Chapter 221 Listening to You
Jack said, "After they left, I immediately checked the surveillance footage outside the nursing room. As expected, it was tampered with. I've already arranged for a covert citywide search."
"No!" Seb raised his hand. "No searches!"
He analyzed, "Charles won't harm the child because he needs the child to control Isabella and torment me. He wants to turn me into a lapdog. Bella and the child are his best cards. If we search now, it will only alert Charles, and Bella and the child might get hurt."
Jack nodded. "You're right, but what should we do next? The wedding is in two days. Are you really going to let Isabella marry Leo?"
"The wedding?" Seb sneered. "The wedding will go on, but who marries whom is up to me."
"Mr. Landon?"
Seb pondered for a moment before quietly instructing Jack.
Nina had been waiting in the bridal shop for a while when Richard arrived.
"Everyone's gone?" Seeing her alone, Richard asked.
"Yeah." Nina stood up. "Michael said you'd be coming over to talk to me about something, so I've been waiting here for you. What is it?"
Richard said, "Can you help me pick out a suit?"
"For what?"
"For Isabella's wedding in two days. I don't have anything decent to wear, and I trust your taste." Richard naturally took Nina's hand and led her to the suit section.
The shop was filled with staff, and their hand-holding drew quite a bit of attention. Nina tried to pull her hand away a few times, but Richard held on firmly.
Seeing she couldn't pull away, Nina temporarily gave up.
In the suit section, she carefully selected two suits.
"These two look pretty good." Nina said.
Richard glanced at them casually. "Let me try them on."
His gaze was so piercing and intense that it caused Nina to blush.
"Go ahead and try them on." She took the opportunity to pull her hand back and handed him the suits.
Richard smiled. "Wait here for me."
Then he went into the fitting room.
Nina wandered around for a bit, and soon Richard came out in the suit.
As soon as he appeared, several female clerks gasped in admiration.
"So handsome."
Richard ignored the women with girlish fantasies. His eyes scanned the store, and upon spotting Nina, he walked straight to her.
"How do I look?" he asked.
Nina was speechless.
It was clear from the staff's reaction that the suit looked good. Even though she tried not to be swayed like the other women, Nina couldn't deny that Richard looked striking.
Richard's appearance was far from the refined, gentlemanly look of Seb or Zaire. His rough edges and commanding presence hinted at his tough experiences in life, making him seem imposing even when he was being gentle.
Nina had never paid much attention to what Richard usually wore; she only knew he was always dressed in black. As for the fabric or material, she couldn't say.
Richard stood there in a sharply tailored dark suit paired with a sleek black shirt, with no tie in sight. His relaxed demeanor contrasted starkly with the bright overhead lights, which cast a cool glow on his rugged features, emphasizing a subtly aloof charm. Yet, the warmth in his gaze was unmistakable as it fixed on Nina.
"You look good." Nina glanced at him and then looked away.
Richard smiled. "Should I take both?"
Nina thought the suits in the store were expensive, each costing around ten thousand dollars. She knew Richard wasn't short on money, but she still felt it was unnecessary.
"One suit is enough for the wedding. I don't see you wearing suits often, so buying two would be a waste." Nina suggested.
Richard paused and said, "You have a point. I'll listen to you."His serious tone sent ripples of warmth through her.
"To sweeten the deal, I picked out two dresses for you. Want to give them a whirl?" He gestured, and a shop assistant wheeled over a rack showcasing two elegant gowns.
For Isabella's wedding, Nina had planned to dress up anyway. Seeing Richard's enthusiasm, she obediently tried on the dresses.
Richard had good taste; both dresses suited her well.
Most importantly, they were styles Nina liked.
"I'll take them off and pay for them," Nina said.
"Okay." Richard nodded in agreement.
However, when she came out after changing, Richard was already at the cashier signing the receipt.
"I said I'd pay," Nina whispered.
Richard signed his name on the receipt and turned to her with a smile. "What's mine is yours.
"If you feel bad, just treat me to a meal," Richard suggested, seizing the moment.
Nina said, "I still need to buy something for Bella."
"I'll help you with that first, and then you can treat me to dinner." Richard said.
Richard had it all planned out, leaving Nina with no reason to refuse.
Leo took Isabella back to the Jose family's residence.
"I'm leaving now." Isabella reached for the car door.
"Wait." Leo grabbed her wrist.
Isabella turned back. "What is it?"
Leo flashed a playful smile and pointed to his cheek. "How about a kiss before you go?"
Isabella thought he was joking.
But Leo's expression was serious as he met her gaze. "Isabella, we're about to get married. Soon, you'll be my legal wife. Besides, I took a hit today for you. Just think of this as a little comfort—one kiss?"
Isabella stared at him for a while. "I'm sorry. I..."
"It's okay." Leo interrupted her with a smile, "Everything takes time. I know you still can't let go of Seb. It's okay, we have plenty of time. I believe one day, I'll win you over."
Isabella listened to his words without any emotional response.
She knew Leo wasn't exactly a saint.
Throughout all of this, he had played both the hero and the villain.
Sure, he might have grievances against Charles, but he was deeply involved in the mess, and he stood to gain from it.
In the past few days, news about the Anderson group's turmoil had been nonstop. With Charles' help, Kevin had made several irreparable mistakes and had been ousted from the Anderson group. Meanwhile, Leo had gained control of half of the Anderson group's power.
Leo must have done a lot to achieve this.
She would never fall for Leo.
Her temporary compliance was only to protect Sweetie and Seb.
Leo stared at her for a while before letting go. "Go on."
Isabella nodded and got out of the car.
Watching Isabella enter the house, Leo let out a bitter laugh.
Just as he was about to drive away, his phone buzzed with a message.
He glanced at it, his expression hardening slightly, and replied: [I'll be there right away.]
