Chapter 504

Olivia's certainty made Renee glance downstairs.

But all she saw was Isabella and Emilio keeping a respectful distance, no funny business.

She sighed and dismissed Olivia's theory.

"Olivia, you're reading too much into it. They just look like friends."

Renee instinctively felt that Isabella and Emilio wouldn't end up together.

Besides, Isabella hadn't fully moved on from Michael yet. Even if she was ready to start fresh, it wouldn't be easy to forget all those memories with Michael and jump into another relationship.

Loving someone was hard, but forgetting them was just as tough.

She knew how much Isabella was still hung up on Michael, so she didn't think Isabella and Emilio would get together so soon.

"How can they be just friends?" Olivia shot back, not ready to give up. "Look at them, they're practically staring into each other's souls! They definitely have feelings for each other!"

Seeing Olivia so convinced, Renee didn't feel like arguing anymore.

She raised an eyebrow. "Why don't we go down and see for ourselves?"

As long as they moved quietly, no one would notice.

Her suggestion immediately won Olivia's approval.

They sneaked down to the backyard, hiding behind a plant to eavesdrop on the conversation happening not far away.

Just then, Emilio, who had been silent for a while, suddenly spoke up.

"Isabella, can I hug you?"

If being just friends was their fate, he was willing to stay by her side in that capacity.

But he wanted to put an end to his unspoken feelings tonight.

After tonight, they would go back to being friends.

He didn't want any regrets.

"Sure, you can."

Isabella could see Emilio's compromise and sadness. As a friend, how could she refuse such a small request?

So, she gently reached out and hugged the stiff Emilio, whispering in his ear, "Emilio, thank you for understanding. We'll always be friends."

She was grateful for everything he had done for her, including managing the Wilson Group tirelessly, allowing her to take a break from her chaotic life.

Emilio wrapped his large arms around her, taking a deep breath. He had waited a long time for this moment.

But the outcome wasn't what he had hoped for.

Still, he would let go, for Isabella's sake and his own.

He liked her, and even if they were just friends, he was willing.

"Isabella, you don't need to thank me."

Not wanting to linger in this moment, Emilio released her and stepped back to a safe distance.

Not far away, Olivia and Renee, who had witnessed the whole scene, were wide-eyed with surprise.

"Renee, did you see that? I told you, Isabella and Emilio are almost there."

Olivia was more excited than anyone, seeing them hug.

Renee was also shocked.

Could it be that Isabella had really moved on from Michael and was ready to accept Emilio?

If that was the case, it would be good. At least Emilio seemed gentle and considerate, unlike Michael, who had only caused Isabella pain.

As they whispered, a shadow suddenly fell over them. Isabella had caught Olivia and Renee eavesdropping.

"Why don't you two come over here and say whatever you're discussing to our faces?" Isabella called out.

Isabella and Emilio had walked over, looking at the two hiding behind the plant with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

Seriously, did they think nobody could see them huddled behind that tiny plant? It was impossible not to notice.

Olivia was still in a daze. "Isabella, when did you see us?"

"Since you got here."

Isabella glanced at her phone.

She hadn't forgotten that Nolan had asked her out.

Now that things with Emilio were settled, her priority was to figure out Nolan's intentions.

It was getting late, and she couldn't delay any longer.

Putting her phone away, she turned to the embarrassed Olivia and Renee. "I have an urgent matter to attend to. I don't know when I'll be back, so I'm leaving my good friend in your care. Don't neglect my guest, got it?"

Olivia and Renee were taken aback and responded without thinking.

"Good friend?"

"Guest?"

Isabella knew they would react this way, but she just smiled and walked away without explaining further, leaving the three of them in confusion.

Olivia was the most unwilling to accept this reality.

"Renee, did I hear wrong? Isabella said 'good friend.' What does that mean?"

She had seen Isabella hug Emilio. Didn't that confirm their relationship? Now Isabella was saying they were just friends?

Renee felt a bit sorry for Olivia and didn't want to burst her bubble.

But Emilio, knowing the truth, spoke up openly.

"Thank you for your support, Ms. Smith. Isabella and I are really just friends."

There would be no other possibilities.

As he spoke, a hint of regret flashed in Emilio's eyes.

How could he not be sad?

He had genuinely liked her, but in the end, he couldn't even confess his feelings. Only he could understand that pain.

A white Bentley drove out of the garage, quickly leaving through the gate.

As the night grew darker, Isabella rested her hand on the car window, feeling the cold wind on her face, which only strengthened her resolve.

A few minutes earlier, Nolan had sent her the location for their meeting.

He had told her he was already there, waiting.

If she didn't show up, he would make her witness how he would deal with Michael and strip him of his status as the Brown Family heir, turning him into a nobody.

This was the first time Isabella truly understood how ruthless Nolan could be.

To achieve his goals, he didn't care about anyone's life.

Even if that person was his own brother, he wouldn't hesitate.

Someone as selfish as Nolan would never put her first.

Going alone now, there was no telling what Nolan might do in a fit of anger.

The more Isabella thought about it, the more scared she became.

She had been through too many similar situations and had to consider her own safety.

With that in mind, she decisively pulled over and sent a text message.