Ch. 2201..2210

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2201-"Princess Annabeth?!" Declan's eyes widened, his gaze locked on the young woman in front of them, her face still bearing a hint of youthful innocence. His heart began to race, and he squeezed his eyes tightly in disbelief.

Annabeth bit her lip, stealing a glance at Declan before quickly looking away.

Declan had been the one who had wanted their relationship to return to how it was. Although, now that Annabeth had truly moved on, his heart ached; Annabeth did not even spare him a second glance.

"Camilla, why did you bring the princess here?" Asher immediately stepped forward with concern laced in his voice.

"The princess is here to help us."

Upon hearing this, everyone quickly gathered around.

Justin's breathing grew heavier. "Princess Annabeth, can you really help us?"

"I heard that Bella went missing, taken away by our country's wanted criminal, Christopher Iverson." Annabeth's eyes were slightly swollen, indicating that she had been crying recently. Her gentle voice trembled with emotion. "I was so worried… Yesterday, I went to beg my father to use the royal family's power to help you search for Bella throughout the nation."

Declan's heart clenched. "Anne…"

They were all grateful and relieved at her words.

They had only briefly interacted with Annabeth during Ryan and Carrie's wedding and did not have a close relationship with her. Yet this young girl was willing to lend a helping hand. Whether or not her efforts would succeed, her willingness to try was something they were deeply grateful for.

Annabeth sniffed as she stole another glance at Declan.

"My father agreed to help you search for Bella!"

Everyone in the room audibly gasped.

Moments ago, they were worrying about how to get more manpower to continue the search. Now, in the blink of an eye, the most challenging issue had been resolved, and they received permission to mobilize the military.

"But… My father has one condition." Annabeth hesitated, her voice trailing off.

Without a moment's hesitation, Justin responded. "Whatever the condition, even if it costs me my life, I will agree!"

Annabeth remained silent for a moment and then made her way over to Asher, meeting his piercing eyes.

"My father said he wants to see you, Mr. Asher."

Everyone was surprised and turned to look at their eldest brother.

Asher frowned deeply. "See me? Why?"

Annabeth shook her head. "I don't know. He wants you to meet him in the palace first thing tomorrow morning. If you go to see him, he will agree to send troops to help you search for Bella. That's his only condition."

Asher's expression grew serious as he made up his mind. "Okay, I'll go to the palace tomorrow."

The sun was setting on Rose Island. Bella was dressed in a fiery red backless gown and placed in a wheelchair. Christopher gently pushed her, taking her to see their wedding venue.

A dozen servants were still tending to the rose garden. They were determined to complete the arrangements as quickly as possible so that Mr. Iverson and the woman he loved could be married here without any delays.

From then on, this island would have a beautiful mistress.

Bella gazed listlessly at the radiant rose garden before her. There was a fountain surrounded by fragrant roses that shimmered brilliantly under the sunset.

She loved the color red and adored roses.

Even the fairytale-like beauty before her brought her no joy. She looked upon the view like it was a cold and desolate graveyard.

Christopher walked to the center of the rose garden. He handpicked a bouquet of the most vibrant roses and ran back to her, his face alight with happiness.

With his handsome, pure expression, and his bright eyes devoid of any malice, he looked like a young, innocent boy.

With that face and that smile, it was impossible to associate him with the atrocities attributed to him-words like murder, brutality, and bloodshed.

"Bella."

Sweat beaded on Christopher's forehead as he knelt on one knee, presenting the roses to Bella.

Her gaze fell on his hands, which were covered in dirt and crisscrossed with cuts from the thorns.

Her once bright almond eyes were now dull and lifeless.

Christopher's eyes grew moist, and his voice hoarse with the intensity of his emotions. "Will you marry me?"

Bella suppressed the nausea roiling in her stomach and stared coldly at him, saying nothing. Silence was the only kindness she could bestow.

If she spoke up, her words would cut into him like knives, trained straight for his heart.

She had to endure it.

She did not want to marry this madman, but she was even more afraid of completely forgetting Justin.

"If you don't speak up, I'll take that as a yes."

Christopher's eyes crinkled in the corners, filled with the blissful sweetness of a groom-to- be.

He was, in every sense, a delusional man.

Christopher put down the roses and pulled out a red velvet box from his pocket.

Inside was a pear-shaped, ten-carat red diamond engagement ring.

