Chapter 389 Verification

Isabella arrived at the hospital just as Qiana was about to leave.

Seeing Isabella, Qiana smiled and said, "Isabella! Perfect timing. I gotta head back to the office for some urgent stuff. Can you stay here and keep Dad company?"

"Don't worry, Qiana. I'll stay with Dad." Isabella replied with a reassuring smile.

Qiana hugged Isabella gratefully and said, "You're so much more considerate than Michael. He's acting like a kid again and still can't forgive Dad."

Isabella wanted to defend Michael but couldn't find the right words before Qiana hurried off.

"How's Michael doing?" Vincent asked cautiously, looking at Isabella.

"He's doing okay." Isabella replied, though she felt conflicted. She wanted to be honest about Michael's troubled state but couldn't bring herself to say it to the frail man lying in the hospital bed. So she lied.

Vincent sighed, guilt-ridden. "I know Michael must be struggling. It's my fault. I failed as a father. Isabella, please don't tell him about his mother. He was very close to her, and knowing the truth would be too devastating for him."

"Don't worry, I haven't told him. I don't know how to, and I'm afraid he wouldn't be able to handle it. Dad, I came here today to confirm something with you," Isabella said.

She had instructed the bodyguards to stand outside the door to prevent anyone from eavesdropping.

Vincent, noticing her serious expression, sat up and asked solemnly, "What is it?"

Isabella took a deep breath to steady her emotions before asking, "Are you sure the woman with Milan is really Michael's mother?"

Vincent covered his face in sorrow, unable to lift his head for a long time. The memory of seeing her was still unbearably painful.

Isabella hesitated, wondering if her question was too cruel. She was about to apologize when Vincent slowly raised his head, his eyes red with anguish. "Even though I didn't speak to her, we've been married for years. She was the love of my life. I recognized her immediately. She's Rowan."

"Dad, have you considered that Mom might have amnesia? She might not remember you or that she had a family and children, which is why she's staying with Milan." Isabella suggested.

Thanks to Olivia, who loved reading romance novels and often shared their plots, Isabella was familiar with the common trope of the heroine losing her memory.

"Amnesia? Yeah, I hadn't thought of that. The car accident was so severe, it could have damaged her brain. She might not remember me." Vincent said, visibly shaken.

If Rowan had amnesia, Vincent realized he had missed out on so much over the years.

Isabella saw Vincent's distress and explained, "I can't be sure of the truth. I showed her pictures of Michael as a child, but she had no reaction. That's why I suspect she might have amnesia. I came to confirm with you. Unfortunately, you didn't speak to her directly back then, so we can't be certain."

"If she has amnesia, then Milan has been deceiving me. That bastard! How could he do this?" Vincent exclaimed, struggling to get up and confront Milan.

Isabella quickly calmed him down. "Don't get worked up. Your health can't handle it. I'll help you find out the truth. But if she does have amnesia, what will you do? Will you tell Michael?"

"No, I can't tell Michael," Vincent shook his head. "If he finds out, he won't let Milan off the hook. Michael will get hurt."

"But if we don't tell Michael, he won't stop going after the Runyon family. He's already discovered the car accident was connected to Milan. Asking him to give up revenge is impossible." Isabella said.

Vincent's face twisted in pain and guilt. "I've failed him as a father. Instead of protecting him, I've caused him so much trouble."

"Don't say that. You didn't want this to happen. You're a victim too. You're willing to endure this for his sake, not telling him the truth. You've done your best." Isabella reassured him.

"How do you plan to investigate this? Do you need my help?" Vincent asked.

Isabella frowned slightly. She wasn't sure how to proceed. She had no power, and the only person she could rely on was Leroy, but his help came with conditions.

Given her current health, Michael wouldn't let her go to Silvermist City without knowing the truth.

"Do you know anyone in Silvermist City who could help?" she asked.

"I do." Vincent said, "but I haven't contacted them in years. They think I'm dead. Reaching out to them might scare them off."

Isabella sighed. If a long-lost friend suddenly contacted her, she'd be frightened too.

It seemed using Vincent's connections wasn't an option.

"We'll figure something out." Vincent said, trying to comfort her as he saw her worried expression.

Isabella nodded.

It was getting late, and Vincent needed rest after his surgery. She didn't want to disturb him too long, so she reassured him a bit more before leaving the room.

The bodyguards had been standing outside the whole time, ensuring no one approached. Isabella felt relieved after confirming with them.

She thought everything was secure, but she didn't realize Terry had passed by and noticed the bodyguards' strict vigilance, suspecting something was up.

Vincent's room had surveillance cameras.

Curious about what was happening and wanting to ensure Vincent's safety, Terry went to the surveillance room and checked the footage. He was shocked by what he heard.

Realizing the gravity of the secret, he rushed to find Isabella, but she had already left.

He scratched his head in frustration, wishing he could block his ears and gouge out his eyes. His curiosity had led him to uncover a huge secret.

Now what? Should he tell Michael or keep quiet?

He knew he couldn't keep a secret. If he didn't speak up, he'd feel like he was suffocating.

But if he did, the consequences could be dire.