Chapter 273 A Rocky Start
As Isabella was heading out, Laura quickly followed suit.
Once they were in the car, Laura buckled her seatbelt and asked, "Where are we heading?"
"To meet with a shareholder from the Landon Group," Isabella replied.
Laura had heard about the small shareholders privately selling their shares in the Landon Group. Having been with Isabella for the past few days and even persuading a couple of shareholders herself, she was relatively unfazed by the situation.
The car started moving, but Isabella felt a lingering uncertainty. Her knowledge of Nathaniel was limited, and she questioned if she could truly persuade him with so little information.
"Laura, do you know Nathaniel?" Isabella asked, hoping Laura's perspective as a long-time employee and a senior assistant to Seb might offer some new insights.
Laura's expression stiffened. "Nathaniel?"
Isabella, focused on driving, didn't notice Laura's discomfort. "Yeah, he's one of the shareholders in the Landon Group. They all refer to him as Mr. Nelson."
Laura lowered her gaze, her fingers twisting nervously around her seatbelt. "I've heard of him but don't really know much."
"Oh, I see." Isabella nodded in understanding.
Laura was just an assistant, after all, and even if she knew Nathaniel, she probably didn't have much direct contact with him.
The drive continued in silence.
As they neared Nathaniel's house, Laura suddenly clutched her stomach and said, "Isabella, could you pull over for a moment?"
Isabella stopped the car by the side of the road and turned to see Laura's pained expression. "What's wrong?"
"I'm having stomach cramps," Laura said, her face pale and her body hunched slightly. "I've got my period and need to find a restroom."
"Do you want me to come with you?"
"No, no need," Laura waved her off quickly. "I might be a while. You should go ahead and see Mr. Nelson. I'll catch up with you later."
"What about you?"
"I'll join you as soon as I can," Laura said, grabbing her bag and quickly exiting the car.
Though Isabella was concerned, she understood the urgency of meeting Nathaniel. She resumed driving toward his place.
Hiding under the dense trees, Laura watched as Isabella drove away, then let out a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to step out, she noticed a car following Isabella.
Laura's heart skipped a beat. She thought, 'Are we being followed?'
Inside Nathaniel's home, Isabella didn't get to meet him directly. Instead, a servant from the Nelson family greeted her, offering coffee and pastries before leaving her alone in the sitting room.
The hospitality was courteous but clearly implied that a meeting wasn't on the cards.
As Isabella was about to leave after waiting for a while, two women entered the room.
One of them was Emma.
The other woman, who was with Emma, turned out to be Ophelia, Nathaniel's wife.
The two women chatted and laughed as they walked in. When Ophelia noticed Isabella, she looked puzzled and turned to the servant.
The servant quickly explained, "Mrs. Nelson, this is Ms. Miller. She says she represents the Landon Group."
Ophelia's finely arched eyebrows rose in curiosity as she scrutinized Isabella more closely. "The Landon Group," she repeated, her gaze sharp and assessing.
Realizing who Ophelia was, Isabella promptly stood up and introduced herself, "Hello, Mrs. Nelson. I'm Isabella."
Ophelia glanced down, her eyes passing over the hand Isabella had extended, but she made no move to shake it. With a cool demeanor, she said, "You're here about the shares, aren't you?"
Isabella awkwardly withdrew her hand and nodded. "Yes. I understand Mr. Nelson has always been a strong supporter of the Landon Group. I'd like to discuss the matter of the shares with him in person."
"But he refuses to see you," Ophelia said with a thin smile, her tone sharp. "I'm aware he intends to sell his shares."
Recalling the term "henpecked husband," Isabella pressed on. "May I ask your opinion on this matter?"
"Me?" Ophelia exchanged a glance with Emma. "Investing and making money are men's affairs; I've never been involved. I didn't interfere when he chose to invest in a company with nothing to show for it, and I won't interfere now that he wants to sell his shares. So, Ms. Miller, trying to work through me won't get you anywhere."
Ophelia then signaled for the maid to show Isabella out and turned to Emma. "I recently bought a new set of jewelry and I'm not quite sure how to style it. You always have a good eye—why don't you help me figure it out today?"
Emma smiled and nodded. "Sure, I'd be happy to."
As they began to head upstairs, Isabella suddenly stepped in front of Ophelia, blocking her path.
"Mrs. Nelson, I only want to meet Mr. Nelson for a few minutes. I have some questions I need to ask him in person. Could you please arrange for us to meet? It won't take long; I just need a definitive answer."
Ophelia's face darkened, and her irritation was evident. "Ms. Miller, I believe someone should have informed you about basic manners. If Nathaniel doesn't want to see you, I fully respect his decision. Trying to influence him through me is pointless."
"Mrs. Nelson..." Isabella began to protest, but Ophelia waved her off impatiently. A maid stepped forward and gently ushered Isabella away.
"Let's go," Ophelia said to Emma, who hesitated for a moment before casting a meaningful look back at Isabella. Then she followed Ophelia up the stairs.
Isabella found herself effectively dismissed from the Nelson household.
Laura had been waiting outside and hurried over. "How did it go?"
Isabella shook her head, her expression clouded with disappointment.
It was a failed attempt; she hadn't even seen Nathaniel.
Laura bit her lip and then noticed a silver-gray car parked nearby. She tugged on Isabella's sleeve. "I saw that car following you earlier."
Isabella glanced at the car, her frustration deepening. "Let's check it out."
Isabella squinted at the car Laura was pointing at. "It's Emma's car."
Remembering the close rapport between Emma and Ophelia from earlier at the Nelsons' and the knowing look Emma had given her, Isabella furrowed her brow. It seemed like she had understood Emma's unspoken message.
"Let's go," Laura urged, trying to pull her along.
Isabella shook her head. "We wait a bit longer."
"Wait?" Laura glanced at the closed gate, puzzled. "Wait for what?"
Isabella replied, "We wait for Emma."
Her instinct told her Emma might be able to help. Whether or not Emma would be willing or able to assist would only become clear after they met.
As if on cue, the gate of the Nelson estate opened, and Emma walked out.
"There she is!" Laura said excitedly. She turned to see Isabella calmly seated in the driver's seat, her eyes fixed on the scene ahead without any intention of moving or getting out of the car.
Laura asked, "Aren't we getting out?"
Isabella didn't respond.
Emma paused at the entrance of the Nelson estate, glanced briefly in their direction, and then got into the silver-gray car.
Isabella started the engine and followed right behind.
