Chapter 68: This Isn't That Kind of Place
William was so furious that he completely failed to notice the figure shadowing him from behind.
Richard had caught fragments of Joshua's phone conversation with William earlier. Though he couldn't make out the specifics, he'd clearly heard Isabella's name mentioned.
He also knew all too well what it meant when William wore that particular expression—it signaled genuine rage.
If left unchecked, there was no telling what serious trouble might unfold. So Richard tailed William, instructing his driver to follow closely behind.
They drove straight to the Regal Club, and Richard stared up at the massive neon sign symbolizing desire and indulgence, wondering if William had made some kind of mistake.
Isabella seemed highly unlikely to visit a place like this.
While he hesitated, William had already stormed through the entrance.
Beyond massage services, the club offered bath houses and karaoke. The moment William entered, security intercepted him.
"Excuse me, sir, do you have a reservation? We operate on an appointment-only basis. If you don't have one—"
William's expression was thunderous, his chest churning with what felt like molten lava about to erupt. Fury blazed from his eyes like wildfire.
"I'm looking for someone."
The security guard had encountered plenty of customers like this and maintained his professional composure. "I'll need your friend to come down and escort you, or if you could provide your friend's name, I can verify—"
William's brow furrowed. "Joshua."
The guard spoke into his radio for several minutes, confirming with the upper floors. After hearing back that Joshua indeed had guests coming, he respectfully escorted William upstairs.
The moment William ascended, Richard entered.
Security ran through the same protocol, and hearing that he too was Joshua's guest, they assumed he was simply the second friend Joshua had invited and escorted him up without further verification.
William was led into Joshua's private suite, his entire face radiating displeasure, cold eyes scanning the room with razor-sharp intensity.
"William, don't get too worked up," Joshua suddenly regretted speaking so dramatically on the phone.
He had no idea what kind of battlefield this would turn into tonight.
"Where is she?" William's voice grew even icier, enough to make anyone shiver.
"Look, try not to get too angry," Joshua couldn't help but offer counsel before leading the way. "What if she's just here to relax? What if nothing inappropriate happened at all?"
"Then why did you call me here?" William fixed his glacial stare directly on Joshua.
Joshua straightened up instinctively and shuddered. "I guess I panicked in the moment."
"If you still consider me your friend, then lead the way!" William had no patience for Joshua's rambling. After exchanging a few terse words, he was desperate to find her.
"Just talk things through calmly. You and Isabella have been having misunderstandings lately anyway. If you don't want this divorce, then rein in that terrible temper of yours."
Joshua led the way, unable to resist lecturing him for several minutes.
The private suites were close together, but Joshua was obviously stalling for time, walking at a deliberately slow pace.
When Joshua finally stopped outside Isabella's suite, he was about to knock when William intercepted him. Without a moment's hesitation, William pushed the door open and strode inside.
The suite's main lights were off, creating an intimate, sultry atmosphere. Isabella sat on the massage table while several male models worked on her head and shoulders.
William was instantly consumed with rage at the scene, immediately reaching out to flip on the main lights.
The suite's ambiance was shattered in an instant, becoming as bright as daylight.
Joshua, who had been following nervously behind, immediately sensed trouble. Just from William's demeanor, it was clear he was about to lose control of his emotions.
"I can hardly believe you would show up at a place like this, doing... this!" William strode forward, his opening words harsh and cutting.
Isabella looked at William, who had suddenly appeared before her, momentarily stunned before being shocked by his words.
What right did he have to take such a superior stance and condemn her?
Her gaze drifted toward the doorway, where she spotted Joshua trying very hard to appear nonchalant.
Isabella immediately understood, her lips curling into a cold smile.
Isabella looked at William with obvious displeasure. "This is a legitimate massage establishment, and I was simply getting a massage. What's wrong with that? Does Mr. Montagu think this is some kind of brothel?"
Even if the police showed up today, Isabella's conscience would be completely clear.
She and Daphne had simply hired some attractive male models to give them massages.
"Get out of here, all of you!" William felt an unnamed fury burning within him and roared at the male models who were watching uncertainly.
The models could all tell that this man who'd burst into the suite was either wealthy or powerful. Just his custom-tailored suit alone was worth more than their combined income for half a year.
They didn't dare offend someone of such obvious status, so after hearing William's roar, they turned in unison to leave.
But Isabella had made up her mind to defy William today. "I'm the one who hired you, and he has no authority to make decisions for me! I'm the one paying, and I say you stay!"
Richard finally located Isabella's suite only to discover they were already arguing.
The room was filled with about ten tall, handsome young men, making it easy to imagine what Isabella had done to provoke William's fury.
Joshua saw Richard's arrival and felt his head throb even more.
"What are you doing here?" Joshua asked in a low voice.
Inside, William was so extremely angry that he was gritting his teeth and grabbing Isabella's wrist, preparing to drag her away.
Richard quickly stepped forward. "William, let go!"
Seeing Richard only made William more furious, giving him a target for his emotional outburst.
"You get lost too! Stop interfering in matters between husband and wife!"
Richard frowned, reaching out to grip William's wrist firmly, his voice cold as he said, "You're hurting her."