4/4 

Chapter 29 The Snobbish In–Law 

“Excuse me?” Isabel blinked at Xander’s hand, clearly puzzled. What was he asking for? 

Samuel shared her confusion, equally baffled. 

“Candy,” Xander stated flatly. 

Both Isabel and Samuel were momentarily speechless. 

Xander wanted candy? 

The notion was almost unbelievable. 

It was a terrifying thought, to be exact. 

“I thought you hated candies, Xander?” Samuel asked, struggling to comprehend. 

Xander met Samuel’s gaze with an indifferent look. “Aren’t you the same? Didn’t you just have some?” 

“No, no, it’s different! The medicine was so bitter,” Samuel defended himself. 

“Likewise. There’s a bitter aftertaste in my mouth,” Xander said, his tone devoid of emotion as he continued to spin his tale. 

The room fell into an unsettling silence, a quiet so thick it felt almost palpable. 

After what seemed like an eternity, Isabel retrieved a milk candy from her pocket and handed it to Xander. 

“Will one be sufficient?” 

Xander’s eyes drifted to Isabel’s pocket. 

“Are there more?” 

“Yes.” Isabel extracted a small handful of candies and placed them into Xander’s hand. “Is this too many?” 

Xander accepted the candies and turned to head upstairs, closing the door behind him as he retreated to his room. 

Isabel stared at the closed door, her mind struggling to grasp what had just transpired. She looked at Samuel, bewildered. “What’s going on with your brother?” 

“How should I know?” Samuel was just as confused, unsure of what to make of the situation. 

As soon as Xander popped a candy into his mouth, he received a call from Albert. 

The caller ID made the purpose of the call clear. It was Albert. 

He declined the call. 

The number was blocked. 

1/3 

Moments later, another call came through. This time from his mother, Ivana Shade. 

Xander frowned, already anticipating the reason for the call. 

“Mom, are you calling to intercede for the Perkins?” 

“You’ve always been perceptive,” Ivana responded with a hint of frustration. 

“There’s no need to intercede. What they did is unforgivable.” Xander’s expression darkened as he recalled the scene he had nearly missed, envisioning how the girl might have been harmed. 

“I’ve heard the details. It’s because of that girl you married on a whim. Xan, I know how you are. Once you’ve made up your mind, it’s nearly impossible for anyone to sway you. But consider your grandmother’s wishes. According to the engagement, you were supposed to marry Miss Perkins. That was her final wish. If it weren’t for that, I would have arranged for you and Rachel to be together a long time ago,” Ivana said with a weary sigh. 

Xander absentmindedly played with the candies Isabel had given him, his mind drifting to her charming and mischievous smile. 

“I didn’t disappoint Grandma. I went to city hall on the wedding day as agreed. It was they who broke the contract, not me.” 

“Alright, I get it. Since you and she are not meant to be, I won’t press it. Truthfully, I’d rather you marry someone we know better. Rachel has loved you since she was a child and hoped to become your wife. You –“Ivana’s words were interrupted by Xander. 

“I’m already married. Let’s leave this topic. If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up.” 

“Alright, alright. I won’t bring it up again. On to the matter at hand–Albert called me earlier. He hopes you can give the Perkins family a chance to make amends. He wants to arrange a dinner at the hotel. He’d like you to join him whenever you’re available,” Ivana explained. 

Xander was prepared to refuse without hesitation. 

“Xan, remember, he’s already 70, and your grandmother had a good relationship with him. It would be difficult to refuse him, especially for her sake. Don’t make her spirit grieve.” 

Reluctantly, Xander agreed. 

“Then the night after tomorrow. I’m tied up during the day.” 

“Good, I’ll let them know.” 

Two days later… 

As Isabel was about to leave early in the morning to meet Beowulf, Samuel intercepted her. 

“You can’t go out just yet.” 

“Why not?” Isabel asked, puzzled. 

Samuel blocked the doorway, refusing to let her pass. You just can’t go out right now.” 

Isabel scrutinized Samuel with suspicion, sensing something was off. 

Before she could get to the bottom of it, a familiar voice cut through the tension. 

“Godmother, this is Isabel. She’s been pestering Xan non–stop and even hit me last time.” 

Isabel followed the volce to the entrance. There stood Rachel Lawson, her sharp words slicing through the air, accompanied by a middle–aged woman whose face mirrored Xander’s and Samuel’s. It was evident she was their mother. 

Rachel’s use of Ivana’s name confirmed the woman’s identity beyond doubt. 

Isabel turned her gaze to Samuel, understanding his earlier maneuver now. He had stalled her to make way for their arrival. 

Clearly, their purpose was far from friendly. 

Ivana stepped forward, her eyes sweeping Isabel with a scrutinizing gaze. 

“I had you investigated. It seems you’re quite the piece of work. Even if someone stole your man, pushing her to a miscarriage was beyond the pale.” 

Isabel, though married into this family as part of her mission, was not one to tolerate unjust treatment. “Oh? Since you’ve done your homework, why don’t you know that the miscarriage was a fabrication? It wasn’t me who pushed her. She staged the fall and used a blood pack to fake the bleeding.” 

Ivana’s eyes widened in shock. Isabel’s words were unexpected and unfamiliar to her. 

“Ivana, don’t believe her. She’s lying to save herself. Everyone saw her push the woman at the wedding. There is no fake pregnancy? If the girl was truly faking why would the president of Johnson Group stay with her? Kaleb’s not blind.” Rachel’s urgent whispers reached Ivana’s ears. 

Ivana mulled over Rachel’s argument, finding it persuasive. 

“Oh, but Kaleb is blind. He prefers schemers over someone genuine and kind like me. What can I do?” Isabel shrugged with an air of indifference. 

“Enough,” Ivana said sharply. “The Bennetts have no place for you. Apologize to Rachel and then leave.” 

Samuel observed the confrontation with mixed feelings. He had wanted Isabel gone, but now that it was happening, he felt an unexpected discomfort. 

Isabel met Ivana’s stare with unwavering resolve. “And what if I choose to stay?” 

3