Return Of The Reborn Princess

Chapter 1 The Dismembered Heiress

The entire city of Ardenfall was in shock that day.

News spread fast about a horrific dismemberment involving a local socialite.

The victim was Isabel Clyde, the cherished daughter of the Clyde family. The family owned a huge business empire.

Her severed head was discovered by a fisherman along the riverbank.

Other parts of her body, however, were still missing.

When the news broke, her family was overcome with grief, crying out in despair.

Isabel was the only daughter of the Clyde family. She had doting parents and five older brothers who adored her.

"Is this really happening? Am I really dead?" Isabel stared in disbelief at her parents and brothers, who were crying uncontrollably.

A group of reporters stood nearby, snapping pictures of the heartbreaking scene.

"Dad, Mom, and my brothers, it's me—Isabel!" Isabel tried to step forward, but then she felt herself drifting away.

Looking down at herself, she suddenly realized—she had become a spirit.

She remembered the day before: dining with her family at a restaurant, then getting into a car. After that, everything went black.

Her family wept, begging the police to find her killer as soon as possible.

They declined interviews and, under the protection of bodyguards, returned home.

Isabel followed them.

She was still unable to understand why she had to die.

Once they arrived home, something felt off. Her parents and five brothers were no longer consumed by grief.

The overwhelming sorrow that had marked them earlier was gone. They didn't seem to mourn her death at all.

Her father, Caius Clyde, spoke sharply, "Lucian, what the hell were you thinking? You tossed her head in such a public place? It was found almost immediately. Didn't I tell you to get rid of it properly?"

Lucian rushed to defend himself. "Dad, I thought if I dumped it in the river, it would just float away. How was I supposed to know some fisherman would find it? And forget about that—what do I do about the body parts in my car?"

Lucian looked anxious. The missing body parts were hidden in his car.

Her mother, Rosy Clyde, scolded him, "Why didn't you just get rid of everything? Why leave anything behind?"

Lucian's hands trembled as he answered, "I thought I'd spread the pieces around. No one would ever put it together. But if the police find out I've got body parts in my car, I'm done for."

Caius paused, deep in thought. "We'll hold off for now. This family is under police's watch, so it's not the right time to act. We're victims—the family of the deceased. No one will suspect us. Once things settle down, we'll deal with it."

Isabel was in complete shock after hearing this.

She couldn't believe that the people who had killed her were her own family.

Her mind raced, trying to make sense of it all, but she couldn't find any reason why they would want her dead.

The night before, she had shared a meal with them and gotten into a car.

Somehow, she had gotten so drowsy during the ride that she fell asleep.

The next thing she knew, she was dead.

Her body had been torn apart, and her remains were scattered.

"Why would you do this to me?" Isabel screamed in agony.

These were the people closest to her, the ones she loved more than anything in the world.

But her cries were useless. She was now a wandering spirit—unseen and unheard by them. They couldn't see her, couldn't hear her pain.

Just then, her second brother, Maxwell, suddenly shivered.

He frowned, unease creeping over him. "Why do I feel like there's a chill in the air? Is Isabel haunting us?"

Caius shot him a harsh glare. "Stop talking nonsense in broad daylight."

He sighed deeply, his thoughts clearly elsewhere.

Then Caius put on a sad expression and said, "Actually, Isabel was a good girl. She was obedient and very filial to us.

"But, after all, she wasn't our biological daughter. Now that she's gone, it's for the best. We can finally bring our real daughter back."

Isabel felt like she'd been struck by lightning.

It was only now that she understood—she wasn't their biological daughter.

After listening to this whole conversation, Isabel learned that a month ago, the Clyde family discovered that when their child was born, she had been switched at the hospital.

Isabel wasn't their real daughter. Their biological daughter had been given to another family.

They feared that Isabel would one day return to her birth family, taking their wealth with her and giving it all to her real parents.

So, they made the brutal decision to eliminate any future threats.

They had poisoned her drink during dinner, which made her fall asleep in the car.

After killing her, they quietly dismembered her body.

Lucian said, "Well, now everything's fine. Our real sister can finally come home."

Maxwell added, "This fake one should've died a long time ago. She's been living off our family for all these years."

The third brother, Ethan, commented, "No wonder I never liked her. Turns out she wasn't even our real sister."

The fourth brother, Roger, said, "It pains me to think about how our real sister must have suffered all these years."

The fifth brother, Lucas, chimed in, "When our real sister comes back, we'll treat her a thousand times better. She's our real family."

Each of these words felt like a poisoned dagger, slowly twisting and tearing at Isabel's heart.

The people she had once called family were all so cruel.

They had stained their hands with her blood and were now speaking openly about her death like it was just business.

They were merciless because the real heir was finally coming back.

Isabel couldn't understand how they could be so heartless. They were worse than animals.

Furious, Isabel screamed and lunged at her brothers, her fists aiming to tear them apart.

But every time she tried, she passed straight through them. She was nothing but a formless spirit, a wisp of a soul.

She hated them.

She hated them with every fiber of her being.

"Ahhhh..."

Isabel screamed in agony, her voice raw with pain. Suddenly, a beam of white light poured in through the window, surrounding her.

She couldn't open her eyes.

When she came to, she found herself lying in her room.

"Isabel, hurry up, get up! We're going out to eat today," her mother, Rosy Clyde, said cheerfully.

Isabel jolted awake.

Staring at Rosy in front of her, she instinctively pulled her leg under the covers.

It hurt.

'I'm still alive? What's going on?' Isabel thought, confusion clouding her mind.

"Isabel, what's wrong? Didn't you promise to go with Dad and me to the restaurant?" Rosy asked, sounding surprised.

Then it hit her.

Time had turned back. She was back to the day before her dismemberment—the day before the tragedy.

Isabel remembered it clearly. It was Rosy who had come to her room and asked her to go out for a meal. Afterward, she got into the car, and then, she was murdered.

A wave of joy washed over Isabel—she had been reborn. God had given her a second chance.

With the memory of her parents' and brothers' malicious faces fresh in her mind, Isabel knew exactly what she had to do. She would change her fate—the one where she had been dismembered.

"Mom, I'm feeling a bit unwell. I don't want to go to the restaurant. Can we just eat at home instead?" Isabel said, her voice soft but firm.

"What? You promised me!" Rosy exclaimed, sounding surprised.

Everything had been set up, all ready for Isabel to walk straight into their trap.

"Mom, I really don't feel well. It's just a meal. We can eat at home, right? You care about me so much, you wouldn't want to see me uncomfortable, would you?" Isabel pleaded, trying to sound as convincing as possible.

"Should I call our family doctor to check on you?" Rosy asked, still concerned.

"No need, I'll just lie down for a while," Isabel said, flashing a small smile.

Seeing her daughter's state, Rosy hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly agreed and left the room.

Isabel breathed a sigh of relief, her fists clenched tightly beneath the covers.

She silently swore to herself that this time, she would make the Clyde family pay for all they did to her.

After Rosy left the room, she spoke to Caius, "She said she doesn't feel well and won't go."

"She won't go? Our plans are all set. What should we do now?" Caius sounded displeased.

"We can't force her, can we?" Rosy replied.

"It's really frustrating. Our real daughter is out there suffering, and we can't even do anything about it," Caius lamented.

"Dad, Mom, what are you talking about? Real daughter? Am I not your real daughter?" Isabel suddenly appeared, interrupting their conversation.

Caius and Rosy froze, unsure of how to respond.

"Come on, tell me—am I not your biological daughter?" Isabel pressed them.

Under her relentless questioning, Rosy had no choice but to speak the truth.

Rosy said, her voice cold and lacking any warmth, "Isabel, you're right. You're not our biological daughter. When you were born, the hospital mixed up the babies.

"Your real parents are out there, and we planned to switch you back. We were going to tell you later, but now that you know... it's making things easier."

Isabel pretended to feel hurt and sorrowful.

Her goal was clear: she needed to ruin their plans, make sure they no longer thought about killing her.

This time, she would make them pay.

Chapter 2 Swapping The Daughters

The next day came quickly.

Isabel's parents and five brothers, prepared for the day ahead.

Today, they planned to exchange Isabel with the real heir.

Isabel remained silent. She had seen enough of her adoptive parents' and brothers' cruelty to understand their true nature.

"Isabel, don't blame us for being cruel. After all, your real parents are not US. You should be with THEM," Rosy tried to comfort her, sensing Isabel's silence.

"Yeah, you're not my real parents," Isabel murmured.

'It's precisely because I'm not their real daughter that they could plan such a horrific thing,' Isabel thought bitterly.

That family was a den of wolves.

Now, Isabel realized she had spent her whole life surrounded by vicious beasts.

Hatred burned in her chest.

Lucian saw the bag she was carrying and quickly said, "Isabel, none of the Clyde family's things belong to you. You can't take anything with you."

Isabel tossed the bag to him. "Go ahead, check it."

He opened it and found only a few changes of clothes, a few books, and an old, worn-out copper mirror.

Nothing of real value.

Caius, seeing there was nothing important taken, tried to smooth things over.

He said, "Lucian, after all, Isabel has been your sister for so many years. What does it matter if she takes a few things? We won't make a fuss about it."

Lucian sneered, "That's not necessarily true. Her real parents are poor as dirt. I heard they're farming pigs out in the countryside."

Isabel was speechless.

Soon, Isabel and the Clyde family were on their way. After hours of driving, they arrived at the rural area.

The Galvez family lived on the outskirts of the city, where the developers hadn't reached yet.

It was a place that was part countryside, part suburb.

Amelia Galvez, still a simple country girl, would soon become a Clyde and a city lady.

Thinking about that, Amelia couldn't contain her excitement. She sneered and, in a huff, kicked over the nearby pig feed.

"Amelia, what are you doing?" Her soon-to-be "ex-mother", Hannah Galvez, asked as she watched her.

Amelia said, her voice thick with disdain, "Hmph. My real parents are coming to get me soon. I'm the true heiress. All the wealth and luxury that should have belonged to me have been taken by someone else.

"I suspect you deliberately swapped me at the hospital so I could suffer while your daughter enjoyed all the benefits."

When she had thought that she would never be able to change her life, they told her that she was the child switched at birth from a wealthy family.

From that moment on, Amelia's attitude had shifted completely. She became full of herself.

Hannah didn't respond immediately. The words hit her hard.

She knew Amelia had suffered, but hearing her daughter's accusations made her feel helpless and bitter. She couldn't explain why such a strange fate had befallen her family.

After a moment of thought, Hannah realized that Amelia's anger was justified. After all, if her real daughter had lived in poverty for so long, it was only natural that she would feel this way too.

Soon enough, the Clyde family arrived.

Rosy, upon seeing the surroundings, was visibly shocked.

She exclaimed dramatically, "Good heavens. There's still such a poor and shabby place? The roads are full of potholes and gravel. What on earth has my baby girl been through for all these years?"

The rest of the Clyde family also showed signs of sympathy for their real daughter, expressing their concerns.

Isabel, however, remained silent.

"Mom, we've arrived. This is the place," Lucian said, parking the car.

The entire Clyde family got out of the car.

"Honey, my dear daughter, I'm so sorry for all this," Rosy exclaimed, rushing up to Amelia and pulling her into a tight embrace.

She touched Amelia's face, her hands trembling. The nose, eyes, and mouth—every feature was so familiar.

Rosy instantly knew that this was her biological daughter.

Suddenly, everything became clear to her—she had always thought Isabel didn't resemble her at all.

Amelia's eyes sparkled as she saw her real parents.

The luxury car, the entire scene—it all overwhelmed her, and tears began to fall down her cheeks.

She sobbed, "Dad, Mom, you finally came to get me. I've had enough of this place, wahhh..."

The Clyde brothers stepped forward to greet their real sister.

"Amelia, from now on, you're a Clyde, no longer a Galvez. You have no more ties to the Galvez family," Caius said, his voice full of compassion.

Amelia nodded, a long breath escaping her as she looked back at the place she would soon leave behind.

Isabel, watching the happy family reunion, felt nothing but a deep bitterness and burning hatred.

"Amelia, my darling, you've suffered so much. Don't worry. From now on, we'll make it up to you. You'll have everything you want," Rosy said, full of sorrow.

With that, they took Amelia into the car.

"Amelia, my daughter..." Hannah yelled as she chased after them.

Seeing her daughter, whom she had been with for eighteen years, leaving like this, Hannah felt a deep, aching loss.

Amelia glared back at her sharply. "Don't call me that. This is my real mom," she snapped.

Rosy, not missing a beat, added, "Your daughter has already been brought to you. Stop harassing Amelia."

And with that, the luxury car sped away.

Hannah turned back toward Isabel, her heart heavy. Isabel looked just as cold as Amelia now.

Isabel felt like a stranger to Hannah now. It made sense, given that they had never met.

Unable to hold back any longer, Hannah approached Isabel and wrapped her arms around her.

