“Elowen is pregnant. It looks like she’ll be back in the Harris family soon,” Olivia said.
“What?” Isabella was so shocked she almost dropped her jaw.
“Surprised? Wondering how your old dad could still manage that? Don’t worry, I checked. The baby is less than two months old, so it can’t be your father’s,” Olivia continued.
Isabella was speechless.
Elowen was trying to make David a father? She was really going all out to get back into the Harris family, even going so far as to use someone else’s child. Elowen was truly determined.
After hanging up, Isabella’s lips curved into a smile.
She had always known Elowen was trouble. Now, Charlotte and her daughters would have their hands full.
“What’s making you so happy?” Andrew asked, one hand on the steering wheel as he glanced at her.
“The Harris family is about to get interesting. Isn’t that good news?” Isabella replied with a sly smile, resembling a cunning little fox.
“You’re enjoying their misfortune,” Andrew teased, his tone full of affection.
…
The next day, news of Andrew’s proposal to Isabella made the front page of major newspapers and magazines.
Isabella had been prepared for this. She and Andrew hadn’t planned on a secret marriage. However, the flood of interviews that followed was a bit overwhelming.
Reporters wanted to hear about her and Andrew’s love story or asked when they would get married, giving her a headache.
What troubled her more was the Harris family. Her household registration booklet was still in David’s hands.
Once Andrew set the date for their marriage registration, she had no choice but to return to the Harris family, albeit reluctantly.
When Ava found out she was getting married, she was overjoyed, smiling from ear to ear as they walked into the villa together.
“Ava, why are you so happy about Isabella getting married? You’re just a maid. Are you dreaming that Andrew will become your son-in-law?” Emily sneered, lounging on the living room sofa with her legs crossed.
Ava’s smile froze, and she looked awkward and embarrassed.
Isabella, still holding Ava’s arm, cast a cold glance at Emily.
Emily felt a shiver down her spine. Since the incident at the hospital, she had been quite afraid of Isabella. This Isabella, who she used to boss around, had become more formidable than Victoria.
“Emily, does your new boyfriend know about your sharp tongue?” Isabella raised an eyebrow.
“W-What do you mean?” Emily stammered.
“Nothing much. Just a reminder that a sharp tongue is contagious. If I lose my patience and tell your boyfriend about all your past misdeeds, do you think you’ll still get married?” Isabella said calmly.
“You!” Emily’s face turned purple with rage, but she didn’t dare to provoke Isabella and scurried upstairs.
“Deserves it,” Isabella muttered disdainfully, then reassured Ava, “Ava, ignore her. Nothing good ever comes out of her mouth.”
Ava forced a smile and then said, “Ma’am, why don’t you sit down and rest? I’ll go upstairs and get Mr. David. He’s very happy to hear that you’re getting married.”
Isabella listened, her smile not reaching her eyes. David was pleased about having Andrew as a son-in-law, not about her getting married.
She didn’t even hope for David to prepare any dowry for her. She knew he wouldn’t hand over her household registration booklet without some cost.
Isabella sat on the living room sofa, picking up the remote and flipping through TV channels out of boredom.
Soon, David and Charlotte came downstairs, both wearing welcoming smiles.
“Oh, Isabella, you’re back,” Charlotte greeted warmly, taking Isabella’s hand. “Have you had breakfast yet?”
“I already ate,” Isabella said, pulling her hand back from Charlotte’s.
Charlotte was amusing. She knew Isabella disliked being touched by her, yet she persisted in playing the role of a kind stepmother.
“Then stay for lunch. Your father rarely gets a weekend off,” Charlotte continued.
Isabella didn’t respond.
Isabella sat casually on the sofa and got straight to the point, her tone calm, “Dad, Andrew and I plan to register our marriage this week. Please give me my household registration booklet. I’ll return it after we’re done.”
David probably already guessed the purpose of her visit. His expression remained unchanged as he signaled Charlotte with his eyes.
Charlotte forced a smile and said, “Isabella, getting married to Andrew is a joyous occasion. But marriage is not a trivial matter. His family should come to formally propose, and we should discuss both families’ wishes.”
Charlotte emphasized the words “wishes,” her greed and ugliness written all over her face.
“Both families’ wishes? If the Turner family wishes for a billion-dollar dowry, can you afford it?” Isabella sneered.
David and Charlotte’s faces stiffened, David still silent, playing the good guy.
Charlotte shamelessly continued, “Isabella, don’t joke around. The Turner family is wealthy; they don’t need your dowry money.”
“The Turner family doesn’t need it, so you don’t plan to give it?” Isabella found it laughable.
“Isabella, you’re still young and don’t understand the gratitude owed to parents. The Harris family has raised you for so many years. It’s not appropriate to just leave like that.”
“What then?” Isabella raised an eyebrow.
“Of course, have Andrew come over and show his sincerity. As your parents…”
Isabella had no patience to let her finish and directly addressed David, “Dad, I heard the candidate list for the upcoming election has been announced.”
David looked embarrassed and nodded. He knew very well that without Andrew’s support, he wouldn’t even qualify as a candidate.
David maintained his fatherly posture, again signaling Charlotte.
Charlotte, still smiling, said, “Of course, Andrew helped your father a lot this time. We’re very pleased. As our son-in-law, it’s only right for him to support our family. You should keep reminding him, in the future…”
“In the future, it’s none of your business!” Isabella interrupted coldly, “I’m talking to my father. Can you stop butting in?”
