Chapter 71

“Yes, it’s true,” Samuel admitted with a sigh. “But Emily’s wrong. You all turned it down.”

The second branch’s faces darkened.

“Even if that’s true, the proposal was originally meant for Guinevere,” William shot back.

Hannah, finally fed up, stepped forward. “Williams, let’s not twist the story! Back then, the Yates family chose Guinevere, but she refused, calling Blake a cripple. You didn’t want the engagement, so you pushed Amelia forward as a scapegoat. And now you want to rewrite history?”

Emily’s tone sharpened, her words dripping with disdain. “Well, aren’t you bold, Hannah! Just because your husband’s walking again, you think you’re running the show? This is the Galvez family estate, not a place for someone like you to speak.”

Isabel’s temper flared instantly. “Aunt Emily,” she replied coolly, “if my mother doesn’t belong here, then neither do you. No matter where she came from, she’s my father’s rightful wife. If she has no right to speak, what makes you think you do?”

“Mind your manners! How dare you interrupt your elders!” Emily snapped through clenched teeth.

“Exactly! Who do you think you are?” Guinevere chimed in, her voice full of venom.

Isabel didn’t flinch. Stepping closer to Guinevere, her voice dropped, cold and sharp. “If I’m not allowed to speak, what gives you the right? Unless you’ve suddenly gone deaf.”

Guinevere froze, caught completely off guard.

“Samuel,” the matriarch’s icy voice cut through the tension, “are you really going to let your wife and daughter act this way? Have you lost all control of your household?”

Samuel’s tone was calm, almost dismissive. “I can’t control them.”

The matriarch stared, stunned. Her ever-loyal eldest son, now defiant! She narrowed her eyes at Hannah, convinced this was her doing.

But Hannah, now emboldened, stood her ground. “Let’s not forget,” she said firmly, “when the Yates family proposed, they brought 300 million in cash, a company, and countless jewels. We took the engagement to cover for you, yet not a cent of that dowry came to us. While we struggled, you all split the benefits. And now that Blake is thriving, you suddenly want to claim it was yours all along? Don’t think we don’t see through you.”

Isabel’s stomach twisted. Wait, the Yates family gave a dowry? Those heartless people didn’t give her father’s family a dime, left them to struggle in the suburbs, and now they’re still bullying them!

The second and third branches shifted uncomfortably. The truth was, the 150 million had been split between the two branches, with the remaining 150 million going into the matriarch’s personal account. The company had been placed under her name, and the jewels were divided as well.

Old Mrs. Galvez slammed her hand against the table, her expression thunderous. “Enough!” she barked, her voice trembling with anger.

Her sharp gaze turned on Hannah. “Samuel, since you refuse to discipline your wife, I will. Hannah, you’ve become completely unruly! Your lowly background was already a stain on this family, and now you dare run your mouth in my home? Standing here is a privilege I allowed, yet you’ve overstepped. Guards, teach her a lesson!”

A black-coated guard stepped forward, holding an iron ruler. Old Mrs. Galvez’s punishments were infamous. Back in her prime, anyone who disobeyed was met with either kneeling for hours or taking blows from the iron ruler. Even Emily and Guinevere flinched; both had been struck before and knew just how brutal it could be. One hit was enough to leave a swollen welt for days.

The sight of the iron ruler made Hannah’s legs go weak. She’d felt its wrath before, almost losing teeth to it. The memory of that pain left her shaken. The matriarch had her methods. Daughters-in-law got slapped across the face without hesitation, while grandkids were hit on the hand to prevent ruining their looks. No such concern for the in-laws.

Seeing how terrified Hannah was, Isabel finally understood why her mother had been so cautious during their last visit; she’d been through this before. Life in a wealthy family was anything but easy.

“Mom, you can’t just hit people!” Samuel stepped forward, shielding his wife.

Old Mrs. Galvez replied coldly, “I told you to discipline your wife and daughter. Since you…”

“I dare anyone to try!” Isabel’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. No one was laying a hand on her mother, not while she was here. “I’ll do it myself!”

Samuel’s patience snapped. “Mother, if this is what you’re planning, we’re leaving. And don’t expect me to come back, no matter how much you want me to be.”

As he moved to leave with his family, William stepped in, blocking their path. “Hold on, Samuel. You can leave, but not before returning what belongs to Guinevere,” he demanded.

“You mean the Yates engagement?” Samuel asked, his tone cold.

“Exactly! It was always meant for our Guinevere. The Yates engagement was Guinevere’s, and their gifts were meant for her, not you,” Emily chimed in smugly, her chin lifted with self-satisfaction. Next to her, Guinevere stood like a preening peacock, confident they had the upper hand.

“No, Samuel, we can’t let them have Blake!” Hannah’s voice shook with urgency. “He cares about Isabel; anyone can see that! I won’t let him be ruined because of me.”

“I’ve got this,” Samuel assured her gently.

Isabel smirked. Good thing she’d shown up today; otherwise, her parents might have been steamrolled. “Dad, Mom, stop worrying,” she said smoothly. “The engagement… I’ll give it up.”

The room froze. Shock rippled through everyone like a tidal wave. No one expected Isabel to back down from such a coveted match.

“Are you sure?” Emily asked, her surprise barely hiding her triumph.

“Completely,” Isabel replied, her voice calm but unreadable.

“Isabel, don’t!” Samuel said sharply. “I may not have much power, but I’ll never let them take this from you. This is your future!”

“He’s right!” Hannah cried. “We won’t bow down, not for this!”