Chapter 126

Isabella stared at the damp tissue in her palm. Her expression turned icy cold. Victoria always managed to deceive Theodore and Sophia. She had them completely under her control. Isabella could never compete in that regard. She couldn't pretend or manipulate like Victoria did. She lost because she refused to sink to Victoria's level of wickedness.

But soon, very soon, she would expose Victoria's true nature to everyone. After drying her face completely, she glanced at her outfit. Fortunately, she wore leather today. It repelled the water easily.

Isabella was about to lie down when footsteps echoed outside. She looked up to see a tall figure and a small one at her door. Nathaniel and Oliver stood there.

"Leave. I need to rest," she stated flatly. She then lay on the cot, turning away from them. Her current situation was precarious. Their association could drag them down with her. Furthermore, she had resolved to maintain her distance. The Auto Show had been their only connection. That event was over now. Their interactions should end as well.

Ignoring her dismissal, Nathaniel entered with Oliver. He closed the door firmly behind them. "Isabella," he said directly, "if you agree, I can hire the top private investigators. The best lawyers in the world."

"Don't waste your efforts. Stay out of this," Isabella replied, her eyes still shut.

Nathaniel sensed her emotional distance. He frowned, frustrated. He glanced at Oliver and gave a slight nod. Oliver understood immediately. He rushed toward Isabella's cot.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Oliver cried, leaping onto her. "I missed you so much! I was so worried! Sniff... When they took you away, I cried until my eyes swelled. Mommy, please hold me? Please? I really, really missed you."

Isabella had no time to react before Oliver buried himself in her arms. His pleading, adorable voice filled her ears. She sat up, gently pushing his small arms away. "Oliver, go back with your father. You shouldn't be here visiting me." A child shouldn't be exposed to a place like this.

But Oliver clung to her stubbornly. His little head pressed against her chest. "No! I won't leave! Mommy isn't bad! I want to stay with mommy! Daddy and I believe in you! Someone else set you up! I know you would never do that!" His voice was firm. His eyes shone with absolute faith.

Isabella's heart softened instantly. Since the incident began, no one had trusted her. Everyone looked at her with suspicion and judgment. Even her own parents assumed her guilt. They scolded her without letting her explain.

And now, this little boy declared his belief in her. She knew Nathaniel must have coached him. Which meant... Nathaniel believed her too.

They had known each other for such a short time. They shared no blood relation. Yet he chose to trust her... A bitter irony washed over her, mixed with another, warmer feeling she couldn't name.

She gently pinched Oliver's soft cheeks. "If you believe I'm innocent, then go home. Wait for my news. I'll be out very soon."

"Really?" Oliver's eyes sparkled with hope. "You have a special plan to get out? Like when Superman defeats the monsters? Right?"

Isabella nodded. "Yes, exactly like that. So Oliver needs to go home. Don't mess up my big plan, okay?"

"But I want to stay with you. You'll be scared here alone, right? It's so cold in this room..." Oliver looked around the bleak space. His face fell. Tears welled in his sorrowful eyes.

Just then, Dominic entered carrying a large bag of supplies. There was food, toiletries, and other essentials. He also held an enormous white rabbit pillow.

Nathaniel took the nearly two-meter-long pillow. He handed it to Isabella personally. "Take this. I'll bring Oliver home now."

Isabella was speechless. She stared at the childish pillow. Was he seriously expecting her to accept this?