When Isabella spoke to this point, Mrs. Ada and Elowen couldn’t say anything more and instead began to chat casually.
“Isabella, why didn’t you bring your child home? We even prepared gifts,” Elowen quickly changed the subject.
Isabella maintained her lukewarm attitude. Back then, her child was viewed as illegitimate by the family, and they couldn’t wait to get rid of him. Now that they knew he was Andrew’s son, they wanted to cozy up to him. Wasn’t it a bit too late?
“He’s still young and likes to make noise. It wouldn’t be good if he disturbed Grandma.”
“At Mrs. Ada’s age, she loves having a lively atmosphere. Bring the child over when you have time; it’ll make our family happy,” Elowen said with a bright smile.
No matter what Elowen said, Isabella just nodded in agreement. Whether she would actually do it was another matter.
With nothing to say to Isabella, Mrs. Ada turned her attention to scolding Emily.
“Emily, Isabella’s child is already running around, but there’s still no sign from you. It’s been a while since you got married. If you still can’t conceive, go to the hospital for a check-up and don’t delay.”
Mrs. Ada’s words made Emily’s face turn red and white.
Emily had been unable to conceive since her marriage, and Stellan’s mother had been putting a lot of pressure on her. Now, she didn’t show her any kindness at all. Emily had been to the hospital multiple times, and the doctors said that due to her previous two miscarriages, her uterine lining was thin, affecting her fertility.
At this moment, Mrs. Ada’s words felt like rubbing salt in Emily’s wound.
But Emily was not one to be taken advantage of. Glancing at Aria, she said, “I’m not in a hurry. Aria should go to the hospital quickly for her injuries. If they leave scars, it will be hard for her to get married again.”
Aria, already looking miserable, started crying again at her words.
Mrs. Ada was furious. “Aria’s issues are none of your concern.”
“Aria has Grandma to worry about her; it’s true, it’s not our place to meddle. But Grandma, you are not young anymore. Just worrying about Aria is enough. Don’t overextend yourself and tire out your body,” Emily continued.
Mrs. Ada was speechless, glaring at her with resentment.
Isabella watched the drama from the side, thinking to herself: Emily’s tongue has gotten sharper during her year with the Clark family.
After some arguing and noise in the living room, David came downstairs with Andrew and Stellan.
Isabella deliberately looked at their faces but couldn’t discern any emotions.
“The kitchen has been ready for a while. Let’s eat,” Elowen said, walking up to David and affectionately taking his arm.
David nodded, holding Elowen’s arm, and they led the way to the dining room.
Walking behind them, Isabella saw their backs and her lips curled into a mocking smile.
David openly kept Elowen at home, showing no shame at all.
The dinner went smoothly, with David casually asking about Victoria and Caleb. He still didn’t know that Victoria and Caleb had fallen out and continued to regard Caleb as the son-in-law for the Harris family.
Emily gave a stiff reply and quickly changed the topic.
After the meal, Isabella and Andrew were the first to leave.
Andrew drove them back to their apartment.
As the car cruised down the highway, Isabella casually talked about the Harris family.
“Andrew, David called you to the study with no good intentions. Did he make any unreasonable requests again?”
“He wants me to help him secure the mayor’s position, though he phrased it more tactfully,” Andrew replied.
She put a hand to her forehead, feeling a bit exasperated. “And what did you say?”
“Of course, I agreed,” he said. “The Harris family still has Elowen. Just a little maneuvering, and David won’t be able to hold on to his position as deputy mayor, let alone advance.”
“Ah, he’s really foolish, sacrificing his future for a mistress,” Isabella sighed.
“Your dad also inquired about Victoria and Caleb,” Andrew continued. It was David’s birthday party, and Victoria and Caleb didn’t show up, which made him somewhat suspicious.
“What did you say?” Isabella asked.
“I just said I didn’t know anything,” Andrew naturally wouldn’t get himself into trouble.
“Losing a son-in-law from one of the four big families, David must be feeling the pain,” Isabella said, shaking her head.
“Not necessarily,” Andrew said, gripping the steering wheel as his gaze deepened. “Do you think Victoria is someone who would take things lying down? She suffered a lot from Caleb. She probably won’t let it go easily.”
“You mean Caleb is going to be in trouble?” Isabella was a bit surprised. She couldn’t imagine how Victoria could have the power to go up against the Mitchell family.
Andrew’s thin lips pressed together, his smile faint, “Victoria spent a lot of time with Caleb and did a lot of things for him. She must know quite a bit. She’s a smart woman. I bet she has plenty of dirt on Caleb.”
After hearing this, Isabella was silent for a moment before sighing, “Love and hate, why bother?”
“Love?” Andrew sneered, “There was no love between them, only mutual exploitation.”
Therefore, neither Caleb nor Victoria deserved any sympathy.
…
As Andrew had predicted, two days later, scandals about the Mitchell family surfaced online.
One of their company’s new housing projects was located on the site of an abandoned chemical plant with severe surface pollution that was not adequately cleaned up. Furthermore, many of their developed properties had serious quality issues.
Not only did the news break online, but substantial evidence was also provided.
Such a major incident prompted immediate investigation by relevant authorities. Consequently, the Mitchell family’s construction company was shut down, and all ongoing projects were halted pending inspection.
The Mitchell family was in utter chaos.
Mrs. Mitchell, Caleb’s mother, was so furious she smashed an entire set of porcelain. “Caleb, I warned you to be cautious in business. How did you let Victoria get such a hold over you? She had this much leverage, and you didn’t even know! Now she’s stabbing us in the back, trying to destroy us!”
Caleb lowered his head, taking the scolding, his face ashen. He had indeed underestimated Victoria, and now he was suffering at her hands, feeling extremely frustrated.
“What are you still sitting here for? Your father is running around frantically, trying to fix this mess. You should be out there finding a solution! You spent all your time chasing Miss Orlaith. Now that our family is in trouble, do you think her family will just stand by?”
After being yelled at by his mother, Caleb reluctantly went to the Taylor family. He knew it would be futile. There was no way Orlaith would help him now; she’d probably avoid him if she could.
Sure enough, he didn’t even see the head of the Taylor family and was dismissed by the servants with a few words.
After Caleb left, Orlaith and her mother, Mrs. Taylor, leisurely came downstairs.
“Mitchell family’s scandal is so huge. He’s shameless enough to ask for my help, really thinks highly of himself. Doesn’t he see what a mess he is? As if I’ve fallen in love with him,” Orlaith said mockingly.
“Caleb indeed isn’t a reliable man,” Mrs. Taylor sighed.