Chapter 218

Taking care of three babies was not easy at all.

It was not something Isla could describe with just words.

It was tiring, demanding, and sometimes overwhelming.

Even with the help of three nurses and three nannies, sleep became a luxury she hardly enjoyed. Her nights were broken into short moments of rest. Her days were filled with feeding, cleaning, rocking, and worrying.

But as the days slowly passed, Isla began to adjust.

Motherhood no longer felt strange or frightening. She was learning. She was adapting. She was beginning to understand her children in ways no one else could. She could tell which cry belonged to Aurelian, which one meant Sebastian was uncomfortable, and which soft sound came from Elara when she needed to be held.

The nurses eventually left.

The doctors were satisfied with the babies’ growth and strength. They were healthy, strong, and doing far better than anyone had expected. The nannies remained, assisting Isla whenever she needed help. But Isla did not Leave everything to them.

She wanted to be involved.

She insisted on nursing her children herself. She carried them, fed them, sang to them, and stayed with them even when her body begged for rest. She wanted them to feelher presence, her warmth, her love.

The first week was the hardest.

The mansion was crowded. Family members filled every room. Advice came from every direction. Gabriel refused to step out of the house. He canceled meetings, postponed work, and stayed close to Isla every moment.

But by the second week, things became calmer.

The family slowly returned to their homes. The noise has reduced. The mansion returned to its usual quiet state.

Gabriel resumed work, though not without constant calls and messages to check on Isla and the babies.

Isla also had responsibilities waiting for her.

She could not leave the house yet. Her body was still healing. Her children were barely three weeks old. So she worked from home. This week marked her official return to work, and there was a lot waiting for her attention.

That morning, Isla sat in her home office.

Papers were spread across the desk. Her laptop screen glowed softly. She reviewed documents related to the project she had left unfinished at the Wyndham residence.

Numbers, designs, schedules, and plans filled her mind.

It was exhausting.

But she was coping.

She slowly switched between two worlds-Wyndham residence matters and A & I Atelier business. The launch of her biggest luxury pieces was fast approaching. Every detail mattered. Every decision could make or break everything she had built.

She rubbed her temple lightly and took a deep breath.

“Ma’am,” Stephanie’s călm voice came from beside her.

Isla looked up.

“The investors would like to have a meeting with you,”Stephanie said politely.

Stephanie Jeremy was now Isla’s personal assistant. Stone had recommended her, not just for work efficiency but for security reasons. She was experienced, loyal, and observant. Isla trusted her.

“The meeting will have to wait,” Isla replied calmly. “After the launch.”

Stephanie nodded, listening closely.

“I have not accepted their offers yet,” Isla continued. “I still need to review their companies and their personal backgrounds. I will not rush into anything.”

“Very well, ma’am,” Stephanie replied. “I will inform them.”

She hesitated briefly. “If that will be all for today, I would like to close.”Isla stopped what she was doing and turned fully to her.

“Yes,” Isla said with a soft smile. “You can. Thank you for your help.”

Stephanie smiled back. “See you tomorrow, ma’am.”

She left quietly, closing the door behind her.

Isla leaned back in her chair.

She was tired.

She shut down her computer carefully and arranged the døcuments neatly before setting them aside. Her shoulders felt heavy. Her body reminded her that she was still recovering.

She stood and walked out of her office.

The hallway was long and clean. Maids were quietly cleaning. When they noticed her, they bowed their heads respectfully.

Ista smiled at them.

This was her life now.

A powerful woman. A mother, and a powerful woman.

She had no choice but to accept it and move forward.

***

Gabriel was in his office downtown.Important documents lay neatly arranged on his desk. He was signing them one after the other when his assistant walked in.

“Sir,” Jude said respectfully. “It’s time. They are waiting.”

Gabriel nodded.

He stood immediately. “Let’s go.”

They walked together toward the conference room.

As Gabriel stepped inside, every person in the room stood up instantly. Some faces showed shock. Others showed admiration, while some showed excitement.

Gabriel moved to the head of the table.

Jude pulled a chair out for him, but Gabriel raised a hand slightly.

“Please, sit,” he said calmly.

Everyone sat back down before he did.

Jude placed a tablet in front of him and moved to stand quietly at the back.

“I apologize for being away without notice,” Gabriel began. His voice was calm, controlled, and soft. “But now that I am back, there are things we need to discuss.”

The room grew tense.

” have reviewed the records since my return,” he continued. “And I am not impressed.”

The words were simple, but they carried heavy meaning.

Several accountants shifted uncomfortably.

“A hundred billion is missing,” Gabriel said calmly. “Fifty biltion transferred to an unknown account. The other fifty billion cannot be traced.”

He looked around slowly.

“Can anyone explain how such an amount simply vanished?”

Gasps filled the room.

Two women exchanged fearful looks.

The chief accountant stood up quickly.

“Sir, if I may-”

Gabriel wasn’t listening anymore. His eyes were fixed on the tablet. An email notification had appeared.

He opened it.

And froze.

Enjoy your win while it lasts. But get ready to lose your newborn.

The blood drained from his face.The chief accountant was still talking, but Gabriel heard nothing. Then he stood up abruptly.

“This meeting is postponed,” he said coldly. “You are dismissed.”

He walked out without another word. Jude rushed after him.

Gabriel’s hands were clenched tightly,

“Stone,” he said sharply into his phone. “Meet me in my office immediately.”

Danger had just stepped into their lives.

And Gabriel would not allow it to touch his family, not again.