Chapter 170

Sebastian and Zaire stood in the hallway outside the suite.

After a long silence, Zaire asked, "What's your plan?"

Sebastian glanced at him. "Every debt gets paid."

Zaire paused, then asked, "Should we tell Isabella?"

Sebastian frowned, staring into the distance. "Isabella's too kind. I'll handle the dirty work."

"Got it," Zaire nodded.

He turned and saw Isabella approaching.

He quickly coughed, "Isabella."

To Isabella, it seemed like Zaire was signaling Sebastian to wrap up the conversation.

Sebastian paused, put out his cigarette, brushed off the smoke, and walked up to her. His dark eyes locked onto hers. "Awake?"

Sebastian looked exhausted, with a faint smell of tobacco. His eyes seemed burdened with heavy thoughts.

Isabella felt a sudden pain looking at him.

She couldn't meet his gaze and looked down after a few seconds.

She felt ashamed in front of Sebastian.

Zaire broke the awkward silence. "I have to go. See you."

He headed to the elevator and left.

Isabella stared at her toes, struggling to find words, but then Sebastian pulled her into a warm hug.

His arm wrapped around her, his chin resting gently on her head.

"I'm sorry," he said softly.

She looked up, surprised, but only saw his jaw.

"I couldn't protect you," Sebastian's arms tightened around her.

Isabella's nose tingled, and she hugged his waist. "I was too stupid."

If only she had waited for the police, all of this could've been avoided.

"I should be the one apologizing."

Sebastian cupped her face, wiping her tears with his thumb. "Don't cry."

The more he said it, the more she cried.

Sebastian kissed away her tears, his heart aching.

Finally, he held her tightly, sighing, "Bella, you break my heart."

Isabella hugged him tightly, burying her face in his shoulder. "Sebastian, why are you so good to me?"

Sebastian turned, his cheek brushing hers, his hand on the back of her head. "You're mine. If I'm not good to you, who should I be good to?"

Isabella closed her eyes, feeling like she had the whole world.

Nina went to work.

Sebastian hadn't rested all night. He rushed back and spent the morning in video meetings, handling business.

By noon, just as he was about to take a break, Jack walked over. "Mr. Jose sent a message. Charlie's mother passed away."

Isabella looked up, surprised.

Sebastian frowned. "Wasn't she just fainted and not in serious condition?"

Jack shook his head. "Details are unclear. Mr. Jose said the situation's complicated."

Isabella's heart tightened.

Indeed, it was complicated.

With Deborah's death, Nina would definitely be blamed.

After all, Nina hit her!

Sebastian closed his laptop and stood up. "Let's go to the hospital."

Isabella quickly stood up. "I'm coming too."

Worried Sebastian might leave her behind, she didn't even grab her coat and rushed to the door.

Sebastian walked over and told Jack, "Get her coat and hat."

He helped her put them on, adjusting her collar. "Stay calm."

Isabella bit her lip and nodded.

Sebastian took her hand, and they left together.

At the hospital.

When they arrived, Zaire and Leo were already there.

Surprisingly, Susan and Emily were also there.

Seeing Isabella and Sebastian holding hands, Emily's eyes flickered, but she hid it well.

Sebastian glanced around. "Why are they here?"

Leo explained, "My sister wasn't feeling well, so Emily came with her. I ran into Zaire downstairs, asked him a few questions, and came up to see if I could help."

"Help?" Sebastian's gaze was sharp. "Are you sure you're here to help?"

Leo smiled. "I can't do much."

Susan interjected, "What's going on? I heard Isabella had an incident last night. Is she okay?"

Her question was insincere.

Everyone could tell she was being deliberate.

Sebastian looked at her coldly. "Who told you?"

Susan took out her phone and opened a webpage. "Just a few minutes ago, a lot about Isabella was posted online. Didn't you know?"

Isabella quickly took out her phone. When she checked online, she saw her name trending.

She clicked in and saw not only text but also several nude photos.

She scrolled down, and the comments section was full of insults.

As Isabella continued to scroll, Sebastian took her phone away.

"Jack!" His voice was deep.

Jack lowered his head. "Mr. Landon, the IP is very complex. It will take another seven minutes to get the exact address."

"What IP?" Isabella asked.

Jack glanced at her, then looked at Sebastian.

Without Sebastian's permission, he didn't dare to explain.

Sebastian had no intention of explaining. He just instructed Jack, "Handle it immediately!"

"Yes."

At that moment, the door to the ward opened, and Charlie was lying by the bed, crying loudly, "Mom, don't leave me alone, Mom."

No matter how he cried, Deborah's body was already cold. She was eventually taken to the morgue.

Charlie was about to go too, but at the elevator, he turned back and shouted at Isabella, "Isabella, you and Nina killed my mom. I won't let you get away with this!"

Isabella was shocked.

Zaire looked at Charlie coldly. "I asked the doctor. Deborah only had a head injury and was temporarily unconscious. Her vitals were stable. In the morning, a nurse even took her blood pressure, and she was kind of conscious."

Sebastian also stared at Charlie, slowly saying, "So, she shouldn't have died."

Charlie shivered. "What are you talking about? Nina killed my mom! Don't think you can get away with this by saying that. This isn't over!"