"Isabella, do you have time lately? I'd like to have dinner with you."
It had been a while since they last met, but Isabella knew that Emanuele was reluctant to let her go out, especially with Frederick keeping an eye on her.
"Sorry, Evelyn, I'm in danger recently. To avoid complicating things for you, let's not meet for the time being."
She believed Evelyn would understand her situation.
After a while, Isabella received a reply from Evelyn: "Understood."
She couldn't help but furrow her brow. Evelyn's words seemed strange now. Even though the conversation matched their usual topics, and the account information confirmed it was Evelyn, Isabella felt like Evelyn's phone had been stolen.
Previously, Isabella could sense Evelyn's emotions even through messages. However, now, Isabella couldn't feel Evelyn's emotions anymore. Maybe it was because they hadn't met or talked much lately, and their relationship had become somewhat unfamiliar. Isabella thought they would meet again once the crisis was over.
Thinking about it, Isabella couldn't help but miss her past life. Back then, after leaving the hospital, she would go out to eat with Evelyn, go shopping, and discuss work at the hospital. Despite the occasional sadness and sorrow in those ordinary days, it was much better than the current life of constant danger.
She knew she was drifting further away from her previous life. Although she didn't want to, she had no way to escape this environment. Since there was no way to leave, she decided to accept everything calmly.
In her current state, she would strive to adapt to this life. At least in this dark world, she needed to have the ability to protect herself.
She cherished her life, especially after the shadows brought by Chloe had disappeared. Yet, she couldn't fully trust even the bodyguards around her. They couldn't protect her 24/7, and who knew if she might be attacked in some unnoticed corner?
Since Emanuele's enemy was so formidable, and Emanuele hadn't even found the enemy's hiding place after such a long time, it indicated that if he were genuinely intent on killing her, Emanuele might not be able to protect her.
For Emanuele, she was just a toy. He probably wouldn't go to great lengths to protect her. Therefore, she had to learn to protect herself.
Now that Isabella's training was almost complete, she spent less time at the base. Most of the time, she stayed in the apartment.
Her life hadn't changed much.
Watching reality shows, chatting with Grazia, and enjoying the videos and photos Sophia sent her from her journey.
Their lives became exciting after leaving Chicago, and Grazia's tone sounded much happier. She even said she would send Isabella some clothes.
Rocco and Grazia's married life seemed to be becoming happy and sweet, which reassured Isabella.
But what made her happiest was her improving combat skills.
Two more days passed, and Isabella officially graduated. Elisa congratulated her, saying, "Congratulations, ma'am. As long as you remember these moves, I believe you will need them someday."
Tony, in charge of teaching Isabella shooting, also praised her, saying, "Your marksmanship now is more than sufficient to handle sudden situations."
"I know. Be careful from now on. Maybe I'll become stronger than you someday," Isabella said, holding the Glock pistols that Emanuele had given her. Initially, she was quite repelled by them, feeling like she had fallen into an abyss. Now, they were her beloved toys.
"Then let me congratulate you in advance. Maybe you'll come to protect us in the future."
Feeling good after returning home from the base, Isabella planned to cook a dinner for Emanuele.
However, as her car was driving on the road, there was suddenly the sound of gunfire ahead. Harry immediately pressed Isabella's head down.
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