CHAPTER 44: PRS 44

Isabella decided to go home when she realized it was getting dark.

However, just as she was about to get out with Siva, she remembered that she had run out of sanitary pads. The 22-year-old decided to go to the 24-hour convenience store near the gas station not far from her apartment.

"I’ll take you, Bella," said Siva, who was about to get back into the car. "It’s this late at night, it’s dangerous for you to be alone. I’ll drive, while you sit in the back and rest."

However, Isabella grabbed Siva’s hand with a small smile. "I’ll go by myself, Sis. Besides, it’s close. Daddy’s bodyguard will be watching me too," she said, quickly walking to the driver’s side and closing the car door. "The convenience store is only five minutes from here. I promise I’ll go straight home after shopping."

Siva could only shake her head slowly and sigh. "Okay, but come back quickly after you’re done shopping. Don’t wander around anymore, okay? Mommy and your two older siblings are waiting upstairs. Sis Almes has been asking about you countless times. You know she’s worried, right?"

"Ready, Sis Siva!" Isabella replied cheerfully, before the white Mercedes-Benz sped out of the basement parking lot of King Tower in the heart of the capital.

As soon as the car exited the apartment basement, Isabella turned on the headlights. The street was quiet, with only a few vehicles passing by. But just as she turned onto the main road, a loud roar of an engine could be heard from behind.

A red luxury sports car sped past her as if it had lost control.

"Hey—what the hell is that! Is that car crazy or what?! It’s driving like it’s possessed!" Isabella exclaimed reflexively, turning the steering wheel to the right to avoid being hit.

CRASH!!!

A loud bang echoed through the silence of the night. The red sports car hit the divider hard, bounced several times, and then crashed into a large tree on the left side of the road.

Isabella was stunned, her eyes wide. The street was deserted—no other cars, no pedestrians. She was the only one there. Smoke began to billow from the now-overturned car.

"Oh my God... this is really happening..." she whispered in panic. Without thinking, she pulled over, turned off the engine, and ran over.

The car was in terrible shape, the front smashed, the glass cracked everywhere. There was no sound from inside, just the rattling sound of the engine and the pungent smell of gasoline.

"We have to hurry... or it explodes..." she muttered nervously. She looked down, trying to see inside through the cracked windshield. Her eyes narrowed, trying to make out the face behind the black tint.

And at that moment, her heart stopped. "Mr. Alesio Xander...?" she said in surprise. "How could it be him? This can’t be..."

Isabella had no idea that the person involved in the accident was Alesio Xander, the young CEO of Lulas Corporation, who had suddenly canceled their appointment tonight for no apparent reason.

"How could this be..." Isabella muttered in panic. She immediately knocked on the cracked car window. "Mr. Alesio! Can you hear me? Please open the door! Mr. Alesio!" she shouted loudly.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

From inside, Alesio, covered in blood on his temple, was still conscious, though his vision was blurry. Vaguely, he heard a soft, familiar voice—a voice he hadn’t been able to erase from his mind lately.

With difficulty, he turned his head. Isabella’s face was clearly visible behind the broken glass.

"Isabella..." he hissed softly.

He tried to open the door, but it was stuck. Then he smelled a burning smell coming from the car engine. Panicked, he motioned for Isabella to move away. But she shook her head vehemently.

"I won’t leave you!" Isabella shouted, interpreting Alesio’s lips. She immediately straightened up, taking a stance. "Get down! I’ll break the glass! Cover your face with your hands! Now!"

Alesio stared, his eyes wide, wanting to object but unable to speak. Seeing the girl’s courage, his heart felt warm amidst the pain.

THUD!!!

THUNDER!!!

With one hard blow, the thick, bulletproof glass cracked, then shattered completely. Isabella didn’t stop there—she pulled the door handle with all her force, partially dislodging it.

"Get out! Hold my hand! Come on, Mr. Alesio, don’t give up!" she cried.

Alesio struggled to grab Isabella’s hand. She pulled him out of the car, which was now emitting sparks.

"Just a little bit more, sir, come on! You can do it! Hold my hand tight!" Isabella urged, her voice trembling with panic.

As soon as they had gotten about ten meters away, a loud explosion shook the air.

BOOM!!!

Flames shot high into the night sky. Several residents living about a hundred meters away, including the attendant at the convenience store Isabella had been planning to visit, came out of their homes in shock. Some immediately called the police and an ambulance.

No one knew that the driver of the red sports car had been rescued. Isabella was now driving to a beachside villa owned by Xander’s family, following Alesio’s whispered instructions along the way.

Upon arriving at the villa, Isabella was carrying a shopping bag from the convenience store containing snacks, several packages of bread, mineral water, sanitary napkins, and painkillers. She closed the door gently and saw Alesio sitting in the living room, his face pale.

"Thank you... for helping me," Alesio said in a hoarse but sincere voice. "If it weren’t for you... I might have..."

Isabella smiled slightly. "Don’t be so polite, Mr. Alesio. We’re human beings, and we’re supposed to help each other. Especially since I witnessed the accident firsthand. There’s no way I could just leave you." She walked to the sink, washed her hands, and then set the food on the table. "Come on, eat first, then take your medicine, and then rest. You need energy to heal. Your body has just been through a major trauma."

