Chapter 425

Isabella dragged her exhausted body back to the mansion.

Vincent and Eleanor sat on the living room sofa.

The anesthesia in Eleanor's system had worn off, but Vincent had given her special medication. She could barely walk, unable to speak or care for herself. Even eating required assistance from the maid.

The ruby necklace had long been reclaimed by Isabella, now securely locked in her bedroom safe.

Since this mother refused to acknowledge her, Isabella wouldn't let her have anything.

Eleanor lowered her eyes silently as Isabella entered.

Isabella walked straight to Vincent and sat beside him. "Dad, Adrian knows everything. He's uncovered all our secrets. The only thing he doesn't know is that Christian's death was planned by me, Mom, and Margaret."

"He still believes Evelyn is the killer, yet he hasn't exposed us."

Vincent narrowed his eyes, his expression calculating.

He rested his hands on the armrests, radiating intimidation.

With a cold smirk, he turned to his daughter. "Since it wasn't revealed back then, let's expose Evelyn as Christian's murderer now. We'll take control of the Lefèvre family while we're at it."

"That bastard Vincent Kemnis has some skills, but he's ultimately insignificant."

A murderous glint flashed in Isabella's eyes. "Dad, if you'd told me the truth earlier, I wouldn't have chosen Adrian. Someone like Sebastian Cortez would have been more suitable for me. We wouldn't have failed so spectacularly. I'm so disappointed in you. How could you get involved with a vulgar woman like Margaret—"

She abruptly stopped.

After all, she herself had crawled out of that vulgar woman's womb.

Eleanor shot Isabella a mocking glance.

Both mother and daughter were disasters.

Enraged by the look, Isabella suddenly stood and kicked Eleanor in the abdomen.

Eleanor curled up in pain, gasping for breath.

Vincent exploded with fury, leaping to his feet. "Isabella! She may not be your birth mother, but she's Harrison's mother and my wife! Touch her again, and I won't be merciful!"

Isabella sneered. "I genuinely treated her as my mother, yet she mocked me. Dad, do you know how much I loved this mother? Beautiful and capable. It's all your fault for revealing the truth. Now Mom and I can never go back to how we were."

Isabella clutched her head in agony. Her complex personality contained both kindness and darkness.

She had once been so happy to have such a perfect mother.

Suddenly, Isabella threw herself into Eleanor's arms, sobbing. "Mom, why aren't you my real mother? I loved you so much."

She abruptly pulled back, gripping Eleanor's shoulders fiercely. "Mom, be my mother alone from now on, okay? Don't look for your real daughter. I'll take good care of you."

Eleanor stared coldly at the deranged Isabella. But to survive and see her daughter again, she had to endure the humiliation.

With tears in her eyes, she nodded. She knew Isabella's methods well—killing without bloodshed was her specialty.

Isabella beamed with joy. "Thank you, Mom! Only this way can your real daughter grow up safely."

Eleanor's heart lurched. Did Isabella already know who her daughter was?

Vincent seized the opportunity. Remembering he needed Eleanor's cooperation tomorrow, his tone softened. "Eleanor, as long as you behave and never mention that matter again, I promise your daughter's safety. Take good care of Isabella from now on, and I'll give you the antidote."

Eleanor stared at this hypocritical man, her stomach churning.

She knew Vincent had some genuine affection for her—after all, her face brought him prestige.

Thinking of tomorrow's award ceremony where her mother's presence was required, Isabella also coaxed gently. "Mom, if you agree, I promise your daughter will be safe. Just nod if you're willing."