Chapter 8 Trapped in the Darkness Finished Estella watched as Nathaniel walked arm in arm with Isabelle , socializing with everyone . She found it utterly meaningless . Her gaze searched for Madeline . When she spotted her surrounded by a group of wealthy ladies , she chose not to approach . of wealthy ladies , she chose not to approach . Only when Madeline was alone did she walk over and present h gift . Madeline saw her , her expression complicated . " The divorce certificate will be ready in five days , Stella . I really hate to part with you ." Back then , after Nathaniel lost the ability to walk , his temper became unbearable . He lashed out at people , both verbally and physically . Madeline had hired over a dozen caregivers , but they all fled in fear . In the end , with no other options , Madeline came up with the terrible idea of finding a stand - in . She was truly lucky to have found someone like Estella , a gentle and kind - hearted girl . Estella looked at Madeline and smiled warmly . " I'll come visit when I have time , Madam Madeline . " Since they were divorcing , she naturally couldn't call her " Mom " anymore . Madeline nodded , her eyes slightly red . She took a card from her bag and pressed it into Estella's hand . " There's 140,000 dollars on this card . It's my compensation to you . As for the villa , everything's been arranged . My assistant will go with you tomorrow to handle the transfer ." Estella glanced at the card but didn't refuse . She accepted it . Even if she and Nathaniel had only been a contract couple , she believed she had every right to take this compensation without guilt . For three years , she had fulfilled all her duties as a wife . She had endured Nathaniel's outbursts , his emotional and physical cruelty . She had tolerated his affairs . Because of Nathaniel , she had lived without dignity for three years . " Mom , what did you just give Estella ? And what was that about a transfer ? " Naomi suddenly appeared beside them , her face full of curiosity . Madeline shot her an annoyed glare . " Nothing . Why are you being so nosy ? " Naomi frowned . " Mom , did you secretly give Estella money ? Nathaniel already supports her every month , and now you're giving her more ? Don't let her scam you ! She's just a gold digger . Nathaniel only married her because he had no other choice . Now that he's fine , he doesn't need her anymore . You should've kicked her out long ago ." Then , she turned to Estella , furious . " Estella , you married Nathaniel , lived in a huge house , had maids waiting on you . What more do you want ? Don't you dare to be greedy ! I'll have Nathaniel teach you a lesson ! " For the past two years , Naomi had watched Nathaniel lash out at Estella whenever he was in a bad mood . In her eyes , Estella was nothing more than Nathaniel's possession , someone he could scold and hit at will . Estella had no interest in arguing with her . She turned to leave . Naomi tried to grab her and continue berating her , but Madeline stopped her . Madeline snapped , " Stella isn't what you think . She's already agreed to divorce your brother . " Naomi's eyes lit up . " Really ? She's actually willing ? " Madeline shot her a look and sighed . " Stop stirring up trouble . These past three years , she took care of Nathaniel better than any nurse or maid . She truly cared about him . And besides ... " She hesitated , then finally spoke her true thoughts . " I'm giving her money not just as compensation , but also to shut her up so people won't say my son slept with her for free for three years ! " 1/4 Chapter 8 Trapped in the Darkness 140,000 dollars and a villa were nothing to the Hartwell family . If Estella could take the money and leave quietly , that would be for the best . Hearing this , Naomi couldn't help but ask , " Then doesn't that mean Nathaniel can marry Belle ? " Finished Madeline's expression instantly turned cold . " Isabelle can be Nathaniel's girlfriend , his lover and whatever she wants ! But she can forget about the title of Mrs. Hartwell for the rest of her life ! " She hadn't forgotten why her son ended up crippled ! How dare that fickle woman think she can marry my son ? Once Nathaniel's divorce was finalized , she would arrange a proper match for him . Estella was about to leave when she suddenly heard Isabelle call her . " Estella ! " Isabelle walked toward her , draped in Nathaniel's suit jacket . Estella didn't really want to talk to her , but it was clear Isabelle wasn't going to let her