Chapter 220 A Bold Guess
At the critical moment, Michael dashed over and counterattacked Leo.
Michael's punch was not light; it made Leo stagger sideways a few steps before barely regaining his balance. However, blood was already trickling from the corner of Leo's mouth, and a red mark was left on his cheek.
Leo spat out a mouthful of blood and walked over to take Isabella's hand. "Let's go!"
"Bella!" Seb reached out to seize her, but his hand closed around emptiness.
Michael raised his hand to support Seb and whispered, "Mr. Landon, I think Miss Lopez is just fine."
With that, Michael handed Seb over to Emily and turned back to Kelsey.
Kelsey stared blankly at Michael, her mind filled with the image of him dashing over to punch Leo.
She wasn't one for girlish fantasies, but she had to admit that Michael looked incredibly cool at that moment.
"Are you still watching?" Michael paused and met her gaze. "Not leaving yet?"
Kelsey guiltily averted her eyes and followed him.
"Seb," Charles took a step forward and said in a deep voice. "Emma has picked a few good dates. You should choose one to marry Emily."
"No need to choose." Seb straightened up, his face returning to its cold demeanor. He turned around and said, "In two days."
"Two days later?" Emily looked at him in surprise. "But in two days, it's Isabella and Leo's big day."
"Precisely because it's a good day, we'll set it for two days later," Seb replied, facing Charles. "Didn't you just take Leo as your godson? Since we're all family, it'll be more convenient to have the weddings together."
Charles pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement. "Alright."
Isabella picked out a wedding dress without much enthusiasm. Leo then suggested they go ring shopping.
Inside the jewelry store, the clerk presented a selection of diamond rings and various luxurious jewelry pieces.
Isabella's mind was entirely on Sweetie, and she had no interest in choosing these. She pointed to a couple of items to get it over with and then asked Leo, "When will you take me to see Sweetie?"
Leo glanced at her. "No rush."
"I'm in a rush!" Isabella stood up. "Take me to see her. As long as I see she's safe, I'll be at ease."
Leo put down the ring, grabbed her hand, and walked out. "Follow me."
In the mall's nursing room, Leo let go of her hand. "I'll wait outside."
Isabella was stunned. "Sweetie is inside?"
"Yes."
Isabella didn't hesitate and pushed open the door.
As soon as she walked in, she saw Samantha holding Sweetie in her arms.
Isabella immediately scooped up Sweetie, and the moment she held her, her heart, which had felt so empty, was completely filled. It was as if she had the whole world in her arms.
Children changed so quickly. It had only been a few days, but Isabella felt Sweetie had grown a lot. Sweetie, likely well-fed, was awake with her eyes wide open, quietly leaning against Isabella.
Isabella held Sweetie tightly, her gaze fixed on the little one's face, reluctant to look away for even a second.
She wished time could freeze at this very moment and never move forward.
Ten minutes passed quickly. Leo knocked on the door, and Samantha was about to take Sweetie away.
"Wait," Isabella said.
She held Sweetie tightly, lowered her head, and placed a gentle kiss on Sweetie's brow.
Then she handed Sweetie to Samantha. "Samantha, please! You must take good care of her."
Samantha nodded.
At that moment, there was a commotion outside.
When Isabella opened the door, she saw Michael and a few others pushing Leo aside and rushing into the nursing room.
Isabella was shocked and immediately followed.
She was afraid Michael and his men might be rough and hurt Sweetie.
But when the door to the nursing room was pushed open, it was empty.
She stood frozen, confused. Just a minute ago, she and Samantha had been there. She hadn't seen Samantha leave, and now, the room was completely vacant. How could someone—especially a baby—just disappear?
She was still puzzled when she saw Michael walk in, look around, and then open a cabinet against the wall.
Inside the cabinet, there was a hole!
Michael shot up from his seat. "Quick! Block the exits next door!"
But it was too late.
By the time Michael and the others burst into the maternity room, Samantha had already whisked Sweetie away, darting out of the adjoining room.
"Seal off the mall immediately!" Michael ordered his men.
Isabella, however, said, "No!"
Michael looked at her in confusion.
Isabella's face was pale, and she said in a trembling voice, "Michael, the person you're looking for isn't here!"
Michael understood that she no longer wished to search.
After all the time they had wasted, it was highly likely that Sweetie had already slipped out of the mall.
Continuing this chase would not only be fruitless but could also provoke Charles' wrath.
With Sweetie in Charles's hands, Isabella was terrified of what might happen next.
Michael pressed his lips together and asked, "Are you sure?"
Isabella nodded. She walked over and took Leo's arm, her voice hoarse. "Let's go."
When Seb got home, he took a bowl of soup from Emily, drank it, and then lay down.
"I'm tired. I want to sleep for a while. You can go." Seb said.
Emily looked at him. "Seb, are we really getting married in two days?"
Seb closed his eyes and said without much emotion, "Isn't this what you've always wanted?"
Emily didn't say anything.
It was true; this was what she had longed for. But Seb had been resistant until now, and suddenly agreeing—especially with the added twist of a joint wedding with Isabella—left her feeling uneasy. She feared something might go awry.
Noticing her silence, Seb added, "If you're having second thoughts, I can always find someone else."
"No!" Emily said, "I want to! I really want to. Seb, I know you can't let go of Isabella, but I can't let go of you either. As long as you need me, I'll always be by your side."
Seb said tiredly, "Go out."
"Okay." Emily tucked him in before leaving.
Outside, Emily's footsteps faded away, and a gust of wind blew through the window, bringing in a strange scent.
Seb opened his eyes and sat up straight. "Jack."
Jack stepped out from the shadows. "Mr. Landon."
"How did it go?" Seb asked as he got up.
Jack hesitated for a moment and then recounted everything he had seen and heard while following Michael to the mall.
Seb's expression grew serious. "You mean they were blocking someone in the nursing room?"
"Yes." Jack looked at him. "Mr. Landon, I have a bold guess. Could it be..."
"Yes!" Seb interrupted, excitement lighting up his face. "You must be onto something. The baby is alive! She's still out there, under Charles's control! That's why Bella is going along with everything, marrying Leo, saying those things to me!
"Bella had no choice. She didn't mean it. She's indeed protecting our child!
"I knew it. I knew it!" Seb was overjoyed.
Jack was speechless.
In this world, only Isabella could make Seb lose his mind in an instant.
And only Isabella could make Seb regain his sanity just as quickly!
