Filed To Story: Watch Out! She's a Mastermind Heiress (Isabella Patton) Book PDF Free
Andrew paused briefly before saying, “Susan is from the Riggs family in Ansport, right? I only found that out recently.”
“You did?”
“Yes,” Andrew replied quietly. “But many people in Ansport don’t know about Susan because she’s barely noticeable in the Riggs family. Even some household staff might not realize she’s their boss’s daughter—they probably only recognize his other daughter, Jada.”
Isabella hadn’t dug into Susan’s circumstances but had sensed that life at home must be hard for her. She hadn’t realized just how severe it really was.
“Why is that?” Isabella inquired.
“Well, Susan’s current mother is her stepmother. Her real mother died when she was young, and after the stepmother came into the picture, Susan’s home life got tougher. This stepmother is quite cunning—she quickly made a name for herself in social circles and began spreading rumors that Susan was rebellious and disliked studying… As a result, even those who are aware of Susan have a negative view of her and feel sorry for Mara for having to deal with such a troublesome stepdaughter.”
What a manipulative woman! No wonder Susan left Ansport!
Isabella’s eyes narrowed. Mara, huh? She would remember that name.
After talking a bit more, they both decided to end the conversation for the night.
The next morning, Isabella joined Elaine for breakfast. Elaine was dressed stylishly, apparently prepared for an outing.
“Mom, where are you off to today?” Isabella asked as she ate her omelet.
“Two ladies from prestigious families in Ansport have invited me out shopping. I haven’t been out much lately, so I thought I’d join them. Would you like to come with me, Isabella?” Elaine offered kindly. “You shouldn’t always be working, dear. A young woman needs to enjoy life.”
Ladies from prestigious families? “So, who exactly are you going shopping with?” Isabella asked.
“Mrs. Santos and Mrs. Riggs,” Elaine answered.
Mrs. Santos and Mrs. Riggs had invited Elaine shopping together? It seemed that the Patton Group held considerable sway in Ansport too. But Mrs. Riggs… “Mom, what time will you be back?” Isabella inquired.
“Probably after dinner,” Elaine responded.
“If I get off work early, I’ll come meet you for dinner,” Isabella suggested warmly.
Elaine smiled. “That would be wonderful.”
After breakfast, Isabella headed to the office to tackle some urgent business.
By five in the afternoon, she had finished her work and checked where Elaine was before heading out. Before leaving, she texted Susan.
The restaurant where the ladies were eating was extremely upscale, with average costs exceeding ten thousand per person.
Upon her arrival, Isabella quickly located them. Mara was sitting opposite Elaine, her demeanor vastly different from their last encounter at the hospital. Seeing Isabella approach, Mara reacted with exaggerated enthusiasm. “Oh my, is this Isabella? Mrs. Patton, your daughter is absolutely breathtaking—she’s clearly inherited all your grace!”
“Mrs. Riggs, you flatter her. Isabella, come sit here,” Elaine said with a smile, guiding Isabella to sit next to her. She then introduced the others to her, saying, “Isabella, this is Mrs. Riggs, and that’s Mrs. Santos.”
Mara was dressed in a vivid orange dress, radiating the presence of an affluent lady. In contrast, Amanda Santos wore a more subdued jade-green dress complemented by a pearl necklace, exuding quiet sophistication.
“Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Riggs, Mrs. Santos,” Isabella greeted them graciously.
Upon seeing Isabella, Amanda was immediately impressed. “Isabella isn’t just beautiful. She’s also so well-mannered!”
Elaine beamed and said, “My daughter is indeed very well-mannered.”
Amanda chuckled, a touch of envy in her eyes. “I envy you. My little rascal is only good at causing chaos. A daughter is so much better than a son.”
Isabella glanced at Mara with an innocent expression and said, “Well, if you’re going to be envious, you should envy Mrs. Riggs. She has two daughters!”
