Chapter 211

Isabella watched Adrian's hurried departure with a furrowed brow.

As the elevator doors closed, she clearly saw a flicker of panic in his eyes.

That wasn't like him.

She rushed downstairs, only to catch the taillights of his car vanishing around the corner.

Standing on the crowded street, her eyes reddened.

"Adrian...do you really love me?" she whispered to herself.

This relationship had begun with a mistaken act of heroism.

But only she knew the truth—it was Evelyn who had saved Adrian all those years ago.

"Well, well. If it isn't Adrian's precious darling. Crying all alone?"

Cassandra's mocking voice came from behind.

Isabella stiffened.

Why was this madwoman here again?

"Adrian had urgent business," Isabella forced a smile. "Unlike some people who have nothing better to do than stir up trouble."

She deliberately jabbed at Cassandra's sore spot—all of Vienna knew the Valentine heiress had a fiery temper and remained stubbornly single.

Cassandra's eyes turned icy.

Slap!

The sharp sound of the slap echoed down the street.

"Cassandra!" Isabella shrieked, clutching her cheek. "You lunatic!"

"Can't handle it?" Cassandra smirked. "You should've expected this the day you crossed me."

She would never forget that year at eighteen, when she'd nearly lost everything because of Margaret's schemes.

From then on, she'd sworn—anyone who dared plot against her would pay tenfold.

"You think I'm afraid of you?" A venomous glint flashed in Isabella's eyes.

Cassandra suddenly laughed, her striking face alight with madness under the sun.

"Bring it on," she leaned close to Isabella's ear. "I'm curious to see what tricks you've got."

With that, she turned on her heel, her red trench coat flaring dramatically in the wind.

Isabella stared after her, slowly pulling out her phone.

"Aunt Eleanor..." Her voice instantly trembled with tears the moment the call connected. "Cassandra just hit me..."