Chapter 46

Isabel sneered. "Seriously? You want Blake to be with Amelia? Didn't she and I switch identities? Her fiancé is a liar. She flaunted their relationship in front of me. They're together, right? And now she wants my fiancé?"

The Clydes looked sullen. They knew it was a preposterous request, but reasoned that the Galvers' poverty might make them amenable to trading Blake for $150,000.

Caius said, "Isabel, $150,000 is a considerable sum. Besides, you can find a better man. Why cling to Blake? He was Amelia's fiancé. Even with your identity switch, engagements should remain… consistent."

Isabel sneered inwardly. How shameless! she thought. How could he say that?

The Swansons had given them a hard time, relying entirely on Ethan's endorsements to cover the Yates family's connections. They're certainly skilled schemers, she thought. Am I a pushover in their eyes?

Noticing Isabel's silence, Rosy added, "$150,000 is a substantial amount. It's enough for the Galvez family to live comfortably for months. Isabel, come on. I've always looked out for you. After all, you've lived with us for eighteen years, and I've always treated you like my own daughter. Why would I harm you?"

Isabel, however, remained unconvinced. Disdain and fury filled her eyes as she retorted sternly, "Seriously? You think I should be grateful for a measly $150,000? I've changed, Mrs. Clyde. The Galvez family isn't what it used to be. Alex earns $200,000 a year, Jack earns $400,000, and Roy works at Dely Studio. We're not short of money at all."

The Clydes truly look down on us, she mused. Their offer is less than Alex's annual salary. How laughable.

Rosy was shocked. Dely Studio? she thought. It's nearly impossible to secure a position there. I once tried to use my friendship with Arial to get one of my sons in, but I failed. And now, a Galvez works there?

Meanwhile, Amelia seethed. Who knew? she thought. After I left, the Galvez family became so prosperous. When I was with them, they were destitute. Compared to them, the Clydes are in a pathetic situation.

But that doesn't mean I'll give up, she continued. I want Blake. He's so handsome, and Liam is nothing compared to him. I'll make Liam regret this.

With that thought in mind, she said, "Isabel, if you think the money isn't enough, I can offer $300,000. Surely that's enough to stay away from Blake? Besides, you were infatuated with Liam before, weren't you? He has feelings for you. You're lucky to marry into the Swanson family."

"Do you think I'm stupid?" Isabel sneered. "Only you would fall for that liar. He's a jerk. I've never been interested in him."

Amelia's face fell, and she remained silent. Isabel makes it sound like she didn't want Liam, and I'm getting her leftovers, she thought. Then what about all those times I showed off our affection in front of Isabel? Was she secretly laughing at me? Am I a fool in her eyes?

Seeing Amelia ridiculed, her brothers intervened.

Ethan snapped, "Isabel, that's enough. We're asking you humbly. What else do you want? Are you deliberately humiliating us?"

Isabel glanced at him. "I didn't want to be here. You called me. Don't blame me." She'd already fallen out with the Clydes, and she didn't mind making things messy.

Roger said, "Have some shame, Isabel. Blake was Amelia's fiancé to begin with. Be sensible and leave so they can be together again."

Lucas echoed, "He's right. The Swansons said you were engaged to Liam. Just go be with him. Stop standing in Amelia's way."

Amelia, overjoyed at their support, looked at Isabel triumphantly.

Isabel, however, glared at them and said sternly, "You're all hypocrites. I'm not a pushover. I'm no longer a Clyde, and you have no right to judge me. Even if I step aside, Blake won't be with Amelia. He despises you."

"How dare you insult us, you bitch!" Roger cursed, lunging towards Isabel. She caught his hand.

Stunned by her strength, he thought, What's going on? How is Isabel so strong?

"How dare you lay a finger on me! Stay away from me!" Isabel said with disdain.

"Enough! Stop it!" Rosy snapped.

Only then did Roger and Isabel fall silent.

Rosy continued, "Isabel, though you aren't my daughter, you lived with us for eighteen years, and we provided for you. You had everything handed to you, while Amelia, my real daughter, suffered. You lived a happier life. You should repay us."

Moral kidnapping? Isabel thought. Now that playing tough isn't working, she's resorting to guilt-tripping?

She argued, "Mrs. Clyde, you left me with an old woman in a village when I was three. I didn't return until a few years ago. How much time did you spend with me? You never asked how I was doing. What's the difference between me and an orphan? No one came to my parents' meetings. Why should I repay you? Were you ever kind to me?"

Not to mention I've already repaid them, she thought. Every time Dely Studio released a new product, I gave her a 50% discount. I know she resold them for a profit. She knows better than anyone. And with Oceania Group's support, the Clyde Group went from unknown to a listed company. Isn't that enough? I used to think their lack of contact was due to their busy schedules, but I was wrong. They're heartless.

Isabel's words left Rosy speechless.

"Isabel, you're stubborn," Roger threatened. "If you offend us, we'll go after the Galvez family."

Playing tough again, Isabel thought.

Her icy glare sent goosebumps down Roger's arm.

After a few seconds, she said, "Go ahead. See if you can. A word of advice: Don't do anything stupid. You're the ones in trouble these days."

With that, she left.