Chapter 42
"Isabella, how can you talk to your father like that? No matter what, he's your elder. You're being way too disrespectful." Bianca looked all gentle and filial.
Isabella raised an eyebrow. "What, are you getting anxious because I didn't scold you? I almost forgot, you have a mother who's a mistress, so you're not much better. You knew I wasn't divorced yet, but you shamelessly seduced Michael, even calling him in the middle of the night to come over. Is this way of seducing men a family tradition or part of your upbringing?"
Isabella insulted Bianca calmly and steadily the whole time.
Bianca was left speechless, her face turning red with anger.
The live stream audience, however, was getting excited.
Some people even started to dislike Bianca and began to like Isabella.
Even just listening to her scold was satisfying.
At the height of the argument, a cold, stern voice interrupted them. "Isabella, have you had enough?"
Seeing Michael return, Bianca's eyes lit up, and she cried out, "Michael."
Turning around, she saw Michael in a black trench coat at the door. Isabella couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
Bianca's position was indeed unshakable.
It hadn't been long, and Michael had rushed over.
In the hospital room, Bianca was crying on the bed, while Indigo sat on the sofa with a dark expression.
"Oh, you really came?" Isabella feigned surprise, looking at Michael without a hint of fear.
After all these years, if she still couldn't see through Michael, she would be blind.
"Michael, you don't know what Isabella just called me. I really didn't do any of those things. You have to believe me." Bianca trembled as she reached out to grab Michael's sleeve, crying pitifully.
As if she had been subjected to inhumane treatment.
"I know, don't take her words to heart." Michael didn't pull away, gently comforting Bianca.
Seeing the live stream on his phone, his expression darkened.
Bianca quickly turned it off.
Isabella naturally didn't give Michael a chance to question her. She had said everything she wanted to say and felt much better.
Staying any longer would be pointless.
"You two like sticking together so much, I'll give you some space. Go on!" Isabella sneered, turned around, and left with big strides.
She slammed the door behind her, and Michael couldn't miss the anger radiating from her.
He frowned and immediately shook off Bianca. "Take care of yourself. I'm leaving."
Seeing Michael go after Isabella and leave her behind, Bianca couldn't stand it. "Michael, are you going after her again? Can't you see that Isabella doesn't like you at all? Otherwise, why would she be so determined to divorce you?"
Michael's face darkened. "So what?"
Bianca's face turned pale.
Even if Isabella didn't like him, he wanted to keep her by his side. Could it be that Michael really liked Isabella?
Impossible!
Bianca panicked and reached out to grab Michael's hand. "Michael, please don't leave me. You're all I have."
Bianca's tone was humble. But Michael didn't respond at all, shaking her off and leaving.
Michael intercepted Isabella in the parking lot downstairs.
He coldly questioned, "Where did you go tonight?"
He knew the person racing against him was Isabella, but he wanted her to admit it.
"Where was I? I was obviously at the hospital visiting Bianca. Didn't you see?" Isabella retorted.
"Really?" Michael squinted, stepping forward to trap her between the car door and himself. "Was the night breeze on Sunset Ridge Highway thrilling?"
He didn't miss the flash of panic in Isabella's eyes.
So it was her.
The woman who risked her life to win was Isabella.
Isabella pushed him, refusing to admit it. "Michael, what are you talking about? I was home alone. I don't have so many 'engagements' in the middle of the night like you!"
He reeked of Bianca's sickly sweet perfume.
It made her nauseous.
Thinking about Daniel's improving condition, Isabella smirked. "Since you and Bianca are inseparable, I won't take up space. I've had the divorce papers redrafted. See you in court the day after tomorrow."
Michael thought he could bully her because she had no one to back her up.
Using a lousy agreement to keep her, flirting with Bianca right in front of her, she had it enough.
Michael's face darkened like the night. "Say it again, you want a divorce?"
"Yes, every second with you makes me feel awful. This marriage, I'm definitely ending it." With that, Isabella got in her car and left without hesitation.
Leaving Michael standing there, seething with anger.
The car disappeared in a flash, and the emotions in Michael's eyes threatened to consume everything.
Early the next morning, Aiden called. Michael had just lain down for a bit, and the call filled him with irritation. "Grandpa, what's so urgent this early?"
Aiden got angry, "Early? Do you even know what time it is? Tell me, where's Isabella? Have you been trying to win her back these past few days? Isabella is just acting tough. Say some nice things, and she'll listen. You're just too emotionally unintelligent, which is why things have come to this."
On the other end, Aiden patiently instructed Michael on how to win Isabella back.
"Grandpa, maybe there really is a problem between us. Perhaps we both need some time apart." Michael's voice was low, his mood matching.
Aiden scolded him directly, "Do you think this is a business negotiation? You're a married couple. Arguments are nothing to fear. Right now, you need to ask for Isabella's forgiveness. If you wait for her to calm down, you'll be out of the picture. You're in your twenties, and I still have to teach you how to handle a relationship. What have you been doing these past few days?"
"Grandpa, I've tried everything. She won't come back." Michael felt helpless.
"Bullshit. I know what you're capable of. I'm telling you, if Isabella doesn't come home, I won't acknowledge you as my grandson!" Aiden hung up in anger.
Michael stared at his phone, wide awake, his face dark.
He thought, 'She said divorce, and that's it? Hell no'
He didn't control the start of this marriage, and he wouldn't let her end it on a whim!
As Michael was racking his brain on how to deal with the divorce papers Isabella sent, his subordinate Aaron called to report an issue with an overseas project.
The project manager couldn't handle it and had to report it to the headquarters.
Michael's eyes flashed. "Book a flight to Novaterra for today."
His tone wasn't annoyed but rather pleased.
Aaron was stunned.
An overseas project had issues, but Michael sounded happy?