Chapter 447

Holden slammed his hand on the table, his face red with anger. "This is ridiculous! Does that jerk Michael really think we're gonna let him get back with Isabella?"

"Exactly! Why do the Wilsons need to suck up to the Browns? They should know we're just as good as they are," Thomas added, feeling vindicated.

Across the table, Atticus stayed quiet, taking it all in. The suddenness of Isabella and Michael's divorce had caught his attention, and Thomas's words only confirmed his suspicions. Michael genuinely cared about Isabella's well-being.

While others might misjudge Michael, Atticus, who knew the truth, couldn't let him be painted as the bad guy. "Maybe Michael has his reasons for acting so quickly," he suggested, trying to defend Michael without spilling too much.

Holden's face twisted in displeasure. "Atticus, how can you defend that jerk Michael? Have you forgotten how he treated Isabella? She went through hell with him. If anyone's got it tough, it's Isabella, not him."

Thomas jumped in too. "Yeah, Atticus, you're usually the one who looks out for Isabella the most. You were all for the divorce, so why are you sticking up for Michael now? Feeling sorry for him or something?"

Maybe it was the alcohol, but Holden and Thomas were speaking more freely. Atticus, however, kept his cool. He thought for a moment and said, "Holden, Thomas, I'm just trying to see things from a different angle. Maybe there's more to this than we know."

"And now that Isabella's divorced, she's got no ties to the Brown family. Let's not bring up Michael's name around her; it might upset her."

As the eldest, Atticus was always the thoughtful and mature one, so Holden and Thomas listened to him. Little did they know, Isabella was standing in a corner of the hall, overhearing their conversation.

She knew how much her uncles cared for her, but Atticus's reaction puzzled her. He had always been her biggest supporter, especially after she lost her grandfather and child. He was the one who most supported her decision to divorce.

Yet now, Atticus was defending Michael. Isabella grew suspicious. If Atticus had discovered something, he wouldn't side with Michael without a good reason. After coming back from the hospital, Atticus had stayed behind alone. Could he have found out something?

The thought nagged at her, making her wonder if something had happened to Michael, something he didn't want her to know. Olivia soon joined her, linking arms as they returned to the dining room. Isabella chatted and laughed with everyone, hiding her inner turmoil.

Later that night, back in her room, Isabella found a number on her phone and dialed it. The call was quickly answered by Shadow, who sounded surprised. "Isabella, you finally decided to call me. Thought you'd forgotten all about me."

Isabella got straight to the point. "Shadow, I need to ask you something. Has anything happened with the Brown Group recently?"

Atticus's words tonight were too unusual, and she needed to confirm her suspicions. Shadow immediately connected the Brown Group with Michael. He knew about their divorce, and it hadn't been long since then. Isabella was already inquiring about Michael.

Shadow sighed. "Isabella, why can't you see Michael for who he really is? He doesn't deserve you. You're amazing and deserve better."

"Listen to me, let him go. You've divorced him, so move on. There are better people out there for you."

Isabella fell silent. Though she wasn't asking about Michael directly, Shadow's words hit home. She knew he was advising her as a friend to let go of the past and move forward. Since she was divorced, she shouldn't waste time and emotions on someone unworthy.

"Shadow, you're overthinking. I just want to know about the Brown Group. I'm not interested in anyone else," she said calmly, not sounding like she was lying.

But Shadow wasn't convinced. "Really? Do you truly not care about him at all?"

Isabella noticed something off about Shadow's persistence. He never usually pressed for reasons; their communication was always brief and efficient. When had he become so talkative? Especially when she asked about the Brown Group, he diverted the topic to Michael. This wasn't like him.

Unless...

Isabella's eyes flashed as she quickly asked, "Shadow, tell me the truth. Has something happened to the Brown Group?"

Shadow's rare silence confirmed her fears. Her intuition had been right. The Brown Group was in trouble.

Shadow was an expert at gathering information, especially about powerful families. If something had happened to the Brown Group, he would know the details better than anyone.

Before Isabella could think further, Shadow's voice came through the phone. "You're right. But Isabella, listen to me. The Brown Group's troubles are their own. You're no longer connected to them, so don't get involved."

Shadow's blunt honesty and warning made Isabella panic. She and Michael had just finalized their divorce. Despite everything, she couldn't completely turn a blind eye.

"I understand what you're saying, but Shadow, I can't pretend I don't know. Help me one more time. I just want to know what's going on with the Brown Group. I need the truth."

Even with the divorce papers in hand, she needed the truth. Shadow, knowing her stubborn nature, realized she wouldn't stop until she found out. It was better if he told her himself.