Chapter 79

Isabella's kidnapping and Pearl's missing rocked the city like a pair of bombs going off.

Pearl's dad, Paxton, put up a $10 million reward for any info on Pearl, but she seemed to have vanished into thin air.

Meanwhile, reporters were going nuts over the story of Pearl supposedly kidnapping Isabella. Some gutsy ones even tried to get a word with Paxton, but his bodyguards kicked them out.

All they got was one line: "Pearl couldn't be the kidnapper. This is all slander from that bitch Isabella!"

Paxton even had that statement printed in the newspaper.

Mason heard about Isabella being in the hospital and went to see her again.

"Don't worry, Isabella. I'll make sure you get justice!" Mason slammed his cane on the ground, fuming over Isabella's kidnapping. He ordered John to start digging into it.

Isabella leaned back on the hospital bed, looking at the angry Mason, and softly said, "Mason, don't make yourself sick over this. It'll just make me sad. Plus, I have something to tell you."

She glanced at the bodyguards around Mason.

Mason waved his hand, and the bodyguards moved to the door and closed it behind them.

"What do you want to tell me?" Mason asked, getting closer to Isabella.

"I can promise you, Pearl's disappearance has nothing to do with me. This might involve the other two families," Isabella told Mason.

Mason nodded, gently patting Isabella's hand. "Rest up and take it easy. I'll get to the bottom of this. Whoever's behind it, they won't get away with it."

Isabella looked at Mason with deep gratitude.

After chatting for a bit, Mason left Isabella to rest. He walked out of the hospital with John and the bodyguards.

Mason filled John in on Isabella's theory.

"Now that you're in the know, as the family heir, I'm counting on you to figure out who's behind this. If it's the other two families, don't let them off easy!" Mason's eyes gleamed with authority.

The old lion had been quiet for too long. Did the hyenas think he was weak and try to take a bite out of him?

John nodded seriously. Dealing with the four great families required caution. This was also a test from Mason.

When Mason got home, he found Paxton waiting for him.

"What are you doing here?" Mason said coldly, not hiding his disdain for Paxton.

Whether Pearl was missing or not, the fact that she kidnapped Isabella was set in stone.

Paxton took a deep breath and bowed to Mason. "Mason, I admit I failed to keep Pearl in line, but she's still my daughter. If this has anything to do with Isabella, please have her return Pearl."

Mason furrowed his brows and slammed his cane on the ground. "Are you out of your mind? How's she gonna pull this off with her family's power on the decline?"

Paxton looked at Mason calmly, unfazed. "Even if Isabella didn't do it, what about her husband? That guy who never shows up-I've heard he's pretty formidable. Even you haven't figured out who he is."

Mason fell silent for a moment. Paxton had a point. Even the four major families hadn't uncovered Michael's identity, which meant he was no joke.

Mason sighed. "Paxton, you should know this isn't as simple as it looks. Until you have proof, don't jump to conclusions. No matter what, I won't let you harm Isabella."

"Then stay out of my investigation." Paxton shot Mason a cold look before turning to leave.

Mason narrowed his eyes and said to Charles behind him, "Get a few more bodyguards for Isabella."

Charles nodded and went to make the arrangements.

At the hospital, John filled Bianca in on Pearl's disappearance.

"Grandpa wants me to find out if another family is behind this, trying to stir up trouble between us. Damn it, who the hell kidnapped Pearl?" John said, frowning.

Bianca looked uneasy. She gently patted John's hand and smiled. "In detective novels, if something happened, there will be traces left behind. I believe you'll find the truth."

John nodded and ruffled Bianca's hair. "I came here today to let you know that I'll be busy looking into this, so I might not be able to visit for a while."

Bianca bit her lip and said, "But I'll feel really insecure without you around. Can you get me a few more bodyguards?"

John looked at Bianca in surprise. "Didn't I already assign two bodyguards to you? Why do you need more?"

'It's all because of what Michael said! If Pearl gets caught and spills that I leaked Isabella's location, he'll come after me!' Bianca thought, panicking.

Bianca forced a bitter smile. "It's because of the cosmetics incident last time. I faced too much online hate. A few days ago, my friend helped me with a package and found a razor blade inside. I'm worried those crazy people will come after me, so I want you to get me a few more bodyguards."

John nodded; her reason made sense. "Alright, I'll assign four more bodyguards to you, making it six in total."

"Great, thank you, John," Bianca said with a smile.

After John left the room, Bianca's smile turned into a scowl.

'Damn you, Pearl, you idiot. I never should have trusted you again! Damn it, she won't rat me out, will she?' Bianca thought anxiously.