His hands trembled as he took Bella's limp hand and slowly slid the ring onto her finger.

A sharp pang shot through Bella, almost bringing her to tears.

A proposal, a diamond ring, a wedding…

She had wanted to experience all of these for the first time with Justin. One by one, they were being stolen from her by Christopher.

At this moment, she was filled with overwhelming regret.

She regretted not marrying Justin sooner, even if it had been a simple wedding, even if it had been with a simple ring. If she could have just experienced it, she would have had no regrets in this life.

She had always thought they had all the time in the world and that the future was long.

However, fate was unpredictable. One would never know what would happen the next day or when disaster would strike.

Christopher stood up and gently embraced Bella's trembling body.

Just as he was about to kiss her lips, a stone rolled down at his feet, shattering the romantic atmosphere.

Christopher's eyes turned cold as he looked up.

Unnoticed until now, Jace had appeared nearby. He leaned against a stone pillar and watched them with a blank gaze.

 

 

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2202-Christopher's expression grew colder by the second, casting a chilling shadow over the rose garden. The air around them seemed to grow frosty.

Bella stared at the pebbles by her feet through tear-soaked lashes before turning her head to look at Jace.

Snap.

Crunch, crunch.

Jace stared at Bella's red and swollen eyes as he took a bite of an apple, chewing noisily.

A powerful surge of emotion ran through her. Her shoulders trembled violently as she summoned all her strength to stand and walk toward him.

With a loud crash, the wheelchair tipped over, sending her tumbling to the ground along with it.

"Bella! Are you okay?!" Christopher rushed to help her up, only to be pushed away in a fit of hysteria.

"I don't need you… I can do it myself!"

Bella gritted her teeth, her fingers digging into the muddy ground. Despite her disheveled state, she was determined to rise again.

Christopher was left in utter disbelief.

He had injected her with a sedative last night. Her limbs should still be weak and paralyzed. Theoretically, she should not have been able to move at all.

Perhaps Jace's presence had sparked an extraordinary willpower within her frail body, allowing her to miraculously overcome the effects of the drug.

As he watched the girl stubbornly rise from the ground, Jace paused mid-bite, his cold, emotionless eyes deepening for a fleeting moment.

Bella gazed at Jace, her eyes shimmering.

"Hugh… It's you, isn't it? My brother doesn't like the sea, and his favorite food is apples, so it must be you, right?"

"What are you doing here?" Christopher glared at Jace with a hostile expression.

"Just passing through."

Jace shifted his gaze from Bella's pale face to the beautiful rose garden. "The scenery is nice, but somehow, it feels dull."

Christopher narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"It's obvious that Ms. Thompson doesn't want to marry you. This garden full of roses is just a field of unripe fruit."

Jace finished his apple and tossed the core into the rose bushes.

Christopher flared with anger as he clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white with the effort.

"Mr. Bailiff, you've always been one to follow the rules set by the Boss, never speaking more than necessary. Why is it that you have so much to say today?"

Jace smiled a rare occurrence.

"Normally, that's true. But when I see someone I dislike, I can't help but talk more."

Bella blinked slowly, her heart pounding harder. Hugh may not have been as cold and blunt as this, but he was straightforward and genuine, a trait she shared with this man.

Christopher's face darkened, and he let out a cold laugh. "Even if you disagree, it doesn't change anything. Bella and I will get married, and she will become my wife."

"I wouldn't be so sure," Jace responded.

Bella's eyes lit up, her heart swelling with hope. However, Jace's next words doused her hopes with cold water.

"Perhaps our boss will have that chance too."

Christopher's heart dropped, his anxiety surging beneath his composed exterior. He wasn't afraid of Justin or Bella's brothers coming after him, but he was terrified of Grant.

He was well aware of Grant's methods. To this day, there was nothing Grant wanted that he hadn't gotten.

"But our boss isn't as shameless, despicable, or vile as you are."

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2203-Jace bent down and casually plucked a rose. He tore off a petal and placed it in his mouth, chewing slowly. "Our boss will never resort to such brutish means of capture, like some wild beast. He will make Ms. Thompson accept him willingly, bit by bit, until she falls in love with him."

Christopher's shoulders shuddered, a chill running down his spine.

