Chapter 576: Big News

Isabella and Michael's suspicions had become reality.

The next morning, as Isabella woke up, she got an urgent call from Carol.

"Isabella, you gotta get to the office pronto. Something major's gone down," Carol urged anxiously over the phone.

Isabella sprang out of bed, got ready in a flash, and hurried to the company.

Upon entering the office, Carol slid a tablet in front of her.

"Check out this breaking news," Carol said.

Isabella took the tablet and read the headline, her eyes widening.

The headline blared, "The Greatest Family and the Most Influential President."

The news covered Henry's recent speech, focusing on his alliance with Owen during the event. It speculated on Henry leveraging the Williams Family's influence to secure his presidency. Now, with a renewed partnership with the Williams Family, could he extend his rule?

"You said Mason was on our side, right? Why's he teaming up with Henry now?" Carol asked, frowning at Isabella.

Isabella shook her head.

"Things have shifted. Mason might be in trouble."

"Oh my goodness, what's happening? Did Owen really lock up Mason?" Carol asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.

A message alert interrupted them, revealing more news.

Carol opened it and exclaimed, "Darn it, you might be onto something. Mason could be in custody. Or maybe it's true as the news claims."

Isabella leaned in to read the news as well.

The report stated that Mason had fallen ill suddenly the previous night and was rushed to the hospital. Before losing consciousness, he transferred all family authority to his son, Owen.

"Is this for real? Should we go to the hospital to check on him?" Carol asked, concern evident in her eyes. It wasn't the best time to go against the Williams Family.

Isabella understood Carol's worry. Each of the four major families had their favored candidate. Owen siding with Henry out of the blue, while the other families stayed silent.

Isabella backed Jeremy, while the Davis Family and the Larson Family's stances were unclear.

Those families likely aimed to wait for the Taylor Family to clash with the Williams Family before seizing any advantages.

"You're right, I should visit Mason at the hospital no matter what. But there might be reporters swarming outside; we'll need more bodyguards," Isabella agreed, and they headed to the hospital together.

As Isabella predicted, the hospital was already surrounded by eager reporters from various news outlets, all hungry for the scoop.

Upon Isabella's arrival, the reporters swarmed her car.

"Isabella, are you here to see Mason?"

"What's the real story behind Mason's sudden illness?"

"Who are you backing for president, Isabella?"

"Will you be supporting Owen, Isabella?"

The reporters thrust their microphones at Isabella, bombarding her with questions. She stayed silent, composed, while her bodyguards struggled to hold the reporters back.

The reporters pushed closer, causing a commotion for the bodyguards.

It wasn't until hospital security intervened that Isabella and her team were escorted inside.

However, upon reaching Mason's floor, they were halted by a group of individuals.

"Sorry, Ms. Taylor. Mason is still in a coma and cannot receive visitors at this time," Mason's attending physician informed Isabella, blocking her path.

Isabella glanced at the doctor and the Williams Family's guards behind him, her brow furrowed. These guards were unfamiliar; they weren't Mason's usual security detail.

"I understand Mason's condition is critical, but I just want to see him, even if it's through a window. Can't I do that much?" Isabella expressed her displeasure to the doctor.

The doctor shook his head. "I'm sorry, it's not possible. Given Mason's critical state, we can't take any risks."

The doctor's tone was resolute, and the guards eyed Isabella cautiously.

Carol exchanged a glance with Isabella, silently questioning whether they should push their way through.

Isabella shook her head subtly, then exited the hospital with Carol.

"I can't believe someone is supposedly so sick that we can't even see them from outside. These people clearly don't want us near Mason," Carol grumbled. Then, a sudden realization struck her, and she looked at Isabella in alarm.

"There's another possibility, maybe Mason doesn't want to see us."

Isabella shook her head gently, confiding in Carol.

"If it's the second scenario, he wouldn't bother changing his security detail."

Carol agreed with Isabella's assessment.

"What's our next move? How will Owen retaliate?" Carol looked concerned. Despite the Taylor Family's recent resurgence among the four major families, they still lagged far behind the long-established and influential Williams Family. In any conflict, the Taylors would undoubtedly be at a disadvantage.

Isabella's gaze paused briefly. She murmured a few words to Carol.

Carol nodded, and the two women left the hospital, evading the reporters and driving away.

A black car pulled up at a café near the hospital just over ten minutes later.

Isabella had altered her appearance, donning a mask and sunglasses as she entered the café.

The waitress escorted Isabella to a private room where an elderly man sat - Charles.

Earlier, as Isabella and Carol departed the hospital, they had spotted Charles disguised in the crowd, holding a café flyer as a signal for Isabella to meet him.

"Charles, how's Mason holding up?" Isabella sat down, her tone anxious.

Charles appeared grave.

"Don't fret, Ms. Taylor. Mr. Williams isn't unwell, and he's not in the hospital. He's at the Williams Villa but is confined."

"Is Owen truly behind this? How could he stoop so low?" Isabella gritted her teeth in frustration.

Charles let out a soft sigh.

"The situation might be graver than you think."