Chapter 41

Michael yanked Isabella out of the banquet hall, not realizing someone was still lurking in the shadows.

Once they were gone, Bianca wheeled herself out from behind a pillar.

John and the rest of the Williams family had left with Mason. Bianca didn't dare follow, scared Isabella might beat her up again, so she just stayed hidden.

Bianca had never met John's uncle, so she didn't recognize Michael. She was just a bit jealous that every man Isabella liked was so handsome.

"What's the point of being handsome if he's broke? Anyway, he's definitely not as high-status as John. But hey, at least Isabella can't marry John now, so I kinda got what I wanted," Bianca was smugly talking to herself, but when she smiled, it pulled at the wound on her face, causing her some pain.

Touching the bruises on her face, Bianca's eyes flashed with anger. "Damn you, Isabella. I'll get back at you for this someday."

Meanwhile, Isabella and Michael headed straight to her place after leaving the banquet hall.

Back home, Isabella clung to Michael's hand, sitting on the couch in silence. Michael let her hold his hand, staying quietly by her side.

"Still upset about your parents?" Michael asked gently.

Isabella shook her head. "I lost all hope in them when they threatened me with suicide. I just feel like I hurt Mason too much."

Michael stroked her forehead and pulled her into his arms. "Didn't Mr. Williams say people should always chase their happiness? If marrying John won't make you happy, then there's nothing wrong with going after your own happiness."

Isabella inhaled the faint scent of tobacco from Michael, his strong arms holding her close, and her heart started racing.

Michael felt her body heat up. He looked down and saw her face turning red.

A smile played on Michael's lips. "How about we finish what we started in the lounge?"

Isabella hesitated, remembering how close they were to going all the way in the lounge. If John hadn't interrupted, they might already be a real couple.

Her face turned even redder, but then Michael kissed her. This time, Isabella didn't resist. After an awkward start, she responded to Michael with growing passion.

Michael felt the desire burning inside him like a bomb about to go off. He couldn't hold back anymore. He loosened his tie, took off his shirt, picked up Isabella, and carried her to the bedroom.

At the bedside, they kissed again, the intense, suffocating feeling bringing waves of pleasure. Their primal desires drove them to strip off their clothes.

Just as Isabella was down to her underwear, she suddenly screamed and fell back onto the bed.

Michael's desire-clouded mind snapped back to reality, and he quickly checked on her.

"What's wrong? What happened?" Michael asked, worried.

Isabella winced in pain and pointed to her foot. "I lost my balance in these high heels. I think I twisted my ankle."

Michael quickly checked Isabella's foot, took off her socks, and saw her ankle was a bit swollen.

Worry for Isabella took over Michael's mind. He grabbed the clothes off the floor and started helping her get dressed. "Come on, put your clothes on. We're going to the hospital."

"Isn't that a bit much? It's just a little twist. We can just get some medicine," Isabella said with a weak smile, thinking Michael was overreacting.

But Michael was dead serious. "No, we need to go to the hospital now."

He helped her get dressed, and then carried her to the car and drove to the hospital.

From the parking lot to the hospital entrance, Michael carried Isabella the whole way, drawing curious looks from everyone around, making Isabella feel a bit embarrassed.

Even though all the attention made her shy, Michael's concern made her feel warm inside. Once they got to the doctor's office, Isabella finally got to stand on her own.

The doctor, thinking she was seriously hurt, did a thorough check-up. After a moment, he said, "It's just a twisted ankle. No big deal. I'll prescribe some meds. Just rest at home for a few days."

Isabella nodded, but Michael wasn't having it.

"This is serious. She needs proper care. Get us a high-end room; she needs to stay in the hospital for observation," Michael insisted.

Both Isabella and the doctor were stunned.

"It's just a minor injury. Hospitalization isn't necessary, and you're wasting medical resources," the doctor said, a bit annoyed.

Michael frowned, pulled out a credit card, and said, "I don't care about the cost. My wife needs to stay here tonight."

"No, really!" Isabella blurted out, feeling super embarrassed. She tugged at Michael's clothes, but he wouldn't budge.

The doctor looked at Michael, then at Isabella, and sighed. "Alright, she can stay for three days. Let's see how it goes." He shook his head and arranged for Isabella to be admitted.

As Michael took Isabella to pay, the doctor watched them leave and sighed softly. "This is love."

Once Isabella was settled in the high-end ward, she quickly shut the door, not wanting to see Michael because the whole thing was just too embarrassing.

Michael thought he had acted perfectly reasonably. If he got any more worried, he was ready to call Benjamin over.

Just as he was about to knock on the door and ask Isabella to let him in, his phone rang.

Seeing it was a call from a subordinate, Michael answered.

"Mr. Williams, we've caught Ms. Taylor's parents. What should we do next?" the subordinate asked.

In a remote house on the outskirts, Jasper and Mia, tied up and terrified, were shaking all over.