"Your name is Isabel, right? I'm so sorry. I should have taken better care of you..." Hannah's voice broke as she spoke, her emotions overwhelming her.

This was the first time she had met her real daughter, and the moment felt strangely familiar, as though their bond was already there despite the years apart.

Isabel glanced down at the paternity test that the Clyde family had given her, and without a doubt, she knew it was true.

"Mom..." Isabel whispered softly.

Hannah wiped away her tears and smiled at her. "Good girl. Come inside with me."

Hannah gently pulled Isabel into the house.

Isabel looked around the house, and she had to admit, it was in poor condition.

It was an old house, over twenty years old, and if she had to sum it up in three words, it would be: dirty, messy, and shabby.

Hannah, noticing Isabel's hesitation, spoke with a hint of self-consciousness. "Isabel, I need to be honest with you about our situation.

"I know you've been living a life of luxury before, but look at us now... this is what our home is like."

"You have two older brothers and one older sister. You're the fourth-born in the family. Below you, there's a younger brother who's still in high school. Our family... we're nothing like the Clyde family."

"Mm, I understand," Isabel said, her voice calm and reassuring. "Please don't worry. I don't think there's anything wrong with this place."

She said it to comfort Hannah, though truthfully, she had just arrived and hadn't yet formed any emotional attachment to this family.

But in her heart, Isabel had already made a vow.

She would make the Clyde family regret their actions. She would make them pay for what they had done.

As for the Galvez family, she would ensure they lived a better life.

Fortunately, she had hidden her other identity so well, never allowing the Clyde family to discover it.

If they knew, they would never have let her leave that house.

"Hannah, Hannah, has Amelia left?" A man's voice suddenly came from inside the house.

Hannah thought for a moment before she led Isabel inside.

"Amelia has left," Hannah answered.

The man sighed, his voice tinged with sadness. "She didn't even come to say goodbye..."

Hannah let out a long sigh herself, bitterly laughing. "Don't even think about it. She's gone on to live a better life.

"Just now, her biological parents came in a luxury car to pick her up. She couldn't wait to distance herself from us. Eighteen years... it feels like we raised her for nothing."

Then, Hannah glanced at Isabel. "But thankfully, our real daughter is back. Look, this is Isabel, our daughter."

She pointed to the man lying on the bed. "Isabel, this is your father. He had an accident and became paralyzed from the waist down. He's been bedridden ever since."

Now, Isabel understood why Amelia hated this place so much.

It wasn't hard to see why.

This family was struggling—her father was paralyzed, and compared to the luxurious lifestyle of the Clyde family, it was no wonder Amelia had preferred the latter.

"Hi, Dad," Isabel said softly.

Samuel Galvez, seeing his real daughter for the first time, was visibly moved.

He reached out his hand to her.

Isabel walked over and took his hand.

"My dear... you're back. But..." Samuel's voice trembled, "Our situation isn't good. I'm paralyzed, and I've been a burden. I just hope you won't feel ashamed of us..."

Isabel shook her head, smiling gently. "No, Dad, I don't think that at all. Can I see what happened to your legs?"

Samuel was caught off guard and didn't respond immediately.

Hannah quickly interjected, "She's a nice girl. Let her check."

Hannah lifted the blanket, and Isabel carefully pressed on Samuel's leg.

"Do you feel anything here?" Isabel asked gently.

Samuel tried to feel it but shook his head. "No."

Isabel pondered for a moment before shifting to a different spot. "What about here?"

Samuel's eyebrows moved slightly. "Just a little... a tiny bit."

"What does it feel like?" Isabel asked. She continued to press different parts of his legs, and Samuel patiently cooperated.

*****

After a while, Isabel stood up and said with confidence, "Alright, I've got it. Dad, there's still a chance for your legs to recover. Don't lose hope."

Chapter 3 Amelia The Jinx

Both Samuel and Hannah were taken aback.

Hannah, still struggling to believe it, asked again, "Isabel, did you say your dad can get well?"

Isabel nodded. "Yeah, just give it a try. But I can't promise anything."

"Do you know medicine?" Samuel asked, his eyes wide with surprise as he looked her over.

Isabel shrugged. "A little. I studied with someone for a while. From now on, I'll take care of your legs."

For the Galvez couple, it felt almost too good to be true.

They had found their biological daughter, and she also knew medicine. She was truly a savior to the family.

As the evening went on, the conversation shifted to lighter topics.

Feeling overjoyed, Hannah headed to the kitchen to prepare a feast to celebrate Isabel's return.

"Mom! Mom! I heard my little sister's back! Is that true?" A loud voice boomed as a man barged into the house, his tone brimming with excitement.

Hannah stepped out from the kitchen and shot him an exasperated look. "Keep it down, will you? You'll scare her. She just got here."

The man, as if he hadn't heard her, continued with even more enthusiasm, "Where's my sister? Where is she?"

His eyes scanned the room, and when they landed on Isabel sitting on the couch, he rushed over and enveloped her in a huge hug.

"You're back, finally! I'm so happy!" he exclaimed, practically vibrating with excitement.

As he hugged Isabel, he kept thumping her on the back.

"Cough, cough... " Isabel let out a couple of soft coughs.

Luckily, she was in decent shape, or else she'd have been in trouble with how hard he was thumping her.

Hannah quickly pulled him away. "Watch it! She's delicate. She's not like you—so rough."

She turned to Isabel, her expression a little sheepish. "Isabel, this is your big brother Alex. He's a tough guy, and a rough one, but not too bright. Don't get intimidated."

"Hi, Alex," Isabel said flatly.

Alex was definitely a rough-and-tumble kind of guy.

He stood about six feet tall, with broad shoulders, a bit on the heavy side, and a dark complexion.

Looking at her parents, Isabel could see they were attractive.

Hannah, in particular, was quite beautiful, though the years of hard work had made her look older than she actually was.

But Alex... he'd somehow inherited all the flaws and none of the good traits from their parents.

If it weren't for the fact that his eyes and eyebrows resembled Hannah's, Isabel wouldn't have believed he was part of the Galvez family.

"Isabel, if anyone messes with you, just come to me, your big brother. I've got plenty of muscle, and I'll chase them off for you," Alex said proudly, flexing his muscles.

Isabel stared at him, speechless.

He was a little rough around the edges, but she couldn't help feeling touched.

He was genuine, much more so than the hypocrisy brothers she'd had in the Clyde family.

Soon after, Isabel's second older brother and older sister arrived.

Jack was handsome, with good looks and a well-rounded personality.

Isabel had heard from Hannah that Maxwell worked at a gaming company.

Her older sister, Roy, worked as a pizza delivery girl and was still wearing her delivery uniform.

"Isabel, this is a gift for you. I hope you like it," Jack said, trying to please her with a smile.

He looked a little nervous, as if afraid Isabel wouldn't like him.

"Thanks, Jack," Isabel smiled warmly.

She took the gift and opened it to reveal a cute little rabbit figurine, perfect for her desk.

Roy scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. "Isabel, I'm sorry I didn't get you something as great as Maxwell's. I just got off work, and I'm all sweaty. I hope you don't mind."

Roy, like Alex, was down-to-earth. She worked hard.

"It's okay," Isabel said softly.

It was only her first day with the family, and she didn't know them well yet, but she could already tell they were simple, nice people.

"Come on, come on! Wash up, dinner's ready. Today, we're celebrating Isabel's return!" Hannah called cheerfully.

The table was filled with dishes—each one prepared by her.

Samuel was wheeled out to join the family for dinner that night.

Usually, his meals were brought to him in his room, but today he insisted on being part of the gathering.

Alex picked up a piece of steak and said, "Isabel, try this. It's my favorite."

Maxwell brought over a bowl of mashed potatoes. "Isabel, Mom's gravy potatoes are amazing. You've got to try them."

Roy pointed to the fish. "Isabel, this fish is really yummy. You have to try it."

Soon, Isabel's plate was piled high with food.

Although her life with the Clyde family hadn't been bad, no one had ever shown her this much care before.

"Thank you," Isabel said softly, warmth spreading through her heart.

"It's a shame your little brother, Simon, is boarding at school. He doesn't come home often. And since today's Monday, you wouldn't have seen him anyway," Hannah added, a hint of regret in her voice.

After dinner, Isabel was about to help clear the table, but her siblings insisted she rest.

Hannah had prepared a small room for her. It wasn't big, but it was incredibly cozy.

Isabel stood by the window, pulling out her phone to make a call.

"Hello, boss. What can I do for you?" A respectful voice came from the other end.

Isabel's warm expression quickly turned cold as she gave her orders. "From now on, halt all cooperation with the Clyde Group."

The voice on the other end sounded pleased. "Great! I'm so glad you've made up your mind. For all these years, we've been losing money just to prop up the Clyde family.

"That old bastard Caius has gotten so used to it, treating us like an ATM. He even acts arrogant and throws tantrums. The Clyde family? They should know their place... "

After hanging up, Isabel's mind shifted to the dismemberment case. Hatred swelled in her chest.

She had secretly done so much for the Clyde family, only for them to poison and dismember her.

They were less than human.

If she had the power to raise the Clyde family, she could just as easily bring them down.

*****

Meanwhile, Amelia had successfully returned to the Clyde family.

As she gazed at the luxurious mansion, with its soft cashmere carpets and beautiful crystal chandeliers, she was in awe.

Everything here took her breath away.

She felt like being in a fairy tale.

It felt as though she had stepped into her childhood dream.

Rosy led her through a tour of the rooms.

She said as she walked, "Amelia, this is your room. We had it specially decorated as a princess room. Do you like it?"

Amelia stared, speechless.

"Mom, this is beautiful! This room is even bigger than the house I lived in before!" Amelia's eyes were wide with amazement.

"And these clothes—everything's been prepared for you." Lucian had someone bring in the clothes he had ordered for her.

Amelia couldn't hide her excitement as she gazed at the beautiful outfits.

Indeed, she was lucky.

"Go ahead and change into something new. Don't wear those clothes anymore," Rosy urged.

Amelia nodded and picked out a dress before heading to her room.

At that moment, Caius received a phone call.

"What did you say? The Oceania Group wants to stop cooperating with us?" Caius' voice rose, nearly cracking.

He paused, then continued, "How could that be? The Oceania Group has always treated us like treasure, flattering us at every turn. Why could they stop cooperating? You must be mistaken."

The person on the other end responded, and Caius' voice grew louder. "No mistake? Then why are they stopping?"

His assistant hesitated for a long time, unsure how to answer.

"What are you hesitating for? Spit it out! Why are they stopping the cooperation?" Caius shouted, growing furious.

The assistant finally blurted out, "They said, and I quote... 'Because Caius Clyde is an idiot.'"

Caius choked, stunned by the words.

The next moment, Caius threw his phone in a fit of rage.

"Sweetheart, what happened?" Rosy asked, her voice filled with concern.

Caius rubbed his forehead, clearly frustrated. "The Oceania Group has stopped cooperating with us. These bastards, they were begging to work with us before, and now they're turning their backs on us."

"Why did they do that?" Rosy was equally shocked.

The Oceania Group was a massive enterprise—far beyond their reach.

A few years ago, the Clyde Group had been just a small, struggling business with no chance of going public.

But five years ago, the Oceania Group had suddenly wanted to partner with them, providing funding and helping the Clyde Group rise.

Thanks to their support, the Clyde Group had become one of the top companies in Ardenfall. This success was the foundation of the Clyde family's current standing.

In other words, the Clyde family owed their rise to the Oceania Group.

"We just brought Amelia home, and now the Oceania Group is cutting ties with us... Is she a jinx?" Caius muttered, starting to wonder if Amelia was some kind of bad luck.

Chapter 4 All Cooperation Canceled

The timing did seem too coincidental. Amelia had arrived, and just like that, the Oceania Group was ending their cooperation with the Clyde family.

Rosy tried to reassure him. "It's probably nothing, don't worry. How could this have anything to do with Amelia? She's our real daughter."

Caius was still uneasy but finally sighed. "Well, it's getting late. You take care of Amelia's matters for now. I'll rest and then visit the Oceania Group tomorrow to figure out what's going on."

*****

Meanwhile, the Galvez family was discussing Isabel's name change.

Amelia had switched her surname to Galvez without hesitation, and they weren't sure if Isabel would be willing to give up the surname that represented wealth.

But to their surprise, Isabel agreed to the name change just as easily. From now on, Isabel Clyde would be known as Isabel Galvez.

At first, they debated keeping Clyde as her middle name, but in the end, they decided against it.

Isabel didn't mind. She had never been someone to care about such things.

The next morning, Hannah had prepared breakfast and called everyone to eat.

It was a simple meal—milk, eggs, bacon sandwiches, and waffles—nothing fancy.

Alex, her older brother, wiped his mouth and grabbed a hard hat from the counter.

He grinned and said, "Isabel, I'm heading to the construction site. When I get paid this month, I'll buy you a feast."

He gave Isabel a playful pat on the shoulder.

Isabel almost spilled her milk from the force of the pat.

