A half-month later, James invited Isabella and Emily to his birthday party.
Isabella casually browsed a nearby mall and picked a present that was somewhat presentable for James. After all, it was impolite to go empty-handed to someone’s birthday.
Once she chose the gift, she had it wrapped by the store’s staff, paid, and then took a taxi to James’s house.
The car stopped in front of his villa, and she paid before getting out. Standing in front of the courtyard, she could faintly hear the noise coming from inside.
This place was extremely familiar to her. When she was a child, her mother often brought her here to visit. Later, when she and James were engaged, it became a frequent visit. Mrs. Brown treated her as a prospective daughter-in-law, and even their servants regarded her as James’s future wife.
And now, she stood in front of the Brown family’s gate again. Although everything here hadn’t changed, there was a feeling of time having passed.
Her appearance surprised many. After all, she and James had already called off their engagement, causing quite a stir at the time. Shortly afterward, James got engaged to her sister, making it one of the hottest gossip topics in their circle.
Some people even whispered privately.
“Why is Isabella here? Didn’t she already cancel the engagement with James? James is now her future brother-in-law.”
“Yeah, both sisters engaged to the same man, what an awkward situation.”
Isabella had anticipated such reactions before coming and was mentally prepared. So, she ignored those backbiting comments.
She approached Mrs. Brown, smiling as she greeted her, “Mrs. Brown, I’m sorry, there was a bit of traffic on the way, and I’m late.”
On the other side, James and Emily were with Mrs. Brown. Emily’s face immediately turned unpleasant upon seeing Isabella. Emily tugged at James’s sleeve privately, complaining, “What is she doing here on such an occasion? Isn’t she embarrassing me?”
“Mom invited her. It’s okay, Isabella knows her limits and won’t cause trouble,” James replied in a low voice.
Emily, increasingly dissatisfied with James defending Isabella, retorted, “Are you saying I don’t know my limits?”
Before she could finish her sentence, Isabella walked over.
“James, happy birthday.” Isabella handed the gift over with a calm expression.
Having given the birthday gift, she completed her task and automatically took a seat in a less noticeable area.
Afterward, a few girls who were friends with Isabella gathered around. They chatted together, not feeling bored.
As the faint music played, the girls, who were visibly excited, joined hands and entered the dance floor to dance.
Being young and beautiful, their presence was particularly eye-catching. They rotated together with the music, skirts flying, creating a beautiful scene.
Originally, the dance was meant to be the first dance James invited Emily to, and everyone’s attention was on them. People occasionally praised the couple’s talent and looks.
However, as soon as Isabella and the other girls entered, they stole all the attention.
James and Emily, the main characters, were left aside.
“I told you earlier, she’s here to stir up trouble!” Emily angrily said to James.
James just smiled helplessly, seemingly not bothered by it. Instead, his gaze shifted to the center of the dance floor. He knew Isabella had learned to dance, but it was the first time he saw her swirling in a skirt-a truly beautiful sight.
Beside him, Emily had been staring at James’s face and naturally didn’t miss the admiration in his eyes. She couldn’t let him continue to be amazed by Isabella, so she forcefully pushed James and then angrily turned and left.
James stumbled for a moment, realizing that Emily was truly upset, and quickly chased after her. “Emily, Emily!”
He chased Emily back to the room. Seeing her picking up her bag to leave, he immediately reached out and tightly hugged her, patiently coaxing her, “Alright, don’t make a fuss. Didn’t we agree to celebrate my birthday nicely? Don’t let unrelated people ruin our mood.”
James referring to Isabella as an unrelated person was quite pleasing to Emily. She struggled symbolically in his arms for a few times, and their lips met, igniting a passionate kiss. James reached back to lock the room door, carrying Emily horizontally, and headed towards the large bed in the room.
Isabella, after dancing a few songs, was in a good mood and had a pleasant chat with some girls her age.
As the night wore on, it was time to end the birthday party, but the birthday star had not appeared.
“Emily is not here either. I bet they’re probably in the room now…” a girl said with a mischievous smile.