Bella did not feel as frightened. Instead, she felt curious, even suspicious. She thought to herself, if this "boss" they mentioned really were to take her away, it might actually be better than being trapped here with Christopher.

At the very least, she would have a chance to unmask the mastermind and strike at the root of the problem.

Staying with Christopher only left her feeling powerless. No matter how dignified, powerful, or influential he appeared, Christopher was just a guard dog, nothing more. She had a growing sense that Jace's presence tonight meant something big was going to happen.

Even if they did not take action, Christopher, having lost his usefulness, was nearing his end.

As night fell, the waves crashed against the shore.

After years of being an assassin, Jace had almost evolved beyond the need for sleep. He lay on the red velvet sofa in the living room, staring blankly at the ornate chandelier above, lost in thought.

Suddenly, the sound of light footsteps approached him.

Jace's sharp ears twitched, but he didn't rise in alarm. He recognized the footsteps.

The steps came to a stop beside him.

Then, a flash of red appeared before his eyes.

Bella leaned forward slightly, holding out a fresh red apple in front of him. Her pale hand trembled.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

"For you," Bella said softly, her voice gentle and innocent.

Jace reached up, taking the apple from her hand. The crisp sound of a bite echoed as he bit into it.

Bella's voice was barely a whisper, "Mr. Bailiff, do you like apples too?"

"Yes," Jace replied indifferently.

"I have... I had a brother. He loved apples since he was a child.”

Bella stared at him intently, her eyes welling up with tears. "In my family's backyard, there were two apple trees. When we were little, I would often climb the trees to pick apples for Hugh."

Jace remained silent.

"He was a pilot, an exceptional one with 99% of the skills needed for absolute mastery. Unfortunately, he lacked that final 1%."

For the first time, a flicker of curiosity appeared in Jace's usually emotionless eyes. "What was that 1%?"

"Luck."

Tears spilled over Bella's flushed cheeks. "There was a plane crash. His plane plummeted into the ocean. No one survived, not the crew or the passengers."

Jace paused. His chewing slowed, but he quickly resumed, acting as if her words had no bearing on him. "Then he was indeed unlucky. In his next life, he should strive to be a lucky man."

Her heartbroken sobs echoed softly in the serene living room.

"Ms. Thompson, save your tears for someone worthy of them," Jace said coldly, glancing at the woman who was sobbing like a helpless child "You should cry at your brother's grave. Crying in front of me is just a waste of emotion."

As soon as he finished speaking, Bella threw herself onto him, grabbing the collar of his black T-shirt and yanking at it with all her strength.

There was a sharp ripping sound as the fabric tore under her grip.

 

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2204-Bella caught Jace off guard. In an instant, she had already torn open his collar, exposing his defined shoulder.

She was searching for a birthmark the size of a coin on his left shoulder. Hugh had a birthmark there; it was a faint pink mark that she remembered vividly.

The hope Bella had allowed herself to feel was quickly extinguished.

Instead of a birthmark, she was met with a long and vicious scar, two fingers wide, that snaked down his left shoulder.

The scar stood out starkly against his fair skin. It was gruesome.

As a former doctor for Doctors Without Borders, Bella had seen her fair share of injuries on the battlefield. Yet the severity of this scar sent a shiver down her spine.

This was not an ordinary knife wound.

It looked like the aftermath of an explosion, a wound so severe it was as if he had been torn apart and stitched back together, skin and muscle pieced back like a grotesque puzzle.

Could it be possible that…

"Ugh-!"

Suddenly, she found herself pinned down on the couch by Jace before she could process what was happening. His powerful grip locked her wrists in place, rendering her immobile.

"Do you have a death wish?" Jace hovered over her, his jaw clenched tight and his eyes blazing with fury.

"What… What happened to you?" Bella felt no fear, only a bone-deep sorrow that coursed through her body. "Why do you have such terrible wounds? Was it from the plane crash? Hugh… does it hurt?"

'Does it hurt?' Her gentle question pierced Jace's mind like a bullet, causing a wave of pain to ripple through his temples.

"Hugh!" A delicate voice echoed from the deepest recesses of his distant memories, like a faint ethereal whisper.

Bella sobbed softly, tears streaming down her face.

She lifted her hand to touch his face, but Jace abruptly released her and stood up.

"If you try that again, not even Christopher will be able to save you."

Jace left her with a cold warning before disappearing from the living room.

