Chapter 42

Michael hesitated for a moment when his team asked him what to do. He finally had an answer.

What Isabella's parents did was ridiculous and maddening, but they were still her family. Even if he couldn't stand them, he wasn't about to kill them.

"Teach them a lesson, make them suffer a bit, but don't kill them," Michael said before hanging up. His guy knew exactly what to do.

Just as he finished giving those orders, his phone rang again.

Michael glanced at the caller ID, frowned, and headed to the hospital rooftop where it was quieter. When he answered, an older voice came through.

"Have you been back home for so long without even giving me a call? Do you know how much I miss you, Michael?" It was his dad, Kenna Williams, teasing him.

Michael sighed, leaning against the railing. "Dad, you know I've been swamped since I got back. The new company just started, and there's a ton to handle."

Before he could finish, Kenna cut him off.

"I get that you're busy, but I heard you're married now. How's the new wife? What's she like?" Kenna's curiosity about Isabella was obvious.

"She's beautiful, gentle, kind, and strong-willed. I think you'd really like her," Michael said, a smile creeping onto his face.

"You don't usually talk about women like this. Sounds like you're really in love. When can you bring her to meet me? I want to see her," Kenna said eagerly.

Michael went quiet for a moment, reminded of what Mason had said. He wasn't ready to face Mason yet.

"Dad, she doesn't know who I really am. To her, I'm just a regular guy. When you meet her, please don't spill the beans," Michael said.

Kenna couldn't help but joke, "Worried she's only with you for the money? Even if she is, so what? Our family's got enough cash for her to spend forever."

"Dad, if you want to meet her, just go along with it," Michael said, a bit frustrated.

"Alright, alright. Never thought I'd have to play along at my age. I'm no actor," Kenna grumbled before hanging up.

As Michael was about to leave the rooftop, he spotted a familiar face downstairs-John.

Michael frowned. He couldn't run into John now, so he decided to leave the hospital.

John was at the hospital because he'd arranged for Bianca to stay there after she got kicked out last time. He brought some fancy dinner for Bianca. As he passed a luxurious ward, he thought he saw Isabella.

John stood at Isabella's door, dinner in hand, unsure if he should knock.

When Isabella called off their marriage, he should've been thrilled-finally free to be with Bianca. But instead, he felt a weird emptiness.

"John, wrong door? I'm over here," Bianca called out, wheeling herself out of another room.

Snapping out of it, John took the dinner into Bianca's ward. As he set the food down, he hesitated. "I think I saw Isabella."

Bianca, about to dig in, froze and stared at him.

"John, you sure you didn't mistake someone else for her? Why would Isabella be here? Or... do you still have feelings for her?" Bianca asked, her voice tinged with jealousy.

John quickly shook his head. "No, I don't love her. It's always been you. I just really think I saw her."

Bianca, curious, wanted to know if Isabella was actually there. They asked a staff member and confirmed it-Isabella was indeed in that fancy ward.

"John, are you going to see her? If you want to, I won't stop you. Our relationship did hurt her a lot," Bianca said, holding his hand, her voice filled with sadness.

John shook his head. "I can't see her. The reason I brought her up is that my grandfather told me today to try to win her back."

'Has Mason lost his mind? Isabella already called off the engagement. Why would he want John to chase her?' Bianca thought, frustrated.

"If it's your grandfather's wish, go ahead. I won't mind," Bianca said, looking down, a bitter smile on her face.

John hugged her gently. "Don't worry. Even if he asks, I won't do it. There's nothing between Isabella and me."

Bianca finally smiled, relieved.

Just then, Bianca's phone rang. The number was unfamiliar. She frowned and answered. The words on the other end left her stunned.

"What happened?" John asked, confused.

After hanging up, Bianca looked at John, bewildered. "That was Isabella's mom. She said she and Jasper were robbed. The thieves took their stuff, tied them up, and whipped them before running off. They managed to escape and took a taxi here, asking us to cover the fare."

John stood there, processing, then headed out of the hospital.

Soon, he returned with Isabella's parents, Jasper and Mia. They were still in their evening gowns, now dirty and stained, with visible whip marks.