CHAPTER 16

Chapter 16

Winona had a sweet voice and a warm smile. With her persuasive words, she was convinced no one could turn her down.

Yvonne gracefully stood up and said with an elegant smile, “Mr. Murray, please follow me.”

She couldn’t help but admire Winona, agreeing with her completely. She knew she had a lot to learn from Winona about being feminine. Winona’s words were so classy, but she effortlessly dissed Isabella and trashed her reputation.

Clayton responded casually, “No need, just call Isabella out.” He didn’t buy into Winona’s spiel at all. The thoughts of all three were written all over their faces. His words hit them like a bucket of cold water.

Winona’s expression changed abruptly. “Mr. Murray…”

Clayton stood up and said to Johnny behind him, “Johnny, Mr. Ingram’s house looks pretty decent. Let’s go upstairs and check it out.”

“Okay.” Johnny replied, eager to ascend the stairs.

But Clayton paused, turning back to Nathan. “Mr. Ingram, aren’t you supposed to be guiding us?”

Nathan, Winona, and Yvonne were stunned by his remark. Nathan forced a smile and said, “All right. I’ll show you around.”

Clayton, Johnny, and Nathan slowly ascended the stairs, leaving behind the anxious Yvonne and the stern–looking Winona.

Nathan opened each room one by one and introduced the purpose of each.

Passing the room around the corner on the second floor, Nathan remarked casually, “This is a storage room. Let’s go to the third floor.”

Clayton remained silent.

After inspecting the third floor, Nathan led them back to the first floor living room,

As they descended to the second floor, Clayton suddenly stopped and turned to Nathan. “Mr. Ingram, would you mind if I take a look at that storage room?”

Clayton smiled faintly, but his smile was as co

cold as a blade. Nathan broke into a sweat. “Mr… Mr. Murray, let’s just sit in the living room.”

Clayton’s gaze fell on the door at the end of the corridor, and he walked over without hesitation.

Johnny passed by Nathan, following closely behind Clayton. Johnny thought, ‘Boss is acting weird today, and it sparked my curiosity.”

Clayton opened the door.

Inside was a small room, about 110 square feet in size, with basic furnishings–a simple wardrobe, an old desk and chair, a bookshelf filled with books, and a small single bed occupied by a small figure curled up asleep.

Clayton took in the scene and then turned his attention to the person on the bed. His heart skipped a beat, and he exuded a chilling hostility. He approached the bed but couldn’t help but chuckle when he realized the person was sound asleep, completely unaware of his presence.

Clayton reached out and gently touched her forehead, confirming she wasn’t running a fever. She was just peacefully asleep.

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Chapter 16

“Little girl, wake up!” Clayton nudged her head.

Nathan had caught up by now. With sweat beading on his forehead, he called out loudly, “Isabellal Isabellat” But he quickly fell silent under Clayton’s stern glare.

Isabella groggily opened her eyes and suddenly saw a face in front of her. She jolted upright.

“What are you doing here?” She looked at Clayton in surprise.

“you invited me,” Clayton replied calmly. He crossed his arms and looked at the bewildered Isabella in a good mood.

“Aren’t you supposed to…” Isabella paused as she glanced at Nathan’s unpleasant expression. She wondered, ‘What’s going on?” The Ingram family never allowed outsiders into Isabella’s room.

Since she was 12 years old, Isabella had lived there, but no one, not even Zachary, had ever visited. No one had set foot in this room, including Nathan.

“Isabella, please ask Mr. Murray to have a seat in the living room,” Nathan said, staring at Isabella.

Understanding Nathan’s warning and thinking about the final payment, Isabella wasted no time. She slipped on her shoes and said, “Let’s go

to the living room.”

Clayton glanced at Johnny, who nodded in response.

Meanwhile, Winona in the living room was on edge, trying her best to appear composed. Yvonne, on the other hand, was visibly anxious. She thought, ‘Clayton just looked at me so affectionately. What should I do next to catch his attention?”

Soon, a group of people came downstairs, including Isabella, whose hair was tousled and whose clothes were wrinkled.

Isabella looked at them with a puzzled expression.

“Isabella,” Yvonne called out affectionately.

Isabella glanced at the goosebumps rising on her arms when she heard Yvonne call out her name with genuine affection and sincerity. Isabella immediately understood their intentions. “Clayton, this is Yvonne, my sister,” she said, turning to Clayton to make the introduction.

Isabella noticed Nathan and Winona visibly relaxing.

“I know,” Clayton said but continued to gaze at isabella. Despite her hair being tousled and her clothes being wrinkled, he couldn’t help but

find her gorgeous.

Isabella looked at Clayton, puzzled by his calm demeanor. So, she continued, thinking about the 1.2 million dollars, “Yvonne is 20 years old, very beautiful, gentle, and likable.”

Clayton looked at Isabella, who was struggling to find the right words. “Okay,” he said finally.

Isabella raised her brows, wondering, What does he mean?‘

She glanced at Winona, who smiled and suggested, “Mr. Murray, Isabella, let’s sit down and chat,”

Johnny came downstairs carrying Isabella’s canvas bag, which she always used, and her laptop bag.

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Chapter 16

“Mr. Murray, everything’s ready.” Johnny said.

Clayton nodded. “Isabella, let’s go.”

“Go? Where?” Isabella asked, bewildered.

“To where we need to go.” Clayton said, putting his arm around her and leading het away.

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Yvonne’s eyes welled up with tears as she watched them leave, “Mr. Murray!” She hurried to catch up.

Isabella also struggled to stay on her feet.

Clayton frowned, turning back to Nathan, Winona, and Yvonne. “Is there anything else?” he remarked with a cold and impatient tone, at them coldly and causing them to pause.

looking

Isabella broke free from Clayton’s grasp, stepping back two paces. “Mr. Murray, Yvonne likes you and wants to be with you. Given her great qualities, wouldn’t you consider it?” Finally understood, Isabella realized that Yvonne hadn’t succeeded, so she had to help anyway.

Clayton grabbed Isabella’s chin and gazed at her small face angrily. “Little girl, do you know what you just said?”

Isabella was startled. She tried to break free but couldn’t as Clayton’s grip was too tight. Instinctively, she reached out with both hands, trying to pry his hand away, and said, “Hey! Let go!”

This gesture was highly suggestive, leaving Yvonne stunned, with tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

Clayton released Isabella’s chin and grabbed her hand, pulling her away. He was somewhat unpleased. He thought, “How dare Isabella push me away and introduce me to someone else!‘

“Mr. Murray, Isabella just said that if we give her 1.5 million dollars, she’ll step aside and let me be with you,” Yvonne blurted out in her panic, tears welling up, feeling infinitely wronged.

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