She coughed and said, "Th-thank you. Cough, cough."

"Alex, take it easy. Isabel's delicate. She can't handle your rough hands," Roy quickly intervened, concerned for her.

They all knew Alex was strong, and even a playful pat from him could be a little too much.

Alex scratched his head sheepishly. "Heh, I'll be more careful next time. I'm off now!"

He swaggered out, humming along to a popular TikTok song.

"By the way, Isabel, I heard you're studying at the University of Ardenfall?" Jack suddenly asked.

Isabel nodded. "Yeah, I'm a junior now."

Jack's eyes lit up. "That's great! None of us have ever gone to college. Your older brother isn't exactly a genius, and Maxwell... well, he was doing well in school until he dropped out to take care of Dad.

"You, Roy, you only went to a vocational school. We're really hoping Simon will be the first to make it to college and do something with his life."

"Now that Isabel is in college, our family finally has a college graduate," Hannah said proudly. Then she added, "I'm so happy, and don't worry, Alex and Roy are earning now. The pressure isn't as big as it used to be. I'll make sure to pay your tuition next semester."

Isabel hadn't realized how difficult things had been for the family before.

"Thank you, Mom," Isabel said softly, her heart aching for them.

She couldn't even imagine how they had managed before.

Roy wiped his mouth and said, "Isabel, just focus on your studies. With a college degree, it'll be easier to find a job.

"Unlike me, graduating from a vocational school doesn't help much—I can't even get into some companies. Now, I'm just delivering takeout. I've got to get to work, so I'll head out first."

Roy changed into her pizza delivery uniform and hopped on her scooter.

Despite their tough lives, their faces were filled with happiness, and they were full of hope for the future.

"I'm full too. I need to go to work. I'm heading out with Roy," Jack said, standing up.

After they left, Hannah began clearing the dishes.

"Isabel, are you going to school today? The bus stops right outside our door, so taking the bus is pretty convenient," Hannah asked.

Isabel thought for a moment and replied, "I'll go in the afternoon. I don't have any classes in the morning, so I'll spend some time with Dad first."

With that, Isabel headed upstairs.

Their house was two stories—downstairs was mostly for the animals and storing various items.

The upstairs was where they lived.

"Isabel, what are you doing here?" Samuel asked, surprised to see her.

"Dad, have you had breakfast yet?" Isabel asked.

"Yes, your mom brought it to me," Samuel replied.

"I'll check your legs," Isabel said as she gently lifted the blanket.

Samuel was shocked. Isabel didn't seem the slightest bit disgusted by his condition.

Before, Amelia would only bring him a meal and do it reluctantly, not even hiding her distaste.

Isabel began massaging his legs and then took out a silver needle to start acupuncture.

Samuel's leg nerves were fine—it was the lack of proper circulation that caused his paralysis.

After lying in bed for years, some muscles had atrophied or stiffened, which was why he couldn't stand.

"Isabel, are you treating your father?" Hannah asked in shock as she entered the room.

She didn't know Isabel had learned such a mysterious and distant form of treatment.

"Yeah, I'll do acupuncture for Dad every day, and I'll also give him medicine and physical therapy. In less than a year, Dad will be able to stand up again," Isabel said calmly.

Hannah and Samuel were overjoyed.

Especially Hannah, who was nearly in tears.

"If he can get well, I'd do whatever I can," Hannah said, wiping her tears away.

"Don't be so sentimental, Dad, Mom. From now on, I'll take care of this family," Isabel said, inserting another silver needle into his acupuncture point.

Hannah and Samuel didn't fully understand Isabel's abilities, thinking she was just trying to comfort them.

But they were happy, because at least Isabel was treating them with kindness.

"Isabel is really so thoughtful," Hannah sighed.

They couldn't help but compare Isabel to Amelia—who had always been lazy and impatient, frequently arguing with them.

Amelia never wanted to step foot in Samuel's room and see her disabled father.

They both sighed inwardly—this real daughter of theirs truly made a difference.

*****

At the Clyde Group, everything was getting out of control.

With the Oceania Group pulling out of all their collaborations, the Clyde Group was in a panic.

So many companies, hearing about the Oceania Group's exit, were now unwilling to work with the Clyde Group.

They had already lost several projects worth millions.

Caius personally called the head of the Oceania Group several times, but each attempt went unanswered.

Frustrated, he decided to go there in person.

It seemed that the staff at the Oceania Group had been expecting him, as they had already sent bodyguards to stop him.

"Are you stupid or blind? I'm Caius Clyde! A distinguished partner of yours!" Caius shouted, seething with anger.

"Distinguished my ass. Get lost," the security guard retorted bluntly.

This was an order from above—whenever Caius showed up, they were told to be as rude as possible. The staff had been instructed to greet him with a full display of all classic insults.

"You... this is outrageous! Call Chris Jovian here, tell him to come out and see me!" Caius demanded, hands on his hips, fuming.

In the past, Chris Jovian, the head of the Oceania Group, had treated Caius with the utmost respect.

Even when projects lost money, Chris never got upset and always cleaned up Caius's mess. He took care of everything.

Back then, Chris had practically worshiped Caius.

Over time, Caius had grown accustomed to this treatment, even starting to think of Chris as his personal lapdog—someone who had to cater to his every whim.

The security guard sneered. "Mr. Jovian isn't someone you can just see. What are you even? If you don't leave, I'll have to use the taser."

Caius was livid but still tried to push forward.

The guard quickly aimed the taser at him, and Caius immediately hesitated.

Grinding his teeth, he spat, "Fine. Very well. I'll remember you all. When I see Chris, I'll make sure he gets you fired."

*****

Chapter 5 Crude And Mean

Amelia woke up on her first morning at the Clyde mansion, half-convinced she was still dreaming.

Pinching herself hard, she winced. Nope, this was real.

She walked into the massive closet and chose a stunning outfit. Then, she adorned herself with every piece of jewelry Rosy, and her brothers had gifted her—necklaces, bracelets, rings.

For a moment, she caressed each piece as though it held a special power.

"Miss Clyde, would you like to have lunch now?" a servant asked her deferentially.

"No, I'm going out to eat," Amelia replied curtly but stopped mid-step.

Turning back, she fixed the servant with a haughty look. "Let me ask you something. Who's prettier—me or that fake daughter, Rhea?"

The servant hesitated before stammering, "It's... it's you, Miss. You're the most beautiful lady."

Amelia smirked, satisfied. "Exactly. That's what I think too. A fake will always be fake. I'm the real heiress! She stole eighteen years of the life I should have had, leaving me to suffer in her place. The nerve!"

Her expression darkened as her thoughts spiraled, her teeth grinding audibly.

The servant felt a chill.

Amelia was so unlike Isabel, who had always been kind and gentle, treating the staff with warmth.

Amelia, in contrast, came across as crude and even mean.

"Alright, let Mom know I'm stepping out for a bit," Amelia said before heading out.

The Clyde family had provided her with a private driver and a luxury car worth a fortune.

"Miss Clyde, where would you like to go?" the driver asked with respect.

A sly smile played on Amelia's lips. "Take me to the Galvez family. I want to see how the thief is doing."

Finally, Amelia was living the life she believed she was meant for—lavish, privileged, and enviable.

She couldn't wait to flaunt it in front if her old neighbors.

As the car rolled along, she snapped a selfie and posted it to Instagram.

Then She shared it on X and TikTok.

The reactions were instant.

Those she had known before couldn't believe their eyes when they saw her expensive clothes and sweet ride.

"Amelia, is that really you? You've hit the jackpot!"

Old classmates and former friends who had once ignored her now reached out eagerly.

Amelia felt like she was on top of the world.

'I'm the real heiress,' she thought. 'After eighteen years of struggle, I'm finally living the life I deserve.'

Before long, the car pulled up in front of the Galvez family's modest home.

The moment Amelia stepped out of the car, she became the talk of the village.

"Isn't that Amelia?" someone whispered, stunned. "She looks so glamorous now. And she has a driver!"

Another added knowingly, "Didn't you hear? She found her real parents. Turns out she and the Galvez daughter were switched at birth."

A young woman sighed enviously. "Her family must be filthy rich. Just look at her outfit—it's flawless!"

Her friend agreed, "She's so lucky. Imagine being the lost daughter of a wealthy family."

*****

Under the weight of their envious stares, Amelia strode confidently to the Galvez home.

Hannah lit up when she saw her.

She thought Amelia loved them so much that she was missing them already.

"Amelia, you came back to see us!" Hannah's eyes welled with tears of joy.

"Wrong." Amelia's tone was ice-cold. "I came to see how that fake heiress is doing. She stole my life for so long—now that she's stuck here in this dump, I had to see it for myself."

Hannah was momentarily stunned, unable to find the words.

She never imagined the girl she had raised could become so venomous.

At that moment, Isabel appeared from the pigsty, carrying a bucket of slop.

She had been helping out by feeding the pigs, a task Hannah could no longer manage because of her bad back.

Seeing Isabel with the bucket, Amelia wrinkled her nose dramatically and covered it with her hand.

"Oh my God, the stench! It's unbearable! Filthy people like you are only fit for filthy tasks," she exclaimed, her tone exaggerated and dripping with contempt.

"Amelia, how could you say that? Didn't you used to feed the pigs too?" Hannah intervened quickly, trying to defend Isabel.

She couldn't fathom how Amelia had become so cruel.

Amelia's response was a furious shout, "Don't call me Amelia! Call me Miss Clyde. The Galvez name is a disgrace. I'm not your daughter—this loser is!" She jabbed a finger toward Isabel.

"You... you... " Hannah stammered, her voice trembling with anger.

Before Hannah could continue, Isabel calmly reached into the bucket, and grabbed a handful of the slop.

Then she flung it straight into Amelia's face.

"Aaah!" Amelia shrieked.

The foul mixture of kitchen scraps and leftovers smeared across her carefully pampered face, ruining the expensive skincare routine she had indulged in that morning.

Her expensive skincare and makeup products!

Her driver rushed over, frantically trying to clean her up with a handkerchief.

Amelia's voice quivered with rage. "Isabel, you vile witch! How dare you? I'm the real heiress now—you're just a fraud!"

Isabel's expression remained calm and indifferent. "Then leave, or I might just toss you into the pigsty next."

Amelia planted her hands on her hips, puffing herself up with indignation. "You wouldn't dare! Do you know who I am?

"The Clyde family is rich and powerful. You're nothing. Oh, and did anyone tell you? You have a fiancé now. Hahaha!"

Amelia shook dramatically out of the laughter.

At the mention of a fiancé, Isabel froze, her brow furrowing.

She turned to Hannah, seeking an explanation.

Hannah avoided her gaze, her expression heavy with guilt.

Amelia smirked, her delight evident. "Oh, she doesn't want to tell you? Fine, I'll do it. Your fiancé lives right here in the village.

"Go see for yourself! This is fate, Isabel. The fiancé who was supposed to marry me is yours, and yours is mine now, and the one meant for you? Good luck with that!"

The Clyde family had arranged Amelia's engagement years ago.

With the daughters now switched, that engagement naturally passed to Amelia.

But no one had told her that the Galvez family had also arranged a marriage for her.

"Ugh. A house full of pitiful paupers. I'm off to enjoy my luxurious life. You can stay here and rot in poverty—you'll never escape it." With that, Amelia strutted away, having said her piece and basked in their discomfort.

Isabel didn't bother responding to someone so petty and toxic.

Her thoughts were already occupied with this so-called engagement.

Hannah sighed heavily. "Isabel, I'm so sorry. About the engagement... we had no choice.

"A few years ago, a powerful family, the Yates, approached us out of nowhere. They wanted to arrange a marriage for their son and chose Amelia."

"But... " Hannah hesitated, her voice thick with regret.

"The man they wanted her to marry... he's disabled. Paralyzed from the waist down and bedridden for years. He was abandoned here in the village.

"We didn't want to agree, but they offered a large sum of money. At the time, your father's condition was worsening, and we desperately needed the money to pay for his treatments. So we said yes.

"Looking back, I regret it deeply. I'm so sorry, Isabel. Don't hate Amelia for resenting us either—we were just too poor to refuse. And the Yates family is too powerful to defy."

Hannah sighed deeply as she finished. "Now that Amelia is gone, the engagement naturally falls to you.

"They said the wedding would take place when you turn eighteen, and that's coming up this year. We've been so anxious about it... "

Hearing this, Isabel exhaled slowly.

Life in the Galvez family was proving to be more complicated and messy than she'd anticipated.

Still, she composed herself. She decided she would need to meet this so-called fiancé to assess the situation for herself.

Chapter 6 Lower Than A Stray Dog

That opportunity came sooner than Isabel expected. She wasn't attending school that day, having already taken leave.

She planned to meet the man and see what he was really like.

Just before leaving, her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, her heart skipped a beat.

"Master." Isabel's voice trembled, her eyes misting over. Her master was Baxter Harper.

Having lived a second life, the sound of a voice that truly cared for her struck a deep emotional chord.

