After the Secret Wedding Rise of My Queen

Chapter 226 Richie Is Richard

The villa's interior was identical to the Nelson Residence.

Richie was the man from last night.

It was Richard!

Last night, he must have revealed his true identity to Xander; otherwise, there was no way he could have escaped unscathed from the elite bodyguards of the Bennetts.

"Apologies for the delay," Richie said as he descended the staircase.

"It's fine. I just arrived," Isabel replied.

As Isabel fixed her gaze on Richie, he was also scrutinizing her.

By all accounts, the emerald guardian angel pendant should have been in Xander's possession. Yet last night, it had hung around the neck of that woman.

Richie recalled seeing Xander kiss Isabel in the car that day.

If they were indeed a couple, it wouldn't be surprising if Xander had gifted her the pendant.

With this thought, Richie's gaze discreetly shifted to Isabel's chest.

After a brief silence, Richie poured Isabel a cup of water.

"It's fine. Let me start your treatment," Isabel said. She wasn't thirsty, having already had some water before coming.

"The treatment can wait a bit. You're my guest, and here is a cup of pre-brewed lemon tea," Richie insisted, pushing the cup closer to Isabel.

However, his hand tilted slightly, causing the hot tea to spill down Isabel's neck and onto her chest.

"Ah!" Isabel gasped softly at the heat.

"My apologies." Richie handed her a clean towel as his eyes inadvertently drew to her front.

The tea had soaked her white blouse, revealing faint contours beneath.

But there was nothing there.

Her collarbone was bare, with no trace of any necklace.

The emerald guardian angel pendant wasn't on her after all. He had been wrong-the girl from last night wasn't Isabel.

"It's fine. The water wasn't that hot, but this shirt... " Isabel glanced down at her now-stained white blouse. The tea had left mottled marks, making it unsuitable to wear in public.

"I have clothes upstairs. If you don't mind, you can borrow mine," Richie offered as he led Isabel to his room.

"I'm not picky; anything will do," Isabel said, stepping into the room and opening the closet. Almost everything was white shirts, with a few black ones mixed in.

She eventually picked a new shirt that still had its tags attached, thinking Richie might care about cleanliness.

The shirt was sorted and she needed pants now.

Her light-colored pants had also been stained by the tea. From certain angles, it might even look like something far more embarrassing.

Isabel rummaged through Richie's wardrobe but couldn't find suitable pants to wear.

Standing before the mirror in just the oversized shirt, which fell slightly above her knees, she thought it wasn't a big deal. Some of her skirts were even shorter than this.

With that thought, she decided to leave it as it was.

"I'm done," Isabel called out, pushing the door open.

Richie froze at the sight of her.

Richie, standing at a solid six-foot-tall, was the kind of guy whose clothes would typically dwarf any average-sized girl, making them look like a kid playing dress-up in an adult's wardrobe. But Isabel was no average girl. Her figure filled out his shirt perfectly and the buttons looked like they might pop off at any moment.

"Ahem." Richie cleared his throat, trying to redirect his thoughts.

"Sorry again about your clothes. You wouldn't have needed mine if I hadn't spilled tea on you."

His reaction was purely instinctive-a typical response from any man in his position. It didn't mean anything beyond that.

After all, in Richie's heart, there was

only one person he cared about. No matter how stunning another woman was, she meant nothing to him.

"There's no need to apologize; it wasn't intentional. Let's move on. I'll start your treatment now," Isabel said, pulling out a set of silver needles. "Take off your shirt so can begin the needle therapy. I've also prepared a prescription-just have someone fetch the medication later."

"Got it. Thank you." Richie removed his shirt and lay down.

Isabel's eyes were immediately drawn to the scars on his torso.

"What happened?"

"I underwent wilderness training once. These are from back then," Richie replied casually.

Wilderness training?

Isabel thought back to his impressive skills last night.

No wonder he had become so formidable. He must have done it all to grow stronger-to avenge the Nelsons.

As Isabel lost herself in thought, the doorbell suddenly rang.

Richie frowned and glanced toward the door. He turned on the television, which displayed the security camera feed. What the hell?

Isabel's heart nearly stopped. Standing outside wasn't just anyone it was Leo.

And behind him was Xander!

Her gaze dropped to her current outfit. If Xander saw her like this, there was no way she could explain herself.

She turned to Richie, who was shirtless himself.

Forget it. Better to stop looking and figure out where to hide!

Without thinking, Isabel ducked under the dining table, lifting the tablecloth to conceal herself.

"What are you doing?" Richie asked in confusion.

"Shh!" Isabel gestured for him to be quiet, pointing at herself and then at him.

Richie quickly realized the problem. If someone saw the two of them like this, there would be plenty of misunderstandings.

"You'd be safer hiding in my room. Staying here won't help," Richie suggested.

Isabel slapped her forehead in realization.

Right! Xander doesn't have a key. He

can't just walk in. Why am I hiding under the table like an idi*t? And if Xander and Richie start talking, what if Xander's foot accidentally kicks me? would be exposed immediately.

Pregnancy really does make you dumber ...

Ov

"Good point. I'll head upstairs," Isabel said, dashing to Richie's room.

Richie buttoned up his shirt and went to open the door.

Alongside Xander was Ivana.

Earlier that morning, Xander had told Ivana about Richie's return. Unable to contain her emotions, she insisted on coming along to see him.

"Richard... it's really you ... " Ivana's voice trembled, her eyes red and brimming with tears.

She reached out, grabbing Richie's arm. "You're alive... Thank God ... You're alive ... "

Richie let out a soft sigh. "Ivana, come inside and have a seat. I'll make some tea."

He grabbed the teapot and set out a few fresh cups.

Xander, who had just sat down, noticed the extra cups on the table.

Someone else has been here, huh?

As that thought crossed his mind, Isabel, hidden upstairs, peeked through the crack in the door to spy on what was happening below.

Suddenly, Xander seemed to sense something and turned his gaze toward the second floor.

Bang! Isabel slammed the door shut in a panic and the loud noise instantly drew everyone's attention in the living room.