Chapter 81

Pearl's tragic state left everyone in shock, and fingers were pointed at Isabella.

Paxton stood outside the ICU, staring at Pearl through the glass. His face was a mask, but inside, he was boiling with rage.

Pearl lay there, motionless on the hospital bed, her head shaved. With her limbs gone, she was kept alive by IV meds through her scalp.

Paxton shut his eyes, tears slipping down his cheeks. Regret hit him hard. If he hadn't pushed Pearl to go after Michael, maybe she wouldn't be in this mess.

The sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hospital corridor as one of Paxton's guys rushed over.

"Mr. Brown, the hospital's locked down by the Williams Family's security and the cops. Our guys can't get in," the subordinate said.

Paxton looked at him, his face blank, but his eyes were cold and deadly, making the guy sweat bullets.

"I need an answer. Pearl can't go through this hell for no reason. Someone must be held accountable. I don't care which of the big families it is, they owe me an explanation," Paxton said, ice in his voice.

The subordinate nodded, sweat dripping. "Got it, Mr. Brown."

He quickly left to set things in motion.

Meanwhile, Mason got word that the Brown Family was heading to the hospital and had a run-in with the cops.

The police held them off, but Mason knew Paxton wouldn't stop until he had Isabella.

Leaning on his cane, Mason started pacing the living room.

Charles followed him, asking, "Mr. Williams, should we warn the Browns?"

Mason shook his head. "It's too late. Paxton's lost it. Get Isabella out of the hospital and bring her to me. I'll keep her safe."

Charles nodded and went to make the arrangements.

Mason quickly set up a security detail from the family's company to escort a car to the hospital.

The Brown's men outside the hospital saw the Williams' move and tipped off Paxton.

"I don't care what it takes, I want to see Isabella today," Paxton said coldly into his phone.

Outside the hospital, a frail figure in a hospital gown was surrounded by bodyguards and hustled into the car. The car headed towards the Williams Villa.

As they hit an intersection, the car stopped at a red light. Out of nowhere, a heavy truck came barreling towards them.

"Convoy under attack! Alert! Quick, alert!" a guard in the lead car yelled into the walkie-talkie.

The truck smashed into the convoy, splitting the cars apart.

A bunch of armed guys jumped out of the truck and started fighting with the guards.

Gunshots and screams filled the air as several attackers made a beeline for Isabella's car. The bodyguards fought back, but the attackers were relentless.

Despite the bodyguards' best efforts, the thugs muscled through and yanked open Isabella's car door.

As the door swung open, a foot shot out, nailing one of the attackers in the chest and sending him flying. Then, a figure in a hospital gown stepped out of the car.

The figure pulled off a wig, revealing a man underneath.

"Isabella's not here. We've been duped. Fall back!" one thug shouted, and they scattered in all directions.

Some guards wanted to give chase, but their captain held them back.

About fifteen minutes later, the guard convoy rolled back into the Williams Villa.

Meanwhile, Mason got a call from Paxton.

"Mason, you're a real piece of work. I'll give you that-I fell for your trick this time. But how long can you keep Isabella safe? Pearl needs answers," Paxton said, his voice icy and disrespectful.

Mason replied calmly, "Pearl deserves answers, but does that mean an innocent person has to be held responsible? I've told you, Isabella didn't do it. Don't let yourself be manipulated. Someone's trying to pit our families against each other."

"Then you better find the real culprit, Mason. Because I won't stop," Paxton snapped before hanging up.

After the call, Mason turned to the guard captain. "Are you sure Isabella was gone when you got to the hospital?"

The captain nodded. "When we arrived, Ms. Taylor's room was empty. We asked her doctor and nurses, and they said a man took her. From their description, it sounded like Mr. Michael Williams."

"Michael? How's he involved in this? I didn't give him any orders," Mason said, frowning, a sense of unease creeping in.

Mason immediately tried calling Michael, but got no answer. He then tried Isabella, but her phone was also unreachable.

Feeling anxious, Mason said, "Isn't Isabella friends with Amelia? Get her number."

The guard captain quickly found Amelia's number.

A few minutes later, Mason dialed Amelia.

Amelia was surprised to get Mason's call.

"Mason, are you looking for Isabella? She and her husband went abroad. Didn't she tell you?" Amelia said, puzzled.

"Got it. Thanks for the info," Mason said, hanging up. He figured Isabella's phone was off because she was on a plane. But why couldn't he reach Michael either?

Just then, John walked in. "Grandpa, Michael went abroad today. He said he was going to see his dad, Kenna. He was in such a rush he asked me to tell you."

John plopped down on the sofa, still confused. "Why was he in such a hurry he couldn't call you himself?"

Mason looked at John like he was an idiot. "I guess he was too embarrassed to call me."