Chapter 18

A group of bodyguards stormed from the manor to intercept Isabel and Hannah. “Grab them! I’ll teach them a lesson!” Madam Galvez’s voice boomed, slicing through the tension.

Emily watched with glee, a wicked smile twisting her lips. “I knew today would be fun. A brat like her has no manners—she deserves a beating!”

Hannah’s face paled as the bodyguards advanced. Panic seized her. “Isabel… What should we do? Madam Galvez will make us suffer,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

Isabel’s eyes narrowed, her grip tightening on her mother’s hand. “Is that so? Let’s see who suffers.” She yanked Hannah forward, moving swiftly toward the exit.

“Grab them! Hurry!” Emily shouted.

The bodyguards surged toward them, but Isabel didn't flinch. With a blur of precise movements, she sent one tumbling with a single strike. Using only one hand—the other firmly holding her mother's—she effortlessly knocked down another. A final swift kick sent the last bodyguard flying into Madam Galvez's feet.

A collective gasp echoed as disbelief rippled through the room. Only when the last bodyguard lay sprawled did Isabel halt, her expression icy. Her gaze swept the stunned crowd, sharp and cold.

“Anyone who dares touch my parents will regret it,” she declared. “And since you’ve already cast us out, we’ll never set foot in this place again.”

Without waiting for a response, Isabel pulled Hannah away, leaving the crowd speechless.

“Isabel, I think we really angered them,” Hannah’s heart raced.

Isabel’s jaw tightened, but her voice remained steady. “Don’t be scared, Mom. From now on, we stand tall. We owe them nothing.”

“And those vegetables you’ve worked so hard to grow—I’ll feed them to animals before I hand them over to people like that,” Isabel added.

Hannah nodded, a surge of unexpected confidence washing over her. For the first time in a long time, she felt grounded. This courage stemmed from Isabel, and she couldn’t be prouder. She’d always been quiet, her husband easygoing and passive. They’d always been the ones to step back.

Back at the Galvez manor, chaos reigned. Bodyguards groaned on the floor amidst overturned tables, shattered plates, and spilled food. The pristine dining room was a mess.

“This is outrageous! I’ve never seen anything like this!” Emily raged.

“How barbaric! And she’s from the Clyde family? No class, no manners! Nothing like Joanna,” the others agreed.

Joanna stood frozen, her smug expression gone. A strange feeling gnawed at her. While others condemned Isabel, Joanna envied her courage to act on her own terms—something she’d never dared. No one had ever dared act so boldly before Madam Galvez.

“Enough!” Madam Galvez barked, slamming her cane on the floor. “Clean this up, now!”

William stepped forward, steadying Madam Galvez. “Mother, how can you let this go? That girl is so disrespectful—she needs to be taught a lesson?”

Madam Galvez’s eyes flickered. “I never thought I’d see such spirit. She’s got guts, at least.”

William, astonished, looked at his mother. Was she… impressed? Then Madam Galvez scoffed. “Though she’s been kicked out, she’s still my blood. No one makes waves. They need to apologize in person.” She possessed an assertiveness unlike anyone else in the family.

“She has spirit, but I can never forgive her for defying me!” she thought. “Here, no one crosses me, not even my own blood.”

Isabel dropped Hannah off at home. Her phone rang—it was Chris. “Boss, Joseph Wales is indeed in cahoots with Liam Swanson. They’ve been in contact frequently,” Chris reported. “Joseph is Benjamin Luther's brother-in-law—or rather, his mistress’s brother. Using Benjamin’s connections, he got a minor role at Sunpeak Construction. He’s incompetent. What’s your move?”

Isabel smirked. “Does Mrs. Luther know about this? I think she should.”

“Take care of it, Boss,” Chris replied.

“It’s time to bait Clyde Group,” Isabel instructed. “We need them to cough up some gains.”

“Roger that,” Chris answered, hanging up.

Before the day ended, Isabel visited the hospital. Blake was overjoyed to see her. He'd realized a strange emptiness in her absence. Isabel held out his pills and water. “Here, take them.”

Blake obediently swallowed the pills. A drop lingered on his lips, and Isabel delicately wiped it away. He was mesmerized by her tenderness.

“I’ll bring you some tomorrow,” Isabel said, leaning back. “It’ll be easier for me to keep an eye on you.”

“You’re right,” Blake replied softly.

After taking Blake home, Isabel called a cab. Alex was waiting, practically bouncing with excitement. “I’ve got Blake covered!” he grinned, scooping Blake up effortlessly.

“Be gentle,” Isabel warned.

Alex chuckled, settling Blake gently onto the bed. Blake murmured a soft “thank you,” still a little dazed.

Alex beamed. “Don’t worry. I’ve got all the time to take care of you. If you’re bored, just holler. I’ll take you for a walk!”

Blake smiled faintly, the warmth of family settling in. For the first time, he felt he truly belonged.