"Isabel, are you alright now?" her master asked gently.

"I'm fine," Isabel replied, confused by the question. "Why do you ask?"

"I need you to do something for me," Baxter said.

"Of course," Isabel answered without hesitation. "What do you need?"

"I need you to find someone—Blake Yates. Locate him and help him," her master instructed, his tone unusually serious.

"Blake?" Isabel repeated, frowning. The name didn't ring a bell. "Who is he?"

Her master's voice carried a note of mystery. "You'll find out when you meet him. This man has done something significant for you."

Isabel's confusion deepened. No one named Blake came to mind, let alone someone who had helped her.

Sensing her doubt, Baxter added, "Isabel, I know you've been reborn, that you've experienced life and death. Your reborn is connected to him. Isn't that enough reason to help?"

Isabel froze in shock.

Baxter knew about her rebirth.

"What... what is this all about?" she stammered, her voice unsteady.

Her master remained cryptic. "In time, all will be revealed. For now, just complete this task for me."

Isabel bit her lip and nodded. "Alright, I understand."

After ending the call, her thoughts churned with unanswered questions.

She had believed her rebirth was her secret alone.

The realization that Baxter was aware left her deeply unsettled.

What had happened after my death?' she wondered.

She pondered for a long while but couldn't piece it together. Determined to visit Baxter in person when the chance arose, Isabel pushed her questions aside.

"Isabel, we need to leave soon to meet your fiancé. Get ready," Hannah said, stepping into the room.

"Alright," Isabel replied, following her foster mother out the door.

As they walked, Hannah couldn't stop talking.

"Poor Blake," she began, "he's completely paralyzed, far worse than your father. It's such a tragedy. He used to be a young master from a wealthy family, and now he's ended up like this..."

"Wait, Mom. What did you just say? Blake? What's his full name?" Isabel interrupted, suddenly alert.

"Blake Yates," Hannah answered. "He's the child of the Yates family."

The name struck Isabel like lightning.

It was the same name her master had mentioned.

Her thoughts raced. Blake. Baxter had asked her to help someone named Blake.

Her master had said Blake was connected to her rebirth. But in her past life, she had never met anyone by that name.

'This can't be real,' Isabel thought.

Her fiancé was also named Blake.

"Are they really the same guy?" she wondered.

This didn't feel like coincidence—it felt like fate.

"Isabel, are you alright?" Hannah asked, noticing her daughter's silence.

Isabel shook her head, pushing her thoughts aside for now. "I'm fine, Mom. Let's keep moving. How far is it?"

Hannah chuckled lightly. "Not far. Our village isn't that big. It's just from one end to the other."

*****

Inside a decrepit house, a hoarse voice called out weakly, "Water... water... Stacy, get me some water."

A middle-aged woman with a scowl glanced at the bedridden man before begrudgingly moving to fetch the water.

Her grumbling didn't stop.

"Unbelievable," she rolled her eyes and continued, "what did I do to make me end up with taking care of you? All you do is lie there, messing the bed like it's a toilet. Can't you eat or drink less? The smell in here is disgusting."

Stacy returned with a cup of water but made no effort to help him drink properly.

She sloppily poured it into the air, forcing him to catch what he could with his mouth.

Blake managed only a few sips before the water spilled over his face and soaked the blanket beneath him.

"How dare you treat me like this!" Blake growled, his anger surging.

He tried to clench his fists but found his hands too weak to move.

Trapped in his useless body, he felt like nothing more than a corpse.

Stacy sneered. "Dare? What are you going to do about it? Be grateful you even get water.

"You think you're still some young master? You're worse than a stray dog now. Don't even try to act tough with me."

"Get out! Get out of here!" Blake screamed, his voice trembling with fury.

Stacy snorted. "If I weren't being paid, do you think I'd waste a second in this room? You're pathetic, a worthless cripple."

She turned to leave, nearly colliding with Isabel and Hannah at the doorway.

"Who are you looking for?" Stacy asked, her tone curt and suspicious.

Hannah stepped forward politely. "Ma'am, we're here to see Mr. Yates."

Stacy's eyes narrowed as she gave them a once-over. Visitors for Blake? The idea seemed ridiculous.

She had been here for a whole year, and few people had come.

"Who are you, and why are you here?" she asked sharply.

Hannah responded calmly, "He's my daughter's fiancé. We came to check on him."

Stacy vaguely remembered hearing about this engagement but couldn't suppress her pity as she glanced at Isabel.

What a misfortune for this young girl, being tied to a man in such a pitiful state.

"Fine, go ahead," Stacy said indifferently, waving them inside.

As Isabel and Hannah stepped in, the stench of decay and neglect hit them like a wall.

They instinctively covered their noses.

"Why does it smell so awful?" Hannah asked, confused and horrified.

Her husband, Samuel, was paralyzed, but she always made sure his room was clean and pleasant.

"Get out! I told you to leave!" Blake's angry voice roared from within, assuming it was Stacy again.

Hannah flinched at the sound, hesitating at the doorway.

"Goodness, what a temper! He sounds... unpleasant," she muttered nervously.

But Isabel didn't falter.

Calmly, she stepped further into the room to face the man on the bed.

Blake was a pitiful sight. His skeletal frame, sunken cheeks, and greasy, unkempt hair made him look more ghost than man.

Years of neglect clung to him like a shroud.

Even so, his voice still carried strength, a sign that something within him refused to give up.

As Isabel entered his view, Blake's vision blurred.

The light from the setting sun framed her figure.

It was like she was coming down from heaven.

For a moment, he was stunned.

Blake thought to himself, 'Am I hallucinating? Is someone other than Stacy really standing in front of me?'

"Are you Blake?" Isabel's soft voice cut through the silence.

Blake blinked, realizing she was real.

His gaze sharpened, suspicion creeping into his expression.

"Who are you? What do you want?" he demanded.

Hannah stepped in, trying to ease the tension. "Mr. Yates, this is my daughter, Isabel. She's the one you're engaged to."

Blake's eyes narrowed further, his voice rising in defiance. "Don't try to fool me around. Your daughter's been here before, and she doesn't look like this!"

A year ago, Amelia had secretly visited Blake.

When she saw his paralyzed state, her words were laced with cruelty. She cursed him, wished for his death, and mocked him relentlessly.

She had called him a daydreaming fool and vowed she would never marry him.

Blake would never forget that day.

The venomous woman he had met then was nothing like the calm, composed girl standing before him now.

Hannah quickly interjected to explain. "Mr. Yates, the girl you met before wasn't our biological daughter. There was a mix-up at the hospital when they were born.

"That was Amelia, and she's returned to her real family. This here is Isabel, our true daughter, and the one actually engaged to you."

Blake listened to her explanation with a blank expression, his interest in their melodramatic family history nonexistent.

"What do you want?" he asked coldly. "Are you here to warn me? To tell me to back off and stop having delusions about the engagement?"

Isabel met his icy gaze without flinching, her voice calm but resolute. "I'm here to save you."

"Saving me?" Blake was caught off guard.

He hadn't yet processed her words when Isabel suddenly reached forward and lifted the blanket covering him.

"What are you doing?" he bellowed, his anger erupting.

But Isabel remained calm and unfazed by his outburst. "Saving you," she said matter-of-factly. "How can I help you if I don't take a look?"

Chapter 7 Your Life Is Mine

"Get out. I don't need you. Get out, all of you!" Blake roared, his voice hoarse with rage.

Isabel could understand his outburst. Losing the ability to walk would leave anyone irritable and temperamental.

Taking a deep breath, she retorted, "You're too noisy. Can you shut up? In your current state, no matter how much you yell, you're still at everyone's mercy."

Blake froze, his eyes wide with shock.

Now he was sure—this woman had come to humiliate him. Another one.

"Oh, this place reeks! I better clean up a bit," chirped Hannah, unable to stand still for long.

"Mom, don't bother," Isabel said flatly.

"Don't bother?" Hannah paused mid-step.

Isabel nodded. "Yeah, I'm taking him with me. He can't keep living like this."

Her straightforward words left both Hannah and Blake stunned.

When Isabel had lifted the blanket earlier, she saw the filthy bedding crawling with maggots.

It was clear Stacy, the caregiver, had completely neglected him—likely abused him, too.

No wonder his temper was explosive, and his mistrust of others so deep.

"Isabel, you must be joking," Hannah said, finally finding her voice.

Their family was already struggling financially, and now Isabel wanted to bring home a paralyzed man?

Isabel's face was firm. "I'm not joking, Mom. Go fetch a basin of hot water. I'll clean him up."

Blake shot her a sharp look, his tone icy. "I don't need your pity, and I definitely don't need you to take me anywhere."

Isabel let out a dry laugh. "Oh really? You plan to just rot away here?"

Blake sneered. "Doesn't matter—I don't want to live anyway. So what if I rot?"

Isabel's expression hardened. "Well, that's not up to you anymore. From now on, your life... is mine."

She said it so casually, yet Blake was stunned. She didn't seem to be joking.

Soon, Hannah returned with the hot water. "Isabel, I'll clean him up. I'm old, and just like his mother. You're a young girl—you shouldn't be doing this."

Hannah's concern was clear. The idea of her daughter tending to a man so intimately didn't sit well with her.

Moreover, Blake was filthy especially on his lower body.

"It's fine. I'll do it. Besides, I need to check his legs," Isabel said firmly, taking the water and wringing out a towel.

Without a word, she began.

"Don't touch me!" Blake shouted again.

Isabel ignored him entirely and yanked off his pants.

"Ah, young man, how can you be so ungrateful? My daughter's kind enough to help you, and you're still complaining?" Hannah muttered, shaking her head.

Isabel worked methodically, her expression calm and unaffected. She didn't show the slightest hint of disgust.

During her medical training, she'd seen all kinds of bodies.

Initially, anatomical models of the male form had made her blush, but over time, she'd grown so desensitized that discussing or handling them became second nature.

Medicine was practical, straightforward, and nothing to be ashamed of.

Blake's body, however, was in terrible condition.

Dirt had piled up due to lack of washing, and the bedsheets were stained with trash.

Even Hannah, who was used to dealing with chickens and pigs, wrinkled her nose.

But Isabel? She didn't bat an eye.

It took several basins of water for Isabel to get him clean.

"How long has it been since you were last washed? What on earth is that caregiver being paid for?" Hannah grumbled as she scrubbed.

"Mom, check the cabinet for some clean clothes. Bring them over so I can change him," Isabel instructed.

Hannah rummaged through the drawers and finally found a clean set, which she brought back.

Together, she and Isabel dressed Blake in fresh clothes.

Once dressed, Blake felt an unfamiliar sensation—a sense of cleanliness and comfort he hadn't experienced in a long time.

It was... surprisingly pleasant.

"Why are you doing this? What's your motive?" Blake questioned, suspicion lacing his tone. He couldn't believe Isabel was acting out of pure kindness.

As Isabel washed her hands, she replied coolly, "The motive is to save you. Honestly, in your current state, what could I possibly want from you? Do you think you have anything to offer me?"

Blake fell silent. Her words were harsh, but not without truth.

"Isabel, what do we do now?" Hannah asked, breaking the tension.

"Take him home," Isabel said decisively.

Hannah quickly offered, "Alright, I'll call Alex right now. He's strong enough to carry him for sure."

"No need," Isabel replied, waving her hand dismissively.

Before anyone could respond, Isabel stepped forward, hoisted Blake onto her shoulder as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and headed toward the door.

Hannah stood there, slack-jawed.

Blake, usually full of snark, was stunned into silence.

"Put me down! Where are you taking me? Put me down now!" Blake shouted, panic creeping into his voice.

"Shut up. Say one more word, and I'll toss you on the ground," Isabel warned, not breaking stride.

Blake was mortified.

Here he was, being carried like a sack of potatoes by a woman, and she had the gall to threaten him on top of it.

"Oh my goodness... this daughter of mine... " Hannah murmured, stunned as she hurried to keep up.

The scene was surreal.

Outside, Stacy was munching on cookies when she saw Isabel stride out with Blake slung over her shoulder. She froze in shock.

"W-where are you taking him?" Stacy stammered, her voice shrill.

Without glancing her way, Isabel replied, "Home. To take care of him."

"You... you can't take him!" Stacy exclaimed, moving to block her path.

If Blake left, her cushy job—and the hefty paycheck that came with it—would vanish.

This one-month salary was worth a year of her usual earnings.

This work might be dirty and unpleasant, but the payment was generous.

"And why not? You're not taking care of him properly anyway," Isabel shot back.

"I am! Who says I'm not?" Stacy protested weakly.

Isabel sneered. "Really? Did you see the maggots in his bedding? The urine-soaked sheets? Did you bother to clean any of it?"

Stacy's face flushed with guilt, but she couldn't afford to let Isabel take Blake away.

She stiffened her tone. "Whatever you say, you can't take him! At least under my care, he's alive. The Yates family hasn't objected—why should you butt in?"

