Chapter 86

Outside Michael's villa, Lucy was all bundled up in a hat, sunglasses, and a mask. She needed to figure out a way to get into Michael's place and convince Isabella to come with her to the Foster family's dinner party.

Vaughn had asked her to bring Isabella to the dinner to reveal Michael's true colors in front of her, but Lucy had always regarded the plot with skepticism. Michael was astute, and fallinginto Vaughn's trap seemed unlikely. So, even though she agreed, she hadn't done anything about it.On the day of the dinner, she found out by chance that an old friend would be there, which made her really want to go.

But the two families were on bad terms now,so she was worried her family would be mad if she went. However, if she could bring Isabella along, it would be different; at least Michael wouldn't be mad. As long as Michael wasn't mad, she didn't care about anyone else.

She wrapped herself up tight and waited outside the villa early in the morning. When Michael left, she snuck in.

Her sudden appearance startled Isabella. Afraid that Robert would find out and kick her out, she pulled Isabella into their bedroom.

Lucy said, "Isabella, let's go to the Foster family's dinner party. It'll be fun."

She thought Isabella, who hadn't seen much of the world, would be excited and grateful.

"I'm not interested. I'm not going!" Isabella said flatly.

"If you don't go, I'll be mad!" Lucy threatened.

Seeing Lucy's angry face puffed up like a little pufferfish, Isabella couldn't help but poke her cheek and said, "Then be mad! I didn't expect you to look so cute when you're angry."

Lucy's heart warmed. She couldn't remember the last time someone called her cute. As the youngest in the Johnson family, she had been showered with affection and pampering during her childhood. But somewhere along the line, things had shifted. People started to dislike her, calling her spoiled,arrogant, and willful. She hadn't changed, but no one saw her cute side anymore.

Lucy's eyes reddened as she looked at Isabella and asked, "Isabella, am I...cute?"

"I've always thought you were quite cute, like a little girl,much cuter than my sister Bianca." Thinking of how Bianca treated her like an enemy,Isabella said seriously, "Of course, you'd be even cuter if you didn't have any bad intentions towards me."

"Isabella!" Lucy sniffled, "You're so nice, much better than Michael.Actually, I've always thoughtyou were better than Michael. When he scolded me, you always stood up for me. But thinking that he scolded me because of you made me hate you. Actually, I'm quite a detestable person."

Isabella was amused by her self-reflection. She patted Lucy's head and comforted her, "Michael's just like that. Don't let his harsh words bother you."

Lucy looked at Isabella eagerly and asked, "Isabella, can you go with me?"

Isabella couldn't resist soft and weak people or things. Lucy's big,puppy-like eyes melted her heart instantly. She agreed, "Okay, I'll go with you."

Lucy happily hugged her and said, "Great, I knew you're the best to me."

Isabella smiled slightly.

"Isabella, don't tell Michael about this, okay?" Lucy's tone suddenly became low as if she had thought of something.

"Why? If I don't tell him and something happens, I won't be able to handle it." Isabella asked. Even though Lucy seemed like a different person now,Isabella hadn't forgotten that Lucy was very good at causing trouble.

"I'm afraid he won't let me go," Lucy said.

"If we sneak out and he finds out, he'll be angry too," Isabella sighed.

"Isabella, only we know about this. If we don't tell him, he won't know."Lucy swore.

Lucy's persistence made Isabella suspicious. She asked, "Do you have another reason for going to the dinner?"

Lucy suddenly blushed, lowered her head, and said hesitantly, "I heard that one of my childhood friends will be there, so I want you to go with me."

Seeing Lucy's shy face, Isabella couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.When she was Lucy's age, she had to worry about food every day and focus on studying. It was a dark time.

"Alright, I'll go with you to meet your friend," Isabella teased. She decided to indulge Lucy this time. At worst, she would text Michael later to let him know where they went.

Seeing Isabella agree, Lucy kissed her on the cheek and pulled her towards the walk-in closet, saying, "Isabella, I've always wanted to see your walk-in closet, but Michael guards it like I'm a thief and won't let me upstairs."

Once inside the walk-in closet, Lucy acted like a kid in a candy store,pulling down everything she didn't like and tossing it on the floor.Soon,the room was a mess.

Isabella sighed, wanting to say something but holding back. She helplessly

followed Lucy,slowly tidying up.

Both of them dressed up beautifully and headed to the Foster family's dinner party.

Isabella sighed inwardly, 'No wonder Lucy told me to brace myself for a surprise! I can't even imagine what it's like to live in the world of the rich.'

Once they were inside the banquet hall, Lucy said, "Isabella, you can wander around on your own first. I'll go find my friend."

With that, she left Isabella alone and walked away.

Around the corner, Vaughn grabbed Lucy and asked, "You brought Isabella?"

Lucy nodded and then said, "Vaughn, I think Isabella is a good person.Are you sure what you're doing is right?"

Vaughn comforted her, "It's because she's a good person that we can't let her be deceived by Michael. Understand?"

Lucy nodded. But she didn't really understand; she just wanted Vaughn to let her go quickly.

Isabella couldn't find Lucy, so she wandered around alone.

Some men would come up to her and try to chat, but she always turned them down gently. Thankfully, they got the hint and didn't bother her further.

Behind Isabella, a man with a cocky demeanor walked over, shaking a wine glass, and greeted her, "Hey, beauty, are you alone? Let me keep you company!"

Isabella frowned and politely declined.

The man laughed. "Are you playing hard to catch my eye? You're different from Bianca, but I like you better this way."

Hearing this, Isabella looked closely at the man and finally remembered where she had seen him.

It was Ryan, the guy who hit Bianca in the restaurant last time.

Ryan said, "You remember? I knew it; no one can forget me once they've seen me. It's your lucky day that I noticed you. Don't worry. I'll make sure you're well taken care of."

As he spoke, he reached out to grab Isabella's hand.

Isabella took two steps back, putting distance between them, and said sternly, "I don't know what your relationship with Bianca is,but I'm telling you, I'm not like her. You can't mess with me."

"Let's see how you're different," Ryan said playfully, looking Isabella up and down. "You're prettier than her. Your chest isn't as big, but your legs are longer. You're more dignified, but no matter how dignified a woman is,she'll turn into a slut in my bed. Name your price; as long as it's not too outrageous,I'll meet it."

Isabella was furious at his blatant gaze and cursed him, "You scoundrel,you're shameless!"

Ryan wasn't a good-tempered person. Seeing Isabella not only reject him but also curse him, he got angry. He immediately grabbed her wrist and started dragging her towards the guest room, cursing,"You bitch,you dress so provocatively just to sell yourself at a good price, don't you? I tried to talk nicely, but you didn't listen. Don't blame me for being rude. If you piss me off, I'll fuck you right here!"

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