Chapter 235: She's Always Been a Montagu
Isabella circled back to Richard, probing for information about Ascend Holdings Ltd.—the company Laura had suddenly claimed as her family empire. Richard had clearly caught wind of the Montagu family's upheaval. The moment Isabella brought it up, he spilled everything he knew.
"Ascend Holdings made their fortune years ago, but they've always operated out of Suncrest City and overseas markets. That's why they've had virtually no footprint here in Seaside City." Richard paused mid-sentence, his brow creasing. "Wait—are you telling me Laura just magically transformed into the Ascend Holdings heiress?"
Isabella found the whole thing equally baffling. During Laura's early days at the company, Isabella had seen her often enough. Day after day, the woman wore the same plain white sundress paired with worn sneakers, her face completely bare of makeup. Based on her wardrobe alone, you'd never guess her family had even middle-class money, let alone serious wealth. The idea that Laura came from such a powerful dynasty seemed utterly absurd.
"I'll have someone dig deeper, though Ascend Holdings has always been extremely secretive. Not only is there zero public information about their heir... You didn't drive all the way here on your day off just to ask about this, did you?" Richard studied Isabella with mild surprise.
She let out a soft laugh. "William's parents are hell-bent on pushing him toward Laura, but he keeps refusing. I figure if we can approach this from Ascend Holdings' angle, maybe we can finally make some progress."
If it got William to finally agree to the divorce, all the better. Isabella was beyond exhausted by this endless entanglement.
"So you want me to play matchmaker for them?" Richard asked, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"If you're willing, that would be ideal. If not, no pressure—it's William's problem. Plenty of other people can worry about his love life."
The Montagu family tree sprawled wide and deep. Beyond Henry's direct line, numerous families branched out. Just as William had said yesterday, Sophia and Henry could easily adopt an heir from one of those branches to carry on the family name, but doing so while they still had a living biological son? That would be nothing short of humiliating—a public admission of failure.
"It's unusual for you to care so much about Montagu family business," Richard observed.
"I'm not caring about them—I'm caring about myself. If William ends up with Laura, he'll finally let me go. Getting this divorce finalized is the only thing that matters to me." Isabella had zero interest in the Montagu family's drama. She just wanted to be free of them.
Richard stood and straightened his rumpled suit jacket.
"With that kind of motivation, I'm definitely helping. Shall we go pick up the kids?"
The phrasing struck Isabella as oddly domestic—as if they were a family unit. However, considering Julia and Olivia attended the same preschool, it wasn't entirely inappropriate. She agreed, and they headed to the school together. The younger classes had already been dismissed when they arrived. Parents milled about the preschool entrance in clusters, the air filled with cheerful chatter and children's laughter.
"I used to think raising kids was exhausting, but they grow up in the blink of an eye. Time really does fly," Isabella murmured, a note of wistfulness in her voice.
Richard smiled. "If my parents had your perspective, they wouldn't have dumped Julia on me while they gallivant around the world."
Julia was the youngest Spencer child—the family darling. Even at her tender age, she was clever and spirited. She'd undoubtedly grow into a charming young woman.
"They're probably worried about your ability to handle future childcare, so they're giving you a crash course. Also a not-so-subtle hint that you need to find a girlfriend."
Isabella and Richard fell into easy conversation, their banter light and comfortable. Meanwhile, Julia bounded out first. Isabella unwrapped a lollipop for her, and the little girl joined them as they waited for Olivia to emerge. As the crowd gradually thinned, though, with parents departing with their children in tow, the three of them stood alone. Still no sign of Olivia.
A cold knot of dread formed in Isabella's stomach. She bolted toward the school building, straight to Olivia's classroom, only to find it completely empty. Not a single child remained. The teacher was tidying up scattered toys.
"Ms. Nguyen, why didn't Olivia come out?"
Hannah turned at the sound of Isabella's voice, surprise crossing her features. "Oh! Olivia was picked up this afternoon. The woman said she was Olivia's grandmother. She didn't tell you?"
Isabella's worst fear crystallized into horrifying reality. She didn't even bother with pleasantries—just spun on her heel and ran back outside.
Sophia had always been ruthless, willing to do whatever it took to get her way. Isabella had simply underestimated just how far the woman would go. She never imagined Sophia would actually take Olivia.
"What's wrong?" Richard appeared, having witnessed Isabella's frantic sprint in and out of the building.
"Sophia picked up Olivia this afternoon."
Isabella suspected Sophia had no intention of returning her daughter. Otherwise, why take Olivia without permission?
"I need to get to Montagu Manor. Richard, you should take Julia home. Things are about to get ugly, and I'd rather she not witness the screaming match I'm about to have."
Julia's face crumpled with concern. "Finding Olivia is way more important! I've seen people fight before—I can handle it!"
Richard yanked open the car door. "Stop wasting time arguing. Let's go."
Regret crashed over Isabella in waves. She should never have softened yesterday. Should never have agreed to let Sophia and Henry see the children. If she hadn't gone to Montagu Manor, hadn't let things escalate to this point, maybe Olivia would still be safe. Maybe Isabella wouldn't be in this desperate, powerless position.
Her heart hammered against her ribs like a caged animal as they sped toward the estate. When they reached Montagu Manor, Isabella pounded on the gate with both fists while jabbing the doorbell repeatedly, desperate to force someone—anyone—to respond. Only later did Tammy emerge to open the gate. The moment she spotted Isabella, tension flooded her expression.
"Ms. Capulet! What are you doing here?"
"Let me in. Now! I need to see Olivia. What you people did is kidnapping—do you understand that?" Isabella bristled like a cornered animal, her usual warmth toward the longtime housekeeper completely evaporated.
Tammy sighed softly, sympathy flickering across her weathered face.
"Ms. Capulet, Mrs. Montagu says Olivia is a Montagu by blood. We simply brought her home where she belongs. It's only natural." Her voice dropped to barely above a whisper. "Please... don't make this harder than it needs to be."