Isabel narrowed her eyes. "He's my fiancé. Do you think I wouldn't care?"

Stacy hesitated, fumbling for a response. "Even so... he's part of the Yates family. If you want to take him, you'll need their permission—"

"Bam!"

Before she could finish, Isabel punched her square in the face, sending her sprawling to the ground.

Stacy landed face-first in the dirt, stunned.

'Holy smokes. My daughter is fierce!' Hannah thought, completely floored.

With that, Isabel continued her trek, carrying Blake from one end of the village to the other.

A growing crowd of onlookers gathered, their curiosity piqued by the spectacle.

"Uh... Isabel," Hannah whispered as she trotted behind her. "Maybe we should keep a lower profile? Everyone's watching, and now they're going to say all kinds of things... "

People started staring and exchanging whispers.

Isabel waved her off. "Don't worry about it, Mom. The village will find out sooner or later anyway. And gossip here spreads faster than the internet."

Hannah sighed but didn't argue further.

She was more concerned about the challenges of having two invalids at home.

Unsurprisingly, by the time they reached their house, the news had already spread like wildfire.

Villager 1 said, "Did you hear? Isabel Galvez carried a disabled man home on her shoulder."

Villager 2 said, "Yeah, I heard. She must be crazy, bringing a cripple back with her."

Villager 3 said, "You know what I heard? Isabel Galvez is so messed up in the head she's into disabled men. Total psycho."

*****

"Isabel, the room's ready," Hannah said as she entered. "Good thing we live in the countryside where houses are bigger. If we were in the city, there wouldn't be enough space for so many people."

"Thanks, Mom," Isabel replied, carrying Blake into the room.

She placed him gently on the bed.

Hannah sighed. "You've got too soft a heart. You said you were just going to check on him, and now you've brought him home.

"Now—now we have two disabled people in the house. Life's going to get even harder."

Chapter 8 She Was Once A Doctor

"Don't worry, Mom. From now on, I'll carry this family," Isabel reassured her.

Hannah shook her head and left the room.

Blake, lying on the bed, glared at Isabel with frustration. "Are you out of your mind? What are you trying to pull?"

He couldn't believe anyone would willingly take care of someone like him.

Isabel, unbothered by his tone, replied calmly, "The one who's out of their mind is you. I'm here to fix it."

As she spoke, she began testing his muscle reflexes.

Blake watched her intently. "You know medicine?"

Without looking up, Isabel said, "Of course. How else am I going to save you?"

She finished her reflex tests and moved on to examine his bones, pressing and prodding with practiced precision.

Finally, she concluded, "Both your legs were broken in the past—severely crushed. They weren't treated properly, which is why you're like this now. Don't worry, I'll treat you."

Blake laughed bitterly.

He'd been paralyzed for three years—what hope could there possibly be?

"Do you think you're some kind of miracle worker?" he asked sarcastically.

"Damn right I am," Isabel replied matter-of-factly.

Her master had been a miracle worker, and she was his sole disciple.

Blake scoffed at her response, dismissing it outright. The idea of someone fixing him after all this time was absurd.

Isabel glanced at him briefly. "Tomorrow, I'll arrange for some tests—a scan, bloodwork, a full examination. We'll see exactly what's going on."

She still didn't understand the connection between herself and this man. 'Why did Baxter insist I save him?'

Outside, the house had grown lively.

Alex and Jack had returned, and the news of Isabel bringing back a man had everyone talking.

Alex said, "Mom, I heard from the villagers that Isabel might be into disabled guys or something. But hey, if that's what she wants, we'll support her. I'll earn the money to take care of him."

Isabel, overhearing this, nearly rolled her eyes. 'I never said I'm into disabled guys!'

She knew it must be the villagers.

Jack added, "Alex is right. Besides, he's her fiancé. It's only proper we take care of him."

Roy chimed in, "Yeah, I can always take on more jobs. We may not have much, but as long as the family's happy, that's all that matters."

Hearing her brothers' support, Hannah felt a warmth in her heart.

She sighed and said, "I'm glad you all agree. Isabel's got a kind heart, unlike Amelia, who only ever complained about how poor we were.

"She was always angry with us, always looking down on us. Isabel is different. She's a blessing to have as a daughter. A little extra work is nothing."

Inside the room, Isabel heard their conversation and felt a rare warmth bloom in her chest.

This was something she had never experienced with the Clyde family.

Under her breath, she whispered to herself, "Don't worry. I'll carry this family on my shoulders."

*****

The Yates family's tranquil atmosphere was shattered by urgent news.

"Madam Yolanda, bad news. Someone from the outskirt village came to report that Mr. Yates has been taken away," a servant said hurriedly.

The woman, elegantly sipping her afternoon tea, remained unbothered.

The large diamond ring on her finger glinted in the sunlight, a testament to her wealth and refinement. Every movement radiated sophistication and privilege.

"Did they say who took him?" she asked calmly.

The servant bowed slightly. "The woman claimed to be his fiancée."

"The Galvez family?" she mused, setting her teacup gently on the mahogany table.

The woman murmured thoughtfully, "Who would've thought... The Galvez family still values old ties.

"Very well. If she's his fiancée, let her take him. Perhaps it's better this way. He'll be out of that hellhole... Let him have his peace."

*****

The next day, Isabel resumed her normal routine.

She returned to her classes at the University of Ardenfall.

Seraphina Flynn wasted no time tracking her down.

"Girl, where have you been? You practically disappeared!" Seraphina exclaimed, concern etched across her face.

Isabel smirked. "Life threw me into hell, and I clawed my way back. Now I've been reborn."

"Ugh, stop joking around!" Seraphina rolled her eyes. "Seriously, where were you?"

"I'm not joking," Isabel replied more seriously. "I'm Isabel Galvez now."

She explained everything—Amelia, the child swap, and her estrangement from the Clyde family. Seraphina, her closest confidante, listened intently, her expression a mix of shock and disbelief.

She then exclaimed, "Whoa, that's... wow. I mean, who gets hit with drama like that? But it doesn't matter. Real heiress or not, you're still my girl.

"If the Clyde family treated you so cruelly, just tell me how you want to make them pay. I'll back you up no matter what."

Isabel smiled faintly. "There's no need. I already have a plan. The Clyde family's already on edge."

She was just waiting for them to crumble, piece by piece.

A sneering voice interrupted their conversation. "Well, well, if it isn't the fake heiress, Isabel. How does it feel to go from riches to rags?"

Isabel turned to see Liam Swanson, the man the Clyde family had once arranged as her fiancé.

Now, of course, he was tied to Amelia.

Back when Isabel was still with the Clyde family, Liam had pursued her shamelessly, but she'd repeatedly turned him down. And yet, here he was again.

"Seraphina, let's go," Isabel said coolly, brushing past him without a glance.

She didn't want to waste time on a jerk like that.

"Stop right there, Isabel," Liam called out. "I've got something to say to you."

Isabel snorted. "Clean the gunk out of your eyes first."

"Gunk?" Instinctively, Liam touched his eyes.

Seraphina burst out laughing, covering her mouth.

It took Liam a moment to realize Isabel had tricked him.

His expression darkened as he gritted his teeth. "How dare you mock me, Isabel? Do you think you're still the Clyde family's precious daughter? You can't treat me like you used to."

"Get lost," Isabel said sharply, her tone brimming with disdain.

Liam's presence was as irritating as a persistent fly.

He sneered. "What's with the attitude, FAKE HEIRESS? Don't think I don't know. Your new family's a bunch of pig farmers.

"Before, I tolerated you because of your status and our engagement. Now you're nothing. Don't overstep your bounds."

He stepped closer, his voice dripping with mockery and something more sinister. "But hey, if you're willing to play nice, I won't hold a grudge. I could take care of you, keep you fed and clothed. What do you say?"

His eyes gleamed with lecherous intent.

He had no shame.

Isabel stared at him, her expression unreadable.

Liam started to feel uneasy under her unwavering gaze. "What? Why are you staring at me like that?" he asked, his tone faltering.

Isabel's lips curled into a faint, chilling smile. "You have a lovely neck."

For a moment, Liam had no idea what Isabel meant.

He blinked, then smirked smugly. "Oh, really? Finally noticing how handsome I am?"

As he spoke, he instinctively touched his neck, preening under the imagined compliment.

Isabel shook her head. "You do have a nice neck. Too bad it's holding up the most stupid head I've ever seen."

"What did you say, Isabel?" Liam growled, his teeth clenched.

He should've known she wasn't capable of saying anything nice—she never had before.

Seraphina, not missing a beat, chimed in with a sharp tone. "She said you've got a nice neck, but it's a pity there's a stupid head on top. Didn't catch it the first time? Let me repeat it for you."

"And who are you?" Liam snapped, glaring at her.

Seraphina raised her head proudly. "I'm Seraphina, Seraphina Flynn."

The name sent a jolt through Liam. Flynn.

There were few Flynns in Ardenfall.

The Flynns were one of the most prominent families in Ardenfall, with their wealth and influence rooted in the Flynn Corporation. And this girl—Seraphina—was none other than the family's young heiress.

By comparison, the Swanson family, though respectable, was leagues beneath the Flynns in status and power.

Liam instantly realized he'd just messed with someone far out of his league.

"You... " he stammered, his bravado faltering. He cast a quick glance at Isabel, surprised she had such a connection.

"Well, Isabel," he spat bitterly, trying to save face, "you've got guts today. I'll remember this. I'll be waiting for the day you come crawling back to me." With that, Liam turned and stormed off, his retreat laced with humiliation.

Chapter 9 The Perfect Operation

"Give me a break. Like Isabel would ever beg you for anything," Seraphina sneered.

"Isabel, this guy's asking for it. Want me to put him in his place?" Seraphina offered with a smirk.

Isabel responded with a faint smile. "No need. He's not my fiancé anymore—he's Amelia's problem. Let them deal with it."

Let Amelia keep thinking she'd landed a prize.

Then, Isabel recalled something. "Oh, Seraphina, I do need your help. I need some help from your family's hospital."

Seraphina didn't hesitate. "Of course. I'll make the arrangements."

The Flynn family's wealth and influence were unparalleled—they even owned their own hospital.

This exclusive facility catered only to VIPs, featuring state-of-the-art technology and cutting-edge equipment.

Isabel planned to use it for a comprehensive evaluation of Blake to develop a proper treatment plan.

After class, Isabel returned home.

She needed to check on Blake.

"How's he doing today, Mom?" she asked as soon as she arrived.

Hannah looked slightly uneasy. "He's okay. He was in a foul mood this morning—yelling and refusing to eat. But I got him to have some soup this afternoon."

Isabel entered the room to find Blake awake.

"Stop pretending you care! Why are you even here?!" Blake snapped the moment he saw her.

Calmly, Isabel set down her things. "I'm not exactly thrilled about this either, but you are my fiancé. Quit yelling. I'm getting you better, and tonight, we're doing a full check-up."

"No way," Blake retorted instantly.

Isabel turned to face him. "Why not? Don't you want to recover?"

Blake let out a bitter laugh. "I don't want to live, so why waste your time?"

Unfazed, Isabel replied, "It's not your decision. I'm saving your life, whether you like it or not."

With that, she hoisted him over her shoulder once again.

"Put me down! Put me down, you brute!" Blake shouted, squirming in protest. "Let me go!"

She treated him like a dog, lifting and carrying him around.

"Stop struggling," Isabel said, completely unfazed. "You're too weak to stop me. Would you prefer I carry you in my arms like a princess instead?"

Blake froze, weighing his options before reluctantly giving up.

He was so thin, Isabel barely felt his weight as she carried him effortlessly.

Outside, she bundled him into the car.

Seraphina stepped out of her car, glancing around the modest neighborhood. Her expression faltered.

"Isabel, I mean, no offense, but your new family is... well, way... financially challenged... than I imagined," she said hesitantly.

Isabel brushed off the comment. "Spare me the analysis. Just drive us to the hospital."

With that, they headed to the Flynn family hospital.

Thanks to Seraphina's connections, the hospital's director greeted them personally.

He ensured Blake's tests were expedited.

The Flynn family hospital wasn't just equipped with cutting-edge facilities—it was also renowned for its privacy.

No one, no matter how wealthy or powerful, could access a patient's medical records.

It was a sanctuary for the elite.

Blake lay on the examination bed, eyeing the approaching nurse with suspicion.

"I'll handle it," Isabel said, holding out her hand.

The nurse hesitated but handed her the syringe after recognizing her authority. Rolling up her sleeves, Isabel took over.

After drawing his blood, she sent him for a series of scans.

The results came back quickly.

Isabel's expression grew serious as she studied the images, her brows knitting together tightly.

As Isabel reviewed the scans, she narrated steadily, though her tone carried a grim edge. "Your condition is worse than I thought—bone dislocations, fractures, and even shattered areas."

It was as if his body had endured a lifetime of unimaginable abuse.

Isabel sighed, her heart heavy. This was a tragedy far beyond anything she had anticipated.