Jace returned to his room, closing the door tightly behind him. He leaned heavily against the do closed his eyes, and shook his head. Bella's call echoed in his ears. "I'm alone in this world, without parents, without siblings, without friends…I was born into loneliness My boss gave me a new life. My boss gave…" He muttered to himself like a chant, as if reciting a spell to drive away the doubt that threatened to invade his mind. Bella's tender words of concern pierced through his defenses and gently knocked on the ironclad door of his heart.

Over the years, he had endured countless injuries; no one had ever asked him if it hurt.

He never needed anyone's concern, nor did he care for such fleeting emotions, but for the first time in his life, being cared for felt like something had hollowed out a part of his chest. It was a warm and bittersweet ache.

Jace took a deep breath, walked to the window, and pulled out a necklace from beneath his shirt.

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2205-With a faint click, the mechanism of the necklace snapped open. Inside was a black pill. He placed it in his mouth and swallowed it.

Bella's voice slowly faded away, vanishing from his consciousness.

It had been over a year since he needed to rely on medication to alleviate his headaches. He thought he would never have to use it again.

Meanwhile, in the study, Christopher clutched a medical report in his hands; his face was pale and his eyes were bloodshot and filled with despair.

"Mr. Iverson, your current health condition is not very optimistic." The doctor carefully chose his words." The medical facilities on this island are extremely limited. If any sudden complications arise during your episodes, we won't be able to treat you properly. I strongly recommend that you seek treatment at a proper hospital within the month. There is still hope for alleviation."

Christopher's dry lips twisted slightly. "If I undergo active treatment, will I be cured?"

The doctor lowered his head, hesitating to answer.

"My condition is untreatable, isn't it? I don't even have much time left." Christopher exhaled bitterly. The looming fear of death left him feeling powerless.

"Please don't be so pessimistic. If you actively pursue treatment…"

"Just tell me. How much time do I have?"

The doctor swallowed hard. "At most… Six months."

"Hah…" Christopher closed his eyes, a bitter laugh escaping his lips.

"The medication you've been taking hasn't been treating your illness. It's only been masking the symptoms; it has also damaged your organs." The doctor sighed. "In truth, it's a slow poison that's highly addictive. Users will become gradually dependent on it. It's like cancer. By the time the symptoms appear, it's already too late. Most cases are diagnosed in the late stages, when it's already…"

Incurable…

Christopher crumpled the diagnosis report in his fist, squeezing it tightly.

"So, my life is going to end just like this?" Christopher turned his gaze toward the black rose on the windowsill that he had painstakingly nurtured for Bella.

"It seems that everything I've gained has come at an exorbitant price. These past ten years of glory and fame were all bought by draining my life away, bit by bit."

The Boss had aided him, and Christopher had always felt a debt of gratitude toward him. He realized now that he had pawned himself off to the devil.

"I've never been afraid of death. I just can't bear to…" Thoughts of Bella brought tears streaming down his face, breaking his heart again.

She hated him for what he had become. She hated his ruthlessness and the blood on his hands. If he had remained the weak, kind-hearted, innocent Chris of the past, could he have made his way back to her?

A good person…

Christopher wept as he laughed, his expression twisted. He thought that just being a person in this world was already exhausting, let alone being a good person.

He thought, 'Bella, you had everything growing up-parents who adored you, siblings who doted on you, and friends who stood by you through thick and thin. But what about me? You'll never understand me because you could never be me.' Before Christopher could sink further into his grief, the urgent voice of a servant echoed from outside the door.

"Mr. Iverson! Something's wrong! Ms. Thompson has activated the helicopter and is trying to escape the island!"

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2206-As night fell, the wind roared with fury. The black sky loomed oppressively over the tumultuous sea.

On the shores of Rose Island, the waves crashed violently. Bella scrambled onto the helicopter parked on the sand, still wearing the red dress from earlier.

She had regained some of her strength, but she was still in a weakened state. She knew she could not hesitate any longer.

That night, Christopher had not administered more anesthetic. It was her only chance to escape. It had been years since she last piloted a helicopter. Even with only vague memories of how to operate one, she had to try.

Bella climbed into the cockpit, breathing heavily. She performed the necessary steps: fueling, igniting the engine, and engaging the propellers.

"Bella, you can do this. Stay steady… You can make it!" She gritted her teeth, her knuckles white as she gripped the control stick.

