Filed To Story: Watch Out! She's a Mastermind Heiress (Isabella Patton) Book PDF Free
Even if Andrew didn’t love her, she was determined to marry him. She believed that with enough effort, even the hardest heart could be softened. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she waited, desperate for any sign that her words had reached him.
Andrew’s voice was calm but resolute. “I will only marry the one I love.” And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Kristine standing in disappointment.
Kristine stood frozen in place, a chill creeping through her entire body. The one he loved? Andrew, who had never even shown an interest in marriage, was now speaking of love? Could it be that someone had already captured his heart? The idea that he might already care for someone else sent a shiver down Kristine’s spine.
No! She couldn’t let that happen. The man she had her heart set on for years—if she couldn’t have him, then no one else would. Kristine stumbled back to her room in a daze, her mind too scattered to even think about practicing the dance routine Lynda had given her.
In another room, Isabella sat at her computer, reading an email that had just come in. “Dear Bella, we sincerely invite you to be a judge at our upcoming National Dance Competition…” The message was from the National Dance Association.
Isabella, who had always preferred solitude over the chaos of crowds, usually avoided events like this. The sender, well aware of her reserved nature, had wisely chosen to reach out via email instead of calling, despite their eagerness for her participation. She spent some time watching videos from past competitions.
It was no surprise that Lorpond’s dance scene was often mocked internationally. A series of scandals involving Lorpond’s top dancers had left the country without any prominent figures in the art. After some thought, Isabella typed her response. “Sure, but please keep my identity confidential.”
The reply came almost instantly, brimming with enthusiasm. “Absolutely!!” After finalizing the details, Isabella headed downstairs to grab some water.
“Miss, may I help you with something?” a maid asked, glancing up from her tidying as she noticed Isabella.
“Just getting some water,” Isabella replied.
The maid smiled warmly. “The kettle’s right over here, miss. I can pour it for you. By the way, I’m Fiona Huff. If you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Isabella nodded, watching as Fiona cheerfully poured the water for her. Fiona’s eyes lit up with excitement as she said, “Miss, how about some chocolate cake? There’s some in the fridge that’s absolutely delicious.”
“Really?” Isabella’s face brightened at the mention of cake. “I’d love some!”
Fiona quickly cut a slice and handed it over, her cheerful energy infectious. As Isabella took the plate, she couldn’t help but think of the maids at the Chapman family’s estate—always so quiet, so withdrawn. Curiosity got the better of her. “Fiona, do you like working here?”
“Oh, definitely!” Fiona beamed. “Your family has been so good to me. I’ve been here since I finished my education, five years now, and I always try to give my best.”
Isabella nodded, a thoughtful expression settling on her face as she moved to the living room. Once Fiona had finished her tasks and left, Isabella found herself gazing out the large floor-to-ceiling window. A sudden realization hit her—she hadn’t danced in what felt like forever.
On a whim, she stepped in front of the window. Slowly, almost tentatively, she began to move, her body remembering the rhythm as she reconnected with the dance.
Outside, the car engine fell silent as Lynda returned home after a long, exhausting day. She was eager to unwind. With the National Dance Competition on the horizon, soon followed by the International Dance Competition, she had been pouring all her energy into training her students, desperately hoping to find a few promising talents.
But as she looked up, all traces of fatigue disappeared in an instant. Behind the curtains, a graceful figure moved with a fluidity and elegance that took her breath away. Each step and each turn perfectly captured the passion and vibrancy of the samba.
Lynda was completely mesmerized. By the time she snapped out of it, the dance had ended, but her heart was still racing. Such skill—such extraordinary talent—was exactly what could shine on the international stage! Her worries about the upcoming competitions melted away, replaced by a surge of excitement. She never imagined Kristine had reached such an exceptional level in her dancing!
Without a second thought, Lynda rushed inside the house, certain of who it was. After all, Kristine was the only one in the Patton family besides herself who danced and had been under her tutelage since childhood. She hurried to Kristine’s door and knocked eagerly.
After a moment, Kristine opened the door, her hair damp as if she had just finished showering. Seeing Lynda standing outside her room made Kristine feel a twinge of guilt—she hadn’t practiced dancing that evening. Was Lynda here to check up on her?
But instead of the expected reprimand, Lynda’s face was lit up with a broad smile. She stepped inside without hesitation. “Kristine, I didn’t expect you to make such incredible progress in just a few days.”
Kristine was momentarily thrown off. What was Lynda talking about? She quickly forced a smile, recovering her composure. “It’s all thanks to your guidance, Auntie.”
Lynda waved away the flattery, her eyes glowing with pride. “No, this is all you, Kristine. I just nudged you in the right direction. You’re truly a prodigy, and I’ve got high hopes for you in this competition. In fact, I’m going to recommend you for a high position in the association. With your talent, it would be a shame for you to remain just a regular member!”
Kristine was shocked. Was Lynda really this impressed by her? Could it be that she had recognized her talent? Moreover, Lynda was even going to apply for a high position for her in the Dance Association? The idea of becoming the youngest senior member of the Lorpond Dance Association sent a surge of excitement through her.
Lynda’s eyes sparkled with anticipation as she continued, “By the way, could you show me that dance you just did?”
“The dance I just did?”
“Yes, you performed it in the living room.”
