Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Evelyn finished her rant and shoved Isabella hard to the ground.

Isabella felt a sudden weight on her back, stumbling forward uncontrollably. Her knees hit the cold marble floor first, sending a sharp pain through her body.

Instinctively, she reached out to brace herself, but shards of glass on the floor pierced her skin, drawing blood. 

Her meticulously styled hair came undone, and her long hair fell around her face, hiding the corners of her eyes that were red with grievance.

At that moment, a cold, imposing figure cut through the crowd. Before anyone could react, Christopher kicked the champagne tower nearby.

With a loud crash, the stacked glasses shattered instantly, red wine mixed with glass shards splattering everywhere, even reaching Evelyn's dress hem.

She shivered in fright.

The room fell silent. No one dared to provoke Christopher, nor understood why he suddenly appeared and caused a scene. They just stared at him, pale-faced.

But Christopher ignored everyone, walked straight to Isabella, took off his suit jacket, and wrapped it around her trembling shoulders, then lifted her up.

His gaze swept across the crowd, finally landing on Samuel, whose face had turned ashen.

Christopher's deep eyes flashed with a hint of menace, his voice cold as ice. "Control your people!"

With that, he carried Isabella, stepping through the mess and headed out.

Everyone present was curious about the relationship between Christopher and Isabella, but Samuel was already terrified out of his wits.

He indeed had a mistress outside, whom he often flaunted publicly.

But she got pregnant, and Samuel, fearing any accidents, sent her abroad to recuperate.

Recently, his wife Evelyn received the news, and fearing his mistress might encounter any mishap, he devised this plan.

Samuel had already investigated thoroughly; Isabella was just an orphan. Even if Evelyn did something to her, no one would speak up for her.

But he never expected Isabella to be connected with Christopher, the CEO of Nexus Technologies.

Samuel came from an ordinary background and could never compete with Christopher.

His company had just gone public, and if Nexus Technologies intervened, his lifelong efforts would be ruined.

The more Samuel thought about it, the more panicked and furious he became.

To make matters worse, Evelyn, oblivious to the situation, came over demanding an explanation.

Samuel slapped her hard. "You stupid woman, if I'm ruined, I'll make sure you go down with me."

The glass shards on the floor remained unswept, and Evelyn fell directly onto them, her body instantly bloodied.

Christopher, carrying Isabella, expected her to cry, but she remained silent, letting him hold her.

The autumn wind, with its unique chill, lifted Isabella's long hair, a few strands brushing against Christopher's jaw, causing an itch that tightened his heart.

Christopher looked down to see her eyelashes still trembling, immersed in the grievance from earlier.

He placed her gently into the passenger seat, positioned her facing outward, then crouched down to meet her gaze. "Are you cold?"

Isabella remained silent, leaning weakly against the seat, tears silently streaming down her face.

Christopher's heart seemed to be gripped by something, a large part sinking.

His fingers brushed away Isabella's tears, carrying a touch of warm tenderness.

Isabella's tears fell even more fiercely, as if she wanted to pour out all the grievances of the night.

Christopher leaned in and hugged her tightly, providing the reliable support Isabella desperately needed. She finally let go, crying freely in his arms.

Christopher said nothing, just quietly holding her, allowing her to cry without restraint.

After a while, Isabella's sobs gradually subsided, and she fell asleep in Christopher's arms.

He gently adjusted her position and fastened her seatbelt. 

As he was about to close the car door, Isabella suddenly grabbed his shirt, murmuring, "Grandma, I miss you so much."

Christopher looked up to see her eyes still closed, realizing she was dreaming.

He gently patted her head and then closed the car door.

On the way to his villa, Christopher called Mike, giving him specific instructions. Remembering Isabella's murmurs, he added, "Also, look into Isabella's grandmother."

After receiving a confirmation, Christopher hung up.

He glanced at Isabella's small face; she seemed to be sleeping uneasily, her brows never relaxing.

What concerned Christopher most was that every time she mentioned her grandmother, she couldn't help but shed tears.

Why did she have so many tears?

Christopher felt a surge of frustration.

He remembered the dinner party two years ago, which Isabella had proposed.

The timing coincided with the last deadline for the bet between Earl and him.

Christopher had agreed without much thought.

Isabella texted him: [My grandmother happens to be visiting me; she wants to join us for dinner.]

Normally, Christopher would refuse.

But those days, they were together almost every night, and Isabella was very attentive, making Christopher more lenient.

He replied: [Okay.]

He recalled Isabella's grandmother, Jenny Carter, looking somewhat frail but very spirited and talkative.

Throughout the meal, she recounted Isabella's life story.

"Isabella has always been beautiful and smart since she was little. But she's not very lucky; her parents died in a car accident when she was very young," Jenny said.

Christopher's eyes flashed with surprise; he had never asked about Isabella's past.

Their interactions were mostly about Isabella accommodating him.

"But she's sensible, never demanding anything. She eats whatever I give her. When she grew older, she started working to earn money, never had a boyfriend."

"She's been taking care of me, an old woman. I just hope she finds a good partner someday, someone who will cherish and love her."

Seeing Jenny talk more and more, Christopher lost his patience, finding her talkative and annoying.

Noticing Christopher's frown, Jenny reluctantly fell silent, like a child who had done something wrong.

But when Isabella went to the restroom, Jenny resumed her chatter.

"Christopher, Isabella appears strong, but she's very soft-hearted. She doesn't express her grievances. I'm getting old and might not be able to look after her. If she faces any difficulties or gets hurt, please take care of her, don't let her bear it alone."

"In the future, she'll only have you."

Jenny's tone was very sincere that day, but Christopher's eyes remained inscrutable, his mind filled with the irritation of being played by this family.

He felt Isabella deliberately spoke about her ideal type to pique his curiosity and make him want to conquer.

Coincidentally, Earl had bet with him at that time, and he fell into the trap.

Then Jenny appeared, seeming to want to entrust Isabella to him, trying to cling to him.

Christopher, born a privileged child, had never been toyed with like this, his eyes growing colder.

"I'll help Isabella as much as I can."

"But if it's inconvenient, I really can't do anything."