Her tone sounded like a mother worried about her child, or even like a wife caring for her husband. Alesio could only stare at her wordlessly.

"Okay, but... you eat too," Alesio said quietly. "I don’t feel good eating alone. You must be tired and hungry after everything that happened earlier."

Isabella turned her head with a chuckle. "Don’t worry, I’m hungry too. I haven’t had dinner yet. I’ve only been eating snacks at the office since this afternoon. My stomach has been rumbling."

After the food was prepared, Isabella carried the plates to the living room so Alesio wouldn’t have to walk far. The wound on his leg was still heavily bandaged. "Here, let me help you. Would you like some rice and chicken, or something light first? I’m afraid your stomach will go into shock if you eat something heavy right away."

"I’ll eat whatever you choose," Alesio replied softly. "So this is what it feels like... to be served by a wife," he muttered to himself, his lips curling slightly.

Isabella spooned rice and placed fried chicken and vegetables onto Alesio’s plate. "Eat a lot, so you’ll recover quickly. If you faint again, I’ll be the one in trouble. I have to take care of you alone; there’s no assistant or anyone else here."

Alesio smiled faintly. "You’re grumbling, but you’re really worried, Bella. I can see it in your eyes."

Isabella snorted. "It’s natural to be worried, sir. I almost got burned earlier, you know? Luckily, I quickly grabbed you. If I’d been five seconds late, we would have both been reduced to ashes."

"Sorry... I put you in danger," Alesio muttered softly. "I should have been the one protecting you, not the other way around."

"Okay, the important thing is that you’re safe. "Next time, don’t drive like a racer," Isabella said, her gaze sharp but her voice soft. "Or maybe you’re just racing illegally, hm?"

Alesio chuckled, warming the atmosphere. After eating and taking his medicine, Isabella helped him back to the room.

"Hold my shoulders," she said, carefully supporting him. "Slowly, don’t step on your left foot. If it hurts, tell me, don’t force it. I don’t want you to fall."

Alesio complied, and as soon as he sat on the edge of the bed, his heart suddenly pounded. Isabella’s face was so close. She noticed it and frowned. "Are you okay? Your heart is beating really fast. Do you have a fever? Or is something wrong?"

Alesio blushed, his face flushed. "I... just have a little fever. Maybe it’s from the accident."

Isabella immediately lowered the air conditioner and eyed him suspiciously. "Fever from the injury? Or from nervousness, hm?" she teased mischievously. "Why is your face so red? Like a boiled crab."

Alesio fell silent, unable to answer. Seeing him like that, Isabella smiled faintly. But soon, her expression turned serious.

"Mr. Alesio... this all has something to do with HENDI, right?" she asked slowly. "This accident wasn’t an ordinary accident. I could tell from your malfunctioning brake system earlier. Someone manipulated your car."

Alesio nodded slowly. "They tried to attack me tonight. My car was hacked, the steering system was messed with. They wanted me dead tonight. If it weren’t for you..."

"Has your car been compromised?" Isabella asked again. "I mean, the security system? If Hendi was able to get into your car’s systems, that means he already has deep access."

"Yes," Alesio replied curtly. "I need your help, Bella. I want you to help me completely destroy Hendi. I know you have the ability to do that."

Isabella paused for a moment, then looked him deeply in the eyes. "If that’s what you ask... I agree. But you know the consequences are significant. HENDI is no ordinary person. He has strong backing and connections everywhere."

"I know. And I’ll pay any price. Whatever you ask, I’ll give it." Alesio reached for his phone on the nightstand, logged into his internet banking app, and in a matter of seconds—Tringgg!

Isabella’s phone vibrated. Her eyes widened when she saw the numbers on the screen. "Ten trillion?" she said in disbelief. "Mr. Alesio, this is too much! I didn’t ask for this much!"

"That’s the payment for destroying HENDI. If it’s not enough, I’ll send more," Alesio said calmly. "I’m serious, Bella. Money isn’t an issue for me. The important thing is that HENDI is destroyed down to his roots."

Isabella sighed. "That’s enough for now. If I need more, I’ll contact you as usual. But I promise, I’ll take this seriously. HENDI will regret ever trying to hurt you."

Alesio smiled weakly. "Okay. And Bella... thank you, again. Thank you for saving my life. Thank you for taking care of me. I don’t know how to repay you."

Isabella simply nodded slightly. "Get some rest. I’ll go home first, Mommy and my siblings will panic if I don’t come back. Brother Almes must have called countless times. I even turned off my phone to keep it quiet."

A few minutes later, the sound of a car could be heard from outside. "Alexo’s here," Isabella said, looking at Alesio for the last time that night. "Take care of yourself, Mr. Alesio. If anything happens, call me immediately. Don’t try to go out alone until your wounds have healed."

The man silently watched the girl leave. As the villa door closed, he stared at his hand, which Isabella had held warmly, and the sound of her heartbeat still lingered in his fingertips.