Chapter 90
Yalene looked at Isabella with a reassuring smile and said, “Your grandpa and I are doing quite well. Don’t worry about us.” While saying this, she gently patted Isabella’s hand again with concern and said, “But you’re too kind-hearted, Isabella. If anyone bullies you, make sure to tell Grandma and Grandpa.”
Isabella’s personality was very much like her mother’s. To avoid making them worry, she chose to handle everything by herself. In the end, she was the one who got hurt.
Isabella felt deeply moved; it was only with Grandpa, Grandma, and Uncle that she felt sheltered. She nodded with a smile. “Got it, Grandma. I’m grown up now and know how to take care of myself. I won’t let anyone mess with me.”
The Isabella of the past was long gone.
Yalene nodded with a smile. “That’s good to hear.”
Isabella turned towards Terron with a serious look and said, “Grandpa, I want to join the Stout Group, and I hope you can help me.” Only with Grandpa’s help would she join the company smoothly. After all, she was still new to this and going alone wouldn’t convince anyone.
Yalene and Terron exchanged a look of surprise and thought, ‘No wonder she asked about the Stout Group’s shares today!’
Terron looked at Isabella and laughed warmly. “It looks like my granddaughter is ready.” His gaze at Isabella was filled with admiration. Isabella was clearly different from before when she returned this time.
Just then, a voice came from the doorway. “Who’s ready? Ready for what?” All three of them turned their heads to look at the door.
Ethan walked in, dressed in a custom-tailored black suit. He looked a lot like Terron and gave off an aura of genuine integrity. As soon as Ethan Guzman entered the yard, he saw Isabella. His eyes lit up instantly, and he asked, “Bella, you’re here?”
Isabella stood up and looked at Ethan with a smile. “Uncle.” It had been a long time since she’d last seen her uncle, and he seemed just as energetic as ever.
Ethan quickened his pace a bit and approached Isabella and the elders. With a smile, he asked, “What were you talking about just now? I could hear you before I even got into the yard.”
Yalene chuckled and said, “Bella was saying she wanted to join the Stout Group.” Yalene was happy that Isabella had such ambitions. Once she took charge of the Stout Group, nobody would dare to bully her.
Ethan casually picked up a tomato from the stone table, walked over to the sink to wash it, and took a bite. “Why join the Stout Group? Come to the Guzman Group. I’m waiting for you to take it over.” He said with sincerity, without a hint of a joke.
Isabella just laughed and shook her head. “Uncle, spare me. I can’t even manage the mess at the Stout Group, let alone tackle the Guzman Group. It would wear me out.” Her expression cooled a bit as she added, “Besides, why should I make things easier for Molly and her daughter?” It was the hard work of Grandpa’s family and had nothing to do with Molly and her daughter.
The three members of the Guzman family looked at Isabella with eyes full of sympathy. Over the years, they were aware that Isabella hadn’t had it easy. But she had never spoken up, and she didn’t live with them, so they were in the dark about many things. Given Isabella’s current reaction, it was likely she had endured a lot these past few years. The Guzman family was known for defending its family members.
In a moment, Ethan understood what Isabella meant and decided not to get in the way. He stepped forward, gave Isabella’s shoulder a reassuring pat, and finished the last tomato in his hand before saying sincerely, “I’ve got your back. Whatever you want to do, just go for it. If you need my help, just tell me.”
They stood unconditionally behind Isabella. Isabella’s eyes were a little teary. She looked at Ethan and nodded firmly. “Okay, thank you, Uncle.”
But Ethan waved it off. “We’re family, no need for thanks. I’ll ask Auntie to prepare some food, and you chat with Grandma.” Saying this, he began walking towards the living room.
Terron got up as well. “I’ll get some water.”
Isabella sat next to Yalene, watching her grandpa and uncle leave, unable to suppress a small smile. It was nice to stay with the Guzman family.
With a gentle smile on her face, Yalene watched Isabella and softly called her. “Sweetie, Grandma’s got a question for you.”
Isabella turned to Yalene, a bit puzzled. “What is it, Grandma?”
Isabella thought, ‘Is Grandma going to ask if Molly had bullied me in the Stout family?’ Isabella was thinking about how to answer so Grandma wouldn’t worry. But the next moment, she was surprised.
Yalene propped her head with one hand, gently fanning herself with the other, and chuckled softly. “Do you have a boyfriend?” Yalene thought, Our Bella was cute and old enough to start dating.
Isabella was taken aback, a boyfriend… The image of Samuel flashed through her mind. She smiled, shaking her head. “No boyfriend.” Isabella didn’t want to tell Terron and Yalene about the existence of Samuel just yet so quickly, for fear of shocking them. Besides, she wasn’t lying; she really didn’t have a boyfriend, only a husband. Besides, she felt foolish for keeping quiet the past affairs with Jayden. He had asked her to keep it a secret. She had agreed and didn’t tell Terron and Yalene, not wanting to make things hard for him.
Gently stroking Isabella’s hand, Yalene said softly, “If you meet someone you like, don’t hesitate to give it a try. Don’t close yourself off; learn to express your feelings while you’re young.” Isabella’s personality was too reserved. Yalene was always worried that she wouldn’t figure things out when it came to this. She hoped to see Isabella get married and have kids, living a happy life during her lifetime.
A slight awkwardness crossed Isabella’s face, but she smiled, “I know, Grandma, don’t worry about me.”
Yalene looked at Isabella and nodded, smiling. Yalene thought, This time, Bella seemed different from before. But this change was good. Isabella had finally grown up.
After that, Isabella chatted with her family, friendly and laughing, until dinner was over when she excused herself. Grandma wanted her to stay with them for a longer time, but she politely declined at the thought of Samuel. Grandma, with no other option, packed her with lots of food and reminded her to visit often. Isabella nodded, looking back frequently as she left.
At night, in the Riverside Villa, the white curtains in Isabella’s room swayed gently with the breeze, and a bottle of incense on the white oak cabinet spread a fresh, elegant scent throughout the room. The whole room felt warm and comfortable.
Isabella came out of the bathroom after taking a shower, wrapped her wet hair in a towel, and sat at her wooden vanity to do her skincare routine. Noticing the bouquet on her vanity was starting to wilt, she frowned slightly, realizing it was time to replace the flowers. Isabella opened the jar of face cream, but the lid accidentally slipped from her fingers and fell to the floor.
She looked at the lid on the off-white carpet and was just about to bend down to pick it up when Samuel beat her to it, placing it back on the vanity for her.
Isabella looked at Samuel with some surprise. “Weren’t you supposed to work late tonight?” When she left the house this morning, she remembered that Perry had briefed him on today’s schedule, which went until 10 PM. Isabella instinctively glanced at the phone on the table; it was not even nine yet.
Samuel’s lips curled slightly as he replied in a soft voice. “Yeah, finished early.” As he spoke, he brought out a bouquet of flowers from behind and presented it to Isabella.
Isabella was a bit stunned by the sudden appearance of the champagne roses, unsure why he suddenly decided to bring flowers. She glanced at Samuel with a confused look. A hint of awkwardness flickered in Samuel’s eyes before he turned aside and casually said, “I just happened to pass by on my way back.” He placed the roses on the vanity and headed toward the closet. “The flowers on your desk needed replacing, so I picked these up.”