Chapter 5

Chapter5

Eleanor had grown up with Nathaniel, so she was even more familiar with Carter Manor than Isabella. As soon as she entered the house, she walked over to the elderly lady while exclaiming, "Grandma Clara!"

"Oh, it's Ellie!" Nathaniel's grandmother, Clara Montgomery, was overjoyed. "Let me take a look at you. Have you lost weight again?"

"Not really. Look! I made some lobster rolls for you," Eleanor replied.

"You sweet girl! How thoughtful of you," Clara praised.

The two of them chatted affectionately, and Clara was all smiles. However, the moment Isabella approached, her smile faded significantly.

Isabella acted as if she hadn't noticed anything and respectfully greeted, "Grandma."

Clara glanced at her and was about to say something, but Isabella shifted her attention to the top of the stairs and called out, "Mom."

"Madam Carter," Eleanor greeted, straightening up. She had been leaning on Clara's shoulder just a moment ago. She became timid the moment she saw the person at the top of the staircase.

"Hello, Eleanor." Victoria Sinclair, Nathaniel's mother, acknowledged her with a nod. Her attitude was somewhat distant but still polite, making it impossible to fault her.

Then, she turned to Clara and greeted, "Mom."

Clara merely responded with a slight hum, her expression even icier than Victoria's.

Nevertheless, Victoria didn't seem to mind. She glanced at the food Eleanor had brought and commented, "The doctor said Mom has been having indigestion lately. Lobster rolls are too rich. They're not suitable for her consumption."

After a slight pause, she instructed their butler, Arthur West, to take the snacks away, "Take them to the kitchen, Arthur."

Throughout the entire exchange, Victoria didn't bother to consult Clara or even look at Eleanor.

Eleanor was very good at winning people over. But no matter how hard she tried, Victoria never seemed to like her.

Victoria had always maintained a cool, distant demeanor. She treated people with grace and elegance, never extending any hospitality deeper than general courtesy.

It had been Victoria who insisted on fulfilling her late husband's wish. She insisted that if Isabella had truly gone missing and could no longer be found, then the prearranged engagement would naturally fall through.

But since Isabella had returned to the Harrison family, she was the one who should marry Nathaniel. If it weren't for Victoria's insistence, Isabella wouldn't be Mrs. Carter now.

Of course, Eleanor felt resentful toward Victoria. But then, she never dared to show it openly.

Victoria, on the other hand, paid no mind to how Eleanor felt. After giving her instructions to Arthur, she turned to Isabella and said, "Come upstairs with me."

"Sure," Isabella replied, making her way up the stairs.

Once they reached the tea room, Victoria handed Isabella a business card. "I found an old alternative medicine practitioner through some connections. Go see him tomorrow and let him assist you with your health."

Isabella pursed her lips, and she didn't reach for the card.

Almost as if she could tell what Isabella was thinking, Victoria continued, "You and Nathaniel have been married for two years now. It's time to start thinking about having children.

"Eleanor was raised by Clara, so she may be a little biased toward her. But once you have a child, she won't trouble you anymore."

It was rare for Victoria to speak so much to Isabella.

Isabella kept her head lowered and didn't utter a word.

Upon seeing this, Victoria added, "What happened last time was just an accident. It's been over a year since then. You need to move on."

Victoria's words caused Isabella to shudder, and she clenched her hands tightly by her sides. Her lower abdomen even ached reflexively.

Was it an accident? Of course... It wasn't.

Despite what everyone said to comfort her, Isabella knew better than anyone that it wasn't an accident at all.

Eleanor had deliberately caused her to fall down the stairs!",