"Bella!"

Christopher, pale and frantic, ran toward her.

Bella stared at him coldly, her eyes filled with a bone-deep hatred.

"Christopher… Farewell!"

As the helicopter began to lift off, three gunshots rang out from behind her.

The roar of the sea and the noise of the helicopter drowned out the sound of the gunfire. However, one bullet whizzed past Bella's head, shattering the windshield.

"Stop! Stop!" Christopher's eyes widened in terror as he shouted.

Bella's gaze was fixated on the broken glass.

The brutal memories of gunfire from her time on the Kridor battlefield surged back into her mind. Her heart raced and her body trembled, but driven by a fierce desire to escape, she overcame her fear and resolutely pulled the control stick!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three more gunshots fired in quick succession, methodically and mercilessly.

The bullets did not strike her. Instead, they were aimed at the helicopter's fuselage. Alarms and error messages blinked urgently on the cockpit screens as the vehicle began to leak oil.

"Damn it! Bastard!" Bella roared in frustration, pounding on the window.

The propellers slowed to a stop, and everything fell silent. Only the roar of the waves remained, mocking her failed escape attempt.

Christopher's shoulders slumped in despair. He glared bitterly at Jace, who walked over with an impassive expression.

Jace shot down the helicopter to prevent it from taking off, but a stray bullet could have killed Bella on the spot.

The man yanked open the helicopter door, his stern face cold.

Bella sat helplessly inside the cockpit as tears streamed down her face.

Jace's dark eyes fixed on her. "Get out!"

She gasped for breath, her face pale. She was petrified by her immense psychological trauma.

She stared blankly at Jace, her mouth gaping as she continued to cry uncontrollably.

Jace's brow furrowed deeply as he leaned into the cockpit. He easily lifted Bella's limp body and carried her out.

"Let me go…" Though Bella had no strength left, she stubbornly clenched her fists and pounded against his chest.

Jace remained indifferent, but he suddenly loosened his grip, trying to scare her.

Instinctively, Bella grabbed his neck and curled in closer. Jace's gaze softened as he tightened his hold on her.

"I want to go home…" Bella whimpered.

 

 

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2207-Tears filled Bella's eyes as she clutched at Jace's clothing, sobbing uncontrollably. "I miss my father, my brothers, and Justin. Please, let me go home… Please…"

Jace listened in silence, his steps steady and resolute.

"Return Bella to me!" Christopher screamed desperately, dropping all pretense as he frantically blocked Jace's path.

"She's not legally your wife yet, so she isn't yours," Jace replied blankly. He looked at Christopher with a hint of derision. "Even if I gave her to you, can your body even handle it?"

Christopher's weakened body trembled as he retracted his shaking hand.

Although exhausted and terrified, Bella remained clear-headed. Jace's words carried a hidden meaning. Was Christopher's body truly at its limit?

The sea breeze only grew stronger in the night, howling relentlessly.

Jace held Bella tightly, moving forward steadily. As her sobs subsided, he spoke calmly. "There will be a typhoon tonight."

Bella looked up at the man's jawline. "If there were no typhoon, would you still have stopped me from leaving?"

Jace's gaze darkened as he continued to walk. "I'll let you in on a secret. I came here to ensure you don't end up with Christopher."

Bella's eyes widened with a mixture of hope and dismay. This man felt like her older brother, or perhaps she had unconsciously placed him in that role.

Despite everything, she clung to the hope that within him, there might still be a trace of the kind and bright person she once knew.

"This is an order from my boss," Jace said, looking down at her. "Don't be mistaken. Even if the night were clear, I would still have stopped you."

Bella's heart sank, feeling profound hopelessness.

"Everything that Christopher has was given to him by our boss. Now that he is no longer useful, everything he has will be reclaimed." Jace's tone was matter-of-fact. "The Boss never makes a losing deal."

"Who is this boss?" Bella's voice was hoarse as she asked. "Is he someone Justin and I know? He had calculated everything so precisely, manipulating everyone, including Christopher and me, playing with everything at his whim. Does he know me or even understand me? How did you come to be involved with him?"

After a long hesitation, Bella felt she had never been so close to the truth.

"I am not your older brother," Jace said solemnly. He fell silent. "I advise you to stay away from the truth. The truth can only lead to utter ruin."