Kristine blinked in confusion. Lynda’s brow furrowed. “Wasn’t that you?”
But there was no one else in the house who could dance!
Realization dawned on Kristine. Someone had danced in the living room, and Lynda had mistaken her for the dancer. Yet, she had been upstairs in her bedroom all this while. Who could have performed a dance that amazed Lynda?
Under Lynda’s perplexed gaze, Kristine felt a heavy heart. After a brief pause, she admitted, “Oh, you saw that? I was just dancing casually.”
Lynda’s face softened into a smile. “If I hadn’t witnessed it myself, I wouldn’t have realized just how much you’ve improved. You must be weary today, so I’ll watch you dance tomorrow. You can dazzle those old-timers when you have the opportunity to perform in front of them, and I’m certain you’ll clinch a high position!”
Kristine exhaled, relieved, and managed a smile. “Alright, I’ll give it my all. Especially now… with Isabella back, I need to double my efforts to deserve my place here. I can’t afford to let anyone think I’m merely leeching off the family…”
Lynda’s gaze sharpened instantly. “Kristine, who’s been talking to you like that?”
“Auntie, please don’t get it wrong. No one’s said anything. It’s just me wanting to push myself further.”
As an expert in dance, Lynda understood the immense effort required to excel. She was disheartened to think Kristine’s drive stemmed from the pressures of proving her worth in the Patton family.
With newfound empathy, Lynda reassured her, “Kristine, don’t burden yourself with such thoughts. You’ve always been our little star. As long as I’m here, no one can belittle you. If anyone dares, they’ll have to answer to me!”
Not even Glenn or Elaine would be permitted to treat Kristine unfairly. Gratitude washed over Kristine. “Thank you, Auntie. In this family, you’re my rock. Knowing you’re here comforts me, and I’ll continue to strive.”
“That’s the spirit!”
Once Lynda had departed, a shadow fell over Kristine’s expression. Who else in this residence could dance that well? Surely not Isabella. Could it have been one of the staff?
Prompted by this question, Kristine accessed the house’s surveillance system. The screens flickered to life, revealing a startling truth. Two figures had descended the stairs at that time: the maid Fiona and Isabella.
The camera in the living room, unfortunately broken days earlier and still awaiting repair, left a gap in the coverage. However, the hallway camera provided enough insight. She believed Fiona was the mysterious dancer. Kristine resolved that Fiona must be kept away from Lynda’s eyes. As such, Kristine didn’t suspect Isabella at all.
Meanwhile, Isabella, oblivious to the brewing storm, retreated to her room. The day’s events had drained her, prompting an early night. As she settled down, her phone buzzed with incoming texts.
“Isabella, did you mistreat Eliza?”
“Anyway, you’re back in the countryside now, aren’t you? Just steer clear of Eliza and carry on with your life.”
Isabella’s lips curled into a sneer. After parting ways with the Chapman family, she had indeed grown adept at seeing people’s true colors. The night stretched deep and mysterious, cloaking all in its inky embrace.
The next day, the morning sun cast a warm glow as it spilled into the hallway. As Isabella descended the stairs, the sound of sobbing reached her ears.
“It wasn’t me, I swear!” Fiona, the maid who had just served Isabella the previous day, was kneeling on the floor, tears streaming down her face. “Mrs. Patton, I never took the necklace. Please believe me.”
Curious, Isabella stepped closer and asked, “What’s all this about?”
Kristine sighed deeply before responding, “Fiona’s stolen my necklace. Fiona, I understand your brother is sick. If money is the issue, I’m here to help, but theft is not the solution.”
“Mrs. Patton, I’m innocent. I don’t know how the necklace ended up in my room,” Fiona insisted, her voice choked with emotion.
Elaine looked on, her brow furrowed with worry. Fiona had been a loyal employee for many years, making the situation hard for Elaine to accept.
Lynda, however, was stern and resolved. She stated coldly, “Enough. You were caught with the evidence. No more excuses—take your story to the police.”
Despair etched itself deeply across Fiona’s features as she faced the accusation. Having devoted years of service to the Patton family, whom she deeply cared for, she never imagined she might one day be cast aside as a thief. The world seemed to darken before her eyes.
Isabella spoke up, her voice resonant with conviction. “Fiona is innocent. I saw her walking out of the living room yesterday.”
Before Isabella could continue, Kristine cut in sharply, “Isabella, she might have taken it earlier. People like her will do anything for money. You shouldn’t defend her.”
Lynda, her face tight with displeasure, was resolute. “Just take her away!”
Tears streaming, Fiona grasped at Isabella’s leg, her plea punctuated by sobs. “Miss, I swear on my life—I didn’t take anything!”
Isabella turned her gaze sharply toward Kristine. “You claim she stole from you. Where’s your proof?”
Kristine was taken aback by Isabella’s defense of a servant, her discomfort apparent. “The necklace was found in her room—what more proof do you need? Isabella… Are you implying that I am falsely accusing her of stealing?”
As Kristine spoke, her eyes dropped, a show of wounded innocence that tugged at Lynda’s sympathies. Kristine’s recent dance performance had endeared her further to Lynda.
Lynda’s eyes narrowed as she addressed Isabella. “Kristine is your sister. It’s unbecoming to challenge her over a maid!”
“Oh? So we ignore potential wrongs because of family ties?” Isabella countered sharply.
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
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