Her eyes moved to the scan of his head, and she drew a sharp breath. "There are silver needles in your brain," she began, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"They've been lodged there for a long time, penetrating deep into your cerebellum and damaging vital nerve fibers.

"If they're not removed soon, you could end up in a vegetative state."

As her words sank in, Blake shut his eyes.

Memories long buried clawed their way back, flooding him with unbearable torment. The past he had tried to forget overwhelmed him like a tidal wave.

Isabel sighed again, quietly.

She didn't need to ask about his history. His condition spoke volumes—of pain and inhuman cruelty.

Seraphina entered, breaking the silence. "Isabel, everything's ready. The operating room is prepped."

"Good," Isabel replied firmly. "I'll prepare now."

Blake's eyes snapped open. He stared at her. "You're going to operate on me?"

Her gaze held unwavering resolve. "Yes. I'll perform the surgery myself. I'll save you and give you a new life."

"I've told you, there's no need," Blake said bitterly. "I'm a cripple. Let me die. Why insist on saving me?"

Isabel didn't know the full extent of his past, but his despair and bitterness hinted at wounds far deeper than the physical.

His hatred radiated like a dark aura around him.

"Blake," she said softly but firmly, "don't you want revenge? If you die now, do you think the people who hurt you will feel remorse? Only by living can you reclaim what they took from you."

Her voice grew steely. "I've faced death too. That's why I value life so much now. Living is the only way to find hope."

Her eyes darkened as her tone turned chilling. "Do you know the pain of being skinned alive, of having your bones stripped bare?

"Your enemies would feast on your suffering if they could. Are you really willing to let them trample over your corpse and call it victory?"

Her words struck a chord. Blake fell silent, her argument cutting deep.

He had endured enough to know exactly what she meant.

He had been there, no less.

After a long pause, Blake finally said, "Fine. Do it. I'll cooperate."

Then, hesitating slightly, he added, "If one day I can truly stand again, if I can return to who I was... my life will be yours."

Isabel nodded with firm resolve. "Good. I'll make sure you recover completely."

Isabel wasted no time. She prepared the anesthesia and meticulously reviewed the surgical plan.

The operation was no simple task.

Blake's injuries required procedures ranging from delicate cranial surgery to complex bone reconstructions. The scope was massive, and the process would take hours.

Once everything was ready, Isabel stepped into the operating room.

The surgery lasted ten hours.

Blake's injuries were severe, and every step demanded intense precision and focus.

Isabel had enlisted the best doctors in the hospital to assist her, but it quickly became clear who the real expert was.

The assisting doctors watched in astonishment as Isabel worked.

Her techniques were unconventional but ingenious—approaches they had never seen before.

What began as an arduous shift became an awe-inspiring lesson in mastery.

Instead of fatigue, the team felt invigorated, captivated by Isabel's skill and creativity. They hung on her every movement, unwilling to miss even a single moment of the extraordinary operation.

Her skills were marvelous.

Though young, Isabel wielded the scalpel with the confidence of a seasoned expert.

Her motions were precise, her decisions flawless, as though backed by decades of experience.

By the time the surgery ended, the assisting doctors weren't just impressed—they were in awe. They looked at Isabel not as a peer but as a master surgeon, a true prodigy whose brilliance had left them speechless.

After more than ten grueling hours, the surgery was finally complete.

Isabel, drenched in sweat, was clearly the most exhausted among them.

The assisting doctors were nearing their limits, yet she had powered through without hesitation.

When the final suture was secured, a collective sigh of relief swept through the room.

"Dr. Galvez, you're truly extraordinary," one of the assisting doctors said.

His voice was full of admiration as he exited the operating room.

"Thank you all for your hard work. Get some rest," Isabel told the team.

It was already the early hours of the morning.

After a short nap in her office, Isabel downed an energy drink to stay alert. Though fatigued, her naturally resilient body needed only a brief rest to recover.

By 9 a.m., Seraphina arrived at the hospital.

"Where's Isabel?" she asked briskly.

"Miss, she's resting in her office," the director replied.

"How did the surgery go?" Seraphina pressed.

The director's excitement was palpable. "A complete success! In all my decades in medicine, I've never seen such remarkable skill. Dr. Galvez is in a league of her own! If we could convince her to stay at Elysian Hospital—"

Chapter 10 Ruthless And Unforgiving

Seraphina interrupted him. "OK, stop right there. Isabel isn't someone who'd stick around here. Don't waste your time dreaming about it."

She headed straight for Isabel's room.

Isabel was already awake when Seraphina arrived.

Despite the long night, Isabel's stamina and resilience meant she needed little sleep.

"You've worked hard, Isabel. I brought you some food," Seraphina said, holding up a bag of takeout.

She placed the food on the table.

"From Savor & Spice?" Isabel asked, recognizing the packaging.

Seraphina grinned. "You bet! I had their head chef whip this up just for you. You're welcome."

"You're too kind," Isabel said with a light laugh.

Savor & Spice was one of the most prestigious restaurants in Ardenfall.

Even with money, arranging a custom meal from the head chef was a rare privilege.

Seraphina sat down with a dramatic sigh. "But seriously, Isabel, was it really worth it? Going to all this trouble for a crippled man?"

Without hesitation, Isabel replied, "It's worth it. A life is still a life."

She didn't mention that the task had been assigned to her by Baxter.

At that moment, Isabel's phone vibrated.

Seeing the caller ID, Chris, she answered.

"Boss, I'm stuck outside the Elysian hospital gates! Getting in here feels like breaking into a vault," Chris complained loudly over the line.

Isabel glanced at Seraphina. "A friend of mine is at the gates, but security's holding him up."

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it," Seraphina said casually.

A short time later, Chris made it upstairs.

Chris glanced at Isabel as their conversation shifted to hospital matters. "By the way, what are you doing at Elysian Hospital?

"This place is no walk in the park to get into. And who could possibly need you to personally step in?"

Isabel fixed him with a cold stare. "Don't ask questions you shouldn't. Just handle your own work."

Chris raised his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. I get it."

As Chris exited Elysian Hospital, he bumped into Caius Clyde just outside.

"Mr. Jovian, I've finally found you!" Caius exclaimed, his tone overly enthusiastic, desperate to win favor.

Chris had been avoiding Caius recently, and Caius knew something must be wrong. So, he dropped his pride.

Chris didn't even glance at him. "Mr. Clyde, I've already made things perfectly clear through my team. Why are you still pestering us?"

Caius took on a pitiful demeanor, practically groveling. "Sir, there must be some kind of misunderstanding.

"The Clyde Group and Oceania Group have always been close partners. You can't just sever ties like this—it'll destroy us!"

Chris sneered. "What happens to the Clyde Group isn't my problem. Caius, let's be clear: Oceania Group isn't here to clean up after you.

"Do you even realize how much money we've lost because of your incompetence? Honestly, we've been itching to cut ties with you for years. If it weren't for her... "

He stopped mid-sentence and waved dismissively. "Forget it. From this point forward, the Oceania Group and the Clyde Group are enemies. Don't bother crawling back."

"Sir, wait... " Caius stammered, sweat forming on his brow.

Chris's cold, cutting words left him completely shaken.

His attitude towards Caius had changed suspiciously too much.

Nearby, Lucian Clyde stepped forward, trying to salvage the situation for his father.

He said, "Mr. Jovian, there must be some misunderstanding. If you've turned against us, at least tell us why. What did we do wrong?"

Chris brushed off Lucian's hand with contempt. "The blame is on us. We shouldn't get associated with trash like the Clyde Group in the first place.

"Do you even know how incompetent you are? Get out of my sight. I don't want to see either of you ever again."

Lucian's pride was wounded by the blatant humiliation.

Furious, he clenched his fists, ready to retaliate.

Caius quickly restrained him. "Don't, Lucian. If you cause a scene now, we're done for."

"Dad! What's his problem? He used to grovel before us, and now he's acting like he's better than everyone else!" Lucian fumed, his face flushed with anger.

Caius let out a deep sigh. "Who knows? Chris is unpredictable. One day he's cooperative, the next, he's tearing us down."

As they stood lamenting their downfall, Isabel emerged from the hospital, catching their attention.

"Isabel? What are you doing here? Were you following us?" Lucian snapped, his voice filled with irritation.

Isabel paused, clearly displeased by the encounter, but kept her composure as she met their gaze.

Lucian took her silence as an opening to berate her further.

"What's wrong?" he teased, "Is your real family so pathetic that you're trying to crawl back to us? Are you stalking us, hoping we'll take you in?"

Isabel's expression didn't waver. Her tone was calm yet cutting. "Don't flatter yourself."

She moved to walk past them, but Lucian blocked her path.

Isabel's eyes narrowed as she slowly lifted her head to meet his gaze. "Get out of my way."

Lucian's face turned crimson with anger. "You... Isabel, how dare you? After everything our family did for you, after feeding and housing you, this is how you repay us? I was your brother once!"

"Brother?" Isabel's voice was icy. "You think you're worthy of that title?"

Lucian froze, rendered speechless by her disdainful glare, his face contorting with rage. "You... !"

Seeing the tension rise, Caius stepped in to diffuse the situation. "That's enough, Lucian. Why waste your breath arguing with her? She's not part of the Clyde family anymore."

He turned to Isabel, his tone cold and dismissive. "Isabel, you'll never be part of the Clyde family again. Amelia is our true daughter now. Whether you live or die means nothing to us."

Isabel responded with a mocking laugh. "Remember those words." Her message was clear: they shouldn't dare seek her out in the future.

Caius watched as Isabel walked away, then turned his gaze toward the Elysian Hospital, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.

"Why was she coming out of the Elysian Hospital?" he muttered to himself.

"What do you mean, Dad?" Lucian asked, stepping closer.

"I'm almost certain I saw Isabel leaving that hospital. It's owned by the Flynn family, and ordinary people can't just walk in there," Caius said with a frown.

Lucian scoffed. "You must be mistaken. There's no way she has connections like that. She's just some countryside nobody now. How could she possibly know anyone important?"

Though Isabel had once been nominally part of the Clyde family, she had grown up in the countryside under the care of a nanny.

She had little connection to the rest of the family.

To Caius and Rosy, Isabel seemed distant and cold, lacking the warmth they expected from someone they could call their own.

Caius and Rosy had never liked her.

A few years ago, they brought her to Ardenfall solely for an arranged marriage with the Swanson family. Even then, their treatment of her remained indifferent and dismissive.

*****

Meanwhile, Back at the Clyde Mansion, Amelia was in her room.

She was surrounded by piles of gold and silver jewelry, carefully arranging and admiring each piece.

These treasures had become her source of security.

Every night, she clutched her jewelry boxes as she slept, afraid she might wake up back in the modest home of the Galvez family.

After arranging everything to her satisfaction, Amelia turned to her favorite pastime: taking selfies.

Flaunting her wealth had become a daily ritual.

Amelia's routine was well-practiced. She snapped several photos, cranked up the beauty filter to its maximum, and posed with exaggerated pouts and playful expressions.

Then, she began crafting her Instagram captions.

First post: "Omg, so like, I told my parents that one car was totally enough, right? But no, they had to get me, like, FIVE luxury cars. Ugh, it's such a struggle being this spoiled. #CarGoals #TooBlessedToStress"

Second post: "So my brothers were like, 'You NEED this jewelry,' and I'm like, 'Guys, chill, I don't need more stuff.' But they insisted, 'You're our only sister, we HAVE to spoil you.' Fine, I guess I'll take it. #SisterPrivilege #AllTheSparkle"

To cap it off, she added a faux complaint: "I literally don't know what to do with all this money. Should I get another Birkin or just donate it? #RichGirlProblems #HelpMeDecide"

Chapter 11 In The Face Of Adversity

After editing her post to perfection, Amelia posted it across every social media platform she could think of. Satisfied, she leaned back and watched the comments roll in. People were practically licking her boots, gushing over her glamorous life and showering her with envy.

Just then, a maid came in with the news that Caius and the others had returned. Amelia quickly pocketed her phone, and hurried to see what was happening.

Downstairs, Rosy approached Caius as soon as she spotted him. "How did it go? Honey, weren't you meeting Chris Jovian today?" She asked, her voice full of concern.

Caius's face was dark as a storm cloud. "Don't even get me started," he complained. "That Jovian completely turned on us. Not only did he refuse to talk business, but he slammed the door in our faces and outright declared us enemies! I have no idea what we did to tick him off this badly."

Rosy was also shocked. She frowned, her mind racing, but her eyes soon lit up with an idea. "This doesn't make sense. Chris Jovian flipping on us this suddenly? There must be someone behind the scenes stirring the pot."

"You don't say..." Her words caught the attention of both Caius and Lucian, who were already seething.

"But who would have that kind of pull over Oceania Group?" Caius doubted.

"Whoever it is, they won't get away with it!" Lucian growled. "I'll make them pay."