The next morning, a convoy from the Presidential House escorted Asher to the palace to meet King George. The group anxiously awaited news.

In the afternoon, Asher returned, handing over the King's signed special authorization document to Edward.

"We can mobilize the troops now." Everyone felt renewed hope as they prepared.

Only Justin noticed the shadow of melancholy in Asher's eyes upon his return from the palace.

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2208-"Ash, what's wrong? Why are you troubled?"

Justin approached Asher once he was alone. "Did you encounter any trouble during your visit to the palace? Right now, everyone is busy with Bella's situation. The pressure and pain you're enduring are no less than ours perhaps even greater."

Asher lifted his gaze to meet Justin's eyes, feeling a pang of gratitude. "At a time like this, I'm grateful that you still notice my emotions, Justin. I truly appreciate it."

"Ash, don't say that. We are family. To me, you are as important as Bella."

During the days that Bella had been missing, Justin had been unable to sleep and found it hard to eat. His nerves were constantly on edge. Any slight change in those around him magnified his stress, making him even more anxious. "What exactly happened?"

"Actually, it's nothing much," Asher said, his lips tightening into a thin line. "When I went to the palace, I finally met the King whom they all hold in high regard. He was very kind and hospitable, personally guiding me through the palace. He dined with me and showed concern for my health, even inquiring about my work and life over the years. He seemed like a warm and approachable elder, without the airs of a sovereign. Even though I'm not from Sentania, I was somewhat overwhelmed."

Justin understood Asher's feelings. He would also be nervous in a similar situation. "Isn't that a good thing?"

"It is good, but perhaps too good. It's overwhelming, and it feels strange. We had only met for the first time today, and we have no personal connection. With his status, why would he treat me so well?"

Justin's brow furrowed deeply.

"He also gave me this." Asher pulled out an ancient marble ornament from his chest pocket. It was engraved with exquisite dragon patterns, representing nobility and mystery. This was clearly not from an ordinary household.

"This is an artifact from the Sentania royal family," Justin gasped.

Justin had been exposed to antiques and artifacts since childhood under the tutelage of his father and grandfather. He carefully examined the piece.

"I've seen this ornament in museum brochures before. It's an antique, a personal item of the previous Sentania kings, passed down through generations. It's likely three to four hundred years old. If I remember correctly, this ornament is only passed to the heir to the throne, the crown prince of Sentania."

"What?!" Asher's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the ornament. "Why would he give such a valuable heirloom to me?! Such an important item should be given to his only son."

Justin pressed his lips together, deep in thought. He took a moment to consider all the information he had. He could feel his heart start racing as he connected the dots to what Bella had mentioned to him previously and the royal secrets he had heard from his friend regarding a missing female operative named Nadia.

He looked at Asher with a piercing intensity. His heart raced as he traced the details in Asher's face. "Justin, what's wrong?" Asher asked, puzzled.

Could it be? Could it be such a coincidence?

Although both he and Bella suspected Nadia was Wyatt's first wife, Yara Brown, who was the mother of

Bella and her four brothers, drawing a conclusion based on hearsay without any evidence seemed hasty.

However, it seemed unlikely that his friend, who had worked in the royal family for years, would be mistaken.

Nadia had definitely been the lover of Sentania's king. She had been framed by the queen and imprisoned. Once she managed to escape, she was hunted down, so she fled to the sea, eventually arriving in Hatchbay, where the Thompson family lived.

The two stories seemed to match up perfectly.

 

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2209-Justin was troubled with the timeline between Nadia's persecution and the birth of Asher and his quadruplet brothers. It seemed like the two overlapped.

The sheer number of coincidences suggested it might not be as simple as that.

Moreover, the sudden summoning of Asher by the King and the unexpected closeness between them were suspicious. On top of that, Asher had been given a precious family heirloom, which only served to heighten Justin's concerns.

"Asher, did the queen accompany you when you met with the king today?" Justin asked.

Asher shook his head slowly, puzzled at Justin's question. "No, the queen was not present."

"And the prince?"

"I heard that the prince has been very ill. Years ago, he would accompany the king to his duties, meet with dignitaries, attend state visits, and participate in charity events. However, he has been bedridden since last t year. I didn't get to meet him either."

'What illness could last for two whole years? It must be an incurable one,' Justin thought.

"Justin, why the sudden inquiry?"

