Chapter 268

Isaac steadied the delicate bowl in his hand, rolling his wheelchair closer to the bedside.

Verena caught sight of him and instinctively pursed her lips. Her voice carried both fatigue and resignation as she murmured, "Isaac, I'm really not in the mood to eat anything right now."

Isaac halted beside her, his smile warm yet coaxing."I understand. I only heated some soup to ease your stomach. It usually brings comfort when one feels unwell. If y/our appetite returns, you can tell me."

At those words, Verena blinked and allowed a faint smile to surface.

Isaac carefully scooped up a spoonful of steaming soup, cooling it with a soft breath before bringing it gently to her lips. "Just a taste-it's light, not heavy." She parted her lips, letting the warm broth slip past.It was like a quiet balm, soothing her throat and settling inside her.

Almost at once, a wave of warmth spread from her stomach, easing much of the torment of morning sickness.

Before long, the bowl was emptied. Isaac fed her the last sip, and then set the vessel quietly on the bedside table.

Turning back to her, his gaze grew solemn. "Verena,there's something I must tell you."

She lifted her eyes, noticed the gravity etched in his expression, and chose silence-waiting instead for his words.

Isaac paused, and then spoke with measured weight."From the moment I began to suspect Simon, I never once stopped digging. I launched investigation after investigation, sparing no effort. And at last, I learned the truth: the Simon before us is nothing but an imitation. The real Simon died long ago." As though reliving each step of the inquiry, Isaac furrowed his brow. "In that clinic where Simon died,we uncovered a suspicious man named Carl Aguilar-someone who had grown up in the same village as Simon. They even shared a ward for a while. NJot long after Simon's death, Carl vanished. The more l considered it, the more the pieces pointed to him. So I had Stevie examine every record from the cosmetic surgery hospitals in Clokron. That's where we struck gold."

His gaze locked on Verena's as he spoke slowly."Carl underwent surgery-an entire transformation,head to toe."

Hearing this, Verena's brows drew tight.

Though her heart already suspected the truth-that Simon was Carl-the cold evidence still pierced her with sorrow.

This was the very man she had once saved.

Hatred flickered in her eyes as she muttered, "So it really is Carl. Disguising himself as Simon... approaching me on purpose..."

Isaac reached for her hand, his touch tender, yet his eyes probing. "Verena, do you remember him well?Our search showed he once received treatment at your hospital in Clokron, but the security around your patients' records were impenetrable. No matter how hard we tried, the trail ended there."

Verena gathered herself, giving 'a slight nod."I remember him, but only faintly. My impression of him was shallow."

She let out a small smile andadded, "At that time, we hired Ivan for security. He sealed the information tightly. He's the best at what he does, so it's no wonder you found nothing."

Isaac's eyes narrowed faintly, their brightness dimming.

Her mention of Ivan struck him like a hidden thorn.A pang of jealousy pricked at his heart, leaving a quiet sting. He pressed his lips together, and then murmured softly, "He has feelings for you."

His tone was gentle, yet it carried an undertone heavy as lead-like a feather that seemed light but bore hidden weight.

Verena failed to notice the subtle shift in him,assuming he referred to Carl.

Her eyes flashed with disdain, and her voice chilled."I guess as much. To be admired by someone like him is nothing short of an insult."

Images of Carl's vile deeds surged in her mind. Each memory of his cruelty toward those she loved made her sick with anger.

Isaac kept his silence, watching her carefully.From her words, he realized she spoke of Carl, not lvan.

A quiet sigh escaped him. Relief brushed his heart,yet the hidden bitterness lingered, pressed down like a secret burden.

"Oh, and Isaac," Verena said suddenly,tightening her hold on his hand. "There's something I need to tell you too."

He looked at her in mild surprise. Verena paused, and then continued, "Luis agreed to work with us. I also suspect Carl might be the one who killed my grandma. Once the truth is laid bare, I won't let him go unpunished."

And there was the matter of harming lsaac-Carl would pay for that as well.

Isaac lifted his hand, brushing her cheek with deep tenderness. His voice, low and unwavering, carried a vow. "Verena, no matter what comes, I'll face it with you. Anyone who has wounded you, anyone who's brought you sorrow-I'll see they answer for it."

Verena had asked Ivan to restore the surveillance of Isaac's car accident. Last time, he'd been too sure of himself and failed, leaving him stung with frustration.

Now, day and night blurred together as he sat rooted before the computer, unyielding as stone.

Inside the computer room, Ivan's eyes never strayed from the screen. His fingers hammered the keys,shutting out the world beyond.

Empty instant noodle cups rose in heaps, coffee mugs lay scattered, his hair was a mess, and his eyes bloodshot-but he pressed on without care.

Failure came again and again, yet he refused to surrender. After countless tries, success finally shone through.

As the recovered footage appeared, Ivan threw his hands skyward and shouted with triumph.

Rest and sleep were strangers to him in the past few days; he hadn't even spared a glance at whether day or night lay beyond the window.

Without delay, he seized his phone and dialed Verena's number.

At Seraphina Villas... Late-night silence cloaked the villa, the world hushed under the veil of sleep.

Moonlight, pale as silver, streamed through the gauzy curtains, scattering shifting patterns across the room.

Verena nestled quietly against lsaac's arm, their breaths soft, bodies closely entwined, both adrift in dreams.

But peace proved fragile. A faint vibration fromn the bedside table broke the stillness.

Disturbed, Verena stirred. Her lashes fluttered open as wakefulness crept back.

She reached out, groping for the vibrating phone, its glow harsh against the dark.

Her brows knitted slightly, but when she saw lvan's name flashing on the screen, the haze of sleep vanished in an instant.