Chapter 25 The Mind is Awake but the Body is Still Asleep

John had seen her grow up and knew she was spoiled. He said, "Don't worry, I'll handle everything."

"Why aren't they back yet?" Patricia checked the clock again.

John handed Patricia a cloak. "It's getting cold. I'll wait for them."

"Let's wait a bit longer."

Ten minutes later, George walked in carrying Isabella.

Patricia stood up. "What happened to Isabella?"

"She's drunk," George replied.

"You took her drinking?" Patricia scolded.

"She didn't drink much, but she can't handle it. I'll take her to her room," George said.

After settling Isabella, George came back downstairs. Patricia was telling John, "Make some hangover soup for Isabella so she won't have a headache in the morning."

"I'm on it," John said.

George sat next to Patricia, who handed him a cup of coffee. "Perfect timing, let's talk. George, do you have any issues with the marriage I arranged for you?"

'This was bound to come up. George has always been independent. I've tried setting him up before, but he never agreed. Isabella is pretty but from the countryside. If it weren't for her medical skills, she wouldn't have caught the Spencer family's eye,' Patricia thought.

"What's done is done. What objections could I have?" George said coldly.

"Do you like Isabella?" Patricia asked earnestly. "Even if you don't, try to get along with her. She's simple-minded and suitable for you."

"No matter how suitable, you can't keep pushing us to have kids. Mom, I have a lot on my plate. Let's put the kid thing on hold," George said.

Patricia's face darkened. "You're not thinking about divorcing Isabella just to avoid having a kid, are you?"

George looked at Patricia and paused. "I haven't thought about that."

"Good. Having a child is good for both of you. Besides, you won't have to take care of the child."

Not wanting to continue, George stood up. "It's late. You should rest. I'll go to the Spencer Group tomorrow."

"George, the Spencer Group is full of drama. You should talk to Damon more often," Patricia said worriedly.

"Okay."

At ten in the morning.

Isabella slept through her entire class.

Elodie, seeing this wasn't working, dragged her to a bench in the campus square.

"Why aren't you sober yet? Wake up," Elodie shook Isabella, making her more confused.

"My mind is awake, but my body is still asleep," Isabella said.

"What did you do last night to get this drunk?" Elodie asked.

Isabella, bleary-eyed, struggled to open her eyes. "I went to a card game with George. Got too excited and drank too much."

"It was a men's event, and you dared to get drunk? I'm impressed. Didn't George scold you?" Elodie asked.

Isabella shook her head. "Why would he scold me? If he hadn't taken me there, I wouldn't have gotten drunk."

"So, did anything happen between you two?"

Isabella woke up the next morning with no memory of how she got home or what she did after.

"Probably not," Isabella answered.

"Probably not? Isabella, you must have drunk so much that you don't remember anything."

'I admit I blacked out, but if something happened, I should have felt it, right?' Isabella thought.

Seeing Isabella deep in thought, Elodie couldn't help but gossip, "Is he good in bed?"

Isabella was puzzled.

"You really didn't have sex?" Elodie continued to ask.

Isabella said, "No impression."

Elodie slapped her forehead. "Really?"

"Maybe he's not capable," Isabella said as if it made perfect sense.

Elodie agreed, "Absolutely. All show, no substance. Which man can resist a beautiful wife like you? One day, maybe, but every day?"

"But Daniel said George had girlfriends before? That can't be a lie," Isabella said.

"Having girlfriends doesn't mean he had sex. With his cold demeanor, I bet no woman could stand him," Elodie sounded convincing.

But Isabella didn't agree. 'George has money, which is enough to attract women,' Isabella thought.

The screen in the square was showing a new seasonal ad, featuring Juniper Young.

"This actress is quite pretty. I heard she has a strong background. Rich and beautiful, yet she insists on being a star."

While Elodie was talking, the ad ended, and a live broadcast started.

The man on the screen was George, at the Spencer Group.

George's strong return caused quite a stir in the business world.

Dozens of media outlets swarmed, filling the front of the Spencer Group.

Elodie, looking at the handsome and imposing George on TV, couldn't help but sigh, "He looks even better than in the magazines."

Isabella nodded in agreement. "He does look good."

"Didn't he tell you about today's press conference?" Elodie asked, tilting her head.

Isabella shook her head. "Why would he tell me?"

"You're his wife. He could announce your relationship at the press conference, so you can stand in the spotlight."

Isabella was indifferent, even resistant. "No, thanks."

The confident George on TV seemed to have nothing to do with her.

After parting with Elodie, Isabella went to the path behind the library. She went there every day to feed the stray cats. The path was secluded, known to few.

Just after feeding the cats, a wet cloth was pressed over her mouth, and she lost consciousness.

When she woke up, Isabella found herself in the back of a cargo truck with a cow, a sheep, and two chickens.

She pounded on the truck and shouted, "Hey, who kidnapped me? Show yourself! Stop the car! Is anyone there? Help, stop the car!"

No one responded. The truck swayed, and the animals occasionally made noises. The smell of their waste made Isabella nauseous.

Finally, after a bumpy ride, the truck door opened, and a man in black roughly dragged Isabella out.

Isabella found herself in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by mountains, with no sign of people.

"Who are you? Why did you kidnap me? This is a..." Before she could finish, she was struck on the back of her neck and lost consciousness again.