memories.
It had been nighttime, the hotel had lost power, and he couldn’t see anything. He had been drugged, his mind foggy. The act had barely finished when he passed out completely. An ambulance had taken him away, and he didn’t wake up until a month later. How could he possibly remember more?
ad on the
Yet Isabella’s description matched what little he did recall. He clearly remembered walking into Palace Grand Hotel soaking wet, when Isabella–the woman he’d been thinking of day and night–suddenly appeared, throwing herself into his arms like a bird returning to its nest.
After hearing Isabella’s story, Henry narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “I’ll verify whether what you’ve told me is true. Cousin, you’d better not be lying to me.”
When Isabella heard how he addressed her, her entire body trembled with rage. She pointed at his face, sputtering, “Y–you… what did you call
me?”
“Cousin? Who’s your cousin? I am NOT your cousin!” she screamed.
She had always dreamed of being Henry’s wife, Mrs. Harding. How could she possibly accept being called his cousin? She refused to face this reality.
From sixteen until now–sixteen long years–she had loved Henry, giving him her best youth and passion. Now she was expected to accept that he was her cousin? How unbearably cruel!
“Don’t call me cousin! I’m not!” she shrieked hysterically, all trace of her earlier composure gone.
Henry ignored her outburst. Having heard her story, he arranged for heating equipment to be delivered and brought several thick blankets as promised.
After leaving the basement, he made a special trip to the villa he had previously given Isabella.
Following her instructions; he opened the drawer.
Sure enough… there was a transparent bag containing haphazardly cut bedsheets.
The item was clearly old; the blood had turned brownish rather than bright red. The sheet also bore the Palace Grand Hotel’s logo.
Henry stared at the jagged piece of old sheet for a long time, his brow deeply furrowed.
Had he been wrong to doubt her?
2/3
Chapter 350
In truth, Henry hadn’t fully believed Isabella’s story. After studying the sheet for several minutes, he handed it to his assistant James.
Take some of isabella’s blood, he commanded. “I want a DNA comparison.*
Chapter Comments
LIKE
POST COMMENT NOW
< SHARE
3/3
