Isabella forced herself to exchange pleasantries with those people, her cheeks hurting from smiling.
Those wealthy wives were all dressed up, smiling brightly. She looked at their masked smiles and couldn’t help but feel tired for them.
Although Andrew didn’t show up, David, acting as Andrew’s future father-in-law, was acting quite high and mighty. Those compliments and flatteries made him practically giddy with joy.
David claimed it was to celebrate Isabella’s successful concert, but in reality, all the valuable gifts brought by those guests were never touched by Isabella; they were all collected by David.
As a government official, David’s open collection of wealth made Isabella feel like he was digging his own grave without her having to lift a finger.
What surprised her even more was that in such a public setting, Charlotte didn’t come out to bask in the limelight. Instead, Elowen was accompanying Mrs. Ada, entertaining the female guests.
The present Elowen had undergone a complete transformation, with no trace of her rural origins. She was dressed stylishly and beautifully, with the diamond necklace around her neck and the pearl bracelet on her wrist being quite valuable.
Naturally, Elowen couldn’t afford these herself, so the source of these accessories must be David. David was indeed generous to Elowen.
Elowen publicly claimed to be a relative of the Harris family, chatting and laughing with those wealthy wives. Elowen was smart; she didn’t hide her humble origins but instead chose to tell some interesting stories from her hometown to those wealthy wives, making them find it fresh and interesting.
Isabella thought that this Elowen was quite a character, no wonder Charlotte avoided her sharpness. Unfortunately, her humble background meant she could only attach herself to David. Once David fell from power, Elowen wouldn’t be a threat anymore.
The atmosphere in the living room was particularly lively. Isabella was bothered by the chatter of those wealthy wives, while Elowen was discussing skincare with a lady.
It was at this moment that a commotion suddenly came from outside the villa.
“What’s going on?” David asked, displeased, and sent Ava out to take a look.
As soon as Ava reached the door, she was pushed aside by a group of people, at least a dozen of them, all dressed plainly but with a menacing air.
With so many guests already in the villa today, it was beginning to feel crowded. With these people rushing in, the living room became packed, and the lively atmosphere was instantly shattered.
The invited guests saw this scene for the first time and looked at each other in surprise.
“Who are you all, and who allowed you to come in!” David stood up, his face cold as he asked angrily.
“Sir, these people don’t know where they came from. They keep saying we’re hiding someone and insist on coming in to search. Myself and the security couldn’t stop them.”
At this moment, these sudden arrivals became the center of attention, and many people were watching the commotion.
Isabella glanced nonchalantly at the people at the door; they were all strangers. She subconsciously thought they were David’s poor relatives.
When Eleanor was alive, David’s relatives often visited, with only one purpose in mind: either borrowing money or asking David for help.
Eleanor was always helpless in dealing with them, eventually resorting to giving them money to send them away.
In this regard, Charlotte was obviously much more capable than Eleanor. Those relatives almost never gained any benefit from her, and over time, they visited less and less.
Although Isabella was accustomed to relatives dropping by, it was the first time so many people came all at once. If you didn’t know better, you’d think these people were here for a fight.
She sat in her seat, leisurely sipping juice, looking as if she had nothing to do with it.
But Elowen, sitting opposite her, was now visibly pale.
“Elowen!” Suddenly, a woman in her fifties rushed over, grabbed Elowen’s arm, and pulled her up from the sofa.
“Oh, my, you’ve only been here in Ithaca town for a short time, but you’ve changed so much. Dressed like a wealthy lady, you little fox, who’s the high branch you’ve climbed up to!” The woman’s sharp voice was piercing.
“Let go of me. Don’t drag me around. I have nothing to do with you anymore.” Elowen desperately struggled to free herself from the woman’s grip, running to David’s side and hiding directly behind him.
Seeing these people being rude and unreasonable, and even laying hands on his woman, David became even more annoyed and ordered the security to escort them out.
But those people started fighting with the security, taking advantage of their numbers and pushing the guards to the ground.
“You, you uncivilized people from the countryside, don’t you know that trespassing is illegal!” David shouted angrily.
“Mr. David, I suggest you just call the police and let them handle it. These country bumpkins will behave after spending a few days in jail.” A guest suggested.
“Call the police, call them right away.” David was furious.
“Call the police, hurry up and call them. We’ve been looking for this woman for a long time. We never thought she’d be hiding in this mansion. You bitch, becoming more and more skilled at seducing men.” The woman pointed at Elowen and cursed loudly.
Elowen looked timid, constantly hiding behind David and tugging at his sleeve.
David frowned at these unwelcome guests, his gaze finally falling on Elowen, with a hint of suspicion. Although he liked this woman, he wasn’t so infatuated as to lose his bearings.
“Elowen, do you know these people?”
Elowen hesitated for a moment, her brown eyes rolling around, not knowing how to answer, just crying.
The woman’s gaze shifted between Elowen and David, finally pointing at David and saying, “You’re her current lover, aren’t you? What a fool you are.”
It was probably the first time David had been cursed at like this, his face turning ashen with anger.
“Who are you people? What nonsense are you talking about here?” At the staircase, Charlotte and Victoria suddenly appeared.
Charlotte quickly walked to David’s side, standing between him and Elowen.
“This is my husband. Please don’t defame him with baseless accusations.” Charlotte affectionately linked arms with David, leaning her head on his shoulder and whispered to him, “Dear, with so many distinguished guests here today, don’t let them see a joke.”
David pursed his lips, then raised his voice to command, “Isabella, Victoria, please attend to the guests.”