go so easily . " What do you want ? " Smiling . Isabelle placed a silk scarf in Estella's hand . " I accidentally got this dirty just now . Nate bought it for me in Chilland . It was really expensive , and it can only be hand - washed . Nate said you do laundry even better than the housekeeper . Could you take it home and wash it for me ? " Estella felt utterly insulted . " Get lost . I'm not your maid . " She turned to leave , but Isabelle grabbed her wrist , her tone laced with arrogance , completely different from the delicate , innocent act she put on in front of Nathaniel . " Did you just tell me to get lost ? Who do you think you are ? You're nothing but a plaything meant to serve . Did you really think you were Mrs. Hartwell ? " Those humiliating words ignited Estella's fury . Without hesitation , she raised her hand and slapped Isabelle across the face . At that moment , Nathaniel happened to walk over with a plate of cake . Seeing Isabelle get slapped , he rushed forward to support her . " Belle , are you okay ? " Isabelle clutched her face , her eyes welling up with tears as she leaned into his arms , sobbing . " I'm fine . Nate , don't be mad . Estella didn't mean to She was just upset that I've been keeping you away from her , that you won't go home to be with her . I understand ... It's my fault ... " Hearing this , Nathaniel looked up and shot Estella a cold glare . " Estella , you have one minute to explain yourself . " Estella had no patience to argue when Isabelle was twisting the truth so shamelessly . With an indifferent expression , she said , " She enjoys being humiliated , so I slapped her . What's there to explain ? " Nathaniel's breathing grew heavier , his gaze dark and menacing as if he was about to tear her apart . If not for the guests around , he would've already taught Estella a lesson . Knowing how much he cared about appearances , Estella lifted her chin arrogantly . " Mr. Hartwell , if you have no further instructions , I'll be taking my leave ." She turned and walked away , back straight and unyielding . Isabelle , seeing that Nathaniel didn't stand up for her , cried even harder , her tears falling like shattered pearls . " Nate , it hurts so much ... " Nathaniel gently comforted her . " Don't cry . I'll stay with you tonight . I'll make sure she pays for this ." 2/4 3.18 PM P P Chapter 8 Trapped in the Darkness Isabelle weakly nodded . " Nate , you're the best . " Finished Estella returned to her apartment complex . At the entrance , the security guard greeted her . " Mrs. Hartwell , you have a package , but the delivery guy sent it to the wrong floor . The owner there had their housekeeper leave it in the property management office on the fifth floor . You'll have to pick it up yourself ." Curious about which package had been misplaced , Estella pulled out her phone as she made her way to the management building . She stepped into the elevator . Suddenly , the lights went out . Startled , she quickly turned on her phone's flashlight and pressed the emergency button . No response . She tried calling the management office . But her phone had lost signal . Her battery was running low . Soon , the last bit of light flickered out . Estella had night blindness . Trapped in the cramped darkness , she felt as if invisible hands were tightening around her throat , cutting off her air . A suffocating fear surged through her like a tidal wave . She wrapped her arms around her head , curled up in the corner , and trembled uncontrollably . Memories of the night her father jumped came rushing back . She had gone to Hayes Group to find him . The office had been pitch black . She'd turned on her phone's flashlight and saw him sitting alone by the window , drinking . When he saw her , he smiled faintly . His smile was a haunting blend of sorrow and eeriness . The sight startled her , and her phone slipped from her grasp . The light went out . She was left alone in the darkness .. A nameless terror spread from deep within her heart . She had no idea how much time had passed before she heard the commotion outside . " Someone jumped ! " Her tears fell instantly . Drip , drip ... At that moment , her world collapsed . She endured the night in the elevator , battling her fear . The next morning , the property staff finally pried the doors open . Seeing her , they were shocked . 3/4 " Mrs. Hartwell ? What are you doing here ? This elevator's been out of service for a while . Didn't you see the notice ? Wait , who tore down the sign ? "