Filed To Story: Watch Out! She's a Mastermind Heiress (Isabella Patton) Book PDF Free
Feeling the mood shift around her, Kristine managed a wry smile. Even if her plan failed, she resolved to tarnish Isabella’s reputation today, regardless of the effort required.
“Mr. Patton, remember that Kristine is your close friend’s daughter…” someone finally said. Others added their voices, with one commenting, “Yes, if Isabella has issues with Kristine, she could simply ask Kristine to move out. But creating such a scene isn’t right…”
Glenn’s mature, handsome face stayed composed, yet his voice carried authority. “Everyone, please remain calm. We will investigate this matter thoroughly.”
Investigate? It seemed clear what had happened!
Everyone pitied Kristine, yet no one felt bold enough to contradict Glenn directly. Except for Josie, who courageously countered, “Mr. Patton, just look at Kristine. Do you honestly think Isabella is innocent in this? How can you accept that Kristine wanted to be with that man? Do you truly think any of this is justified?”
Her questions resonated, challenging all who heard. People shook their heads, troubled.
“Yes, Mr. Patton, please seek justice for Kristine.”
“If Kristine really took her own life, it would be on your conscience.”
The crowd nodded in agreement. Glenn’s face took on a more solemn expression.
Isabella then approached the bed, looking down at the man there. “Do we know each other?”
The man had initially thought his role was simple—to sleep with a woman for money. However, he hadn’t expected Isabella to strike him as soon as she walked into the room, knocking him unconscious.
Now, as he met Isabella’s stern gaze, he whispered, his voice trembling, “Yes.”
“And do you have my phone number?” Isabella snapped back sharply.
The man argued, “You were the one who contacted me. You promised payment after the job was complete.”
“Do you have any proof? Like a recording?” Isabella inquired.
“You didn’t let me record anything,” he answered.
Kristine gazed at Isabella with cold eyes. Did Isabella think mere words would absolve her? Today marked her downfall. There was no way out!
“Why the act, Isabella? Cut the crap and just tell us, what are we going to do about this matter?” Josie exclaimed with a sneer.
Isabella looked disdainfully at Kristine and said, “I’ll give you one last opportunity to confess your actions.”
Kristine’s complexion turned ghostly. “Isabella, even now you deny it? Are you still trying to slander me? Do you want to see me dead? Very well, I’ll end it now! I won’t disrupt your family gathering any longer!”
With those words, she lunged toward the wall again, eliciting gasps from the audience. Several guests attempted to intervene, but Josie, being the nearest, managed to intercept her first.
Kristine continued to cry, overwhelmed with sorrow. Saddened by the scene, Josie comforted her. “Kristine, don’t cry. We’ll ensure justice is served today!”
Her declaration was steadfast and strong. She looked around at the guests, who appeared touched. If Kristine were to die here, they would surely lament their inaction. Not even the influence of the Patton family could justify their indifference.
“Mr. Patton, look at Kristine! If she took her life, you would bear responsibility. I know you cherish your biological daughter, but Kristine has been your daughter for many years.”
“Yes, Mr. Patton, no one knows better than you who Kristine’s real father is. Don’t you feel any remorse for what has befallen her?”
The guests implored Glenn to act. Glenn faced them, his expression laden with emotion.
Kristine was sobbing uncontrollably, while Isabella appeared unaffected. The man in the bed seemed restless. The guests all sensed an injustice had been done to Kristine.
Glenn, an experienced businessman with keen instincts, had figured out the situation. “You are all respected individuals in Gemond. Don’t let emotions sway your judgment. Kristine took Isabella upstairs. It was also Kristine who came upstairs with Andrew. All were initiated by Kristine. Do you really think Isabella planned all this?”
His voice was icy, carrying a note of lecturing. Kristine hadn’t anticipated Glenn siding with Isabella even at this moment. To her, it was nothing but favoritism. She was seething with anger.
“Alright, Dad, if you won’t believe me, then there’s nothing more to discuss. I can’t live with this. I’ll repay you for raising me in my next life!”
Kristine attempted once more to end her life, but just as she was about to do so, a voice interrupted, saying, “Hello, beautiful! You’re here!”
The voice belonged to the vagrant. It emanated from a phone that Isabella held in her hand. Kristine stared at it, her thoughts racing.
“Who are you?” That was Isabella’s voice.
“It doesn’t matter who I am. Just know that today, you’re going to have a fantastic time.” The man’s tone became suggestive.
But in the next moment, the man suddenly yelled out in pain, and the recording ended abruptly.
Isabella said calmly, “I felt something off with my wine when Kristine drank with me, so I started recording beforehand. I didn’t expect to encounter an unknown man when I entered this room. I immediately subdued him and escaped. I considered calling the police, but with a banquet going on at our house, I didn’t want to cause a scene. I planned to lock him up here and call the police after the party.”
Kristine stared at Isabella, her eyes wide with shock. She couldn’t believe that Isabella had been suspicious of her for so long. The recording served as evidence. The guests’ faces showed their shock. Now, the question was: who was the real villain, Isabella or Kristine?