Rosy was clearly worried. "What are we going to do now?" She asked, realizing the Clyde family was in serious trouble. "So many companies have backed out on us."

"Let's focus on what we can control. We still have the Swanson family to back us up." Caius thought for a moment, then firmly replied, "With Amelia's engagement to Liam Swanson, we can stabilize our situation. The Swanson family's backing would be invaluable."

"That's right!" A flicker of hope appeared on everyone's face. Overhearing the conversation, Amelia couldn't help but feel a little smug.

She'd heard people call her fiancé-to-be-seen "Liam the Looker" of the Swanson family—handsome, refined, and worlds apart from the crippled man of the Galvez family.

Well, Isabel can stay with that invalid if she wants,' thought Amelia, 'but I'm marrying a perfect gentleman and rub her happiness right in the Galvez family's face.'

"Alright, then. Call the Swansons and have a meal with them to talk things over," Caius instructed. "Time for Amelia and their young master to get acquainted, isn't it?"

*****

As soon as she returned home, Isabel carefully unpacked the items she'd brought back.

"Isabel, what's all this?" Hannah asked, walking over.

Isabel glanced up and smiled as she continued adjusting the machine. "Mom, this is a rehab machine. I brought it back from the hospital today. I've applied some medicine on Dad, but he needs this to help him get better faster."

Hannah leaned in closer, eyeing the machine with a mix of curiosity and concern. It looked complicated—definitely not cheap. "Isabel, this must've cost a lot, huh?"

Isabel shook her head with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Mom. It's second-hand. A classmate of mine knows about our situation and decided to sponsor it for me. I got it for free."

Hannah's shoulders relaxed, and she let out a relieved sigh. "Phew, that's good to hear. Your friend sounds like a real angel. You should have them over sometime—maybe cook them a meal to say thanks..."

She babbled on while helping Isabel assemble the machine, hands fumbling a little with the parts.

"Alright, let's get Dad up now!" Isabel said, excitement lighting up her face.

Hannah's eyes sparkled as she hurried to help. "I can't believe this! He's really going to stand up again!"

The two of them moved over to Samuel, helping him get into position. Isabel strapped him into the machine and made sure everything was secure.

"Dad, your hands are moving now. You just need to use this machine and slowly work your legs," said Isabel, her voice cheerful. "It won't take a ton of effort. As long as you practice a little every day, you'll be back on your feet in no time!"

Samuel gripped the machine, his legs trembling as he slowly began to move them. The progress was painfully slow, and each step felt like a mountain to climb.

"Dad, it's gonna be tough at first, but it'll get easier. Just stick with it!" Isabel kept a watchful eye on him, cheered encouragingly.

"Alright," Samuel gritted his teeth, pushing through the pain. "My daughter's so dedicated. I'll push through for you."

Hannah hovered nearby, cautiously taking care of Samuel as he practiced to walk.

"By the way, Isabel," asked Hannah, "the young master from the Yates family is okay, right? Didn't you take him to the hospital for surgery?"

"He's fine," Isabel confidently replied. "The surgery went really well."

"Isabel, you're amazing!" Hannah beamed, pride shining in her eyes.

Before they could celebrate too much, a loud knock on the door interrupted them. Big Bill, the neighbor, barged in, his face panicked. "Hannah! There's trouble. Something happened."

Isabel and Hannah rushed to the door. "Big Bill, what's up?"

"It's Alex. He's been arrested by the cops!" Big Bill panted.

"What? How did that happen? What's going on?" Hannah gasped, her voice rising in alarm.

"Tommy from the construction site accused Alex for stealing some materials and trying to sell them. They got into a fight." Big Bill's words spilled out in a rush. "You know how strong Alex is—he knocked Tommy out cold. Tommy's in the hospital now, and the cops found the stolen goods at Alex place. They arrested him on the spot!"

Hannah took a step back, her face turning pale. "Oh no, my dear son..." She staggered, as if the news had physically knocked the breath out of her.

"Mom, don't worry. I'll handle this," Isabel said quickly, stepping forward to steady her.

"You? How are you gonna fix this?" Hannah shook her head in disbelief, looking at her daughter as though she'd lost her mind.

Isabel met her gaze with a firm, determined expression. "Don't worry. I'll get Alex out. I'm going to the station to figure out what happened and see him. Just trust me!"

She quickly left the house to the station. Hannah watched Isabel leave, a strange sense of calm settling over her.

'My daughter Isabel is so confident...' She thought to herself. 'For the first time, I feel like someone in the family is taking charge.'

At the police station, Isabel listened intently as the officers explained the situation before making her way to see Alex.

Alex's face broke into a goofy grin when he saw her. He laughed and scratched his head. "Hey, Isabel, it's so good to see you! Don't worry, I'm fine. I knocked those guys out by myself!"

"Alex, as long as you're okay." Isabel smiled back at him. "So what exactly happened?"

Alex's smile faded. He looked down, clearly uncomfortable. "It was Tommy. He accused me of stealing stuff from the site, but I didn't take anything. They were bullying me, so I had to fight back."

He lowered his gaze again, a guilty look crossing his face as if he knew he had done something wrong. "Sorry, Isabel. It's my fault. I think I messed things up again..."

Isabel smiled softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Hey Alex, you didn't do anything wrong. I'll take care of this. You'll be out soon."

After leaving the police station, Isabel had Big Bill lead the way to the construction site.

"Isabel, your brother's been wronged. He would never steal anything!" Big Bill insisted.

"I know. I totally believe in Alex. There's no way he could pull something like that off," Isabel said, her tone matter-of-fact.

Big Bill gave her a knowing look, realizing she had a point. "Yeah, I guess you're right. He's not the sharpest tool in the shed—he's simple, straight to the point, and doesn't have a deceptive bone in his body. He probably didn't even realize those materials could be sold for money."

"Exactly. That's why some people take advantage of him behind his back. But face-to-face, they know better than to mess with him." Isabel nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Now take me to his place."

Alex had his own temporary dorm room on the site where workers could rest, especially during overtime.

When they reached his room, Isabel immediately began going through the box under the bed. She pulled out some random bits and pieces, but the stolen goods were nowhere to be found.

Isabel's eyes narrowed as she surveyed the room. "Looks like they've already taken the stolen stuff," she muttered under her breath, then stepped outside and took in the sight of the dorms. "Don't they have any cameras around here?"

Chapter 12 She Was Really Something Special

Big Bill nodded, "Yeah, there's some footage, but the manager says it's all messed up now. No one can prove Alex is innocent."

"Got it. I'll dig into it more. Big Bill, can you tell the manager to set up a meeting this afternoon?" Isabel asked, her eyes scanning the area.

"Sure thing," Big Bill said, then left the door.

Isabel wandered around for a bit, pretending to look casual but keeping an eye out. She pulled out her phone and started hacking into the camera.

She glanced over the footage for a second, and, as expected, the cameras had been sabotaged. "No surprise there," she muttered under her breath.

But that wasn't gonna stop her. A few taps, and she had it fixed in no time. A minute later, the screen flashed: Repair Complete.

Just as she was about to take a closer look, her phone buzzed. It was the hospital, telling her that Blake was awake.

It was still early afternoon, so Isabel figured she'd swing by the hospital first. She found Blake's room and strolled in with a knowing smirk.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, glancing at Blake, who was awake and propped up in bed.

Blake's lips curled into a grin. "A whole lot better than before," he said. Before, he'd felt like he was on death's door, barely hanging on. But now, he finally felt like he was alive again.

"By the way, since you needed surgery, I had to shave your head," Isabel said, eyeing his bald scalp with a mischievous grin.

Blake just shrugged. "I don't care about that."

He hadn't been worried about his looks in ages. He had bigger problems to deal with. When his maid Stacy had been taking care of him, she'd never even trimmed his hair. He'd had lice crawling around up there.

But since Isabel had started looking after him, he'd been feeling clean, well-fed, and much better overall.

"Seriously, though, you're kind of cute with the bald look. But you've lost some weight." Isabel teased. "Once the surgery's over, rehab's next, and you'll be good as new,"

Blake gave her a deadpan look. "You're trying to be sweet, huh? Well, I'll take it."

He pondered as he watched Isabel picked up the report. Honestly, he hadn't expected her to be so nice to him, especially not after everything that had gone down. He was used to people seeing him as a burden.

'She's really something special.' He thought to himself.

"By the way, there's something else I have to tell you. Your kidneys aren't looking too good." Isabel pointed out, glancing over the report.

Blake blinked, "What?"

"I found traces of sleeping pills in your blood work. Have you been popping sleeping pills? And not just once in a while—looks like you've been on them for a while," Isabel said, her voice calm but with a hint of concern.

Blake frowned. "I don't know. I never took them myself, but when my maid was looking after me, I just kept feeling like I was falling asleep all the time."

Isabel's frown deepened. "I knew it. She must've been sneaking pills into your food or drink."

"You sure?" Blake's face darkened, his hands balling into fists. 'What kind of twisted person does that?' He thought.

Isabel nodded, her eyes serious. "She drugged you. If you kept it up, your kidneys would've failed in no time, and that could've killed you."

"Can it be cured?" A rare crack appeared in Blake's usual tough demeanor.

Isabel gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, it's not that bad. You've only been on them for about a year. Your kidneys aren't completely shot. Once your body heals up, I'll get you some meds to help. You'll be fine."

Blake let out a long sigh, feeling the weight lift off his chest. "Thanks! No wonder I kept feeling like my chest was about to explode. Guess someone's been messing with me."

"Chest pains?" Isabel raised an eyebrow as she took a closer look at his report.

"What's with the face?" Blake doubted.

Isabel's expression shifted from concerned to serious. "Let me take a look. I need a blood sample."

"A blood sample?" Blake took a deep breath and stretched his arm out. He had no idea what she was going to find, but if it was anything like the other surprises she'd uncovered, it was better to let her handle it.

Isabel pricked his finger, collecting a drop of blood. "I've got some things to deal with this afternoon. Stick around at the hospital, and they'll keep an eye on you. After a couple of days, I'll bring you home."

Blake gave her a small smile. "You don't have to worry about me. I'm not going to get up and run off or anything."

Isabel nodded with a faint grin. She found out Blake had been much more gentle recently.

Leaving the hospital, Isabel planned to meet the manager of the construction site herself, but Roy and Jack insisted on coming with her.

"Isabel, I heard from Big Bill that the other side has some big players backing them, like that Mr. Wales. We don't feel comfortable letting you go alone," said Roy.

"Yeah, we've got your back, but we need to stick together. Who's going to protect you if something goes wrong?" Jack also insisted.

Isabel gave them a half-smile. "I can handle myself. You guys stay home."

"We're family. They've got your back, Isabel. Let Jack and Roy help you out," Hannah was also worried.

Isabel sighed. "Fine, fine. I'll let you tag along," she said, but feeling a sense of satisfaction. 'Maybe this is what's called a family.' She thought.

They arrived at Sunpeak Construction not long after. The guards at the gate waved them through once they confirmed who they were.

"Let's go. Mr. Wales's expecting you," the guards said.

Jack and Roy exchanged a glance, their nerves obvious. They followed Isabel through the building, eventually entering a high-end conference room. It was guarded by rows of serious-looking bodyguards in black.

Clearly, the other side wasn't taking any chances. Seeing this, Roy grabbed Jack's arm, her anxiety palpable.

Jack, on the other hand, was trying to play it cool, but his stomach was in knots.

But Isabel seemed like she was strolling into a coffee shop. Calm, collected, with not a hint of worry. She walked up to the head of the table, where a man in his early thirties sat. This was Mr. Wales, the guy behind Tommy.

"So, you're Alex's family?" Mr. Wales asked, eyeing them with lazy interest.

"Yeah, Alex is our brother." Jack replied.

Mr. Wales' lips curled into a smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Well, well. Didn't expect a family reunion. This should be fun. So who's in charge?" He chuckled, clearly enjoying the power he held over them.

Jack stepped forward, ready to take charge, but Isabel held him back and turned to Mr. Wales with a cool smile. "Actually," she said, "I'm the one in charge here."

Mr. Wales blinked. "Really? I thought you were just some girl, but..." He trailed off, his eyes narrowing in surprise.

He could tell that the girl in front of him wasn't just some naive kid. He could feel her rage. But to him, that didn't make her dangerous at all. She was still just a girl.

Chapter 13 The Truth Behind The Scandal

Normal people would've been shaking in their boots by now, but not Isabel.

"Alright, since you're the one calling the shots here," Mr. Wales said, his eyes narrowing. "Let's talk about Alex. He stole company materials, sold them off, and that's theft. He also assaulted my people. Multiple charges. Seems pretty clear-cut to me."

"Alex is innocent. He's too straightforward to do something like that. You're framing him!" Roy couldn't help but argue.

Jack added, "We want to see the security footage. That'll clear things up."

"Sorry, the cameras are down," Mr. Wales said with a grin. "As for the theft and assault—plenty of witnesses. Especially for the assault. Lots of people saw it."