Isabella felt she had given Charlotte too much face, making her too bold.
Charlotte’s face turned purple and twisted with anger, “Isabella, that’s very hurtful. Although I didn’t give birth to you, I’ve raised you for many years.”
“If you keep talking, it will get even worse. Auntie, we both know how you’ve treated me all these years. If we lay it all bare, it will be ugly for everyone.” Isabella’s tone was indifferent.
“Oh, marrying Andrew has really changed you. You haven’t even married yet, and you’re already acting like Mrs. Turner,” Charlotte mocked.
“Good that you know. So, don’t provoke me!” Isabella said, chin raised.
With Andrew Turner’s name so influential, she would feel guilty if she didn’t flaunt it a bit.
Charlotte’s face contorted, but she didn’t dare to speak again. She wasn’t bold enough to offend Andrew.
Isabella ignored Charlotte, focusing on David. With Charlotte out of the way, she wanted to see how he would continue to evade.
David cleared his throat awkwardly, “Isabella, keep in mind your father’s needs and Andrew’s support.”
She smiled, “Then please also keep my needs in mind, Dad. Finding the household registration booklet shouldn’t take long. You can give it to me today, or should I have Andrew come to get it?”
“Fine, fine,” David reluctantly agreed, “Schedule a day for Andrew to visit, and I’ll hand it to him personally. Don’t worry, I’ll be considerate and won’t make things difficult for you. I’ve raised you for so many years, and I’m really reluctant to see you get married…”
“Alright, I understand.” Isabella cut him off, not wanting to waste time listening to his insincere sentimentality.
David really dared to shamelessly claim he had raised her for over twenty years. It was her mother’s money that had supported her. The Allen family’s money had supported the entire Harris family, and instead of being grateful, they acted sanctimonious.
Isabella casually changed the subject, smiling as she asked, “Where are Grandma and Cousin Aria? I haven’t seen them.”
“Aria went to the hospital for a follow-up, and your grandmother went back to her hometown yesterday. She’ll be back in a few days,” Charlotte replied.
Just as she finished speaking, there was a noise at the entrance. Mrs. Ada had returned.
However, Mrs. Ada was not alone; Elowen was with her.
After two months of absence, Elowen looked much thinner, still appearing pitiful and on the verge of tears.
“Elowen!” Charlotte exclaimed, looking as if she had seen a ghost.
Elowen had been taken back by her ex-husband’s family in a very public and humiliating incident. No matter how thick-skinned she was, she shouldn’t have the nerve to return.
Isabella remained seated on the sofa, her chin resting on one hand, looking like she was about to enjoy a good show.
The show was finally starting!
“It’s only been a short time, why the formality? Elowen, come in,” Mrs. Ada said cheerfully as she helped Elowen into the house.
Charlotte stepped forward, assuming the stance of the lady of the house, blocking Mrs. Ada and Elowen.
“Elowen, thank you for bringing Mrs. Ada back. You can leave now.”
Elowen kept her head down, not saying a word, only low sobbing could be heard.
Mrs. Ada rudely pushed Charlotte aside, “Move, don’t block the way.”
Charlotte stumbled.
Mrs. Ada helped Elowen to the living room sofa, treating her delicately, as if she might break.
Isabella’s lips curved into a cold smile; she found it rather amusing.
“Since you’re all here, I have an announcement. Elowen is pregnant with David’s child. We found an experienced doctor who confirmed it’s very likely a boy,” Mrs. Ada said excitedly.
Her words were like a bombshell. Charlotte’s initial shock turned into denial, “That’s impossible! David, he…”
“What’s impossible? David isn’t even fifty yet, and he’s in good health. Just because you can’t have a son, Charlotte, doesn’t mean others can’t,” Mrs. Ada sneered.
Charlotte’s meticulously made-up face turned pale and then green. She instinctively looked at David.
David’s expression remained unchanged, clearly aware of the situation. It was obvious they had kept her in the dark, acting first and informing later.
Charlotte struggled to contain her anger and tried to stay calm, “David, do you really intend to let her stay here? It’s a crucial time for the election. If any rumors get out, it could be a bigamy scandal and ruin your career…”
“No one will know unless you go blabbing,” David said curtly.
Charlotte was at a loss for words, glaring fiercely at Elowen, “David, you should be more cautious. Who knows what she’s been up to while she was gone. She might be pregnant by someone else and just claiming it’s yours, making a fool of you!”
“Shut up, don’t try to slander Elowen to get rid of her,” Mrs. Ada glared at Charlotte.
Elowen was even more agitated, standing up from the sofa in tears, “Charlotte, how can you say that about me? The baby is my David’s. I’ve been pregnant for over three months. I was already pregnant before I left.”
“Three months? Who are you trying to fool? Anyone who’s been pregnant knows that at three months, the belly would already show,” Charlotte scoffed, her eyes brazenly on Elowen’s stomach.
“Stop being paranoid. My grandson can’t be mistaken. I’ve taken Elowen to our local hospital. She’s indeed three months pregnant, but because of malnutrition, her belly is small. That’s why I had to bring her back to take care of her. David, Charlotte, I must warn you, as long as I’m alive, I’m keeping this grandson!” Mrs. Ada said firmly.
Then, she helped Elowen upstairs.