“I had no idea there was someone in this room,” Kristine sobbed and yelled, “Isabella, perhaps you colluded with this man to set me up. I’m innocent.”
“I have something else to disclose.” Andrew stepped forward.
Kristine scowled at him, puzzled by his intervention. Andrew turned on his phone and played a recording.
“Don’t blame me, Andrew Klein.”
“I’ve loved you for so long. I must have what I desire. Don’t worry. I’ll be an excellent wife.”
These words caused an uproar throughout the crowd. Andrew explained, “I was bewildered when Kristine approached me and said Isabella was unwell because Kristine has never shown kindness to Isabella. She suddenly sprinkled some powder on me after I entered her room. I sensed something was amiss. I held my breath and recorded everything.”
Suddenly, Kristine seemed as if the blanket on her had vanished, leaving her as exposed and mortified as if she were naked in front of everyone. Josie remained silent. With Kristine’s plot revealed, any defense from Josie would imply her involvement.
“So, Kristine orchestrated everything from the start? But she just didn’t expect her plan to backfire on her, so she decided to go along with it and use our sympathy to defame Isabella.” The anger in the crowd was palpable. These prominent business figures felt deceived by Kristine.
Someone scoffed. “Kristine schemed against Mr. Patton’s real daughter to replace her. And she even dared to ensnare Mr. Klein. Did she think she could manipulate someone like him?”
Blue veins popped on Glenn’s arms as he got furious. Before he could react, Elaine approached Kristine. She delivered a firm slap to Kristine’s face.
Kristine clutched her face, glaring at Elaine. “Why did you slap me?”
Elaine was stunned by Kristine’s hostile look. She had always known her as a well-mannered and sensible girl since her arrival in the family.
“This is who you really are, isn’t it? Kristine, I never imagined you’d show such ingratitude after all the Patton family has done for you over the years.” Elaine’s voice trembled with sorrow.
“Hah…” Now that her scheme was exposed, Kristine dropped her facade. Her eyes were filled with scorn as she retorted, “Ingratitude? How can you say that to me with a straight face? Do you actually care about me? Ever since Isabella returned, she’s all you see. You pushed me to break off my engagement with Andrew, yet you allowed Isabella to grow close to him. You’re just cruel. I’m merely a pawn to you. Only Isabella is your true daughter.”
The entire Patton family was stunned. Even Dane and Waylon hadn’t anticipated Kristine’s bitterness. Had she always been feigning her gentleness?
Then, someone said, “Kristine, how much do you spend on dance lessons each year? Hundreds of thousands of dollars? Maybe a million? How much is your monthly allowance? Is it tens of thousands of dollars or more?”
It was Susan, who stepped forward and looked down at Kristine with disdain. “The outfit you’re wearing must be worth tens of thousands of dollars. Do you know how much Isabella’s clothes cost before she came back to the Patton family? We used to shop for clothes at roadside stalls. They cost just a few dollars. She had no allowance. She had to earn every penny for her expenses. She’s Mr. and Mrs. Patton’ legitimate daughter, yet she endured hardships for twenty years. What about you? You’re not even a blood member of the Patton family, yet you live lavishly. What right do you have to feel jealous when the Patton family tries to make it up to Isabella?”
Everyone there was wealthy and couldn’t fathom wearing clothes that cost just a few dollars. Looking at Isabella, they felt a wave of sympathy.
“She’s had it so tough…”
“She’s finally returned, only to deal with an adopted daughter like Kristine in the Patton family.”
“If I were in her shoes, I’d have Kristine removed!”
Someone said, “Kristine, stop playing the victim. Isabella was generous to let you stay with the Patton family. You previously accused her of pushing you down the stairs to keep you out of the international dance competition. I never imagined you could be so cruel as to devise such a scheme to destroy her reputation.”
Kristine felt a chilling coldness envelop her. Anger clogged her chest, making it difficult to breathe. How could these people speak of her that way? They all stood there, talking about her carelessly. If they were in her shoes, they’d likely do the same.
Andrew stood with an icy, regal demeanor. In a frosty tone, he said, “Moreover, the Patton family wanted you to call off the engagement because I don’t like you. But Isabella is different.” His words struck Kristine hard.
Kristine coughed up blood instantly. Her mind went blank. Why was the world so cruel to her? It was utterly unjust. Then, she noticed a fruit knife nearby.
“Ha, you’re all wicked. You all deserve to die! Since I can’t stay here anymore, you can die with me!” Kristine laughed maniacally, dashed for the fruit knife, and plunged it towards Isabella with force!
Everyone tensed up. “Isabella!” Elaine screamed in horror.
Isabella’s eyes sparkled as she prepared to sidestep, but suddenly, a figure stepped in front of her. Kristine’s knife was intercepted. She saw Andrew blocking her, as tall and dignified as ever. He had always been remarkable, even as a young boy.