Chapter 78

Isabella stared at the diamond ring on her finger, realizing it was the same one Pearl used to wear. She also figured out why Pearl's hand was in a cast-Michael had broken her finger.

"Do you like the ring? It was my mom's, and only my wife gets to wear it," Michael said, confirming Isabella's suspicions.

Isabella suddenly thought of Pearl and turned to Michael, asking, "What are you going to do about Pearl? Maybe you should just call the cops. You don't want to mess with the Brown family."

Seeing the concern in Isabella's eyes, Michael felt touched. He reached out and gently caressed her face, saying softly, "I already called the police. They came while you were in surgery. They must have found Pearl by now."

Michael wasn't lying. He knew Isabella was a kind person, so he had thought through all the consequences before acting.

Just as Michael finished speaking, there was a knock on the door, and two police officers walked in.

"Hello, Ms. Taylor, we heard you woke up, so we came to see you. Can we talk now?" a female officer asked politely.

Michael frowned. Isabella had just woken up, and he didn't want anyone disturbing her.

Isabella gently squeezed Michael's hand and smiled, nodding.

"It's okay, officer. I'm awake and can answer your questions," Isabella said.

The female officer approached Isabella and asked, "Ms. Taylor, your husband, Michael, said he saw Ms. Brown at the scene, the one who kidnapped you, is that right?"

Isabella nodded. "Pearl has always hated me. She even thought I ruined her engagement. I think she's lost it."

The female officer looked serious and said, "But we didn't find her at the scene."

Isabella paused, glancing at Michael.

Michael feigned innocence and frowned. "Pearl and her four goons attacked me. I managed to take them down, but since Isabella was hurt, I had to get her to the hospital first. I didn't do anything to Pearl and her crew after that. Maybe they got away?"

The female officer gave Michael a long, hard look. She felt he was too calm.

A normal person, even if innocent, would feel nervous when questioned by the police. But Michael was too calm, like he had already anticipated what would happen next.

The male officer walked over with a smile and said to Isabella, "Thanks for your cooperation, Ms. Taylor. We'll let you know if there are any updates on the case."

After he finished speaking, he and the female officer left the room.

"My gut tells me Michael is definitely hiding something," the female officer whispered to her partner.

Her partner chuckled. "I feel the same way. But let's treat this as a normal kidnapping and follow the usual leads. We don't want to get mixed up with these people. Neither Isabella nor Pearl are folks we want to mess with."

The female officer frowned. "Are you saying this case is connected to the Four Families?"

The male officer nodded. "Yeah, they're like four fierce beasts, especially the Williams Family, which is like a tiger. And don't forget Michael's last name."

The female officer's eyes widened, and she was about to blurt out the name of that family, but her partner quickly covered her mouth.

"If that's the case, then Pearl's disappearance makes sense," the male officer whispered in her ear, cautiously looking around.

The female officer nodded, pushed away the male officer's hand, and they walked out of the hospital together.

After the officers left, Isabella turned to Michael.

"Did you take Pearl away?" Isabella asked, worried. If Michael was behind it, she'd have to ask Mason to protect him from Pearl's family.

Michael saw the concern in Isabella's eyes and shook his head. "I was telling the truth. I didn't have time to deal with Pearl. There might have been others at the scene who took her away. Or maybe Pearl is hiding on purpose to frame you for her disappearance."

Isabella rubbed her chin, sensing a conspiracy.

"It could also be the other two families of the Four Families," Isabella said cautiously.

Michael raised an eyebrow, looking puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Isabella glanced at Michael reproachfully and lightly patted his hand.

"You're usually pretty sharp, so why are you acting so clueless now? The four families may seem like friends on the surface, but behind the scenes, they're all scheming against each other, trying to take over. That's exactly how the Brown Family took over my family back then," Isabella said, waving her hand angrily.

Michael found Isabella's angry look somewhat cute and playfully tapped her nose. "So, you think this might be the work of the other three families?"

Isabella tilted her head and speculated, "Everyone knows I'm close to Mason. Someone might have kidnapped Pearl to frame me, hoping to drag Mason into the mess. That way, they could pit the Williams Family against the Brown Family."

Michael squinted, finding Isabella's speculation quite reasonable. It gave him a new perspective.

"Mason will probably hear about your injury soon. If Pearl doesn't show up, you should tell Mason your suspicions. He'll know what to do," Michael said, patting Isabella's hand reassuringly.

Isabella nodded and sighed. "Mason will be so upset when he finds out I'm in the hospital again."

Suddenly, while caressing Isabella's hand, Michael said, "Actually, not only Mason, my father also called to ask about your condition."

Isabella was surprised. "Your father knows I'm in the hospital?"

Michael shook his head, a mischievous smile playing on his face. "He asked me when I will give him a grandson."