Joseph froze, his brow furrowing slightly. "Grandfather! You..."William's expression remained serious."What? Did I say something wrong? You and Kathy have known each other since childhood, and you both understand each other's personalities. Not to mention, she even saved your life..." His face grew even darker as he continued, "You're not rejecting her because of Kathy's leg disability, are you?""Of course not."William asked again, "Then what?"Joseph spoke slowly, "She saved me, and I am grateful, but gratitude and affection are not the same thing. I only take her as my sister. Whether it is to repay her or out of sympathy, it is unfair to both of us.""Don't tell me all this nonsense. I just want to ask you, will you marry her or not?" William's tone was icy.Joseph's thin lips tightened, yet his stance remained unwavering."I'm sorry, but I can't comply."Having said that, he stood there with his hands hanging down, waiting for a more violent storm to come."Hahaha, good, good!
Isabella turned around and smiled slyly, "Mr. Arnot, what a coincidence!"Seeing him coming out from the direction of the ward building, she casually asked, "Are you here to visit the patient?""Um, yes..."The question was simple, but the answer was a bit hesitant.But Isabella, at this moment, was too preoccupied with the interview to pay attention to it and the fleeting panic on his face.Oliver didn't expect to run into Isabella at the door. Caught off guard by her question, he was momentarily flustered and suddenly didn't know what to say.After a moment of silence, Isabella said, "Thank you so much for last time."Oliver just came to his senses and smiled lightly, "So, would you treat me to a meal?""Huh?"Oliver raised his hand, and Isabella followed his pointing finger to catch a glimpse of the afterglow. It was almost dinner time.Just after Isabella said "Okay", Joseph's message immediately came through: "Where are you?"Isabella obediently answered: "Sacred Heart Hospital."
Isabella hurriedly explained, "I saw him at the Parker's old residence last time."Nathan couldn't help but glance at her, surprised that she didn't mention the scene in the hospital corridor.Back in the car, Isabella looked through the window at the two people standing face to face at the entrance. She couldn't help but admit that the scene of the two men together was very pleasing to the eye. One was handsome and charming, while the other was elegant and refined, attracting the attention of passing female patients and nurses."I heard that William came?""Yes. Kathy's legs have healed, and my mom asked me to pick her up and bring her back for the evening family banquet.""What about Ms. Watson?""She will be there too.""It's going to be fun."Nathan had a look of anticipation, as if he was about to watch a show."You guys just..." Joseph trailed off.He talked to Nathan, but his gaze remained fixed on Isabella in the car.Nathan pushed him and adjusted his glasses, then chuckled a
Katrina saw her trick work and immediately let go of Luke, proudly grabbing her mother's arm and following inside.Luke, with a calm expression on his face, walked up to Isabella and whispered, "Mrs. Parker..."Isabella shook her head gently and said, "It's okay. Let's go in too."The Parker's place, unlike Green Bay, had a completely different layout. It resembled the courtyards of ancient wealthy households. The antique pavilions and towers were clean and elegant.Joseph carried Katherine across the front porch and arrived at the back parlor.In the hall, William was sitting in the main seat. When he saw someone coming in, he raised his eyes and looked. He first noticed Isabella, who was standing at the back of the crowd.He hurriedly stood up and strode toward Isabella. With a smile on his face, he said, "Ha, little girl, we meet again? Do you remember me?"Isabella was initially taken aback, but then recognized the old man from the afternoon and said with some surprise, "Is it you
"Ah, yes...""Well, here's the thing. Joe and Kathy's wedding is on the 8th of next month. If you're willing, you can come to the wedding... Oh, I just remembered, Kathy still needs a bridesmaid. Ms. Watson is still single, right? That works out perfectly..." Charlotte said."Mom!" Joseph had already frowned.They had long known about Isabella and his engagement. His mother said it on purpose.Katrina chimed in, "Humph, a pumpkin from a small family dares to dream of marrying my brother, without even considering her own status!"She tried every possible way to get close to Joe, and now she knows Grandpa too. Who knows what hidden agenda she might have!" Katrina's words became increasingly offensive."Katrina!"Seeing her brother's increasingly unpleasant expression, Katrina immediately shut up and pretended to eat.Under the table, Isabella's anxious hand tightly clutched the hem of her clothes, unsure of what to do. Suddenly, William slammed his fork onto the table and exclaimed angr
"What?"Nathan said calmly, "Nothing. Just be careful not to let the wound touch water. It will scab over in a couple of days."Isabella doubted whether Nathan was a Virgo or not. Not only did he handle the wound cleanly and neatly, but he even wrapped the bandage meticulously.They were not familiar with each other to begin with, and if it weren't for Joseph, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they were strangers. Therefore, after the wound was bandaged, there was no need for much small talk, and Isabella bid farewell and left.When Isabella went back to Green Bay, Ruth immediately noticed the bandage on her hand."Oh my, what happened, Bella? Didn't you say you were going to the Parker's place for dinner? How did you hurt your hand? Is it serious? Does it hurt? Let me take a look!" Ruth grabbed her hand, with a worried expression on her face.Isabella comforted Ruth warmly, "It's okay, Ruth. It was just an accident. Just a small cut. I've already applied iodine to disinfect
Isabella felt for the first time the pain and helplessness of the man.Thinking of the moment when he protected her at the Parker's place, Isabella felt an impulse from somewhere and gently kissed his cold lips.He was first startled, but as soon as he realized what was happening, he grabbed her and deepened the previous kiss.No matter how intense the kiss was, he always carefully protected her hand, holding it in his palm like a precious treasure.After a long while, he finally let go of her, and both of them started breathing heavily."Don't worry. I've got everything under control."Joseph watched her go, quietly leaving only after all the lights in the room upstairs had gone out.For the next two days, Isabella did not see Joseph. He only called back and said that his mother was fine. Just as Isabella had suspected, it was a case of anger-induced fainting, and Charlotte just needed some rest to recover. He assured her to stay calm.She was somewhat worried, so she secretly called
Jasmine, realizing her slip of the tongue, quickly took hold of his arm and coquettishly said, "Of course, except for Bruno."Seeing Oliver with a nameless brand, looking more like a scholar, Jasmine concluded that he was not from an upper-class family and that there was nothing to lose if she offended him.Then, in a sarcastic tone, she said, "Isabella, your taste is really poor this time. What do you see in a man who can't even afford a high-end restaurant?""Are you finished talking?" Isabella struggled to suppress her anger."Miss, shouldn't you be asking yourself that question?" Oliver's words were gentle yet sharp."You!" Jasmine was left speechless by the retort, shaking Bruno's arm and pouting. "Bruno, they bullied me. Help me teach them a lesson...""Bruno, it seems like the lesson you learned last time wasn't enough." Isabella's gaze was as cold as ice."What do you mean by saying this? Bruno, what lesson?" Jasmine became anxious, afraid that the two might have some connecti