CHAPTER 66

Chapter 66

Isabella felt a subtle pain throbbing in her chest. Zachary had always treated her condescendingly as if he were doing her a favor, fueled by a

belief in her unworthiness.

“Mr. Winslow, you are mistaken. You have found someone else to be the lady of the Winslow family, haven’t you?” Isabella said coldly.

Zachary spoke slowly, one word at a time, “I’ve told you many times. We’re getting married on New Year’s Day. Don’t forget our marriage

contract!”

“Zachary, your fiancée is pregnant and living in your house now. Yet, you still want me to marry you? Do you think we’re still in a feudal society? I’d rather be a server here than marry you!” Isabella yelled, glaring at him.

Zachary paused before stepping forward. He said, “I’ll deal with Scarlett. She doesn’t care about her status. Be reasonable. Why can’t you be more sensible? Do you have any sense of the big picture at all? All that education, and where has it gotten you? Think of yourself and both our families. Isabella, you are so selfish!”

Isabella looked at Zachary coldly and said, “She may not care about status, but I do! I will not share my husband with another woman. Listen, Zachary, I’m married! I’m someone else’s wife. I have nothing to do with you anymore!”

Zachary’s expression darkened as he said, “Do you think your husband really wants to marry you? He’s just attracted to the conditions you mentioned. He’ll leave you sooner or later. Don’t be foolish! Things won’t end well for you!”

Instead of getting angry, Isabella laughed before saying, “So what, Zachary? I still don’t want to be manipulated by you. Give it up, all of you!”

Not wanting to argue anymore, Zachary grabbed Isabella’s hand and said, “Let’s go home!”

Before his hand could touch Isabella, a strong force pushed him aside. Rihanna stood before Isabella, saying, “Get lost! Don’t touch Isabella!”

Zachary frowned at the beautiful yet aloof woman before him.

Isabella hurriedly pulled Rihanna and called, “Rihanna.”

Isabella was surprised and touched that Rihanna, who was usually timid like a startled rabbit around strangers, boldly stepped forward to protect her.

Zachary smirked and said, “Miss, I’m talking to my fiancée. Please don’t interfere!”

“Isabella says she’s not your fiancée! Leave!” Rihanna said as she stood her ground. She was furious and declared inwardly, ‘No one can bully

Isabella!‘

Zachary ignored her and tried to grab Isabella again. But she stepped back. Then Rihanna splashed her coffee on Zachary and glared at him.

Zachary was furious and drenched from the scalding hot coffee.

He looked up, intending to hit Rihanna. However, before he could strike, someone grabbed his hand.

“Mr. Winslow, how did my staff offend you?” Edmund’s cold voice sounded next to him, lacking his usual warmth.

Zachary winced as Edmund pinched his arm. The former’s expression changed when he turned around and saw it was Edmund.

Edmund released his grip and looked at them expressionlessly.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Maguire, but I need to take my fiancée home. She works for Maguire Group, and I’m resigning for her. Moreover, this rude woman threw coffee at me and tarnished the image of Maguire Group. I suggest you fire her, Mr. Maguire)” Zachary said, straightening up,

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Chapter 66

scowling at the dirt on his clothes, and glaring at Rihanna fiercely.

However, Rihanna fearlessly looked at him.

“Fiancee?” Edmund squinted, looking at isabella.

“I’m not his fiancée,” Isabella responded with a wry smile.

“Isabella!” Zachary roared.

“Do you have the guts to come home with me and clear things up with your parents?” he added, wanting to take her to the Ingram residence.

Isabella reassured Rihanna by patting her hand, indicating that she was okay.

Then, she calmly answered, “Zachary, for the last time, we no longer have a marriage contract. I won’t follow you back to the Ingram residence because they’ve kicked me out. It won’t be me if you want to marry their daughter.”

“You’re the heir to Sorenson Multimedia. You must marry mer” Zachary exclaimed. His eyes flashed with anger. Isabella hadn’t been like that before. She used to always agree with him. ‘She must have learned the wrong things out there. I shouldn’t have let her go to that damn university!‘ he shouted inwardly.

Isabella scoffed, “Zachary, can’t you understand plain language? If you keep bugging me, I’ll call the police!” She had no more words for a foolish person like him. She questioned her decision and why she had fallen in love with him back then.

‘Have they disguised themselves well, or have I failed to read people? Was I blind?‘ Isabella wondered.

“Mr. Winslow, Isabella has clarified she has no marriage contract with you. Please leave now,” Edmund said calmly.

“Mr. Maguire, this is a family matter. I want to process her resignation. She’s going home with me now. I’ll pay whatever compensation is necessary,” Zachary said. He showed his entitled demeanor.

Edmund scoffed, “Mr. Winslow, I will not agree to Isabella’s resignation, and she is not going with anyone. She said she wasn’t your fiancée. I’d ask her to call off the engagement even if she were. Whatever compensation you need, I’ll pay it for you.”

“M–Mr. Maguire, you…” Zachary was bewildered.

Edmund stepped forward and said, “Mr. Winslow, remember Isabella has the full backing of the Maguire family. If you choose to mistreat her, you’ll be taking on my family. Discuss this with your father. Does Avid Ventures Real Estate wish to challenge the Maguire family? I’d like to

see that.”

