Chapter 317

At that moment, Michael happened to look at her, their eyes met, and Michael's gaze locked onto her firmly. In that instant, Isabella felt like she was the only one in his world.

But the next second, she mocked herself with a slight smile. How could that be possible?

Michael never liked her.

Everything he was doing now, his gentleness and his care for her, was all because of the child.

He was only with her for Aiden's sake.

And the last thing she should do was mistake this care for something meant for her.

"Are you going back? I'll take you."

Michael walked over to her with large strides, not feeling comfortable letting her go home alone, especially after seeing Renee injured.

He was worried those people might be nearby, and if they targeted Isabella, it would be bad.

What he wanted most was to be by Isabella's side every day and night, but Isabella wouldn't agree to that.

"No need, I want to go back by myself."

Isabella shook her head. Experiencing going to the hospital and shopping with him once was enough.

She feared she wouldn't be able to stop herself from having expectations of him if she was with him any longer.

Handing the gift box to the bodyguard, Isabella said to him, "Goodbye."

Michael frowned and was about to reach out to grab Isabella, but the bodyguards behind her blocked his way.

"Ms. Taylor said she doesn't want you to take her. Move aside!"

Michael was still worried about her and was about to push the bodyguards away to follow her, but then he saw a familiar face in the car Isabella was about to get into.

It was Holden Wilson.

He gave Michael a warning look, clearly meaning that if Michael dared to come over, Holden would confront him in front of Isabella.

Thinking about the fight Holden had with him at the hospital entrance last time, Michael's face darkened.

That wasn't a fight; it was clearly a one-sided beating.

But since Holden was with Isabella, he felt reassured enough to investigate other matters.

On the other side.

Seeing Holden arrive, Isabella was quite surprised, "Uncle Holden, what are you doing here?"

Holden nervously looked her over and suddenly his face changed, "Isabella, what happened to your hand? Why is it bleeding?"

"This..." Before Isabella could finish, Holden grabbed her hand, heartbroken, "What happened? Did that bastard Michael not protect you and let you get hurt? I'm gonna kick his ass!"

Holden said as he was about to get out of the car, but Isabella stopped him, helplessly saying, "Uncle Holden, can you let me finish? This blood isn't mine. I ran into an acquaintance at the mall who got hurt, and I accidentally got some on me."

"Really? Are you okay?"

Hearing that the blood wasn't Isabella's, Holden finally breathed a sigh of relief. Thinking about how he was so worried he almost suffocated, he couldn't help but tap her forehead.

"Don't you know the bodyguard called me on the way, saying you encountered an emergency? I was so scared I rushed over without even thinking about Atticus. If I hadn't seen you and called Atticus to let him know you were safe, he might have sent people over by now."

Ever since Atticus found out from the black market that someone had been closely tracking Isabella's movements, he had been extremely concerned about her personal safety.

Holden usually had a lively temper and loved to nag her.

Isabella was used to it.

But Atticus and Holden being so worried about her situation outside still made her feel a bit embarrassed. If it weren't for wanting to have some memories with Michael, she wouldn't have been so willful.

"Uncle Holden, don't worry. See, I'm fine." Isabella took a wet wipe and wiped the blood off the back of her hand, showing it to Holden.

"Alright. Let's go back home."

Holden instructed the bodyguard to drive to Whispering Pines Estates.

On the way, Isabella talked to Holden about Renee's identity.

"Uncle Holden, she's the owner of Glamour Oasis, Renee, and she's seriously injured. I feel like she's in some kind of danger. Could you send more people to the hospital?"

"I think we should bring her to Whispering Pines Estates to stay once she gets better. It would be safer."

Hearing the last sentence, Holden frowned.

"Isabella, I don't think you should have saved her. She's from the beauty salon, clearly associated with Bianca. How can you bring her to your place? It's too dangerous."

Moreover, they were currently guarding against the Adri Family. Who knew if this Renee was good or bad? If she was sent to get close to Isabella, wouldn't that be bringing the enemy inside?

The risk was too great; he couldn't let Isabella be in danger.

But Isabella didn't see it that way.

"Uncle Holden, if it were before, I would have thought the same as you. I wouldn't have had any contact with her, let alone saved her."

"But I've interacted with her twice. I can tell she's not the same type of person as Bianca, and she has no intention of harming me. If we save her this time, we might be able to bring her to our side, wouldn't that be better?"

These words were just to dispel Holden's doubts.

Actually, during their last conversation, she had already developed trust in Renee.

In the beauty salon, Renee didn't harm Isabella. She was able to openly express her thoughts, which showed she had realized what she was doing was wrong.

Renee now just needed a chance to make things right.

"No way!"

No matter how much Isabella tried to beautify Renee, Holden still wouldn't agree to let her bring an enemy like Renee into her home.

It was too risky.

"Isabella, I don't know how Renee gained your trust. I only know you need absolute safety right now. Any risky behavior must be denied."

To Holden, nothing was more important than Isabella and the child in her belly.

"Holden, if you don't trust her, you should trust me. Renee won't harm me, and I saved her life. She can't ignore that kindness, right?"

Seeing that persuasion wasn't working, Isabella thought of a compromise.

"How about this? If you're still not comfortable with Renee, once she recovers, let Atticus and you talk to her face-to-face. You'll know if she's an enemy after questioning her."

Atticus and Holden had plenty of experience in this area. This was the only way to dispel their doubts about Renee.

Holden hesitated for a moment, then nodded at Isabella's expectant gaze.

"Alright, but only after Atticus and I personally question her."

"Okay, Uncle Holden, you're the best."

Feeling happy from shopping today, Isabella didn't let the bodyguard take her to her place but went with Holden to the Wilson Family.

She hadn't seen Daniel in a few days and missed him.

And with Atticus and Holden busy with their own matters, Daniel must have been lonely at home.

While she was idle, she could keep Daniel company.