Filed To Story: Watch Out! She's a Mastermind Heiress (Isabella Patton) Book PDF Free
“Exactly. If Eliza really cared about her former parents, she would have helped them financially before slandering Isabella. She’s only sending money now to save her own reputation! It’s so transparent.”
“I can’t stand Eliza. The whole Chapman family seems rotten to the core. Don’t you agree?”
“Absolutely. The Chapman family had a chance to come out of this looking good, but they destroyed their own reputation.”
“Evil people always get what’s coming to them! The Patton family should never cooperate with them. The Chapmans deserve to be punished.”
“This whole thing just proves there’s not a decent person in the entire Chapman family! I’m done with them. Who’s with me in boycotting their products?”
“Everyone’s focused on Eliza, but let’s not forget this reporter. He was so arrogant at the start, and he didn’t even bother to learn the truth!”
“Right! We can’t let this reporter off the hook. What he did was just as terrible.”
The reporter found himself in an increasingly uncomfortable situation. He had believed he was on a mission for justice, only to realize he had been played. Glancing angrily at Eliza, he started to retreat, but Isabella’s voice stopped him in his tracks. “Aren’t you going to apologize to them now?” she asked, her tone calm but firm.
The reporter froze, then turned to face the two elderly people. With no other option, he stepped forward. “I’m truly sorry. I never meant to hurt your feelings. I was deceived as well.”
Sherlyn, unimpressed, responded sharply, “As a reporter, it’s your job to uphold your profession’s integrity. I told you multiple times that Isabella isn’t my daughter, but you ignored me! Were you just eager for sensational gossip?”
Every word from Sherlyn hit the nail on the head, exposing the reporter’s irresponsibility. Isabella, observing quietly, couldn’t help but admire Sherlyn’s keen insight. Though she appeared simple and straightforward, Sherlyn had a sharp mind for reading people.
The reporter’s face flushed crimson with embarrassment. “I’m truly sorry…”
But Isabella wasn’t about to let him off so easily. “If you’re really sorry, shouldn’t you show it through some actions?”
Catching her drift, the reporter quickly responded, “I’ll donate ten thousand dollars to you as a gesture of my apology.”
Sherlyn didn’t miss a beat. “Isabella has already taken care of the medical expenses. We don’t need your money. It would be better if you donated it to charity instead.”
“Of course, no problem at all,” the reporter agreed hurriedly.
Unable to bear the situation any longer, the reporter quickly fled the scene with his assistant in tow, leaving Phyllis and Eliza standing awkwardly in the ward. Eliza’s eyes were red with resentment, while Phyllis wore a conflicted expression.
Suddenly, Phyllis stepped forward and grasped Isabella’s hand. “It’s all my fault, Isabella. Please, forgive me. I know I didn’t treat you well when you were a child, but I only wanted you to have a bright future! Why would I intentionally hurt you when I had no idea that you weren’t my daughter at the time?”
Isabella’s voice was cold as she responded, “But you didn’t treat Eliza like that after she returned.” Phyllis fell silent, unable to find a response.
Blood ties can be a strange and powerful thing. When Isabella was a child, Phyllis constantly pushed her to excel, never sparing a thought for whether Isabella had time to rest. But then, with Eliza back, Phyllis had become unusually gentle.
Phyllis, feeling the weight of her past actions, lowered her gaze. “I’m truly sorry, Isabella. But we were once family. Can you find it in your heart to forgive us?”
Now, all Phyllis could do was look up at Isabella, her pride crumbling under the weight of reality. If she continued to resist, she might as well have lost her mind. Getting along with Isabella could mean survival for the Chapman family, which was now teetering on the brink of ruin. Fostering a good relationship with the Patton Group could turn their fortunes around.
“Of course,” Isabella replied, her voice cool.
Phyllis’s eyes brightened with relief. Her mind began to wander, imagining the day when other clans would scramble to curry favor with her family, all because of her newfound alliance with the powerful Patton family.
But Isabella’s next words cut through her daydream like a knife. “You’re not going to do anything to harm me. Consider that a kindness. You can leave now.”
Phyllis’s face paled. Her eyes filled with tears as she choked out, “Do you hate me so much? Isabella, I used to treat you as my own daughter!”
Isabella responded with a cold, faint smile, saying nothing.
Phyllis fell silent as well.
Eliza, watching Phyllis grovel before Isabella, felt a wave of anger wash over her. Resentment boiled in her veins, and she silently wished for Isabella’s downfall. “Pay back the money. Then, you can go,” Sherlyn said, her tone dismissive.
With no other choice, Phyllis and Eliza left, their earlier excitement now replaced with sinking despair.
As soon as Eliza retired to her bedroom, her phone rang. “Eliza, is it true? Is Isabella really a member of the powerful Patton family?” Teresa’s voice crackled with disbelief, the shock evident even through the phone. She had seen the news online just now and wanted to verify with Eliza herself.
“Yes,” Eliza replied icily, still angry because of what happened earlier.
