Chapter 381: Calm Before the Storm (+5 Pearls)

Christopher was speechless at Carlos's behavior. I don't know what to say about my cousin. Can't he feel what his own body has been through? I planned to enjoy the drama, but now I can't stir up trouble. I have to keep this secret; otherwise, wouldn't we be bullying Sylvie? After all, this is her choice.

Alexander knew that if this matter came to light, it should be discovered by Carlos himself or revealed by Sylvie. No one else had the right to interfere.

"You sent me a text. That's how we got here on time," Alexander explained simply.

Carlos was taken aback. "A text?"

Isabella and Christopher's hearts skipped a beat. Would he discover something?

Alexander couldn't hide the truth, especially since the text was on Carlos's phone.

Carlos seemed confused, so he didn't care whether he'd sent a text or made a call. He assumed his disorientation was due to medication, leading him to message Alexander in his befuddled state. He attributed the unfamiliar sensations in his body to resisting the medication.

His entire focus was on Penelope.

"I must have been blind! I never thought I'd encounter such a crazy woman!" Carlos raged from his hospital bed.

Sarah immediately asked him what had happened.

Carlos explained, and the others relayed their experiences.

Hearing that Penelope had been taken away by ambulance, Carlos was furious.

"This girl had it coming. She almost died," Sarah seethed. Sternly, she added, "Carlos, let me handle this."

The message was clear: they intended to teach Penelope a lesson. No one should mistake the Quirk family's kindness for weakness. Crossing them came with a price.

No one played the saint, and Carlos didn't intervene. He knew his older sister was protective but wouldn't go overboard.

After a tumultuous night, only Carlos remained in the hospital for observation. Everyone else returned to the Quirk estate to rest. Isabella was exhausted, sleeping soundly until well into the afternoon.

Before fully waking, she heard urgent knocking and Rosalie's voice. "Bella! Bella! Trouble! Are you awake?"

Isabella jolted awake and answered the door to find Evian and Rosalie.

"What happened?" Isabella exclaimed.

Rosalie anxiously said, "Penelope falsely accused Carlos, and he's been summoned by the police."

Isabella gasped. "Huh?"

Janice quickly placed her phone in front of Isabella. Displayed was a popular forum at Yrinas University, showing the day's trending post.

"Bella, this has the latest information," Janice said. She'd only realized something was wrong after hearing classmates gossip at the university. By the time she contacted everyone, it was too late. The police had already taken Carlos.

"Alexander and the others rushed from headquarters," Evian said. "Sarah and Christopher left immediately. We came for you."

Isabella was perplexed. "We should be suing Penelope after last night! How can she sue Carlos?"

Completely bewildered, Isabella freshened up, changed, and left with everyone else.

In the car, she studied the post on Janice's phone and used her mental system to gather information.

The post was anonymous, but Isabella discovered the truth through her system. Penelope had lost so much blood she fainted and was hospitalized the night before. Yet, she'd managed to anonymously post slanderous messages about Carlos in the middle of the night. It was as if she was bent on destroying him if she couldn't have him. This woman is truly mad.

The post portrayed Penelope as a pure-hearted music student initially thrilled when Carlos accepted her. However, Carlos was a devil in disguise, exploiting his position to intimidate and harass her. Powerless and insignificant against his high status and powerful background, she'd struggled to survive under his control. Carlos wanted to control and toy with her, which she adamantly resisted.