Chapter 92

Isabella shot Michael a quick text: [Got plans after work. No need to pick me up.]

Michael just replied: [Okay.]

After work, Isabella grabbed a cab to the Taylor Family's neighborhood.She swung by the convenience store at the entrance and picked up a bottle of wine before heading in.

She hadn't bothered with a gift. Aiden wouldn't appreciate anything she gave him anyway, so she didn't want to waste the effort and cash. But showing up empty-handed wasn't good, so she brought the wine.

As she got to the building, she spotted Sophia waiting outside.

Sophia saw her and practically sprinted over, linking arms with her like she was afraid Isabella might bolt. "Isabella, you're finally here! We've all been dying to see you!"

The neighbors were all whispering,

"Look at Isabella and Sophia, they're so close!"

"Sophia's so thoughtful, waiting downstairs to show Isabella respect."

Isabella heard them and rolled her eyes internally. They had no clue Sophia was gripping her arm like a vice, as if she might make a run for it.

A knot of unease formed in Isabella's stomach.

Sophia opened the door and called out, "Isabella is here. Come out and say hi."

Bianca came over and gave a half-hearted greeting, almost rolling her eyes.

Isabella didn't care. She and Bianca never got along. If Bianca suddenly acted nice, that'd be weird.

Aiden stood up and called out, "Isabella, you're back! Come sit next to me."

Isabella plopped the wine on the table and sat next to Aiden.She had nothing to say to him. The $800,000 was a wall between them.

"Long time no see," came an annoying voice fromn beside her.

Isabella then noticed other people in the room. It was Ryan, the guy who'd harassed her at the Foster family banquet and hit Bianca on the day of her gathering with Olivia.

"Come on, Isabella, say hi to Mr. Martin," Aiden introduced. "This is Bianca's boyfriend."

"Ms. Taylor, we're old pals. Judging by your face, you're shocked to see me here!" Ryan said, leaning back in his chair, picking his teeth,legs shaking like they had motors.

Isabella ignored him.

Aiden stood up, all eager, "Mr. Martin, please enjoy. Everything's made to your taste by Sophía, at Bianca's request. Bianca really cares about you..."

Isabella couldn't take it anymore. She stood up and said to Aiden, "Dad,do you know who he is and how he treats Bianca? Do you really still approve of him?"

Aiden slammed the table, "What do you know! Mr. Martin is the heir to the Martin Group, way better than your jobless husband Michael.Mr.Martin is great. Why wouldn't I approve? As for you, it doesn't matter if you acknowledge our family or not. If you don't, even better. Saves Mr.Martin from having to do you any favors.

Hearing this, Isabella regretted speaking up and coldly said,"As long as you're happy. I've shown up. I'm leaving."

Sophia rushed over andgrabbed her, "Isabella, don't mind it. Your dad speaks harshly, but don't hold it against him."

Sophia shoved Isabella back into the chair and snapped at Aiden, "Are you out of your mind? When Isabella wasn't around,you kept saying you missed her. Now she's here, but you're hurting her feelings. At your age,you should know better who treats you well."

She shot Aiden a fierce glare when Isabella wasn't looking.

Aiden quickly apologized, "Yes, Isabella, Sophia's right. It's all my fault.We're family; I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry."

Isabella looked at Aiden, surprised. Knowing how stubborn he was, she didn't expect him to apologize.

"Come on, it's rare for us to be together. Let's have a drink," Sophia suggested.

"Yes, let's have a drink," Aiden echoed, raising hisglass.

Sophia handed a glass to Isabella, "Come on, Isabella, let's all have a drink together."

Aiden chimed in, "Come on, Isabella, have a drink with me."

Their enthusiasm was over the top. Isabella felt something was off.

She glanced around the table. Ryan was playing with his glass, looking calm, while Bianca was glaring at her, clearly angry but holding back.

The unease in Isabella's heart grew stronger.

"I think I should leave," Isabella said, putting down her glass and

standing up.

Sophia stood up and pushed her back into the chair, "Isabella,you're already here. Are you not drinking because you're still mad at Aiden?"

Isabella retorted, "Sophia. I'm not mad at Dad, it's just..."

"If you're not mad, then drink this glass of wine," Sophia insisted. "Even a sip will do."

"If I drink this, can I leave?" Isabella asked.

Aiden nodded.

Isabella picked up the glass and drank it. Then she wiped her mouth and asked, "Can I leave now?"

Sophia called out to Bianca, "Isabella drank too much. Help her to her room to rest."

Bianca stood there, biting her lip in frustration, stubbornly staring at Isabella, not moving.

Seeing this, Sophia scolded, "You always bicker with Isabella over little things. You've never been able to stanad us treating her well since you were a child."

Suddenly, Isabella's vision went black, and her mind blanked for a few seconds. She realized something was wrong. The wine must have been tampered with. She bit her lip, using the pain to stay awake.

Sophia noticed Isabella's odd behavior and said, "Come on, Isabella,let me take you to rest."

Isabella dodged. At this point, she felt a burning sensation all over her body, like an unquenchable fire was raging inside her.

Sophia dropped the pretense. She directly ordered Bianca, "Take Isabella to the bedroom."

Bianca reluctantly and slowly walked over.

Ryan reached out to stop Bianca and said, "No need. Right here. I want to see how the dignified Ms. Taylor begs at my feet like a dog, begging me to have sex with her."

Sophia grabbed Aiden and called Bianca, heading towards the door.

Bianca refused to leave. She grabbed Ryan's sleeve and asked pitifully, "Mr.Martin, why can't it be me?"

Ryan threw Bianca to the ground, viciously stepping on her chest and mocking, "You? Do you think you deserve to be my girlfriend? If I can't have sex with Isabella, I'll break up with you immediately. Of course, if you don't want to leave, I don't mind you watching, or we can have a threesome. That's fine too."

With that, he kicked Bianca aside and walked towards Isabella with a lecherous grin.

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