Chapter 431

"No need. Staying home is fine. Your father and I can make our own arrangements if needed. You needn't worry."

Irene pressed,

"I know you and Dad can arrange things, but... I also want to fulfill my filial duty."

"We have no plans to travel far recently." Seeing that Irene was pretending not to understand, the old lady decided to be blunt.

She simply didn't want to go.

"Why?" Irene clenched her fingers.

"Because Minnie is back?"

During the meal, she had kept a smile on her face. But seeing how the old man and old lady doted on Isabella, how even David Sullivan received better treatment than her...

Irene had been simmering with anger, only holding back for the sake of the occasion.

Now, she could contain it no longer.

She let out a cold laugh.

"Mom, truthfully, I've never understood."

"Why do you hate me so much? Just because I went out with Minnie and only I managed to escape and return? Did you want me to disappear without a trace like her? Would that have made you happy?"

"Now that Minnie is back, I thought you could let go of your prejudice and accept me again. But you're still like this... What exactly have I done wrong to deserve this treatment?"

Irene's voice caught with a sob.

It had always been like this. They always favored their biological daughter. They never treated them equally.

Why was Isabella the treasured one in their palm, while she was just weeds by the roadside?

The old lady looked her straight in the eye, enunciating each word clearly.

"You actually don't know what you did wrong? Hah..."

Just then, Isabella emerged with a fruit platter.

She invited Irene and the old lady to have some fruit. Before she could finish speaking, Irene spoke up.

"Minnie, come with me for a moment. Among the gifts I brought this time, there are many dried seafood and preserves. I'll show you how to store them."

The old lady said mildly,

"Leave that to the housekeeper. Minnie, you don't need to bother with it."

Being refused again, Irene's face darkened.

But Isabella smiled and said,

"In this weather, dried goods can easily get damp and moldy. I'd better go take a look."

The old lady frowned but didn't stop her further.

Suppressing her anger, Irene led Isabella into the garden.

It suddenly became quiet all around.

This was the first time the two sisters had been alone face-to-face after so many years.

Isabella knew Irene had something to say.

Similarly, she also had questions she wanted to ask.

"Sister, if you have something to say, just say it directly."

Isabella remained calm.

Irene’s anger flared at her composure.

Her gaze was icy, a mix of fury and jealousy.

Irene suddenly let out a cold laugh.

The moonlight cast a pale glow on her face.

Her red coat made her look like a vengeful spirit.

Confusion flickered in Isabella’s eyes.

“Little sister, I’ve always envied you.”

“I envied your parents’ love, Theodore’s care.”

“You were always the center of attention.”

“Standing next to you, I was the ugly duckling to your swan.”

“But my last name is Valdemar too!”

Isabella stepped forward to steady her. “Sis, you’re drunk.”

Irene shook her off. “Don’t touch me! Stop pretending! You’re laughing at me inside, aren’t you?”

“I’m not…”

“Our parents only ever had eyes for you. Why?” Irene spun around, gripping Isabella’s shoulders.

Her gaze darkened. “For over twenty years, everything was fine.”

“Why did you have to come back? Why couldn’t you just leave things as they were?”

“You have a husband, a daughter, a perfect family.”

“You’re a famous writer. You have everything!”

“Why come back to compete for more?!”

Irene was hysterical, venting years of pent-up resentment.

Isabella took a half-step back, her eyes cooling.

“Sis, we grew up together. We know each other well.”

“You showing up tonight wasn’t just to celebrate the New Year with our parents, was it?”

Irene paused.

Isabella continued, “You getting drunk and saying all this isn’t a spur-of-the-moment thing either.”

“Since we know each other so well, why not be direct? What do you want?”

“That way, you don’t have to pretend, and I don’t have to guess. It’s easier for everyone.”

“Heh…” Irene straightened up and suddenly smiled. “After more than twenty years, you haven’t changed.”

Still so sharp. Still so infuriating!

“Fine. Since we’re being blunt, I’ll get straight to the point.” Irene’s drunkenness vanished.

Her eyes were clear as she stared at Isabella.

“I brought Theodore here to see how you two act around each other now.”

Isabella asked, “And what did you find out?”

Irene studied her. “You, I can’t figure out.”

“But Theodore clearly still has feelings for you. Don’t deny it. I’m not blind.”

“I wasn’t going to deny it,” Isabella said.

Irene fell silent.

“You still haven’t stated your purpose. Or let me rephrase.”

“Why did you call me out here to put on this show? What exactly do you want me to do?”

“Isabella, you’re still so clever. My demand is simple.”

“Stay away from Theodore. As far as possible.”

“Even if he approaches you, you avoid him!”

Isabella asked, “Is that all?”

“Don’t change the subject! Do you dare promise me that?”

Isabella looked puzzled. “Sis, I truly don’t understand your logic.”

“If he’s the one with lingering feelings, why not talk to him directly?”

“Communicate your concerns and your demands to him. Wouldn’t that solve the problem better?”

“See? That face,” Irene clicked her tongue in disgust. “So dismissive. Acting like everything is simple. Like you’re so clever!”

“If I could make demands of Theodore, would I need to come to you?!” she snarled.

Isabella said seriously, “You’re husband and wife. Shouldn’t couples communicate and discuss things?”

“Heh… But he doesn’t see me as his wife!” Irene gritted her teeth.

Isabella was silent for a moment before looking up. “I’m sorry. I can’t do that.”

“What do you mean?!” Irene’s eyes narrowed. “Do you still want to rekindle something with him?!”

“First, your demand is unreasonable.”

“Second, we grew up together. By your logic, we can’t even speak in the future? Become strangers? Is that possible?”

“Finally, I have no obligation to promise you anything. And you have no right to demand it of me.”

Irene retorted, “So you’re saying you still can’t let him go!”

Isabella didn’t want to continue. Some people just wouldn’t listen.

You could explain a thousand times, and they’d still twist your words.

She turned to leave.

Irene spoke to her retreating back, her tone ominous. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell your husband about you and Theodore?”

“Do you think he’ll still treat you well after he finds out?”

Isabella laughed. She turned around to let Irene see her smile. “Go ahead. I don’t mind.”

“You’re… not afraid?”

“Why should I be? He already knows.”

“What? David knows about you and Theodore?!”

Isabella said, “Is that strange? Of course he asked after I regained my memories.”

“You told him?!” Irene’s eyes widened.

Isabella nodded. “Yes.”

“And he wasn’t angry?”

“It’s ancient history. Why would he be angry?” Isabella genuinely didn’t understand.

But this conversation made one thing clear.

Irene’s marriage to Theodore seemed unhappy.

“Haha… Fake! So fake! Isabella, you’re so fake!”

Isabella ignored her and continued inside.

Suddenly—

“Isabella! You’re just a shameless, rotten—”

“Shut up!”

“What, struck a nerve? I’ll say it! You’re trash! Back then, during the kidnapping, who knows how many men had you!”

Isabella’s eyes turned completely cold.

“Kidnapping? You actually know it was a kidnapping. But why?”

Irene froze.

Isabella moved closer. “Back then, we were hiding. We could have escaped safely.”

“Why did you deliberately make noise and lead the kidnappers to us?”