David didn’t need a son-in-law who was of no help to him and might even drag him down. However, backing out of the engagement in the current situation would inevitably be seen as disdain for poverty and favoritism for wealth, which would greatly harm his political image.
He was indecisive and torn. However, Charlotte didn’t have so many worries. She knew about the imminent bankruptcy of the Brown family and had only one attitude: “Cancel the engagement!”
Because of this, Emily had a huge argument with Charlotte.
Emily still had feelings for James. He was young, promising, and handsome, once completely captivating her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have forcefully taken him from Isabella’s hands.
Emily had always been arrogant and willful. She had wrecked Isabella’s room last time, and this time, she had completely trashed her own room.
Charlotte was almost driven mad by her.
“Mom, can’t you help James? I know you’ve saved quite a bit of personal money behind Dad. Can’t you lend the money to James? Once he gets through this difficult time, he’ll definitely pay you back with interest in the future.”
Charlotte was left speechless for a moment, feeling almost out of breath. She must have accumulated too much bad karma in her past life to have given birth to such a foolish daughter.
“You silly girl, the Brown family is like a bottomless pit. If I throw my private savings into it, I won’t even hear a sound.”
After hearing this, Emily continued crying.
Isabella had initially come back to grab a few things. As soon as she entered, she heard the commotion. She regretted her timing.
Instinctively, she wanted to slip away. But just as she turned around, she saw David entering with a briefcase.
“Isabella’s back, why didn’t you give us a heads-up so your aunt could prepare more dishes?” David said in a relatively mild tone.
Isabella gave a wry smile, thinking to herself that after Charlotte had worked so hard to snatch this excellent match for her daughter, he had suddenly turned into a pauper overnight. She was sure Charlotte wouldn’t be in the mood to cook now.
Of course, even if she did cook, Isabella wouldn’t have the courage to eat it. What if Charlotte impulsively poisoned her?
David changed his shoes and walked into the house. He also heard the commotion coming from upstairs, along with arguments and cries, causing him to frown involuntarily.
Most of the household staff were Charlotte’s confidants. Seeing David coming back early, they quickly slipped upstairs. Soon after, Charlotte and Emily came downstairs.
Emily’s eyes were as red as a rabbit’s, but in front of David, she behaved obediently and didn’t dare to cry or make a fuss.
David sat on the sofa, frowning at them, exuding the authority of the head of the family.
“What are you arguing about again! Do you think I’m not fed up enough? If you’ve had enough of this household, then move out.”
“Sorry, Dad.” Emily not only didn’t defend herself, but hung her head, softly choking up, crying but afraid to cry. It made people feel an inexplicable pity.
Sure enough, David’s gloomy face softened a bit. Helplessly, he said, “You only know how to cry when something happens. If crying could solve anything, I’d cry with you.”
“David, I’ve just scolded her; please don’t blame her anymore. Emily is also filial. Originally, she intended to have the Brown family support your career, but now, with such a big problem, she doesn’t know what to do. She’s afraid it will affect your reputation,” Charlotte took advantage of the situation to speak.
One couldn’t deny that Charlotte understood David’s temperament very well. With her words, he not only lost his anger but also began to look at Emily more favorably.
The two daughters: one would rather donate Moonlit Art Inc. shares to charity than help their father, and the other is devoted to securing benefits for her biological father. Comparing the two, Emily is definitely a considerate person. David is concerned and not in a hurry, so he wouldn’t hold a grudge against her.
Isabella sat silently on the side, unable to help but sneer in her heart. Even lying down, she was shot at; Charlotte never missed an opportunity to take a dig at her.
“Alright, enough crying and fussing. Let’s eat first,” David settled the matter once and for all.
Otherwise, with Emily wrecking two rooms successively in such wasteful behavior, even if David didn’t kick her out, he definitely wouldn’t let her have it easy.
One couldn’t deny that Charlotte was quite adept. Looking at it this way, Eleanor’s defeat didn’t seem unjust.
At the dining table, Isabella ate quietly.
Sitting at the same table with David, Charlotte, and her daughters was already affecting her appetite, especially when someone particularly wished for her not to eat well.
Halfway through the meal, Emily put down her chopsticks, looked at Isabella, and innocently asked, “Isabella, have you heard about James’ family facing bankruptcy?”
Isabella had just picked up a piece of chicken and placed it in her bowl. The once aromatic Buffalo wings now seemed repulsive.
Helplessly, she put down her chopsticks and replied, “I’ve heard.”
The news of the Brown family’s situation had been widespread, like a gust of wind sweeping through every corner. She wasn’t deaf; how could she not have heard?
“Isabella, can you help James? He’s lost a lot of weight worrying about his family’s situation. I feel for him, and so must you,” Emily grabbed her hand, holding it tightly, her face full of entreaty.
Almost instinctively, Isabella pulled her hand back, a hint of disgust flashing in her eyes.
“He’s not related to me in any way; I don’t see why I should be concerned. Besides, I have no knowledge of business matters, so I can’t be of any help.”
Isabella felt her statement was reasonable. However, after hearing it, Emily looked at her with a baffled expression.
“Now that James is your brother-in-law, we’re all family. Are you really going to stand by and watch without helping?” Emily was relentless.
“How can I help?” Isabella found it absurd.
“The land at the ancestral home is in your hands, it should be worth a lot. Sell the land and give the money to James; it would save the Brown family’s company,” Emily suggested without reservation, apparently already eyeing her as the target for this plan.
Isabella was speechless. She had encountered people with thick skin, but this was the first time she had seen someone so shameless. Give her money to James? Would he even dare ask for it?
She was about to refute, but Charlotte preempted her, never giving her a chance to speak.
Charlotte sorrowfully said, “Isabella, you and James grew up together, even though it didn’t work out, he eventually chose Emily. But you once loved him so deeply; such feelings cannot be forgotten easily. Auntie understands this as someone who has been through it. Your help for James will be remembered by both him and Emily.”
Isabella: “…”
She felt that her stepmother and her daughter had different thought processes from normal people. James had abandoned her, cheated with Emily. She hadn’t castrated him, and yet they were taking it for granted that she would help James without any grudges, giving it her all.
Did they think she was too naive, or did they feel that James was just too charming?