Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 163

Isabel frowned slightly at the suggestion. "I'll go in and see what's going on. You keep watch outside."

"Alright, but are you sure you want to go in alone?" Yolande asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"She's unconscious, isn't she? I'll just check on her. You stay out here and keep an eye on things. If anyone arrives, let them in right away, understand?" Isabel instructed firmly.

"Got it," Yolande replied, bowing her head so her expression was hidden.

Without another word, Isabel slipped inside the house.

Carole, having dropped Isabel off, had already left to fetch a doctor they both knew someone discreet who could help if things got out of hand. After all, Isabel never intended for anyone to get seriously hurt.

Yolande watched Isabel disappear inside, her face unreadable. With all the running around, dusk had already settled in. Isabel had been waiting for this hour; broad daylight would draw too much attention, and Effie might have slipped away if she'd tried this earlier. Now, with darkness falling, Effie was trapped-there was no way out.

Effie was tainted, would Lyman still want her? Isabel snorted at the thought, pushing it aside as she stepped into the

hand in front of her face. The floor was damp beneath her shoes, and the air was thick with the sour

think to bring a flashlight? The place was pitch black,

nerves prickling up her spine. She was about to call out to Yolande to fetch a flashlight when, suddenly,

blow it shut? But there hadn't been so much as a breeze all day. Something was wrong-very

tugging hard. It wouldn't budge;

door. "Yolande? Are you out there? Open

her voice was hoarse, but the

tried to make sense of it. What was happening? Why would Yolande lock her in? She hammered the door again, refusing to

Effie even

the empty cottage, bouncing off

in on her, oppressive and absolute. It felt as if she were the only soul in the world. A growing sense of dread took hold, and her composure began to splinter. Was this some elaborate trap? Was