CHAPTER 24: PRS 24

Isabella Clark, who didn’t sense anything wrong with her words, nor did she care about Alesio Xander’s response, continued to calmly sip her espresso. Her expression was stoic, as if what she had just said was a simple truth that should have been said.

Meanwhile, Alexo and Siva, standing not far from the table, felt the temperature in the room drop dramatically. Alesio’s cold aura combined with Isabella’s assertiveness created an intense pressure, forcing them both to remain silent, pretending to be busy with work, even though their hearts and minds were filled with complex emotions.

As Isabella placed her coffee cup on the table with a clear click, Alesio stared intently at the 22-year-old woman. His gaze fell squarely on Isabella’s warm yet mysterious amber eyes, like a slow-burning fire, holding a flicker of light within. There was a deep curiosity there.

"Some time ago..." Alesio’s voice broke the tense silence, "...at the convenience store in the commercial shophouses near the Imperial Residence complex, did you save a child from being kidnapped? I heard a report about the incident from the police, but the information was very limited. They only said a woman saved a small child from an attempted kidnapping. And after I investigated further, it turned out that woman was you."

Isabella frowned briefly, then tilted her head, trying to remember.

"A little boy?" she repeated. She seemed to be deep in thought until her eyes suddenly widened. "Oh! That little boy, about five years old, right? The one with his nanny? I remember. It happened after I was browsing the new store I bought the previous afternoon. I was walking around the area and suddenly noticed something was wrong. The little boy seemed to have been drugged, his face was very pale and his body was limp."

Her voice rose, this time with curiosity. "Why? Do you know that child? Has the perpetrator been caught? I already gave a complete statement to the police at the time. I even waited until they finished interrogating the kidnappers."

Alesio shook his head slowly. "The perpetrator hasn’t been caught. That little boy is my son. I only learned about this incident after the police reported that there had been an attempted kidnapping of my son. But unfortunately, the information I received was very limited."

Isabella was shocked. Her hands clenched into fists on the table. "He hasn’t been caught yet? How is that possible!" she exclaimed. "I’ve already given the police a clear description of the perpetrator. I even described their physical characteristics, the clothes they wore, and how they worked. How could the police not have caught him with such clear leads? If the police are having trouble, you—as a parent and an influential person with money and power—should help expedite the search process. You could have hired a private detective or even used your business network to track them down. This concerns your own son’s safety!"

His tone was filled with scorn.

Aleso and Siva immediately turned to their boss. They could hardly believe someone would dare say such a thing in front of Alesio Xander.

Alesio’s face darkened. His jaw tightened, his gaze sharp. "What clue?" he asked coldly. "The police only said the perpetrator committed suicide on the way to the station. They said he suddenly jumped from a moving patrol car and was immediately hit by a passing large truck. Instant death. No traces, no evidence left."

Isabella jumped. "What? Suicide on the road?" she exclaimed in shock, almost screaming. "That doesn’t make sense! How could someone who was handcuffed and under heavy guard suddenly commit suicide like that? There must be something wrong with that story!"

Alesio winced and rubbed his ears because his scream was so loud.

Isabella quickly looked down, feeling uncomfortable. "Sorry. I screamed reflexively," she said, her voice softer this time. "But you have to admit, there was something strange about that incident. It was too coincidental to be a simple suicide."

She pushed a glass of water toward Alesio. As she drank, Isabella spoke again. "Mr. Alesio, don’t you find this incident strange? Could the police themselves be involved? Or perhaps someone within the police force helped the perpetrator escape? Besides... I suspect your son’s nanny. I think she’s involved in all of this. Too many coincidences point to her."

Her tone turned serious, filled with conviction.

Alesio snorted sharply. "Don’t make accusations without proof. My son’s nanny has worked with me for years. She’s someone I trust. I can’t just accuse her without concrete evidence."

But Isabella didn’t stop. She leaned forward, as if trying to convince him. "I’m not talking nonsense. You see, when I confronted the kidnappers, two of their necks were broken. At that moment, I saw something—a glimpse of a birthmark. But upon closer inspection, it wasn’t a birthmark. It was some kind of code, the same symbol on their necks. Like a small tattoo made with special ink. And what’s even more surprising..." she paused, then looked directly at Alesio, "...I also saw the same mark on your nanny’s neck. Exactly the same. There’s not the slightest difference. It’s no coincidence, Mr. Alesio."

"Impossible." Alesio shook his head vigorously. However, his deep voice trembled slightly. "Miss Nini has been with me for a long time. She couldn’t have done that. She loves my son very much. I’ve often seen how lovingly she cares for him."

