“Alright, I’ll go to the hospital tomorrow,” Isabella replied.
“There’s one more thing,” Andrew added, “Caleb’s company is facing some problems.”
“Well.” Isabella nodded nonchalantly upon hearing this, as if she had known it all along.
In fact, she did know. For once, her information came a few days earlier than Andrew’s.
“You knew it?” Andrew raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
Isabella nodded. “I told you before, Caleb is useful for dealing with Victoria. He is the key.”
“Oh? Seems like you have a plan. Let’s hear it,” Andrew said, his blue eyes narrowing with interest.
Isabella sat cross-legged on the sofa and began, “I remember you telling me that when Thomas was in charge of the Turner family consortium, the Mitchell family profited greatly. Those accounts are still on the Turner family’s books. Now that you are in charge, the Mitchell family must know those debts could become a liability. They must be aware of this, yet they haven’t filled the gap.
What does this imply? It means their company itself has issues. So, I had Oliver investigate secretly. Although the progress was slow, we found out that the Mitchell family, despite being one of the four big families, is merely putting on a facade. Many of their investment projects are stalled.
Recently, their construction company faced another investment failure and is now facing a cash flow crisis. Oliver has checked it out; without billions, they can’t fill this hole.
Caleb’s character has always been questionable. He’d do anything for money and benefits. This time, I want Victoria to deeply understand what it’s like to be betrayed by her own man.”
Isabella’s eyes grew colder, and her hands clenched into fists subconsciously.
The hatred for Victoria, who caused her mother’s death, was etched in her heart. She had waited for too long and had plotted meticulously, finally seizing such an opportunity.
After listening, Andrew reached out and ruffled her hair, speaking earnestly, “My girl has finally grown up.”
He had taught her to use leverage effectively, and now she had mastered it.
Andrew felt a surge of pride. His gaze was warm, gradually melting the hostility and coldness around her.
“It’s late; let’s go to bed.” He picked up the remote and turned off the TV.
Isabella still had to visit the hospital tomorrow and couldn’t afford to sleep in.
He put down the remote and was about to stand up when she leaned over, her soft arms wrapping around his neck, her legs rubbing against him.
“How should we sleep?” She looked up, blinking her watery eyes at him.
Andrew smiled gently, noting her rare initiative.
“Let’s sleep together.” Andrew’s lips brushed against her ear, his voice low and husky.
Isabella’s body shivered slightly, beyond her control. The next moment, he scooped her up and strode towards the bedroom upstairs.
Isabella realized that initiating with him was probably not the wisest decision.
Andrew’s relentless desire left her exhausted. The next morning, she gritted her teeth and dragged herself out of bed, silently cursing him countless times.
After a quick wash and makeup application, she noticed the many marks Andrew had left on her the previous night. Her fair neck was covered in hickeys. She applied a thick layer of foundation to barely cover them.
With her neck heavily powdered, it wouldn’t look right without a bit of makeup on her face, so she applied some and then headed out.
When she arrived at the hospital, Stella had already completed the discharge procedures for Thomas.
Thomas looked even thinner, but his complexion was decent.
He was still alive, but he seemed to be surviving on sheer willpower alone.
Isabella walked into the hospital room, which was bustling with activity. Mrs. Hannah and Mr. Jacob were both present, and Caleb had also come, treating his brother-in-law Thomas with great respect and enthusiasm.
“Good morning, everyone,” Isabella greeted politely. She asked about Thomas’s condition as a formality and then stood aside quietly, blending into the background.
They didn’t pay much attention to her, focusing instead on completing the discharge procedures for Thomas. Once everything was settled, Stella and Caleb personally helped Thomas into the car.
Isabella, having completed her task, drove away immediately.
Stella was nearly furious enough to pass out.
“Andrew and his wife are increasingly disregarding us. Isabella came to the hospital all dolled up; was she here to visit the sick or to show off!”
“Sis, calm down,” Caleb consoled.
Stella shook her head and sighed with difficulty. “Caleb, you’ve seen the state your brother-in-law is in. Henry hasn’t been able to take over the company, and our family has little standing in the Turner family now. It’s not that I don’t want to help you, but I truly can’t.”
Caleb’s face darkened, and he remained silent for a long time.
With his family’s business in trouble, Caleb had sought help everywhere recently, only to turn to Stella in the end. The downfall of the Mitchell family wouldn’t benefit Stella either. But seeing Stella’s predicament, he knew she wanted to help but was powerless.
“Caleb, I remember your fiancee’s name is Victoria, right?” Stella suddenly asked.
Caleb nodded.
“And I recall you mentioning that your fiancee is David’s stepdaughter,” Stella continued.
“Not stepdaughter, actually an illegitimate daughter,” Caleb corrected her.
“So, Victoria and Isabella are half-sisters. Caleb, I think instead of wasting time with me, you should focus more on your fiancee.
Andrew isn’t on our side, but he listens to his wife. If you get Victoria to say something nice to Isabella, the company’s problems will be solved.”
Stella’s words gave Caleb a sudden sense of clarity.
He remembered Victoria mentioning she had significant leverage over Isabella and could control her anytime. However, Victoria had always kept her lips tightly sealed, not revealing anything to him even during their intimate moments. But now, it was time to use that leverage.
After hurriedly leaving, Caleb went straight to Victoria.
Victoria had just finished shooting her latest film and returned to Ithaca two days earlier. Given the turmoil at Caleb’s company, he hadn’t contacted her.
With Victoria being away for months due to filming, their reunion was passionate, and they ended up booking a hotel room for their encounter.