Chapter 66

Rosy’s face lit up with excitement. “Are you sure about this?” she asked eagerly.

“Absolutely,” Ethan replied, taking a sip of water. “Clive Vates was beaten up. Isabel’s completely out of control. She’s managed to offend almost everyone in the Yates family.”

“Mom, doesn’t this mean I have a chance?” Amelia chimed in, her voice brimming with hope. Ever since the Calvers had moved into Golden Villa, Amelia couldn’t shake her jealousy. That estate was leagues above the Clyde family mansion. Jealousy burned within her. She’d never had such luck when she was with the Galvezs. Now that she was gone, they were thriving. Why didn’t she deserve that life?

“You might,” Ethan agreed. “If Mom takes you to the Yates estate and shows them what you can offer, they might think twice about Isabel. It’s worth a shot.” His motives were clear: balancing his acting gigs and endorsements was draining him. If the Clyde family could connect with the Yates, life would be much easier.

“Stunning. You need to make an impression,” he added.

Rosy stood. “Let’s go. We’re taking Amelia to visit the Yates right now! Amelia, change into something stunning and leave Isabel in the dust!” she ordered, wasting no time. Caius Clyde, as usual, silently followed his wife’s lead.

At the Yates estate, a servant informed Yolanda Yates of the Clydes’ arrival. Yolanda raised an eyebrow. “The Clydes? Never heard of them. Send them away?” A small family like the Clydes daring to visit her? As the Yates’ third branch matriarch, she didn’t meet just anyone.

“But there’s been a misunderstanding about the chosen daughter-in-law,” the servant added. “They insist on explaining.”

Yolanda hesitated, then waved her hand. “What a lousy excuse. Fine. Bring them in. If they’re wasting my time, they’ll regret it.” Only then did the servant invite the Clydes in.

As the Clydes stepped into the Yates estate, Amelia’s jaw nearly dropped. “Mom, this place is incredible!” The Clyde mansion was grand, but this was in a league of its own. The sprawling estate felt more like a private city; even moving between rooms required a car.

“Of course. The Yates family’s wealth ranks in the global top ten,” Rosy said, her eyes gleaming with determination. “Exactly why we need this connection. If we can secure the Yates, it’ll change everything.” Rosy had made up her mind; she had to reclaim what rightfully belonged to her daughter. She turned to Amelia, her tone firm. “This is your chance. Impress Madam Yolanda. She’s Blake’s mother. If she likes you, you’re as good as in.”

Amelia nodded, her confidence building. Now she realized how shortsighted she’d been. She once treated Liam Swanson like a prize, not knowing Blake was the real catch.

Hardly a true powerhouse compared to the Yates family, the Swansons didn’t even measure up. As they entered the lounge, the Clyde family looked visibly uneasy. This was, after all, the home of true wealth.

Rosy stepped forward, nervously but determined. “Mrs. Yates, thank you for seeing us. I’m Rosy Clyde, this is my husband Caius, and our daughter Amelia.”

Yolanda didn’t bother offering tea. She simply asked, “You’re claiming we’ve chosen the wrong daughter-in-law! Care to explain?”

Rosy took a deep breath, launching into the story of the so-called real and fake fiancées, hoping to sway Yolanda’s favor. “Madam Yolanda, the original engagement was for Amelia to marry Blake. Only because of a mix-up did we switch daughters. Amelia is the rightful fiancée!”

Yolanda hadn’t expected such twists and turns. Her gaze shifted to Amelia. “Your name is Amelia?”

“Yes, Madam Yolanda. I grew up with the Calvers and endured so much. When no one else agreed to marry Blake, I stepped up. But after reuniting with my real family, they abandoned me, insisting Isabel is the rightful fiancée.”

Yolanda said nothing, but she smirked inwardly. Rosy and Caius exchanged anxious glances. Unsure of what Yolanda was thinking, she remained silent, and the tension in the room grew.

Finally, Yolanda extended her hand to Amelia. “Come here, dear.” Amelia hesitated until Rosy gave her a nudge. Yolanda took Amelia’s hand and looked her over.

“You’ve been through a lot,” Yolanda said, her tone soft but distant. “You made the sacrifice, yet Isabel reaps the rewards. That hardly seems fair.”

Amelia’s eyes lit up. Emboldened, she blurted, “Exactly! That woman stole my life and fiancé. She doesn’t deserve any of it!”

Rosy motioned for her to shut up, but Yolanda waved it off with a smile. “No need to silence her,” Yolanda said coolly. “I like her honesty. But Blake has chosen Isabel, and I can’t force him to change his mind. If you can sway him, though, I’ll support you. You’re charming enough to have a chance.”

Rosy and Caius brightened, bowing in gratitude. “Thank you, Madam Yolanda. To be honest, Isabel has always been difficult. She’s rude to elders, undisciplined, completely unsuitable for Blake. We tried to handle her, but it’s impossible. If she’s caused you trouble, please forgive us.” Their intent was clear: undermine Isabel to elevate Amelia. Plus, Isabel had already angered the Vates family, making her even less likable to them.

“That’s enough for today. You can leave now,” Yolanda said. She saw through the Clyde family’s intentions and had no time for idle chatter.

After they left, Yolanda’s maid, Marcy, stepped forward. “Ma’am, are you seriously considering Amelia? The Clydes reek of desperation. And Amelia’s scandal with the Swansons isn’t exactly a secret. She’s already been married.”

Yolanda took a sip of tea, her voice calm. “Of course I see through them. They’re opportunists.”

“Then why entertain them?”

“Because I want to see how far they’ll go. Isabel is too headstrong; she defied me on her first day. If the Clydes can push her out, it saves me the trouble. Either way, I win.”

Marcy nodded. “As sharp as ever, ma’am.”

Yolanda’s expression darkened. “And what about Morris?”

Yolanda’s lips thinned. “He refuses to prepare for his role in the family. At this rate, there’ll be no place for him.”

At the University of Ardentall, Seraphina Flynn leaned in closer to Isabel with a teasing grin. “So, I hear your fiancé’s been picking you up every day. Guys like that are one in a million.”

“It was his idea to come. I’m honestly over it,” Isabel said flatly. She had always been used to doing things on her own. Apart from Seraphina, she didn’t keep friends, which made her classmates think she was cold and stuck-up. Yvette, especially, couldn’t stand her, convinced Isabel’s quiet confidence was just an act.

“I think Blake’s solid,” Seraphina mused. “You saved his life; he probably feels like he owes you forever.” Seraphina thought Isabel needed someone by her side; she was always alone.

“You don’t know half of it,” Isabel scoffed. “That Yates family is a disaster.”

“Typical rich family drama,” Seraphina shrugged. “I heard his dad married three times. But you! You’re no pushover; you can handle it.”

Isabel was about to share what happened at the Yates estate when her phone buzzed. She picked it up and answered.

“Is this Isabel Clyde?” a slurred voice asked. “Your brother Simon’s been in a fight at our restaurant. He’s in bad shape; you need to come now!”