Chapter 139

Chapter 139

Isabella waited about twenty minutes before a black sedan emerged from the mountain road, slowing as it turned into the side entrance.

Vincent stepped out of the driver's seat, carrying a silver metal case. He bent slightly at the iris scanner by the door.

Isabella raised her phone to shoulder height and filmed a video through the glass.

Forty minutes later, Vincent emerged from the side entrance. The metal case he'd brought in was gone.

Isabella uploaded the footage to Oscar's folder.

That evening, Alexander's surveillance team sent a message: [Bruce is awake.]

Isabella made an immediate decision. The nursing home wasn't a good option right now. During the day, coming and going would be too conspicuous, and the risk was extremely high. A nighttime entry would require new equipment preparation.

But the hospital was different. Now that Bruce was awake, and Selene was there, the mother-son dynamic was most likely to reveal cracks.

Rather than guard a door that might never open, better to knock on a window already ajar.

When Isabella arrived at the hospital that evening, visiting hours were nearly over.

Bruce had been settled in a private room at the end of the corridor.

As Isabella approached, she recognized Selene's voice from inside. "Just focus on getting better. Don't worry about anything else."

She waited in the hallway, not wanting to interrupt.

When Selene emerged from the room and saw her, her expression stiffened momentarily. "Isabella, what are you doing here? When did you get to Zephyria?"

"A while ago. I thought I'd check in on him."

"Good. I need to take a call anyway." A flicker of tension crossed Selene's eyes.

Isabella watched her retreating figure, then glanced through the glass window in the door. Bruce looked pale, his expression heavy.

He seemed... nervous?

Isabella pushed the door open. "Hi."

She set the fruit and flowers she'd bought on the bedside table. "How are you feeling?"

Bruce leaned against the headboard. When he saw Isabella, the utensils in his hand paused. "You're... Isabella?"

"Yeah. Quick question—since you got to Zephyria, has anyone had you regularly deliver things somewhere?"

Bruce's gaze flickered. "Why are you asking?"

"Your mom's situation. You don't want her going to prison, do you?"

Bruce lowered his head. After a long moment, he spoke. "Someone had me go to Maple Hill Township every few days. Said it was stuff for my mom's friend... I didn't know the person. I'd just leave it at the security desk and go."

Isabella narrowed her eyes. "What did it look like?"

"A small silver case. Black plastic handle. Sealed tight—nothing rattled when I shook it."

Isabella nodded. "Thanks."

"My mom said she was helping a friend, but I don't think that's it... What has she actually done?"

"I'll find out."

Isabella left the room. Selene stood by the corridor window, looking at her phone.

At the sound of footsteps, she turned. "Isabella, I'm so sorry Bruce has been such a bother. If I'd known you were also in Zephyria, I would've contacted you before coming."

"Aunt Selene, I'm just here for a few days on business. I'll be leaving soon. By the way, the scenery around Maple Hill Township is lovely—Bruce should check it out once he's recovered."

"Is that so? I'll have him go when he's feeling better." Selene's smile didn't change, but her fingers tightened around her phone.

Isabella pressed the down button for the elevator, lost in thought.

Bruce was definitely hiding something, but she could tell most of what he'd said was true.

Which meant Selene had been keeping him in the dark all along. He had no idea what was really going on.

So what exactly was Selene having him deliver?

When Selene pushed the door open again, Bruce had already set his utensils on the bedside table. He didn't look at her. "Mom, Isabella asked if someone had me delivering things to Maple Hill Township."

"What did you tell her?"

"That I was helping with something for your friend."

Selene's expression barely changed, but her hand released the doorknob. She walked in and collected the utensils. "That's fine then."

"She said you've been going there too. You told Dad you came to Zephyria to help with my enrollment, but enrollment doesn't require you to drive out to the suburbs multiple times a week. Mom, what are you doing?"

Selene turned her back to him, wiping the dishes. She wiped for a long time. "Don't worry about my business."

"Then don't make me part of it." Bruce's voice rose. "When you had me deliver those things, you said you were helping a friend. Now I'm lying in a hospital bed, and you're still telling me to 'not worry about it'?"

Selene turned around. For the first time, that usually polished face showed exhaustion. "Bruce, some things are better left unknown. Just focus on recovering. Once I'm done handling this, I'll take you home."

"Handling what?"

Selene walked to the door and pulled it open. "Get some rest. I'll come see you tomorrow." Her heels clicked faster than usual.

Bruce stared at the ceiling for a long time. Then he reached for his phone, found Isabella's number, and sent a message: [My mom just said 'once I'm done handling this.' Do you know what she's handling?]

Ten minutes later, Isabella replied: [Focus on recovering. Don't ask questions.]

The next morning, Isabella returned to the hospital, carrying another bag of fruit and a bouquet.

Bruce was propped against the headboard looking at his phone. When she entered, he set it down.

"Where's your mom?"

"Taking a call. Said it would be a while. Have a seat."

Isabella sat in the chair and arranged the flowers in an empty vase on the windowsill.

After a moment of silence, Bruce spoke first. "Last night after she left, she texted me. Told me not to contact you."

"You contacted me anyway."

"Yeah."

Isabella kept her back to him, adjusting the stems. "Does your dad know about her delivering things to Maple Hill Township?"

Bruce thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Probably not. Dad's been busy with his own project lately. Their phone calls don't last more than five minutes."

"Have you noticed your mom in contact with anyone else?"

"There's one number she always hides to answer. Once she thought I was asleep—she was on the balcony for a while. I only caught one phrase: 'just give me a few more days.'"

"Do you remember the number?"

Bruce shook his head. "Couldn't memorize it. She clears her call history afterward. By the next day, it's gone."

Heels clicked in the hallway.

Selene pushed the door open. Seeing Isabella, her steps faltered for a moment before she walked in with a smile. "Isabella, you're here again? You're so thoughtful."

"I was in the area." Isabella grabbed her coat from the chair back and headed out.

She didn't slow as she passed Selene. Once in the elevator, she texted Alexander: [Selene has a contact in Zephyria. She asked them to 'give her a few more days.']

Alexander replied: [She might be about to make a move.]

On the way back to the safe house, Oscar called. "Boss, there's a missed record from three months before Oliver died."

"Ten days before his death, there's a taxi ride from near the Radcliffe Estate to a teahouse on the west side of town. Public surveillance caught him standing outside for a long time. Like he was waiting for someone."