Chapter 302
The caller's demand didn't surprise Henry in the least.
He didn't even ask why, simply questioning: "Where should I send her?"
In this moment, he had completely understood his own heart—he loved Sophia.
His father had revealed the truth about what happened years ago: when Sam died, Sophia was the one who handled his affairs. Only with her consent, with her signature on the surgical authorization form, could Sam's heart be transplanted into Henry's chest.
William and Richard, desperate to save their son, had promised Sophia everything—even accepting the child in her womb.
Sophia hadn't sought any benefits for herself. She signed the confidentiality agreement, ensuring the Harding family sent all compensation to Sam's grandmother and sister.
She had taken nothing for herself, arriving alone with just a small suitcase as she moved into the Harding household.
Richard's words echoed in Henry's mind: "Though she loved Sam, that's in the past. You might think Sophia loved Sam, but to those of us who know everything, it's clear that you were the one she truly loved."
"If she didn't love you, why would she wait up for you late into the night? If she didn't love you, why would she give up her promising medical career to be your full-time wife? If she didn't love you, why would she accommodate your every need, doing everything beneficial for your health without complaint, while avoiding anything that might harm you? If that's not love, then what is?"
His father's words had finally awakened Henry—he would do whatever it took to win Sophia back!
The voice on the phone was filled with mockery: "Henry, does it hurt to see the woman you love suffering? I'll tell you, this is just the beginning!"
Grace brought a towel, placed it in Sophia's mouth, and carefully removed Henry's mangled, bloody hand.
"Brother, what should we do about sister-in-law? Can we take her to the hospital?"
Grace's face was pale with worry. "You know if the police find out, they'll arrest her and force her to detox."
Henry poured disinfectant directly onto his wound without even looking.
Though the wound must have been excruciating, he showed no reaction. His mind was already elsewhere.
He turned to Mark and instructed: "Get Isabella and take her to this address."
In the basement of the Harding estate, Isabella had been confined in the windowless space so long she barely looked human anymore.
She gave Henry a cold stare as he entered: "Are you finally turning me over to the police?"
She knew Henry had been gathering evidence, planning to have her imprisoned.
Henry didn't answer her question, just tossed her a set of clothes and commanded: "Put these on!"
Assuming she was about to be handed over to authorities, Isabella changed slowly without protest and walked out of the basement.
When she realized Henry wasn't escorting her to a police station, joy flickered through her.
Her mother must have come to rescue her!
It was the dead of night as the black SUV traveled along rural roads.
The area was undeveloped, filled with bumpy dirt paths that made the vehicle bounce violently.
Catherine's address was in a remote rural area, and in the darkness, it took considerable time to locate the specified spot.
It was an unremarkable one-story house built entirely of packed earth, with a shabby, thatched roof that looked particularly desolate.
A single paper lantern hung outside the door, casting a lonely glow in the pitch-black night.
The moment Isabella spotted the thatched house in the distance, she knew her mother had come for her.
She ran eagerly toward the door. Henry didn't follow—the caller had been clear: deliver Isabella, and he would receive the antidote for Sophia.
As Isabella disappeared through the doorway, Henry signaled his bodyguards. Two of them followed her inside.
Just then, Henry's phone rang. "You want the antidote? Fine. Go inside and find it yourself!"
Henry gritted his teeth, clutched his phone, and entered through the door. The inside of the thatched house was surprisingly clean but completely empty except for a very small table positioned at the entrance. On the table sat a box of medication. After confirming it was what he needed, Henry walked outside.
Standing before the door, Henry called into the darkness: "Catherine, I know you're nearby. Won't you come out and meet me? Shouldn't we discuss this face to face?"
Though no one responded, Henry was certain Catherine was close by!
After waiting for a while with no reply, thinking of Sophia waiting for him to return with the medicine, he decided not to press further.
Logically, Henry's car should have returned the way it came. But that's not what happened. Instead, he had the driver take a different route, circling around.
When they reached the next intersection, he ordered the driver to stop. Three black SUVs without license plates were parked by the roadside. When the occupants saw Henry exit his vehicle, they immediately opened their doors, bowing respectfully: "Young Master, please get in."
Henry nodded slightly, climbed in, and instructed the driver to return to the thatched house.
Knowing Catherine's controlling nature, he was certain she would believe she'd won, feeling smug and self-satisfied.
She would never expect him and his father to return.
His strategy was to continue letting Catherine believe she was in control, that she was the one directing events.
After watching the Harding vehicle drive away, Catherine finally emerged. Dressed entirely in black athletic wear with running shoes, she moved with purposeful strides.
A group of black-clad bodyguards followed behind her as she headed directly to the thatched house where Isabella waited.
When she saw Catherine, Isabella threw herself into her mother's arms, sobbing: "Mom! What took you so long? I suffered such terrible humiliation at the Hardings'! You must avenge me!"
She loved Henry, but love pushed to its limits becomes hate.
Catherine embraced her, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, nodding with satisfaction: "Good! As long as you remember what the Hardings did to you! From today, I'll teach you how to get revenge on them!"
The reunion between mother and daughter naturally called for many words to be exchanged.
This shabby place was hardly suitable for conversation. Catherine supported her unsteady daughter as they walked toward their waiting vehicle.
Just as the mother and daughter settled into their car, blinding high beams suddenly flooded the area, causing temporary blindness.
The driver faltered. By the time he regained his vision and attempted to restart the engine, several more vehicles had appeared, blocking their escape route.
Catherine, seeing success slip through her fingers, grabbed Isabella's hand and quickly pulled her from the car.
The Harding vehicles had arrived en masse, surrounding Catherine's people completely.
All the cars had their high beams on, illuminating the area as bright as day.