Justin's mind raced as he tightened his grip on the marble ornament. He felt on the verge of revealing a truth that would upheave the entire Thompson family.

The connections he found were too perfect, too interconnected. He tried to convince himself it was merely a coincidence, but he could not find the words.

Justin felt clumsy and inadequate, betraying his inner turmoil. "It's nothing, Asher. I'm just tired and a bit slow these days."

For now, Justin chose to keep his suspicions to himself. This matter had serious implications. Without any concrete DNA evidence, he could not prove that Nadia was Bella and Asher's mother or that the Thompson quadruplets were the sons of the King of Sentania.

"You must be exhausted," Asher said with concern. He patted Justin's shoulder in a comforting gesture." We'll find Bella soon."

Elsewhere, in the luxurious study within the palace of Sentania, a middle-aged man in a sharply tailored suit stood with an imposing presence. His hands clasped behind him.

"Your Majesty, I've secretly sent the cup used by the eldest son of the Thompson family for DNA testing. The results should be available tomorrow." His trusted secretary, who had served him for nearly forty years, stood behind him, speaking in a low voice.

"This matter is of utmost importance. Keep it strictly confidential, especially from the queen."

George lowered his gaze, fixated on the photo of Asher on his phone. Outwardly, his face was as calm, but his heart was racing with intense hope.

"Rest assured."

The secretary paused, stepped forward, and spoke again softly. "If you don't mind me saying, he does resemble you somewhat, especially when you two stand together."

George closed his eyes for a moment and relished in the thought as he smiled gently. "I think so too."

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2210-With the royal authority granted, a large-scale rescue operation was successfully underway. Five days passed by in a flash, and despite thoroughly searching twenty islands, there was still no sign of Bella.

Logically, since Christopher intended to settle down on an island, he would have brought plenty of people and supplies.

It should not have been difficult to find them. However, the search was far more challenging than anticipated.

The recent inclement weather conditions in Sentania significantly hampered their efforts.

On the fifth evening, Camilla brought in some food.

"Justin, you can't keep pushing yourself like this. Your body won't hold up!" She looked at his bloodshot eyes with concern. "Just eat something, even a little."

"Thank you, Camilla. I'll eat in a bit," Justin responded hoarsely, although his eyes remained glued to the map on the table.

The map was marked with numerous red crosses, indicating checked locations. Justin lifted his hand again to mark another cross. His heart ached with every mark.

"No, you need to eat now!" Camilla stepped forward, took the pen from his hand, and ordered him like a child. "Just have a bit of pasta. If you don't eat now, I won't leave!"

Justin's back stiffened, about to protest. In the end, he dropped his shoulders in resignation. "Alright."

His hand trembled slightly as he took the bowl of pasta. Camilla watched him like a hawk. His exhaustion had reached its peak, and he was on the brink of collapse.

"Where are Asher and Drew?" Justin asked.

"They're on their way back. Don't worry, everyone is fine. Bella will be fine too."

Justin felt a wave of discomfort as he forced himself to take another bite. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he ate more. Tears welled up in his eyes.

"Bella's pasta tastes just like this!"

"Ms. Yvonne made it."

Camilla spoke softly. "These past few days, Ms. Yvonne has been preparing all the meals from morning till night. She has practically locked herself in the kitchen, waiting for anyone who might be hungry. It's unexpected that such a delicate girl has such impressive cooking skills. Even the palace chefs will have to bow to her. Drew is indeed fortunate."

Justin was taken aback. "Yvonne? How could the pasta she made..."

"Drew wanted to eat pasta. Ms. Yvonne must have figured out the recipe from his description." Camilla's voice wavered as she struggled not to cry. "Actually, Bella learned to make seafood pasta from Drew himself. It wasn't really about the pasta... He was just missing Bella."

Justin's heartache surged with each bite of the pasta. Despite his lack of appetite, he managed to finish it.

"Camilla, has Ms. Yvonne been waiting outside the whole time?" Justin, feeling satisfied, noticed a slender figure standing by the door.

Camilla nodded. "She didn't want to disturb you, but I know she's been thinking of you. She worries that seeing her might upset you, but she wants to help in any way she can. She's a very kind girl."

Yvonne feared that her face, so similar to Bella's, might cause pain or discomfort. Therefore, since arriving at the Presidential House, she had quietly done her work away from the others, minimizing her presence.