Chapter 33

Molly and Ivana looked up. Molly set her phone aside, raising her hands helplessly. "Bella," she explained, "if I hadn't lied, you wouldn't have come back."

Ivana smirked coldly at Isabella. They had finally tricked Bella into returning.

Isabella's expression froze. She'd sensed something was wrong but had been too preoccupied to see through it. Now, seeing the women's relaxed demeanor, she knew she'd been played.

With a frigid stare, Isabella glared at Molly. Anger flared. "You must think that's a great idea, don't you?" she asked. They didn't even bother to pretend anymore—are they that eager to lay their cards on the table now? she thought.

Ivana's eyes gleamed with cold laughter, but she quickly stood, approaching Isabella. With feigned helplessness, she said, "Mom's doing this for your own good. How could this possibly be a scheme? We're family!"

Isabella laughed angrily. Family? she thought. That word makes my stomach churn! She vividly remembered her mother's death. Barely buried, Molly had moved in with Ivana, warning Isabella, "From now on, I'm the mistress of this house. If you don't listen to me, I'll throw you into the river."

With a steely gaze, Isabella retorted, "I don't consider a homewrecker family."

Molly's face turned livid. Despite her years as Mrs. Stout, the judgment of society still stung. The term "homewrecker" felt like a brand. How dare this ungrateful girl say such a thing to me?! Who does Isabella think she is?! she thought.

Ivana was equally enraged. Furrowing her brow, she shot an incredulous look at Isabella. "Bella, how can you say that about my mom? She's just trying to help you!" How dare you call my mother a homewrecker?! I'll make sure you marry Cameron, she thought.

Ivana took a deep breath, controlling her emotions. With feigned warmth, she linked her arm with Isabella's. "And she secured you such a good marriage with Cameron. How can you not be grateful?" she urged sincerely.

Suddenly, a fall and Ivana's yell echoed through the room.

"Ivana!" Molly exclaimed, rushing over, concern etched on her face.

Isabella looked down at Ivana, sprawled on the floor. "A good marriage? If it's such a great opportunity, why don't you take it?" Her words dripped with contempt.

She knew their game. How can they be so shameless, hiding their true intentions behind such polished words? she thought.

Ivana lay on the floor, her body spasming in pain.

"Ivana, are you okay?" Molly quickly grabbed Ivana's arm, her voice filled with worry. Ivana gritted her teeth, shaking her head.

"I'm fine."

Molly sighed in relief, but her expression quickly turned to anger. Glaring at Isabella, she said, her tone dripping with grievance, "Bella, no matter what you think, you shouldn't push Ivana away like that."

To Isabella, the scene was nauseating. What a deep mother-daughter bond they share! she thought. But before she could respond, a chilling voice echoed from upstairs. "Isabella! Do you have any decency left? She's your own sister!"

Hudson's powerful voice boomed. Isabella looked up to see him—previously claiming illness—standing there, flushed and perfectly healthy, glaring at her.

An icy chill washed over Isabella. She'd thought only Molly and Ivana were involved, but it seemed Hudson was in on it too.

Unable to suppress a cold laugh, Isabella shot back, "You only saw me pushing her. What about everything Molly and Ivana have done to me all these years? Why did you ignore it!"

"Isn't that because you've been insufferable all these years? If it weren't for Molly always trying to stop me, I would have broken your legs a long time ago! And now you still hate them? You're actually biting the hand that feeds you!" Hudson's face darkened as he stepped closer, while Molly helped Ivana up and they both settled on the couch.

Isabella smiled bitterly. In his eyes, I'm the ungrateful, rebellious daughter, she thought.

Hudson cast her a cold glance. "Since you're back, you'll stay at home and join the Lane family for dinner tomorrow." His tone brooked no argument.

A flicker of satisfaction passed between Molly and Ivana. As long as Hudson gives the order, it doesn't matter whether Isabella wants to meet the Lane family or not; she has to go, they thought.

Ivana rubbed her sore back, gritting her teeth. You bitch! I only treat you civilly now because I need your cooperation, but once you marry into the Lane family, things will be different!

Isabella gazed at Hudson with disappointment. How can he make this decision? And he's talking about Cameron from the Lane family!

Her hands clenched into fists. She met Hudson's eyes, asking with defiance, "You know what kind of person Cameron is. Am I your daughter or not?"

She searched his eyes for sympathy or regret, finding nothing. It was wishful thinking. She felt as if she had plunged into a freezing abyss.

Hudson's gaze darkened, his irritation evident. "Stop messing around! As long as you marry Cameron, he promised me he would treat you well," he said firmly.

Isabella let out a mocking laugh. It was unbelievable that Hudson was pushing her into a burning pit.

Slowly, she lowered her eyes, hiding the pain. In a subdued voice, she asked, "Did you ever love me?"

As a child, she'd envied her neighbor's relationship with his daughter. Her own father had always been cold and disdainful. She'd believed good grades would earn his affection, but no matter how high her scores—first in class, first in the grade—Hudson never gave her a second glance.

After her mother died, Molly and Ivana moved in, and Hudson became even more indifferent. Ivana, the true princess of the house, easily stole all her hopes. Everything proved Hudson didn't care for her at all.

Now, anger contorted Hudson's face. He slammed his palm on the table, rattling the cups.

Hudson glared at Isabella, his voice low and cold. "Are you done yet? If I didn't love you, would I go to the trouble of arranging a marriage with the Lane family for you?"

This daughter has always been a headache. Even now, she's going against me! The Lane family agreed to collaborate; if she refused to marry into their family, all those plans would go down the drain, he thought.

Hudson pointed at Isabella, attempting a softer tone. "The Lane family is loaded. If you marry into them, you'll be Mrs. Lane, living a life of luxury. Isn't that a good thing?"

Isabella felt her body go rigid, disbelief washing over her.