Marry To My Arch-nemesis

Chapter14

The envelope contained an access card, a black card adorned with the golden emblem of the property and the unit door number -"Serenity Heights Estates", Building A, 3901.

"Serenity Heights Estates"?

This was the most expensive apartment complex in Meadowbrook City, located in a prime location where every inch of land was valuable.

Was he giving her a house?

Isabella hurriedly handed the envelope back. "I won't take it, I have a place to stay."

They were in a contractual marriage, and she would abide by the terms of the contract. However, she wasn't a kept woman, and she certainly wouldn't accept such a valuable gift from him.

"Move in tonight," Dominic's voice was not loud, but it carried an authority that brooked no objection. "I don't have the habit of living separately from my wife."

Isabella was startled, "You want to... live with me?"

Dominic shrugged, looking entirely unsurprised.

"Mrs. Kingsley, not planning to fulfill wifely duties?"

Isabella swallowed nervously but remained silent. The terms of their contract were explicit, and she had no grounds to refuse.

"The door lock code is 0912," Dominic leaned on his desk, giving her a wink. "See you tonight, Mrs. Kingsley!"

Exiting the financial building and returning to school by subway, Isabella still held the envelope in her hand. It seemed like she couldn't escape tonight.

Well, sooner or later, it would happen. A person like Dominic would never let her off.

0912?

The password seemed oddly familiar, but Isabella couldn't recall where she had heard it.

Buzzing sound—

Her phone vibrated in her backpack, and Isabella took it out to answer. The call was from the manager at the music store, informing her that her piano had found a buyer.

"Fifty thousand! The buyer really likes your piano, didn't even haggle. You can come by anytime to collect the money."

Despite the potential relief this money would bring to her father's surgery, Isabella felt a pang of sadness. She had played the piano for a decade, and it had become a crucial part of her life. And now...

It was sold.

Isabella clenched the access card tightly. "I'll come right away."

In a rare act of extravagance, Isabella hailed a taxi to the music store. After paying the processing fee, she smoothly received a check for fifty thousand in cash.

"Um...," holding the check, she cleared her throat, "do you know who bought the violin?"

The store manager shook his head. "The customer didn't say, and we didn't feel it was appropriate to ask."

Isabella didn't say anything more. A violin that had already been sold, even if she became wealthy in the future, she would likely never be able to buy it back.

Knowing or not knowing who bought it held little significance.

Having expressed her gratitude to the manager, Isabella, holding the check, arrived at the hospital and sought out her father's attending physician, Dr. John.

"This is excellent news," Dr. John said with delight upon hearing that she had raised the money.

"Coincidentally, Professor Hans will be in the country soon to attend a medical conference. I'll contact him, and we can arrange a consultation for Mr. Hartwell. You can deposit the money directly at the inpatient department, and the expenses will be deducted automatically from the deposit."

It was the first piece of good news in a month. Isabella thanked Dr. John sincerely and proceeded to the inpatient department to make the payment.

After completing the transaction, she went back upstairs to the ICU ward, hoping to inquire about visitation.

Upon coming out of the elevator, she immediately spotted a familiar figure outside the ICU door.

Clad in a gray windbreaker, with a graceful demeanor, Maximilian Ryder, standing in the corridor, exuded an air of a refined gentleman, attracting the attention of the nurses.

In the past, Isabella might have taken out her phone to sneak a photo of such a Maximilian. But at this moment, she felt her heart sink nervously. If Maximilian came to the hospital, he surely had sinister motives.

Quickly approaching, she stood guard in front of the ICU door.

"What are you here for?"

"Isabella, you're here," Maximilian smiled innocently, "I came to see Uncle."

Isabella clenched her fist. "If you dare to harm my dad, I'll fight you!"

"This isn't the place to talk. Let's go over there," Maximilian turned and walked toward a secluded area in the corridor.

Isabella turned her head, taking a glance at the tightly closed door of the ICU room.

Her father, Richard Hartwell, lay on the hospital bed as usual, and Isabella breathed a sigh of relief.

Turning around, she followed Maximilian.

Stopping at a quiet corner of the corridor, Maximilian halted.

"The incident that night was a stunt pulled by Emily. It wasn't my arrangement, and I apologize on her behalf."

Maximilian extended his right hand, holding a check between his fingers. "This is two million dollars, enough for your father's surgery and subsequent treatment."

Isabella didn't take the check, keeping a vigilant gaze on Maximilian's face.

"How do you know my dad needs surgery?" This man was too cunning, and she couldn't afford to let her guard down.

"Isabella, don't be so tense. I genuinely mean well," Maximilian handed over a set of keys, his tone gentle.

"I bought a two-bedroom apartment across from the hospital. You can move in there. It's close to the hospital, convenient for taking care of your dad, and when I have time, I'll come over to keep you company."

Keep her company?

Did he want her to keep him company?

Finally, the fox's tail was revealed. He had caused her family's downfall, and even now, he wouldn't let her go. Did this man have any genuine feelings for her?

"You'd better save it. Even if I were looking for someone to support me, I would find someone richer and more generous than you," Isabella slapped away his hand and turned to leave.

"Isabellai!" Maximilian grabbed her arm, pulling her into a storage room and blocking the door.

"I was wrong before, and I apologize to you. Isabella, can't we start over?"

Isabella remained unmoved. "Let go!"

"Isabella!" Maximilian raised his hand to hold her shoulder. "Listen to me..."

Isabella shook off his hand. "Let go, or I'll call for help!"

Maximilian's face darkened. "I've already apologized. What else do you want?"

Apologized?

He had ruined the Hartwell family, and now he thought he could wipe it all away with a simple "sorry"? And what about starting over? How could he utter such words? Isabella turned her face, staring at the handsome face of the man.

"Maximilian, are you still a human being?"

"Isabella, don't be like this," Maximilian furrowed his brow. "My patience has its limits!"

Ignoring her public rejection at the engagement party, causing embarrassment to him and the Ryder family, he still tried to reconcile with her.

In Maximilian's eyes, he had been generous enough to Isabella. Even if she didn't appreciate him, she should at least treat him better.

"If you're still a human being, stay away from me, stay away from my dad!"

Forcefully pushing him away, Isabella slammed the door and left.

Maximilian followed her to the door, watching her hurried steps.

The two hands hanging at his sides clenched into fists little by little.

"Isabella, you're forcing me to do this!"

Taking out his phone, he dialed a number.

"Help me check the details about Professor Hans, who performed the surgery for Richard Hartwell."