Chapter 28
After a brief pause, Isabella continued, “Mrs. Howerton, if you don’t mind, may I brew the tea?”
Gwenna paused slightly, her hand holding the tea leaves still for a moment. She sighed inwardly, thinking that Hoy’s earlier words must have unsettled Isabella. But keeping her expression neutral, she looked up at Isabella and said. “Of course.”
Isabella took the tea leaves from Gwenna’s hand. Lowering her gaze, she calmly began setting up the tea set, her movements unhurried and meticulous, as if Hoy’s harsh words hadn’t affected her at all.
Her slender, graceful fingers moved gently over the teacups and pot, handling them as though crafting a piece of art–elegant, composed, and confident.
Gwenna’s eyes brightened with admiration. It was rare to see young people nowadays who truly knew how to make tea, and certainly not with such skill. Isabella clearly wasn’t new to this, which made Gwenna feel even more pleasantly surprised.
Just then, the sound of conversation could be heard outside the living room. A woman’s voice, laced with displeasure, said, “Why did you marry a woman like that?”
Isabella’s hands paused for just a moment, but then she continued, her focus unbroken.
However, the woman outside didn’t stop, and her sharp voice cut through the air: “The Stour family is beneath us. You should end things with her immediately,” she demanded, as if issuing an order.
Samuel’s eyes darkened. He looked at Sarah, his sister, and said in a low, stern voice, “This is my business.”
His face was hard and cold, clearly displeased by Sarah’s interference. Despite his anger, Samuel didn’t openly argue with his
elder sister.
Hoy, sitting nearby, let out a heavy, disapproving snort. “Well, your taste only worsens as you get older.”
He was firmly against the idea of Isabella, a daughter cast aside by the Stout family, marrying into the Howerton family. Gwenna’s expression soured. She glanced at Isabella, fearing that this might push her to leave.
Worried, she quickly said, “Bella, don’t listen to their nonsense! Samuel’s marriage is his own choice. He cares for you, and no one else can change that. I’ll have a word with them later!”
But Isabella shook her head, gently interrupting Gwenna’s comforting words. With a calm smile, she said, “Mrs. Howerton, I’m
fine.
And she meant it. After all, her marriage to Samuel wasn’t born out of love. They had both been rather impulsive when they wed. So whether the Howerton family accepted her or not didn’t really affect her much.
In the living room, Hoy withdrew his gaze from Samuel and leaned back on the sofa. Without hesitation, he commanded, “I’ve already spoken with the Kline family’s daughter. Make some time to meet her.”
He made no attempt to lower his voice, clearly intending for Isabella to hear every word. Gwenna’s expression darkened completely. She thought to herself, ‘Haven’t they had it enough?
Yet Isabella didn’t falter, continuing to brew tea calmly and methodically. She was unhurried, as if the conversation in the living room had nothing to do with her.
Samuel’s cold voice broke the tension. I only want Bella. Don’t bring this up again.”
Isabella froze at his words, while Hoy laughed angrily. “Feeling confident?
Neither father nor son spoke much, but every word they exchanged carried a hardened tone, heightening the tension in the
Samuel’s expression was icy. He had expected only Gwenna to be home today, not Hoy and Sarah as well.
At this moment, Isabella softly said, “The tea is ready” With that, she poured tea for Gwenna.
“Mrs. Howerton, please enjoy the tea,” she added after completing the final step, placing the cup gently on the table.
Chapter 28
Suddenly, the door to the tea room swung open with a loud bang.
Isabella looked up to see Sarah’s cold face staring back at her. Dressed in a professional business suit with her long hair neatly pulled back into a tight bun, Sarah exuded an air of efficiency and power–it was clear she had just come from the office.
Her makeup was flawless, and she wore expensive jewelry, bearing a striking resemblance to Gwenna.
Gwenna’s face instantly darkened. “Sarah, what are you doing?”
Sarah strode into the room, stopping directly in front of Isabella, looking down at her with an air of superiority. “I heard Samuel brought home a girlfriend. Mom, why didn’t you let us know in advance?”
Gwenna’s displeasure deepened. It was obvious that Sarah had come with an agenda.
Both she and Hoy had been pushing for Samuel to marry the Kline family’s daughter and were never going to accept Bella That’s why Gwenna hadn’t informed them. But she hadn’t expected them to find out anyway.
Isabella, as if unaware of the confrontation moments earlier, rose gracefully and greeted Sarah with a polite smile. “Ms. Howerton, nice to meet you.”
Sarah cast a cold glance at Isabella before slowly walking to the table, sitting down next to Gwenna.
She picked up the cup in front of her, her fingers playing with the lid as she spoke indifferently. “You’re not worthy of the Howerton family. You should know that.”
Gwenna’s face darkened, and she silently cursed Sarah under her breath. Shooting a sharp warning look at her daughter. Gwenna said sternly, “Sarah!”
She glanced at Isabella, only to find that she remained composed, her expression as calm as ever, showing no hint of anger. Gwenna was a little surprised, thinking Isabella had quite the strong mental fortitude..
Sarah’s expression turned sour, and though she opened her mouth to continue, she chose to stay silent.
The air in the tea room grew tense and oppressive. At that moment, Samuel entered the room, drawing everyone’s gaze.
His
eyes met Isabella’s, and they held a steady intensity. Isabella hesitated for a second, realizing his look was one of reassurance, telling her not to worry–he was here.
Samuel placed the box he’d been carrying in front of Gwenna, then turned to face Sarah. His voice was cold but firm. “Sarah, Isabella is my wife. I expect you to understand and respect that.”
Isabella was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Samuel to openly defy his family for her. Gwenna’s eyes sparkled with pride, a broad smile forming on her lips as she beamed with approval for her son.
Sarah, however, was visibly displeased. She raised her gaze and stared coldly at Samuel. I haven’t interfered much in your life over the years, but when I see you straying down the wrong path, it’s my duty to stop you.”
Isabella looked over at Sarah, silently acknowledging that she did have a point, Isabella, after all, was the disowned daughter of the Stout family, carrying a tarnished reputation that could indeed negatively affect Samuel
Sensing Isabella’s gaze, Sarah turned to her, her voice laced with mockery. “A woman knows another woman best. She grew up. without a mother’s guidance–of course, her mind is twisted”
Sarah thought, I’ve seen plenty of women like this before, who use their looks to cling to men, hoping to marry into wealth
Suddenly, Gwenna’s hand slammed down on the table, the sound reverberating through the rooms and capturing everyone!
attention.
Sarah’s expression shifted slightly, her eyes flickering with surprise. She opened her mouth, clearly ready to continue, but Gwenna raised her hand, pointing firmly toward the door. With a commanding tone, she said, “Sarah, get out. Now!”