Edmund approached and took Rihanna’s bag as he said, “Let’s go. I’m going to your department. Let’s go together.”

Rihanna looked at the paper cups scattered on the floor and said, “Mr. Maguire, take Isabella there first. I’ll get some coffee and ask the

cleaner to clean this up.”

Edmund smiled and nodded at his secretary, who took the order.

He led Isabella and Rihanna to the office, leaving Zachary standing there in disbelief.

Zachary pondered, ‘Isabella has the Maguire family to back her up? Did Edmund just say that? Since when has that bitch, Isabella, hooked up. with Edmund? And now the entire Maguire family is backing her? That’s impossible! No way!‘

Zachary walked away grimly, saying to himself, ‘I must tell Dad. He has to bring Isabella back! She can’t be with someone else unless I agree to end the marriage contract. Even if I don’t want her, she must stay with the Winslow family!”

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Scariched as her mother and brother spected the somewhat old house free the Ting room.

Fana decked every comer, tested the couch’s confort, and asked, “Sariet, de hat man buy this house formeu” Her eyes brolly glanced

at Scarlett’s belie

Scarlett slowly sat on the couch and replied indifferently. “Wa rented this. You gets can

Fone leaned against the couch gracefully, locking at Scarlett and saving “What’s wrong.

Starlet shook her head.

is his family not? Do they disike you because you don’t have a prestigious tadgourd Forested, boling & Store’s mumy clothes. They locked of good quality corously not cheap.

Scarlet lowered her head and said nothing

Felix cumed and scoiled in the wing room, unising “Well done, Scarlett You got yoursof a rich husband, hub? How old is he? How many more years can be bue” he commented

Scarlet’s head snapped up. She looked at Falk, asking “What do you mean?”

Felix explained. “Of course, the older the rich man, the better. After a few years with him, you’ll get a large sum of money when he dies. Then you can find another target. Strike while you’re young

Scarien was breathing bearly with anger

Felix was surprised and said, “What? Did you find a boy toy with a similar status? And you’re also pregnant with his chic? That won’t col Abortit Don’t engage in a losing deal!!”

Felix looked at Scarlett’s belly with disgust and took two steps closer.

Scarlet covered her stomach before sitting up and saying “Felix, if anything happens to the child in my belly, you’ll need a hundred lives to

make it up to me”

Felix was momentarily stunned but soon realized something and asked, “Could it be that you’ve hooked up with a wealthy man?”

Scarlett stared at him in silence

Felix clenched his fist and punched. “Mom, Scarlett has finally come to her senses. Tell us, what kind of rich guy is he? Now that you’re carrying his child, you can’t let Mom and me stay in a place like this, right? Where do you Eve? We should live with you. If anything happens, we’ll have your back” Felix said as he looked around the house.

Felix became excited

Scarlett felt like her heart was submerged in icy water, devoid of warmth.

Those people were her family.

For as long as Scarlett could remember, Fiona had brought home all kinds of men. They had all been exceptionally good–looking and successful in their respective businesses. Scarlett and Felix had never known who their father was

From a young age, Felix had fallen into the clutches of gangsters. While Fiona had used to try and discipline him through physical punishment when he was younger, those attempts had proven futile once he had grown up.

Scarlett had thought Fiona favored studious children. Despite the challenging environment, she had studied hard from a young age and had

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Chapter 66

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been ranked first in school every year.

Each time Scarlett had brought home an award, Fiona’s dismissive smile had left a sting. No matter how hard she had studied, Scarlett had felt she could have never competed with the useless Felix.

By the age of 14 or 15, Scarlett had blossomed. When Fiona brought men home, they’d leave her room with suggestive smiles, their eyes lingering on Scarlett as she did her homework. Occasionally, they would have touched Scarlett’s face, chest, or bottom.

The days she had spent at home became increasingly frightening, prompting her to apply to a boarding school during high school.

Felix had never attended high school, instead spending three years in vocational school. After completing his studies, he struggled to find a clear direction in life.

Scarlett had excelled in high school and secured a spot in the computer science department at the University of Moulmore. The achievement had brought her a sense of relief.

When she left for university, Fiona had advised, “Find a wealthy man. Don’t believe in love, and don’t waste that pretty face of yours. Felix and I depend on your looks for a good life in the future.”

During her time at university, Scarlett had worked tirelessly to fund her education, juggling three part–time jobs while also sending occasional wire transfers to Fiona and Felix.

Felix had never held a job for more than three months. Ultimately, he developed a gambling addiction.

Over the past few years, Fiona had aged. Though she had maintained her looks, her business had dwindled compared to her youth. Moreover, her reputation in that small town had long since been tarnished. Women had been wary of Fiona as if she had been a thief.

Fiona had also thought about starting a small business. But money had come too easily to her over the years. She couldn’t have taken the hardships of running a business, and it hadn’t worked out. She had ended up losing a large amount of her savings.

Fiona and Felix had relied on their savings from earlier years to get by. But with his gambling addiction, their situation deteriorated over time. Eventually, he occasionally approached Scarlett, who was still in university, asking for money.

While others had their university expenses covered by their families, Scarlett had to earn her tuition and living expenses while supporting Fiona and Felix.

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