CHAPTER 11

Chapter 11

Zachary spoke while sneaking glances at Terence.

Isabella could tell everything from a higher perspective and couldn’t help feeling despair. She wondered why she had never thought about what kind of person Zachary was. Obviously, he had been instructed to say these words.

“What about his feelings? What does he think? Have I ever had a place in his heart?‘ Isabella wondered. She had been deceiving herself and never realized Zachary, whom she once loved deeply, was a mama’s boy.

“Isabella.” Seeing Isabella had been standing far away on the stairs, Lorelai called her affectionately and walked over. “Listen to me. Don’t bel angry. You’ve always been sensible. Forgive Zachary this time. He made a mistake, but he already knew he was wrong. It’s not a big deal. Let’s not make a fuss, okay?”

Lorelai had reached the stairs as she spoke. Isabella looked at this bejeweled lady before her, who had a gentle smile. She used to treat Lorelai like her family. Her mother, Irina, had passed away. Once she married Zachary, Lorelai would become her mother–in–law. She had. thought about taking care of Lorelai.

But now, she understood behind that gentle smile was a bottomless trap awaiting her to fall into, Isabella couldn’t help stepping back and taking another step up.

Terence frowned. He wondered if Isabella was particularly stubborn today due to Nathan’s instruction. Of course, he knew he couldn’t compare with the Murray family. He was just afraid Nathan would abandon him to climb the social ladder. Thinking of this, Terence kicked Zachary and roared in a low voice, “Go comfort her.”

Zachary felt pain in his calf and shouted with dissatisfaction, “Dad! Why did you kick me?”

Megan also came over to stop Terence. “Dad, why did you kick Zach?” She then turned to glare at Isabella. “Isabella, don’t push your luck. Do you want Zach to crawl before you? What’s so great about you? Our whole family’s comforting you today. Are you not satisfied? What else do you want? Let me tell you, with Zach’s conditions, plenty of women would line up to marry him as long as he wants!”

Isabella looked at Megan’s angry, distorted face and responded calmly, “In that case, why did you come to me?”

“You!” Megan choked.

“Shut up, Megan.” Terence was pissed off by this brainless daughter of his.

Winona stood up gracefully. “Isabella, come down. Let’s talk things out.”

When Nathan pushed open the door, he saw Isabella standing on the stairs, confronting everyone downstairs, while Winona persuaded her with a gentle, pleading tone, “It’s not polite of you to act like this, is it? When your dad comes back, he will be angry with you again.”

Nathan was furious, thinking, “If it weren’t for this brat, Yvonne and I wouldn’t have been humiliated in Rayson International today. Does she think she has climbed the social ladder and become a powerful person now?”

Nathan reckoned it wasn’t easy for Winona as Isabella’s stepmother. He thought Isabella had often lied about Winona abusing her when she was a child and thought Winona had always been patient with her.

But he didn’t know Winona spoke at this time because she spotted him entering the yard. Otherwise, she would have sat there and watched

the show.

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Chapter 11

“Nathan, you’re back?” Terence greeted quickly.

Nathan nodded. “You’re all here.”

Zachary and Megan quickly greeted Nathan.

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Nathan nodded. He squinted at Isabella, who was standing on the stairs. “Isabella, you’re a member of the Winslow family, no matter where you are. Don’t even think about breaking off the engagement!” He then shouted to the maids, “Send Ms. Sorenson back to her room. Don’t let her out without my permission!”

Two maids immediately went over to take Isabella to her room.

Isabella shook off the maids‘ hands. She didn’t want to tangle with them anyway, so she went upstairs herself.

Nathan asked everyone to sit down, and the maid served coffee and pastries again.

Winona looked at Yvonne, who bit her lip dejectedly and avoided her mother’s eyes. Winona was confused and wondered, “How could she

fail?”

Before Terence could speak, Nathan said, “Terence, I’ve notified several media outlets about this matter. They’ll keep a lid on this mess.”

Terence understood. “Thanks to you, Nathan. Otherwise, I’d be embarrassed. It was all Zachary’s fault. I should bear the cost.”

Nathan uttered, “Money isn’t a problem. It’s understandable that Isabella is angry now. Give us some time to persuade her!”

Terence nodded. “Sorry to bother you and Winona, I’m thinking of holding Zachary and Isabella’s wedding as soon as possible just in case.”

Nathan frowned, “We don’t mind. But the woman with Zachary is pregnant. It’s unfair to Isabella!”

After all, Isabella was his daughter. Even though he didn’t like her, he had to maintain his dignity in public. Although the media didn’t disclose it, all respected figures present at that time had witnessed it. Nathan would inevitably be criticized if he married Isabella off quietly, and the senior shareholders of the company would make a fuss if they knew about it.

Terence assured him confidently, “Don’t worry, Nathan. We will give Isabella a glorious wedding and let everyone know she’s the precious daughter of the Ingram family and the precious daughter–in–law of the Winslow family. We will treat her well.”

Nathan was satisfied with Terence’s attitude. The two families chatted for a while and had lunch before the Winslow family left.

Isabella glanced at her phone from time to time while drafting the prenuptial agreement. Her phone was silent.

“Is my offer not attractive enough? Why can’t Clayton make up his mind? What if he backs out? Should I not put all my hopes in him?” Isabella thought restlessly.

She was determined not to marry into the Winslow family. They claimed to apologize but didn’t show any sincerity. Their purpose was clear. Not only did they want her to marry Zachary, but they also wanted the other woman’s child to be born. ‘How shameless!” she thought.

Meanwhile, Clayton was having lunch with his grandfather, Benny Murray, at The Loft Restaurant.

Benny looked at Clayton, who was serving food on his plate. “You look good.”

Clayton smiled faintly, “I should be saying this about you.”

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Chapter 11

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Benny stroked his beard and said with a smile, “Of course, I look good. I do gardening every day. I have to live well and wait for my great- grandson)”

While refilling the coffee for Benny, Clayton covered his mouth and coughed