Chapter 16
In the evening, Isabel arrived home to find Hannah ushering her toward a boy sitting in a chair. "Isabel, this is your brother, Simon. He's home for the weekend," Hannah announced eagerly. The boy glanced at Isabel briefly before storming into another room and slamming the door.
Isabel frowned. Her younger brother wasn't exactly welcoming, but she understood; it was likely a typical teenage rebellion. They hadn't met before, so a lack of immediate connection was understandable.
Hannah, clearly uncomfortable, mumbled, "Simon..."
"It's fine, Mom," Isabel reassured her. "I'll go check on Dad and see how he's doing."
Hannah sighed and followed her. Samuel was improving; with his rehabilitation equipment, he could move around independently.
At that moment, Hannah's phone rang. Her expression turned serious as she answered. "Hannah, what's wrong?" Samuel asked, noticing the change.
"It's... it's from the manor," Hannah said, her voice low. "They want to see Isabel."
Isabel froze. The manor? They only owned this house, didn't they? Hannah explained, sensing Isabel's confusion, "The Galvez family isn't just rich—there's the Galvez Corporation. Your father's family has two other branches living at the manor. The main branch pushed your father and his family out years ago, and they haven't been in touch since."
"We can just ignore them," Isabel frowned.
"But that's your grandmother. Ignoring her could cause trouble," Hannah pleaded.
"You should go," Samuel agreed. "You should at least hear her out."
Isabel, seeing how much it meant to her parents, reluctantly agreed to visit the next day.
The following morning, Hannah prepared fresh vegetables from their garden to take to the manor. "Isabel, let's go! I would have gone with your dad, but with his leg, it's just me and you today," Hannah said with a strained smile.
They took public transport and a cab across the city to the Galvez manor. The grand estate was clearly wealthy, though not on the level of the top-tier families. It was a stark contrast to the hardships her family had faced.
The butler's unwelcoming attitude suggested they were unwelcome country cousins. "Come in. Madam Galvez has been waiting," he said curtly.
Hannah urged Isabel inside. Isabel carried a basket of vegetables, despite telling her mother it was unnecessary. Going empty-handed felt rude.
Inside the opulent foyer, the Galvez family was assembled. Madam Galvez, Isabel's grandmother, was an older woman with dark, likely dyed, hair. Her sharp expression revealed a woman who knew how to get what she wanted.
"Ah, finally! Took you long enough to show up!" Emily, Isabel's aunt, sneered.
Hannah apologized for the traffic, explaining they'd taken the bus. She then attempted to graciously present the vegetables, but was interrupted by Grace, another aunt, who dismissed them as "grass" and an insult.
The rest of the family snickered. Madam Galvez commanded, "Enough. Take that away before it dirties the carpet," her disdain palpable.
Isabel raised an eyebrow. She noted the stark difference in treatment; Emily and Grace were adorned in gold and jewels, acting superior. It was all about status, she realized.
Madam Galvez's eyes fell on Isabel. "So, you're the one they swapped out for the fake one?" she sneered.
Hannah introduced Isabel to her grandmother and aunts and uncles, but Isabel remained unresponsive to the judgmental stares. Madam Galvez then dismissed Hannah, wanting to speak with Isabel alone.
Madam Galvez's tone softened, but the shift felt artificial. Isabel responded coolly, "If there's something you want to say, just say it."
Madam Galvez inquired about Isabel's previous association with the Clyde family, clearly trying to leverage her connection. Isabel denied any ongoing contact.
Emily sneered, sarcastically suggesting the Clydes should help their family. Isabel retorted, "Funny you'd say that. Even blood relatives don't always step up, so why would you expect anything from people who aren't even family?"
The room fell silent. Before Emily could respond, Madam Galvez snapped, "Enough. Quiet."