In the living room of the Harris family, although not bustling with people, it was still a public place. James, feeling a bit awkward, pulled Emily’s arm from around his neck.
“Don’t be silly. You’re a girl; be a bit more dignified.”
However, Emily seemed boneless, sticking herself to him, “Don’t care about it, I’m yours, and I’ve given you my chastity. I haven’t even gone on a date with another man.”
Isabella found it disgusting to listen to. Emily was blatantly crossing the line. How could she say such things so confidently, without a trace of guilt?
Watching James being deceived, Isabella felt a mix of satisfaction and pity for him.
However, Emily’s next words were the last straw for Isabella.
Emily, still hugging James, looked pitiful, “A girl’s chastity is so important. Speaking of which, Isabella is really pitiful. She lost her virginity inexplicably to a stranger. It’s not good for her reputation, and our parents have been worried about her marriage. You have a cousin who is still single, around the same age and family background. Why not introduce them?”
Isabella could only muster a cold laugh after hearing this. She knew about James’s cousin, a decent-looking guy but lacking intelligence. He held a trivial position in the Brown family’s company, living a mediocre life. Emily’s suggestion was truly absurd – she stole her fiance and now wanted to set her up with a simpleton.
Fortunately, James had some decency. He frowned slightly and replied, “Isabella is still young; there’s no rush for her to get married. Besides, her marriage is none of our concern.”
Emily’s expression changed immediately after hearing this. “Are you so afraid of her getting married? Haven’t you given up on her yet?”
“You’re talking nonsense,” James replied with a stern face.
He did feel guilty towards Isabella, but he wasn’t the type to have his cake and eat it too.
“Who just mentioned someone not giving up on whom?” Isabella’s timely entrance into the living room interrupted the conversation.
Both James and Emily subconsciously looked at her. Isabella was wearing a light green dress, with a ponytail and a smile on her face, standing gracefully. Her sudden appearance brought a refreshing feeling to the room.
Emily’s eyes were full of jealousy, but she didn’t want to make a scene in front of James, so she restrained herself, her face turning unpleasant.
“We were just joking around,” James awkwardly replied.
“Uhm,” she pretended not to know anything, walked up to James, and opened her palm.
Her hand was small, fair, like a tiny lotus flower unfolding in front of James.
James felt his throat tighten, and his voice became hoarse. “What?”
“Your gift. James, didn’t you forget it’s my birthday today?” Isabella tilted her petite chin, looking at him with an innocent and pure gaze.
James hurriedly took out a box from his bag and handed it over. In fact, he didn’t even know why he was so nervous.
She received the beautifully packaged box but didn’t rush to open it. Although she had no interest in what was inside, the unmistakable logo of Cartier on the wrapping caught her eye.
“Thank you, James. It’s rare that you remember I like this brand,” Isabella said with a charming smile. Then, she added, “My friend is hosting a party this weekend. Do you want to join me?”
“During the weekend…” James began, only to be interrupted by Emily.
“This weekend, James is accompanying me to go shopping in Paris. We don’t have time for those messy parties,” Emily said, her arm wrapped around James’s waist like a snake.
Isabella, watching Emily deliberately flaunt her intimacy with James in front of her, felt neither sadness nor any other emotion but rather boredom.
She casually shrugged, “Well, I won’t disturb you. I’ll go upstairs first.”
As Isabella stepped onto the stairs, she heard the argument between Emily and James behind her.
She paid no attention and went straight back to her room.
Soon after, Lily knocked on the door and entered with a smug look on her face.
“Mr. James has left. He left with a bad expression. Emily is crying in her room now.”
Isabella, sitting at the dressing table, was not surprised by Lily’s words.
“Emily forced Mr. James to go to Paris with her this weekend. He said she was making trouble, and they argued for a long time. He left because he was angry,” Lily added.
Isabella cynically curled her lips, “She already boasted in front of me, saying James would accompany her to Paris this weekend. If he didn’t go, she wouldn’t know where to put her face. Even if he indulges her, he can’t ignore his duties.”
“Emily really deserves it.” Even Lily said with emotion.
Isabella smiled without saying a word. She casually unpacked the gift box, revealing a Cartier bracelet inside.
She didn’t even examine it closely, directly handing the bracelet to Lily. “I don’t lack jewelry; you take it.”
“What? Give it to me?” Lily widened her eyes in surprise. “But this is a gift from Mr. James, and it’s so valuable.”
Although Lily said that, her eyes were fixed on the bracelet.
“Take it,” Isabella said, smiling, as she handed it to her.
After changing into different clothes, Isabella went downstairs with Lily.
In the living room, Charlotte had everything prepared. A three-tiered cake was placed in the center, exceptionally eye-catching. Her stepmother was always good at appearances.
“Isabella, come and cut the cake.” Charlotte smiled affectionately, reaching out to pull her toward the cake.
Isabella took the knife and symbolically cut the three-tiered cake.
Charlotte led the applause, creating a lively atmosphere.
As Isabella looked at the smiling faces around her, she inexplicably felt a sense of hypocrisy. She suddenly remembered the unemployed drifter in her family. Although his handsome face was always cold, it felt real, occasionally bringing warmth to her.
“Isabella, on your birthday, the one you should be most thankful to is your dad. It’s your dad who gave you life.” Charlotte hugged Isabella, as if they were truly mother and daughter.
Isabella forced a smile, glanced at David beside her, and said insincerely, “Thank you, Dad.”
“Right,” David replied, “Since you’ve grown another year older, you should be more sensible.”
“Isabella has always been sensible. At the end of the year, when Emily gets married, she has to be the bridesmaid for her sister.” Charlotte spoke with a smile.
Even if Isabella was good at acting, her smile became somewhat stiff. Charlotte actually wanted her to be a bridesmaid for her ex-boyfriend and his mistress! Charlotte was quite creative.
Seeing Isabella silent, Charlotte immediately put on a worried expression and continued, “Speaking of Emily’s marriage, I’m also worried. Initially, we agreed that the Harris family would marry their daughter and use the ancestral house’s land deed as a dowry. Now Eleanor has changed her mind. Isabella, you are the most sensible. Help Aunt persuade your mom. We will definitely not let her suffer any loss. We’ll have the secretary write you a check later, considering it as something we bought.”
“Yeah, Isabella, you should go and persuade your mom not to be so stubborn,” David said, recalling his humiliation in front of Eleanor last time, his face turning a few shades darker.
The faint smile on Isabella’s face disappeared. Charlotte and her daughter were still eyeing that piece of land, truly shameless.