“Aren’t you in a hurry? The guests haven’t left yet,” another girl said with a hint of disdain in her tone.
“Emily is just relying on sleeping with him to climb up. ” The third girl chimed in, and they all seemed to have a sense of injustice for Isabella.
Isabella held a glass of juice and, after listening, just smiled casually.
Guests started leaving one after another, and she naturally had no reason to stay. Out of politeness, she went upstairs to bid farewell to Mrs. Brown. Passing by James’s room, the door suddenly opened.
Emily stood in the doorway, wrapped only in a large towel. “Isabella, I was just looking for you. Can you help me buy something? I’m not very convenient to go out right now.”
Isabella frowned at her, but before she could refuse, Emily continued, “I’m not convenient to go out right now. Can you buy a box of contraceptives for me? There’s a 24-hour pharmacy at the entrance of the community. James really doesn’t know how to control himself, even though he knows it’s not my safe period today…”
Emily intentionally raised her chin, not hiding the hickey on her neck. Even in her expression, there was a hint of pride.
Isabella just wanted to sneer, thinking, does Emily think she would still be jealous of James?
“Whoever is in a hurry can go buy it. Sorry, I’m busy.” Isabella didn’t bother with her and turned to leave, but Emily grabbed her arm.
“Isabella, are you still not over James? I advise you to give up. You’ve seen it yourself, our relationship is very good, no one can ruin it. You just wait to call him brother-in-law.”
“Emily, you have a vivid imagination.” Isabella impatiently shook off her hand.
“Since you’re not still hung up on him, why won’t you run errands for your sister? It’s just buying some medicine.” Emily’s chin almost reached the sky.
Isabella squinted at her, a sly glint passing through her eyes. “Are you sure you want me to help you buy medicine?”
…
Across the villa area where the Brown family lived was a 24-hour pharmacy. Isabella took a box of emergency contraceptives from the pharmacy but didn’t hand it to Emily. Instead, she directly took it to Mrs. Brown’s room.
Mr. Brown wasn’t at home, and Mrs. Brown was getting ready to rest.
“Isabella, I’ve instructed the servants to prepare a guest room for you. It’s getting late; why don’t you stay overnight?” Mrs. Brown was very hospitable.
She politely declined, “I have to rush back to the set. I won’t disturb you. I’ll come to see you another day.”
Mrs. Brown didn’t insist on keeping her, just smiled and escorted her to the door.
Before leaving, Isabella awkwardly handed the box of contraceptives to Mrs. Brown, blushing and saying in a voice smaller than a mosquito, “My sister asked me to buy this for her. I saw James’s room was locked, so I didn’t dare to deliver it. Mrs. Brown, you can give it to them.”
After saying this, faster than a rabbit, she left, obviously a bit shy.
Mrs. Brown, holding the medicine, turned pale.
Emily was too shameless, actually letting her own sister help buy contraceptives. In fact, Mrs. Brown could guess Emily’s intentions, wanting to make Isabella jealous.
This method was not only unskillful but also low and vulgar.
Mrs. Brown had long known that Emily’s thoughts were not upright.
Holding the medicine, she knocked directly on James’s door.
Emily thought it was Isabella, wearing James’s shirt and revealing her long legs, she opened the door in the most charming posture.
However, when she saw Mrs. Brown with a sullen face outside the door, she suddenly panicked.
“Mrs, Mrs. Brown, why is it you?”
Mrs. Brown didn’t want to talk to Emily at all. She pushed her aside and walked straight into the room.
Inside the room, James had just finished showering, sitting on the bed in a loose robe, using a towel to dry his hair. The windows in the room were open, but there still lingered the smell of sex. What they had just done in the room was evident.
Mrs. Brown’s expression became even more unpleasant.
“Mom, why are you still not sleeping so late?” James was somewhat surprised to see his mother coming in.
Without answering him, Mrs. Brown instead said to Emily, “I have something to talk to James alone. It’s late, Emily, let the driver take you home.”
Emily looked pitifully at James, with a look of extreme grievance. However, he only gave her a helpless look.