Chapter 58: Don't Get Close to Her Anymore!
When I woke up, I was lying on the king-size bed in my private suite at the hotel.
The soft blankets made me feel relaxed, and I blinked drowsily for a while before remembering what had happened before I passed out.
My eyes shifted to the rose by the window.
I had put it alone in a vase to dry slowly. It still kept its deep red color, but the petals had shriveled, and the leaves had withered and curled.
The heavy bud drooped down, and the thin stem could barely support it, about to fall.
Brian called out softly with delight, "Bella, you're awake!"
He touched my forehead and breathed a sigh of relief.
I smiled weakly at Brian, "Why did I pass out? How long was I asleep?"
"Roger said you were overtired, sleep-deprived, and under a lot of stress."
I sat up and drank a glass of water while leaning against Brian's arm. Brian stroked my head with concern, "It's our fault for not protecting you better."
I quickly hugged Brian, wanting to dismiss his guilt, "You guys spoil me so much, you're the best brothers in the world!"
Brian didn't say anything, just gently patted my back.
Gale came over and sat down on the other side of the bed, asking me, "Are you hungry? You slept for over four hours."
I didn't have much appetite, but to keep them from worrying, I perked up and smiled, "I'm hungry! Gale, Brian, eat with me."
"Okay, we'll eat with you." Brian affectionately tapped my nose with his finger.
"How did that thing go?" I asked hesitantly.
The warmth on Gale and Brian's faces instantly faded, "The news has been taken down. Bella, don't think too much about it. Nothing is more important than your health and rest right now."
I watched their expressions, sensing something was wrong.
"Give me my phone, I'll check it myself."
Brian pressed down on my hand, "You accidentally broke your phone when you passed out. I'm having someone bring a new one."
Gale picked up a bowl and fed me oatmeal. "Let's eat first."
I obediently opened my mouth, feeling anxious inside.
The more they didn't want me to know what happened, the more I wanted to find out.
After eating, Brian still didn't give me the phone and gently urged me to lie down and rest, "Sleep some more, I'll stay here with you."
I had to close my eyes. After a while, Brian got up to leave, and just as I was about to open my eyes, Gale took Brian's place, watching over me by the bed.
I couldn't fall asleep at all. After half an hour of restlessness, I opened my eyes and said, "I don't want to stay at the hotel anymore, I want to go home."
Gale and Brian always did whatever I wanted, so they immediately had James arrange a car.
I heard Gale on the phone instructing James to increase security, with a guard stationed every 30 feet or so. The tight security made me feel puzzled and uneasy.
The car smoothly left the parking lot, then suddenly encountered seven or eight black sedans blocking the way.
The driver slammed on the brakes, and I instinctively gripped the seatbelt.
Gale and Brian both had cold expressions, as if facing a major threat.
Gale quickly exchanged a glance with Brian, "I'll go check it out."
I nervously grabbed Gale, "What's happening? Is it dangerous? Gale, don't go!"
I couldn't read Gale's expression, "It's not what you think, Bella. You and Brian stay in the car and wait for me."
"Bella!"
Lucas's voice rang out loud, and I instinctively turned to look.
He had several wounds on his face, his hair was messy, his collar was wrinkled, and his eyes were bloodshot. He looked extremely haggard.
My heart clenched hard. What had Lucas done to himself?
Lucas strode closer, "Bella, let's talk!"
Gale's face turned dark, and he had people block him while ordering James, "Drive, break through!"
Only then did I realize that the person Gale and Brian were guarding against was Lucas!
James slowly pressed the gas pedal, but Lucas stood in front of the car, not dodging or avoiding.
"Mr. Sorelli." Cold sweat broke out on James's forehead.
Gale was enraged, "If he wants to die, then run him over!"
James pressed hard on the gas, and I cried out, "No!"
The car braked hard, and my body lurched forward uncontrollably.
Brian and Gale both grabbed me, asking nervously, "Bella, are you okay?"
I shook my head and tentatively spoke, "Gale, Brian, how about I try to get him to leave?"
If Brian and Gale weren't here, I probably would have agreed to talk with Lucas, at least to figure out what happened.
But Gale and Brian were like two angry tigers, and sitting between them, I didn't dare make any sudden moves.
"No need." Gale rarely refused me so firmly. He rolled down the window, his eyes sharp as knives, "Lucas, Bella has been our precious treasure since childhood. She's delicate, fragile, like a flower that needs careful care. She can't withstand your repeated hurt! Haven't you hurt Bella enough times? From now on, please don't come near her again!"
"Impossible!" Lucas's face was pale, but his eyes showed an abnormal madness and stubbornness. "Let me see her!"
"Don't even think about it." Gale rolled the window back up. I wanted to speak, but Brian gripped my wrist tightly and shook his head at me.
I pressed my lips together, steeled myself, and reached over Gale to press the window button.
With just a crack left in the window, I called out, "Lucas, go back."
"Bella!" Lucas's voice was instantly filled with joy, then he said anxiously, "Amelia and I..."
I interrupted him, "Go back."
He couldn't see Gale and Brian's expressions from outside the car. If I let him continue, Gale and Brian would be driven crazy by him.
The last bit of warmth in Lucas's voice faded, his tone becoming mechanical and numb, "You won't believe me?"
I frowned, "Whether I believe you or not, can it change what's already happened?"
Lucas fell silent.
Gale coldly warned him, "Bella needs rest. If you don't move aside, I'll run over your corpse!"
Lucas closed his eyes and opened them again, then slowly stepped aside.
Gale said, "Go!"
The car roared past Lucas. I couldn't help but look back at him. His figure got smaller and smaller, finally becoming a blurry black dot.
Back at our four-sibling villa, I obediently lay down to rest. I had planned to pretend to sleep to fool Gale and Brian, but ended up actually falling asleep.
When I woke up again, Gale and Brian weren't in my room.
The room was dimly lit, and it was raining outside.
I opened the bedside drawer and took out an old phone.
Although it didn't have a SIM card, I could still get online.
I contacted Karen, and Karen sent me several entertainment news links.
《Isabella Sells Her Body for Gale's Wealth! The Secret Behind Gale's Path to Riches!》
《Brian—The Leech Sucking on Isabella》
《True Love in Rich Families Is All a Joke! Isabella—A Tool for Family Interests》
No wonder Gale and Brian reacted so strongly.
At the beginning, I did marry Lucas to help my three brothers find a way out. These reports hit my brothers' sore spots completely!
I got up wanting to talk to them. Passing by the window, I spotted a familiar car parked by the west wall.
Lucas was completely soaked by the rain. My heart trembled, and I felt both angry and anxious. Had Lucas gone crazy?