"Those so-called witnesses are your people. They can't be trusted!" Jack retorted angrily. "You and Tommy are behind this. You planned it from the start!"

"Planned? Alex assaulted someone. Even if this goes to court, he's going to jail." Mr. Wales turned his gaze back to Isabel, eyebrow raised. "And you, the one in charge? Still not speaking up?"

Isabel finally spoke, her voice calm but firm. "What do you want for Alex's release?"

Mr. Wales smirked. He'd been waiting for this moment. He stood, walking slowly over to her.

Roy and Jack tensed, worried about what he might do to Isabel, but Isabel stopped them with a simple gesture. She met his gaze, her expression cold, showing no sign of backing down.

"300,000 dollars," he said, eyes glinting. "300,000 dollars, and we'll call it even."

"What? Are you trying to rob us? Tommy's still alive, isn't he?" Roy snapped, furious. That was a fortune to a family like theirs. There was no way they could afford that.

"Fine, no money? Then we'll do it another way," Mr. Wales said, his voice oozing with sleazy charm. "I have to admit, you're not bad looking. If you're willing to spend one night with me, we'll forget about this whole mess."

His greedy eyes were all over Isabel as he reached toward her face. Jack saw red and rushed forward, shoving Mr. Wales away.

"Don't touch my sister! If you've got an issue, come at me!" He stood between them like a protector.

"Come at you? What are you, a joke?" Mr. Wales spat, furious. He simply snapped his fingers, and then his bodyguards rushed forward to subdue Jack.

"Let go of me!" Jack fought back desperately.

"Jack!" Isabel's fists clenched. Without hesitation, she kicked the two bodyguards off Jack. Before they could react, they were sent flying.

"Y-you dare hit my men?" Mr. Wales fumed, red-faced.

Isabel kept her cool. "Mr. Wales, we're negotiating here, and it was your people who started this."

"Alright. Let's talk then. Let's see how you plan on talking your way out of this!" Mr. Wales' temper flared.

"Since you've laid down your terms, I'll lay down mine." Isabel's voice was unwavering. "As for Tommy's injuries, we'll cover the medical bills. He wasn't hurt too badly. After that, let's put this to rest. No need for more trouble."

"You think paying a little medical bill is enough? How naive. Alex stole from the site, and then assaulted someone! That's prison time!" Mr. Wales laughed cruelly.

"Prison time?" Isabel smiled, unruffled. "Let me show you something."

She took out her phone and made a few quick taps. The screen on the room's new media wall flickered to life, showing a video. It was the repaired security footage.

"The security footage... What... What's going on?" Mr. Wales' eyes widened as he looked to his men.

"I...I don't know! The cameras were already broken..." One of them stammered.

"I'm asking how she got that footage!" Mr. Wales snapped.

"I really have no idea..." The man trembled.

"Get out of my sight!" Mr. Wales roared.

The footage showed Tommy and another man sneaking around, taking stuff and heading toward Alex's resting area. They looked around suspiciously, clearly plotting.

"Alex has no chance getting away with this. We'll leave the stolen stuff in his room. That's his ticket to jail." Tommy said smugly.

Mr. Wales' face twisted into a mask of shock. He didn't know the footage even picked up their conversation.

"I knew it. Alex is innocent!" Roy yelled, "He was framed by Tommy!"

The video continued to show how Tommy taunted Alex, accusing him of stealing. Alex tried to walk away, as Hannah had always warned him not to cause trouble, but Tommy and the others wouldn't let him.

They cornered him, and when Alex finally snapped, he fought back. He was so strong that even several burly men couldn't overpower him. He landed a brutal punch on Tommy. In the end, the police arrived, and the others all claimed it was Alex who started the fight.

"Mr. Wales, have you figured it out? First, the theft was set up by Tommy.

"Second, Alex was just defending himself. With this footage, even in court, Alex would win. We're offering to cover Tommy's medical costs, which is already more than enough. Are you satisfied now?" Isabel's voice was as sharp as a blade.

"And if you want to keep pushing this, we the Galvez family will fight you to the end," she added, her gaze piercing.

Mr. Wales seethed with anger. Smack! He slammed his palm onto the table.

"You little brat, you're threatening me!" he shouted, fury in his voice.

The sound of the slap made both Jack and Roy flinch. Isabel, however, didn't budge. She remained standing, her gaze unwavering. When Mr. Wales thought she was intimidated, she shot back, slamming her hand on the table with a louder smack.

Bang!

"You overstep! It's you who dare threaten me!" She replied in a strong voice.

Now it was Mr. Wales who was taken aback. Jack and Roy, on the other hand, were stunned.

They clearly figured out that Isabel's presence was something else. She had completely owned the room earlier.

"Isabel Galvez, right?" Mr. Wales growled, his teeth clenched. "You're going to regret this. I won't forget this."

"Mr. Wales, you might want to start worrying about yourself," Isabel shot back, unfazed, then turned back to Jack and Roy, "Let's go."

The bodyguards moved to block their path, but after witnessing Isabel's strength, they hesitated. When they saw Mr. Wales wasn't saying anything, they reluctantly stepped aside, making way for them.

"Dammit!" Mr. Wales muttered, loosening his tie in frustration.

"Mr. Wales..." One of his men hesitated.

"What now?" Mr. Wales snapped.

"Mr. Wales, I think the table, seems to be broken," the man said cautiously.

Mr. Wales glanced down and saw the table was, indeed, shattered. That was where Isabel slammed her hand on.

Then, with a loud crash, the conference table completely collapsed.

Mr. Wales jumped back, horrified.

'The table had been made from high-quality Wales, thick and sturdy. How had it shattered from just a slap?' He thought in shock.

Chapter 14 The Real And The Fake

After leaving Sunpeak Construction, Roy and Jack both sighed in relief.

"Isabel, is that it for this matter?" Jack asked.

Isabel nodded, "Yeah, they're in the wrong. They won't take it to court."

"So, what's next?" Roy inquired.

"Next, we head to the police station to pick up Alex," Isabel gave them a comfort smile. "The footage has already been handed over to clear his name."

Jack and Roy nodded in admiration. They knew that if it hadn't been for Isabel today, neither of them would've known what to do. The group of black-suited bodyguards alone was enough to intimidate and worry them.

Before long, they managed to bring Alex back home. Seeing them return, Hannah was overjoyed.

"Thank goodness! You're all safe. Tonight, I'll cook something special to celebrate!" She said with teary eyes.

"Mom, you don't even know how incredible Isabel was today! If it weren't for her, there's no way Alex would be back..." Roy eagerly recounted the day's harrowing events.

"It's not a big deal," Isabel said with a grin, casually brushing it off. "I'm going to check on Dad now."

*****

A few days later, the Clyde family arranged a dinner with the Swanson family.

"Mr. and Mrs. Swanson, this is our daughter, Amelia! We brought her here today to formally introduce her," Rosy said with a smile.

Amelia graciously greeted them. But Mrs. Swanson glanced at her briefly, maintaining a polite smile while sneering internally.

This? A true princess?' She wondered. 'She's nothing but a bumpkin. Look at all those gaudy accessories—she's no better than a nouveau riche. She clearly lacked any sense of refinement.'

"Mr. Swanson," Caius said, testing the waters with the Swanson family, "the kids are all grown up now, and Amelia just turned eighteen. I think it's about time we started planning their marriage. It'd give us peace of mind as parents."

Mr. Swanson looked at his wife, who immediately replied with a polite smile.

"No rush," Mrs. Swanson replied with a polite smile. "Amelia's only eighteen, and she's just reunited with your family. She and Liam haven't had much opportunity to bond yet. Let's give them some time to get to know each other better."

Caius and Rosy's smiles froze. They both realized the Swansons were stalling.

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Caius raised his glass to Mr. Swanson, steering the conversation elsewhere.

"Dad, Mom, I'm stepping out for a moment," Liam, bored of the topic, spoke up as he got up from the table.

As Liam left, Rosy quickly gave Amelia a knowing look. Catching on instantly, Amelia excused herself and followed him.

Amelia had taken a liking to Liam as her fiancé. She thought he was leagues better than the crippled fiancé the Galvez family had arranged for her.

The Swanson family was a household of prestige and impeccable reputation. Amelia knew that marrying into such a family would guarantee a life of luxury and ease.

"Excuse me, Mr. Swanson." Amelia caught up with Liam.

"Something you need?" Liam asked, giving her a once-over.

This woman is too tacky.' He thought to himself. 'Compared to Isabel, Amelia was way out of her league. I think I prefer Isabel's cool and distant demeanor'

"Mr. Swanson, are you just getting some air? I'll keep you company. After all, you're my fiancé. Even though we've never met before, I've admired you for a long time..." Amelia said coyly.

Liam looked at her exaggerated mannerisms and smirked. 'Trying to seduce me, huh?' He thought. 'Women like this are a dime a dozen. What a disgrace for the Clyde family to have such a shameless daughter.'

But since she was throwing herself at him, Liam saw no reason to reject her. He hooked a finger under her chin.

"You really like me?" He asked.

"Yes." Amelia shyly lowered her head.

Liam raised his eyebrow, "Have you ever been in a relationship before?"

Amelia shook her head. "Never. Not even once."

She recalled her poor situation in the past. The Galvez family had too many mouths to feed, including a disabled father. No one dared to propose matches for her family—nobody wanted to marry their daughters off there.

Not to mention her. Even Roy, her elder sister, had never been introduced to anyone. Their dire circumstances scared everyone off.

"Really?" Liam said, his interest sparked. "Fine, I can help you with that."

He took Amelia's hand and guided her into a nearby lounge. Amelia followed him hesitantly, unsure of what to expect next.

"Mr. Swanson, what are you doing?" She asked nervously.

"Relax. You said you liked me, didn't you?" Liam started undressing her, "This is how I show my affection."

"Mr. Swanson, I don't think..." Amelia stammered, scared out of her wits.

"Oh, I see, you're not interested in a relationship with me," Liam said, gazing at her with a feigned expression of sadness. "Well, I guess I'll just leave then. Sorry for the misunderstanding."

He made as if to leave. Amelia panicked and grabbed his arm.

"Oh please, Mr. Swanson, just stay with me." She begged.

"Fine, if that's what you want, then I'll stay." Liam turned back, a smirk of triumph crossing his face.

*****

Meanwhile, Isabel and Seraphina were chilling at the same restaurant.

"Isabel, I know things aren't what they used to be for you. If you ever need anything, just holler, alright?" Seraphina said, leaning back in her chair, her eyes full of concern.

"Don't worry about me, I'm good!" Isabel laughed, waving her hand dismissively as she took a sip of her drink.

She knew that ever since Seraphina found out​she wasn't the real Clyde daughter, she'd been stressing about her well-being, but Isabel was used to it by now.

Just then, Seraphina's phone buzzed. After a quick chat, she pushed her chair back and stood up, grabbing her coat.

"My dad needs me for something. I'm going to bounce," she said, flashing Isabel a quick smile.

"Alright, I'm about done here too. You go ahead, I'll have the waiter box up some food," Isabel said, giving Seraphina a reassuring nod. She was planning to take it to Blake at the hospital later.

"Cool, see you soon!" Seraphina said with a wave, heading out the door.

After she left, Isabel sat back, waiting a moment for her food. A waiter approached with a tray.

"Your order's ready, Miss. Enjoy!" The waiter greeted.

Isabel grabbed the bag with a grateful smile and headed toward the exit, but just as she was about to leave, the door to a nearby lounge suddenly swung open with a loud thud.

Liam stepped out, casually adjusting his belt with one hand. His eyes landed on Isabel, and his jaw tightened.

"Isabel Galvez?" he said, his voice dripping with surprise.

Amelia followed right behind him, her eyes narrowing as she spotted Isabel. She froze for a second, then stormed forward, her fists clenched at her sides.

"Isabel, what the hell are you doing here?" she snapped, her voice laced with irritation as she took a few steps closer.

"You must've found out the Swanson and Clyde families are meeting here today to talk marriage. You came to mess it up, didn't you?" Amelia spat, her eyes flashing with accusation.

"Let me make this crystal clear: I'm the real Clyde daughter, and Liam's my fiancé. So you'd better stop drooling over him, or I'll make sure you regret it!"

Isabel shot her a cold look, her lips curling into a mocking smile. "Shut your mouth. You've been sold off and still think you're in charge? I've seen plenty of idiots, but you're next level stupid." She leaned in closer, her voice low and biting.

"Who are you calling stupid—" Amelia began, stepping toward Isabel, her hands balled into fists.

Liam, clearly enjoying the chaos, casually draped an arm around Amelia's shoulder, his smirk growing wider as he took in the scene.

"See? Amelia's the real deal now, and we're the real couple." He looked at Isabel, his voice full of mock sympathy. "I thought I was going to marry you, but turns out you're just a fake."

Isabel snorted, rolling her eyes as she took a step back, her face twisting in disdain. "Congrats. A queen of drama and her lapdog—a match made in heaven, huh?"