CHAPTER 4 — ISABELLA’S PHONE

Isabella sat in a private consultation room with two security guards outside.

Her crimson gown was torn near the hem. One heel was missing, and faint blood from the broken glass stained her ankle.

She no longer looked victorious.

Gabriel entered carrying a sealed evidence bag.

Inside was her phone.

“My attorney is coming,” Isabella said.

“Good. He can watch you explain this.”

Gabriel placed a printed screenshot on the table.

The message had been sent to Isabella forty minutes before the attack.

GET HER ALONE. FRIGHTEN HER. MAKE HER FALL.

The sender was saved under one letter.

M.

Isabella’s eyes flickered.

“That proves nothing.”

Gabriel placed another screenshot beside it.

AFTER TONIGHT, MARCUS WILL BE FREE.

Isabella’s lips parted.

“That isn’t what he meant.”

“So Marcus sent it?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You just did.”

Isabella stood abruptly.

“He loved me before Khloe trapped him.”

Gabriel’s expression hardened.

“My niece did not trap anyone.”

“She became pregnant at exactly the right time,” Isabella snapped. “Do you have any idea what that child inherits?”

Gabriel remained silent.

Isabella laughed bitterly.

“Of course you know.”

The door opened.

A security officer stepped inside.

“Mr. Cole, the number sending those messages is encrypted. But the device is inside the hospital.”

Isabella froze.

“Inside?”

“Still active,” the officer confirmed.

Gabriel turned toward the hall.

“Locate it.”

The officer left.

Isabella lowered herself into the chair.

For the first time, her fear appeared genuine.

“Marcus said the phone would be destroyed.”

Gabriel looked back at her.

“You should start telling the truth.”

She stared at the tabletop.

“He promised no one would get seriously hurt.”

“You kicked a pregnant woman.”

“I was angry.”

“You were following instructions.”

Isabella looked toward the security camera in the corner.

Then she leaned closer and whispered, “Marcus isn’t the one you should be afraid of.”

“Who is?”

Before she could answer, the lights went out.

A loud crash came from the hallway.

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When the emergency lights flickered on, Isabella’s phone was gone.

And so was one of the guards.