Chapter 34
Isabella’s heart sank as she realized the truth about her father. Anyone could see that the Lane family was a fiery pit, yet he was the only one who thought it was paradise.
She slowly closed her eyes, taking a long breath before finally opening them again. A cold, mocking smile crept onto her lips as she said, “You can keep this so–called life of luxury for yourselves. With that, she turned on her heel and walked toward the
exit.
Immediately, Molly and Ivana panicked, exchanging worried glances before rushing two steps closer to Isabella.
Molly shouted anxiously, “Isabella, Father is doing this for your own good!”
‘If she really walks out like this, then the act we put on would be in vain. It would be much harder to lure her back in the future, thought Molly.
Ivana sprinted ahead, blocking Isabella’s way and saying, “Cameron knows you, Dad has shown him your photo, and he’s really into you. He said he would spoil you rotten. Just agree to it.”
Ivana gritted her teeth in frustration. She absolutely could not let Isabella leave. If Isabella married Cameron and became infected with venereal diseases, then Jayden would be forever out of Ivana’s reach. Just the thought of Jayden still having feelings for Isabella made Ivana livid,
“Let go.” Isabella stood her ground, not pushing Ivana away again. She wanted to give her enough face, but Ivana stubbornly shook her head and replied, “No way! I can’t let you waste your life like this! This is a great match! The Lane family is way better than we are. Becoming Mrs. Lane means you’ll live a life of luxury!”
Isabella’s expression turned even colder. “If you like that life so much, then you should take it yourself”
Hudson’s temper flared. He spoke sternly, “Isabella, you don’t get to decide this! Don’t be ungrateful!”
Isabella froze in her tracks.
Ivana, afraid that Isabella would hit her again, quickly dropped her grip but continued to look worried and anxious.
Isabella turned to Hudson, her hands tightening into fists as she gritted out, “Let’s see how you’re gonna stop me!”
She wanted to see just how heartless Hudson could be. Flashes of their time together danced in her mind, but they all shattered into fragments at that moment.
Hudson, seething with anger, nodded repeatedly and pointed at Isabella. “You’ve really got some guts! Then he bellowed, “Guardst
In an instant, six bodyguards rushed into the room, all clad in black, standing at attention in front of the door and blocking Isabella’s escape.
Isabella scanned the bodyguards with a piercing gaze, which finally landed on Hudson and Molly. She said with a bitter laugh, “What a perfect way to treat your daughter.”
Disappointment erupted within her, and her fists crackled with pent–up anger.
She didn’t know how disappointed and desperate one could really be. Her own father was shoving her into a fire pit, and now he was stopping her with bodyguards. For years, she’d lived worse than a stray animal. Why was I tricked into coming back, anyway? Hudson has never cared about me. Why should I care about him? He never loved my mother, and he certainly doesn’t love me,‘ she thought to herself.
Isabella radiated a fierce determination.
Molly looked at Isabella with a worried expression and tried to console her, “Isabella, your dad doesn’t want this either. If you just obey, they
won’t hurt you. Yet, the thrill in her eyes revealed a different story; she almost wished the bodyguards would teach Isabella a lesson. ‘Let’s see how arrogant you can be after that!‘ she thought.
Hudson thought Isabella was intimidated. Clearing his throat, he said, “As long as you just listen…” His gaze fell on Isabella, chin slightly lifted with an air of arrogance, firmly believing that she would back down. He had specifically brought in a few well–trained bodyguards for this moment.
Chapter Di
However, before he could finish his sentence, Isabella ignored him completely and turned to march out the door.
Hudson and the others didn’t expect her to walk away. They called out loudly, “Isabella!”
Hudson’s voice grew more severe. “Isabella, stop right there!”
Yet, it seemed Isabella hadn’t heard a word, her pace unwavering.
Grinding his teeth, Hudson realized there was no other choice but to act. He barked, “Stop her!”
The bodyguards sprang into action, swiftly blocking Isabella’s path. But in the next instant, Isabella raised her leg and kicked one of the bodyguards squarely in the face.
Her speed was lightning–fast, leaving everyone present stunned. The kicked bodyguard stumbled back, covering his face in disbelief.
Everyone froze for a moment, trying to grasp the situation.
t’s time to stretch
Isabella coldly surveyed the remaining bodyguards and said. “It’s been a few years since I last fought; I guess it’s my arms and legs.”
Thanks to her mother’s advice to learn self–defense, Isabella had been learning fighting skills. Little did she know she’d put those skills to use on a day like this. Ironically, the trap was all set up by Hudson. She had to defend herself against him.
Seeing their friend go down, the remaining bodyguards quickly regrouped, realizing they were up against someone who knew how to fight. They charged at her, fists raised, aiming deadly blows at her head
But Isabella was lightning–quick. As they lunged forward, she swiftly bent down to dodge their attacks. Taking advantage of the moment, she executed a low kick that sent the bodyguards reeling.
The bodyguards cried out, clutching their legs and hopping backward in pain.
Isabella raised her eyebrows, seizing the chance to throw a powerful punch. The Stout residence erupted with cries and chaos as blows and shouts filled the air.
Isabella’s sudden display of fighting skills left Hudson, Molly, and Ivana in shock. ‘How could she know how to fight?! I have calculated everything, yet I missed this crucial detail. If I had known, I would have brought more people with me, Hudson thought.
As Isabella stood her ground, fierce and unyielding, Hudson instinctively took a couple of steps back, with Molly tugging at his arm anxiously. She whispered, “Why didn’t you ever mention that she knows how to fight?”
He shot her a glare, frustration etched on his face as he turned back to scowl at Isabella. “How would I know?!”
It had always been Isabella’s late mother training her; Hudson never paid attention to those matters. Anger swirled in his eyes, his fists clenched tightly. That woman actually taught Isabella fighting skills!” he thought.
Ivana watched the scene unfold, swallowing hard. This was terrifying. She recalled how Isabella had attacked her moments ago -if Isabella had been a bit more ruthless, it wouldn’t have just been a simple fall to the ground. Rubbing her sore back, she felt a chill run down her spine. ‘But something is off; I’ve never seen Isabella practice fighting skills over the years. Why is Isabella becoming more mysterious by the day? thought Ivana
Ivana gripped her fists tightly, thinking, ‘No, I have to make sure Isabella marries Cameron! That way, no matter how impressive she becomes, Jayden won’t give her a second glancel‘
Hudson’s face was grim as he bellowed at the bodyguards, “What are you even doing? Can’t you even handle one person?!”
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