The Tycoon's Secret Wife's Escape novel Chapter 86

Chapter 86

Isabella

Snow fell gently when Evan and I arrived in Charlotte, North Carolina Thankfully. I didn’t need much time to adjust to the cold.

A private car from the Jones mansion awaited us at the airport.

“Are you okay?” Evan asked softly as he slid into the seat beside me.

The truth was, my head was spinning, and my body felt oddly heavy. But I forced a smile, unwilling to worry tum

“I’m fine. The trip was smooth, thanks to your help,” I said, masking my discomfort

He squeezed my hand reassuringly, and I closed my eyes, willing myself to calm down. The doctor had ceased me to trave but pregnancy made everything more challenging.

It wasn’t long before the car pulled up to an elegant, old–world villa. The sight of the estate was as imposing as

The Jones family owned several shopping malls across the state, all managed by my unde. His capable management had kept the Jones name prestigious and respected.

“Welcome, Ms. Isabella!” the head maid greeted warmly as the car door opened.

“Hello! Where’s my grandmother?” I asked, fighting another wave of dizziness. I desperately wanted to rest after greeting my family.

Before the maid could answer, my female cousin appeared at the top of the villa steps, her arms crossed and expression dripping with disdain.

. “Some people will do anything to get Grandmother’s attention” Her tone was sharp.

I met her gaze briefly before deciding she wasn’t worth the energy. Ignoring her completely, I stepped forward, focused on getting inside. Arguing with someone so bitter would only exhaust me.

“You’ve got it wrong. Isabella didn’t come here with that kind of intention,” Evan interjected calmly.

Though my cousin treated me poorly, her expression instantly brightened at Cassie’s brother’s presence. It wasn’t surprising they knew each other. My cousin’s modeling career likely placed them in the same social circles.

We entered, and I saw other family members, including those I considered my parents.

“Isabella…” Mom approached with concern etched on her face. “Could we talk later?”

I nodded silently, not wanting to create a scene that would give the family another reason for criticism. Joanne’s words echoed in my mind—she claimed Mom had stolen her designs from Bella Jones. Could that woman be her cousin? Or perhaps a half–sister?

I’d never heard the family mention her, yet I had a strong suspicion that I was somehow connected to her. I looked so much like my grandmother when she was in her youth, making my place in the family unquestionable.

Uncovering Bella’s identity was one of my private missions here. I knew no one would speak up if I asked directly, so decided to investigate independently.

“How are you, dear?” my grandmother asked warmly, sitting by the window as I entered the tea room.

I kissed her cheek. “I’m exhausted, but seeing you gives me the strength I need”

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Chapter 86

Her smile deepened at my words, and she gently stroked my cheek.

“Happy birthday, Grandmother,” I added.

“We brought a lot of gifts, Mrs. Jones,” Evan added, looking pleased.

“Thank you! Are you together now?”

“Not yet, But I’m doing everything I can to win her over.”

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Grandmother beamed and turned to my cousins. “Look at Isabella–so pretty, so young. She never gives me any trouble.”

“But what has she actually accomplished?” one of my cousins muttered under her breath, sneering.

Her mother quickly shushed her, maintaining a façade of politeness.

The expressions of the other family members turned sour–this was their chance to win favor with Grandmother. Every smile and every gesture felt fake, with each person focused on their own interests, hiding behind a mask of family unity.

After a round of hollow smiles, empty compliments, and meaningless small talk, Iwas escorted to the room where I would stay during my visit.

It wasn’t until Evan knocked on my door just as I was about to rest that I realized he’d been absent for several minutes.

“Isabella, I need to take care of something urgent. I have to go to the South,” Evan said, worry etched across his face.

“Business?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he replied simply before pulling me into a hug. “Please consider Cassie’s wishes. I want to court you properly, Isabella. Marrying you has always been my dream.”

“But that’s not fair to you either,” I responded. “I’m about to get divorced, and I’m going to be a mother. With my past, you know my reputation is far from perfect in the public eye.”

“None of that matters to me,” he insisted before hurrying away.

I closed the door to the room that brought me some semblance of peace. Sleep came quickly, my body finally surrendering to the exhaustion and discomfort I’d been fighting all day.

***

My phone rang beside me, jolting me awake. The darkness was overwhelming, and for a moment, I was disoriented, unsure of where I was as if I’d just woken from a dream.

As I regained consciousness, an unsettling dread washed over me, and I felt the distinct sense of being watched.

“Sorry, did I startle you?” whispered a voice from the shadows. A figure stood motionless in the corner, her face barely visible in the darkness. Every instinct screamed that something was wrong–what kind of servant lurks in the darkness of a guest’s room?

“W–why are you here?” My voice cracked, and I instinctively pressed myself against the headboard, heart pounding.

“Mrs. Jones asked me to call everyone for dinner,” she explained, her tone distant. “I came to wake you, but it seems, ur phone accomplished that task. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

Something about her voice seemed off–muffled, as though she wore some kind of mask over her mouth.

The phone continued to ring, Grayson’s name flashing on the screen.

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