Chapter 18
Ivana’s shrill laughter grated in Isabella’s ears, and she could almost picture the twisted expression on Ivana’s face.
Isabella paused, reconsidering her decision to hang up. Instead, she allowed herself a small, mocking smile as she replied, “What do you think Jayden’s reaction would be if he saw you like this?”
Ivana froze for a second, then slammed the ring on the table in a fit of rage, screaming, “Isabellal Do you really think Jayden would believe you? Let me tell you
“Tsk. You don’t think I could record this conversation?” Isabella said carelessly.
“You! Isabella, if you dare send any recording to Jayden, I’ll make sure Dad disowns you for life!” Ivana’s voice wavered slightly, revealing her panic.
Isabella kept her eyes on the road, her lips curling into a cold smile. “Getting upset already? Is that all you got?”
Ivana fumed in silence for a moment, realizing that Isabella had her emotions completely under control. She took a deep breath, calming the rage building inside her.
After thinking it over, she convinced herself that Isabella wouldn’t actually record the conversation. Even if she did and sent it to Jayden, Ivana was confident Jayden would never believe Isabella over her.
Due to Ivana’s persistent manipulation, Jayden already despised Isabella, If Isabella sent him the recording, he’d probably just assume she was trying to slander Ivana.
With that thought, Ivana felt happier. With a smile, she said meaningfully, “You’re just trying to get the last word. But do you realize what will happen if it comes out that you’ve been impersonating Queenie?”
Ivana gripped her phone tightly, her words laced with sarcasm, though a hint of nervousness crept into her voice. Despite her bravado, Ivana wasn’t entirely sure if Isabella was Queenie. If Isabella really was Queenie, she would need a different strategy.
But Isabella, already seeing through Ivana’s trick, began to entertain a new idea. Perhaps if she played along, it would give her some room to maneuver and stop Ivana from harassing her further.
Isabella’s lips curved into a subtle smile as she lowered her voice intentionally. “Yes, I am pretending to be Queenie. So what? How is that any of your concern?”
Ivana’s face lit up with delight. Everything was unfolding exactly as she had hoped. She had started recording the call just in time to capture Isabella’s words.
Squeezing her throat to fake disbelief, she gasped, “Isabella, how could you? You know it’s wrong to deceive people like this!”
Her voice trembled with exaggerated emotion, though beneath it was a surge of excitement and smugness. “Not only are you delaying Xavier’s recovery, but you’re also disgracing Dad and Jayden!”
Isabella listened to Ivana’s theatrics, her fingers lightly tapping on the steering wheel, amused. She responded in a careless tone, I’m not afraid of being a disgrace myself; why would I care about disgracing others?”
Ivana’s eyes sparkled with glee. This was exactly what she had wanted to hear. But she still pretended to be compassionate, urging. “You should apologize to Darryl. Don’t keep going down this path!”
With a heavy sigh, Ivana added dramatically, I’ll go talk to Dad, and maybe he can convince you.”
Without giving Isabella a chance to reply, Ivana quickly hung up. She couldn’t waste time gloating. All she wanted was to rush this recording to Jayden..
Her eyes gleamed with malice as she muttered to herself, “Isabella, this time you’re done for.”
With this recording in hand, Ivana was sure that Isabella would have no way to defend herself.
The smile vanished from Isabella’s face, replaced by a grim expression.
Ivana really is eager to destroy me, Isabella thought bitterly. Despite the fact that they were sisters, Ivana seemed hell–bent on ruining her
11:46 AM ch c
Clupter 18
She let out a small, self–deprecating laugh, realizing that her hopes for a better relationship had always been misplaced, both in the past and now.
But that was fine. Isabella was curious to see what Ivana’s next move would be. If Ivana wanted to make this into a spectacle, then Isabella would give her that chance.
The once luxurious and impeccably clean Cox residence was now littered with debris, a chaotic mess everywhere.
As Isabella hurriedly stepped into the villa, she didn’t even know where to place her feet. One glance was enough for her to understand how terrifying Xavier’s episode must have been.
Nearly everything that could be smashed had been destroyed. Even the wall behind the sofa bore faint dents, with traces of blood, indicating that Xavier had punched it..
Isabella furrowed her brows in concern. Hearing the commotion, Connor rushed down the stairs, slightly out of breath, and said, “Ms. Stout, upstairs, please.”
Isabella took one last look around before nodding briefly and following Connor quickly to Xavier’s bedroom. The situation upstairs wasn’t much better than downstairs. The room was filled with signs of destruction.
Isabella stepped inside cautiously. Darryl and Xavier’s mother, Ingrid, stood anxiously by the side of the bed, their faces full of
Xavier was strapped to the bed, his hair and clothes soaked with sweat, his entire body drenched as if he had just been pulled from water.
His bloodshot eyes glared at Isabella with intensity, and he made muffled sounds, attempting to say something, but whatever was stuffed in his mouth made it impossible for her to understand.
Frowning, Isabella moved quickly towards Xavier to examine him. However, Ingrid blocked her path, glaring at her with fury as she demanded, “Didn’t you say this wouldn’t happen again? Why is my son like this?!”
Darryl’s expression shifted, and he quickly stepped forward, grabbing Ingrid’s arm gently, urging her, “Honey, stop it. Let Dr. Lovett take a look.”
Tears streaked down Ingrid’s furious face. She forcefully pulled away from Darryl and cried out, “What kind of doctor is she? She clearly doesn’t know what she’s doing.”
Isabella’s brow tightened. She didn’t understand why Xavier’s condition had suddenly worsened like this. She needed to check him, but Ingrid wasn’t letting her move.
Ingrid, however, wasn’t backing down. Her hands trembled as she pointed at Isabella, yelling at Darryl, “This woman just wants to scam us for money! How could a young girl like her know anything about medicine?!”
Isabella glanced at Xavier, who was still thrashing on the bed. Her expression darkened instantly. If they continued to delay. his blood vessels could suffer severe damage.
Her gaze fixed on Ingrid, and in a commanding tone, she ordered, “Move aside!”
She stepped forward, intending to push Ingrid out of the way, but Darryl was quicker, pulling Ingrid away and scolding her, “Stop this nonsense! We don’t have time for this, get out!”
Ingrid stumbled back, pushed behind Darryl. Although he also had his doubts about Isabella’s skills, the gravity of the situation left him no choice but to trust her. He knew that Kivier’s condition couldn’t be left untreated.
Ingrid, though still cursing angrily, could do nothing as Darryl restrained her. Isabella, paying no mind to the others in the noom, swiftly approached Xavier’s bedside, pulling out the silver needle she always carried with her.
She found the right acupuncture points and deftly inserted the silver needles, her movements quick and precise.
As she worked, she asked sternly. “Did you completely disregard everything I emphasized before?”
