Chapter 169

Isabella had no clue Bianca was about to come back home, and they'd be seeing each other soon.

The next morning, Isabella woke up to find Michael still asleep next to her. His muscular body was half-covered by the blanket, just enough to keep things interesting.

She leaned in close and whispered in his ear, "Babe, I'm heading to work."

Michael didn't even open his eyes, just grunted in response.

Isabella got up, got dressed, and headed to the bathroom to freshen up.

After whipping up breakfast for both of them and finishing her meal, she left the villa.

Not long after she left, Michael slowly dragged himself out of bed.

"Man, my back is killing me," he muttered, rubbing his back. Last night had taken a toll on him, thanks to his promise to Isabella.

Michael sat on the bed for a bit, then reluctantly called Benjamin.

Benjamin was confused when he picked up the call.

"What's up? Did you and Isabella have another fight? Need some relationship advice?" Benjamin teased.

Michael was quiet for a moment before saying, "My back's sore. Got any tips for that?"

Benjamin burst out laughing. "I know what you need, but dude, I'm just a surgeon. I'm not a kidney expert. But I do know some people who might help. I'll ask around and get back to you."

Michael's face darkened. "Don't you dare spread this around, or you're dead."

Benjamin chuckled. "Relax, I've got this. It's all about your health. I'll get back to you this afternoon."

With that, Benjamin hung up. After a moment of laughing, a bitter smile crossed his face.

Since that drunken night with Amelia, they hadn't been intimate again.

'Damn, in some ways, I really envy Michael,' Benjamin thought, feeling uneasy.

When Benjamin got to the hospital, he didn't head straight to his office but went to another department.

"Mr. Cox, I have a question. I have a friend who's been, uh, overdoing it with his wife, and now his kidneys are feeling the strain. Any advice?" Benjamin asked.

Louis Cox gave him a weird look. "Are you sure this is for a friend? You don't have to hide it from me. As your colleague, I won't tell anyone."

Benjamin's face soured, realizing how odd his question sounded.

Everyone knew that "It's for a friend" was code for "I'm too embarrassed to ask this myself."

"I'm serious. It's not me; it's for my friend," Benjamin insisted, his face darkening.

Louis stood up, patted Benjamin's shoulder, and said, "No need to explain further. I can see it in your pale face and those dark circles. Your body is clearly going through something. You should check out the doctors at Emberlyn. They might be exactly what you need. I know someone there - let me give you their contact."

Louis handed Benjamin a business card from his drawer.

With a somber expression, Benjamin muttered a thank you and left Louis's office.

As Louis watched him leave, he shook his head and sighed. "People don't control themselves when they're young, and it catches up with them later."

Benjamin gave the doc at Emberlyn a ring. The doc recommended meeting face-to-face, saying some things were better talked about in person than over the phone.

Benjamin passed this info to Michael, leaving the decision up to him.

Meanwhile, when Isabella arrived at the company, she was surprised by the crowd at the entrance.

At first, she thought it was the usual troublemakers trying to get her fired, but then she noticed they had microphones and realized they were reporters.

Since they were reporters, security couldn't just shoo them away like before.

"Ms. Taylor, maybe we should use the back entrance?" Leo suggested.

Isabella shook her head, took out a mirror, and applied some makeup.

"Leo, do I look haggard?" she asked.

Leo glanced at her and smirked. "Ms. Taylor, I had a friend who used to smoke weed. You look a lot like him right now."

Leo admired her makeup skills.

Isabella nodded, deciding to go with this haggard look for her upcoming plan.

When she got out of the car, the reporters swarmed her.

"Isabella, did you really abandon your parents?"

"Isabella, did you know your parents were almost buried alive? What do you have to say about that?"

"Isabella, can you tell us about your current husband? Is he really the scoundrel your parents claim he is?"