"I didn’t see it. Your nanny’s hair was blowing in the wind, and I clearly saw the scar. The tattoo was on the back of her neck, hidden by her long hair. But because the police had already left, I didn’t have time to voice my suspicions. It wasn’t until you asked me about it that I became convinced something was wrong. I even considered contacting the police again, but I didn’t have enough evidence at the time. Now, after hearing that the perpetrator committed suicide in such a suspicious manner, I’m even more convinced there’s a larger conspiracy behind all this."

Alexo and Siva fell silent. They looked at each other, shocked.

Alesio himself was silent for a long time. The image of his son’s face appeared in his mind.

Isabella continued, her tone more serious, even a little sharp. "I suspect your son wasn’t drugged with a handkerchief like most kidnappers. Because I searched him and found nothing but a wallet and a cell phone. No chloroform, no cloth, nothing normally used to drug someone. So... the drug was most likely administered through food or drink. And the only person who could have done that was your son’s nanny. Who else? No one else was around at the time. Your nanny fed and watered your son every day. She had full access. She knew your schedule, your habits, and the weaknesses in your security system."

Isabella’s words were like a hammer to Alesio’s conscience.

"Stupid... I’m so stupid..." Alesio gritted his teeth, closing his eyes for a moment. He remembered the doctor who said the drug could be administered through food or drink. But he had trusted his son’s nanny too much to dismiss that possibility. "I was too naive. I trusted the wrong person. I should have been more careful. I shouldn’t have been so trusting."

Isabella stared at him. "If you’re still in doubt, you can check your home’s CCTV. Look at the footage from a few days before the kidnapping. There’s definitely something suspicious there."

"Look at how the nanny cares for your son. See what she gives him to eat and drink. Also, check who he communicates with. There’s definitely evidence there."

Alesio looked up with a complicated expression.

Isabella’s eyes widened involuntarily. "Don’t tell me... your house doesn’t even have CCTV? A house that big, worth billions of rupiah, doesn’t have any CCTV at all?"

The man just shook his head slowly.

Isabella immediately exploded. "Oh my God, Mr. Alesio! Do you really care about your family? CCTV is essential, for your own son’s safety! How could someone like you, who has so many enemies, leave his family without such basic protection? You’re a big businessman with so many competitors, so many people who want to bring you down. And you don’t have a basic security system installed in your own home? This is absurd! Do you think your enemies will play fair? They will attack your weaknesses, and family is everyone’s greatest weakness!"

Her voice rose, her eyes blazing with emotion.

Alexo and Siva froze. To them, this was a strange sight. A young woman dared to rebuke, even reprimand, Alesio Xander—a figure feared by many.

"Installing CCTV in our house is an invasion of privacy," Alesio replied, his voice low but defensive. "I don’t want my family to feel like they’re being watched all the time. Home is where we should feel free and comfortable."

Isabella nearly jumped out of her chair. "Privacy? Do you think I told you to install a camera in the bathroom? Do I look that stupid? CCTV cameras are installed in the living room, family room, and public areas. It’s a precaution, not a violation! No one told you to install cameras in the bedroom or bathroom. Just in the public areas is helpful. At least you can know who comes in and out of your house, what happens when you’re not there, and if there are any suspicious people around your family!"

Her tiny hands gripped the chair. She really looked like she wanted to pull the man’s hair in front of her, just to wake him up.

Meanwhile, Alesio just lowered his head, like a husband resigned to his wife’s scolding.

Alexo and Siva looked at each other again. They both thought, "These two... look so much like a husband and wife arguing. Even the way Mr. Alesio lowered his head and remained silent is exactly like a husband who doesn’t dare to challenge his wife."

Alesio was confused. Why was he so easily accepting all of Isabella’s nagging? Normally, anyone who dared to speak carelessly to him would be immediately thrown out. But with this girl... he couldn’t argue with a word she said. In fact, oddly enough, he felt her scolding made sense and was indeed something he should have listened to.

He took a deep breath, then said firmly, "Alexo! Assign bodyguards for my grandfather and my son. From now on, monitor Miss Nini’s every move. Track all her communications, all her activities, and everyone she comes into contact with. I want a complete report every day. Don’t miss anything."

Alexo was immediately taken aback, but then nodded quickly. "Yes, Mr. Alesio. I will immediately assign the best person to this."

Isabella leaned back, took another sip of her coffee, and smiled contentedly. Her tiny chin lifted gracefully, her expression resembling that of a wife relieved that her husband had finally made the right decision.

Alesio turned, momentarily stunned by that smile. There was a strange feeling he couldn’t fully understand. A warmth he had never felt before.

Meanwhile, Alexo was already busy summoning his trusted aides to carry out his orders.

On the other hand, Siva was still staring intently. Her heart was pounding. "I never thought I’d be able to watch a romantic drama live like this. It’s like watching a truly perfect couple. They seem so perfect for each other, even though they probably don’t realize it themselves."