Elaine raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Mrs. Riggs, you have two daughters?”
It appeared Mara had only mentioned her biological daughter earlier.
Mara’s expression stiffened for a moment, but she quickly recovered with a smile. “Yes, but the elder one isn’t my biological child. She’s been away for quite some time, and I’m hesitant to mention her. If she knew I mentioned her, she’d probably be upset.”
Elaine nodded in understanding. “Kids grow up and develop their own personalities.”
Mara sighed, a hint of helplessness in her voice. “My stepdaughter has always been difficult. No matter what I get for her, she doesn’t want it. It breaks my heart. Losing her mother at such a young age must have scarred her. No matter how hard I try, nothing seems to change.”
Isabella fought back a grimace, finding the whole act nauseating.
Mara, despite her cunning and schemes, was really good at pretending to be a kind woman.
Elaine tried to comfort her. “Give her some time. She’ll eventually see the good you’re doing for her.”
Mara shook her head with a sad smile. “I hope so, but it’s been twenty years, and nothing’s changed. She never responds to my messages or calls. The only time she accepts anything is when I send money.”
Pausing for a moment, she added helplessly, “What else can I do? I just feel so sorry for her.”
Mara’s pitiful demeanor painted her as a devoted stepmother in everyone’s eyes.
Meanwhile, Susan was cast as the ungrateful, rebellious stepdaughter.
No wonder Susan had such a bad reputation in Ansport; it was all Mara’s doing.
Elaine thought for a moment and suggested, “Why not visit her now and then? Take her out and spend some quality time together. Girls need that kind of companionship. Her father’s probably too busy to give her the attention she needs. That’s where you come in.”
Mara nodded, her expression growing even more sorrowful. “You’re absolutely right, Mrs. Patton. I’ve done that, actually.”
“What happened?” Elaine asked.
Mara’s voice grew even more sorrowful as she recounted, “I never saw her. I waited at the airport all night, caught a cold, and had to return home. Before I set off, I had asked her if she would meet me, and she had promised she would.”
Elaine raised her eyebrows in surprise.
It was clear the girl had a rebellious streak.
Amanda said flatly, “Honestly, it might be best not to bother. Some people are just ungrateful.”
Elaine remained silent, but she sighed inwardly, reflecting on the situation.
Isabella, suppressing a smirk, asked in an innocent tone, “Is that so? Mrs. Riggs, you must have such a hard time. I truly sympathize. How much do you usually give her?”
“I give her whatever she asks for, usually no less than a hundred thousand dollars each time,” Mara replied. A hundred thousand dollars was a substantial amount.
“Oh, I see,” Isabella said, glancing at Elaine. “By the way, Mom, my good friend will be joining us later. Let’s all have dinner together.”
“Of course. You’ve made a friend so quickly here?” Elaine asked, pleased.
“No, it’s the one you’ve met before.”
“Oh, is it Susan? What a coincidence! Let’s have her join us for dinner,” Elaine said warmly.
She then turned to Amanda and Mara. “My daughter’s friend will be joining us soon. She’s a sweet girl and a close friend of my daughter’s. They spend a lot of time together.”
“That sounds lovely. I always enjoy the company of young people,” Amanda said with a gentle, graceful smile.
Mara, on the other hand, felt a hint of unease. Susan? Could it be Susan Riggs? But after glancing at Isabella, she dismissed the thought.
How could Susan Riggs possibly know Isabella and be such good friends with her? Mara relaxed and welcomed the idea.
They continued chatting, and soon the dishes were served, but Susan had yet to arrive.
“Hasn’t your friend arrived yet?” Mara asked.
Isabella checked her phone and replied, “She’s almost here.” Mara nodded.
Moments later, a graceful figure entered the restaurant. The girl was wearing a mask, and as soon as Isabella spotted her, she waved. “Over here.”
Susan walked over and took a seat next to Isabella. “Was it far?” Isabella asked.
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