Teresa’s face drained of color, her legs nearly giving way beneath her. What had she been doing at the company all this time? Teresa’s thoughts spiraled, disbelief and despair tightening around her chest. Isabella, Dane’s real sister, had stood by, watching her live a lie, posing as Dane’s sister. The humiliation was unbearable.
She had always seen herself as superior, a queen in her own right. But now, the truth crashed down on her with cruel clarity—she had been nothing more than a laughingstock.
“Eliza…” Teresa’s voice quivered, laden with desperation. “Please help me. I’m too poor now.”
But Eliza had no sympathy left to give. Her patience had worn thin, and without a word, she ended the call, the click of the disconnect echoing in the silence.
She clenched her fists, her knuckles white as she stared out the window, her gaze stormy. She had sworn to herself that this time, she would destroy Isabella. But fate had twisted the knife—Isabella had turned the tables, emerging as the winner, while Eliza’s reputation lay in tatters.
Everyone whispered about her, labeling her as unfilial. The shame gnawed at her like a relentless beast. Yet, amidst the turmoil, the thought of a single person brought her a flicker of satisfaction—Gilbert. He was still hers, the one person Isabella couldn’t get. A smirk played on Eliza’s lips as she reached for her phone, her fingers trembling with excitement.
She called Gilbert, hoping for the comfort of his voice, but the line rang and rang, unanswered.
Meanwhile, back at the hospital, Dane talked to Aidyn, asking about his state. Aidyn and Sherlyn had always held the Patton family in high regard, so they extended an invitation to visit their home.
As Dane and Isabella stepped into the parking lot, they spotted a familiar face in the distance. Dane’s expression was stern as he turned to Isabella. “I’ll wait for you in the car.”
Isabella nodded, her gaze sliding over to Gilbert, her eyes turning cold as ice.
As Gilbert approached, his deep eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that could burn through stone. He had always sensed something unique about Isabella—a certain grace, a rare charm—but never had he imagined that she was a member of a wealthy family.
As he stood before her, his eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Isabella,” he said, his voice trembling, thick with regret, “I’m sorry. I realize now how blind I’ve been. Eliza misled me, making me believe you were foolish and cruel. But I see now—you’re nothing like that. It was Eliza who was poisonous all along. I was so wrong… so, so wrong.”
With great difficulty, Gilbert uttered these words, accompanied by what he believed to be a look of deep affection. “Isabella, I never had any real feelings for Eliza. You know how unstable my position in my family is—I thought I had no choice but to marry her. But now, I know who you really are, a member of the Patton family. It changes everything! We don’t have to be separated anymore!”
With a hopeful gleam in his eyes, he added, “We can finally be together again!”
Isabella remained silent, her expression unreadable. Gilbert’s head swelled with confidence. Surely, his heartfelt confession had touched her deeply.
Isabella then broke the silence, her voice cutting through his thoughts. “I want to ask you something.”
“What is it?” he asked, leaning closer.
“How are you so shameless?” Isabella asked, looking genuinely confused. “Why do you assume that everyone is in love with you?”
Gilbert’s hopeful expression faltered, his confidence cracking under the weight of her words. “Are you still angry with me? I’m really sorry, but I swear—you’re the only woman I’ve ever loved.”
“But I’m not interested in a man who’s unattractive yet absurdly overconfident,” Isabella replied expressionlessly.
Gilbert’s face paled as her words hit him like a slap. “Isabella, please don’t be so angry!” he pleaded, desperation creeping into his voice. “You were so good to me back then—you must have loved me deeply. I know I’ve disappointed you, but I’ll make it up to you!” He reached out to grasp Isabella’s hand, but she swatted him away violently.
“Gilbert,” she said icily, “I’ve found you insufferable since we were kids. You’re so stupid that you couldn’t even answer the simplest questions. I only bothered to explain things to you because you were supposed to be my fianc?. Otherwise, I never would’ve given you the time of day!”
Gilbert felt as though the ground had crumbled beneath him. He had never realized that Isabella’s previous kindness and patience were born not of love but of obligation. He had taken her for granted and, worse, betrayed her. His heart ached with the sharp sting of regret.
“Do you really have no feelings for me at all?”
“If you were in my shoes, would you like yourself?” Isabella shot back.
Gilbert turned deathly white as he realized he had always taken Isabella’s generosity for granted, never appreciating the sacrifices she made. His hands dropped, and he bowed his head in defeat.
Isabella then turned and climbed into Dane’s car. Dane didn’t inquire about their discussion and simply told the driver to go. The luxury car drove past Gilbert, leaving a puff of exhaust behind.
While on the road, Isabella got a call from Andrew. They talked about Aidyn and Sherlyn, and then Andrew mentioned, “It’s the weekend tomorrow. I’ll come to see you.”
Isabella smiled. “Sounds good.”
“Got any place in mind you’d like to visit?”
Isabella paused to think, glanced at Dane, and then texted Andrew, saying, “I came across a fun date idea online. How about we try out a foot massage parlor? What do you think?”
Andrew replied, “That sounds great.” He added, “Is Dane there with you?”
Isabella almost burst out laughing at that. Andrew really knew her too well. After finalizing their plans, Isabella put her phone away, feeling quite content.
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.