At 1 p.m., the banquet hall on the second floor.
A dense crowd of people stood under the stage at the press conference.However, only a few hours had passed. The news online had not yet fermented. How could there be so many reporters at a temporary press conference?Isabella inexplicably felt it strange.Before she had a chance to think carefully, she saw a familiar face in the crowd. It was her best friend Helen Payten.As a prominent journalist for Radar Online, Helen was undoubtedly sent by the company to obtain first-hand information.Sure enough, the concerned gaze from her best friend was mixed with a hint of helplessness, as if she was asking Isabella, "Are you okay?"Isabella managed to squeeze out a smile and nodded at Helen to indicate that she was fine.On the stage, Amanda sighed deeply with a face full of sorrow. Jasmine also changed her usual glamorous style, dressed in a gentle and lovely white dress, her eyes filled with tears, looking pitiful.Amanda was the first to speak, her voice heavy, "Thank you all for coming, dear journalists. We had no intention of using public resources, but today a baseless news story has already affected the reputation of my daughter Jasmine and the entire Watson family, so we cannot just sit back and watch. We have specifically convened this press conference today to debunk the rumors and to clear Jasmine's name..."Amanda choked up due to the excitement, and Jasmine also covered her face and sobbed quietly.Isabella, standing aside, was inwardly rolling her eyes, just wanting to end this quickly so she wouldn't have to watch the mother and daughter's pretentious behavior any longer.At that moment, a reporter wearing glasses and a mask suddenly asked Isabella, "Ms. Watson, have you and Mr. Sandall called off your engagement?"Despite the abruptness of the question, Isabella was about to blurt out a 'yes', but caught a glimpse of Amanda's warning look and the corner of a green plum blossom in her hand. After a slight hesitation, she could only reply, "No."Isabella knew well that if she announced her separation from Bruno at this moment, it would indirectly confirm the authenticity of the news. Amanda would never allow it. Therefore, she decided to wait until everything had settled down before finding another opportunity to announce it."How did Ms. Watson explain the matter of you spending the night with another man at ten o'clock last night?"The big screen behind suddenly started scrolling through photos of Isabella and a man in black entering the hotel without any warning. The clock in the hall showed that it was exactly 10 o'clock last night!What?Reverse??Was there dirt???In an instant, the scene erupted into chaos. All cameras focused on the stunned Isabella on stage.Bruno rushed out of nowhere, his face ashen, "Isabella, you! You actually...! Do you think you've treated me fairly?"He appeared just in time, which provided the reporters below with a great assist."Excuse me, Ms. Watson, who is the man in the photo? Judging by his physique, it shouldn't be Mr. Sandall, right?""Ms. Watson, since you were still dating Mr. Sandall, would this be considered cheating?""Ms. Watson, did you fabricate the false news about Mr. Sandall and Ms. Jasmine, intentionally diverting public attention to excuse your own infidelity?""Ms. Watson..."The barrage of questions came at her like a tidal wave, and a strong sense of suffocation tightly enveloped Isabella.Her chest heaved violently, her throat felt as if it was being strangled, and though she opened her mouth, she couldn't make any sound.Helen tried to rush onto the stage several times but was stopped by her gaze each time. Isabella couldn't risk Helen losing her job.At that moment, Isabella inadvertently caught a hint of barely noticeable delight at the corner of Amanda's mouth. After a brief pondering, she somewhat understood what was going on.It turned out that all of this was a trap. The clarification was false, and the real intention was to tarnish Isabella's reputation through the press conference.Isabella regretted it. She would vomit even with a single glance at the disgusting scene at the Glory Villas, let alone think of taking a picture with her phone. At this moment, she had no evidence in her hand. Even if she told the truth, no one would believe her.What was worse, since there was irrefutable evidence of her "infidelity", if she were to reveal the affair between Bruno and Jasmine at this point, it would be seen by everyone as nothing more than fabricating facts to divert attention and excuse herself.And Ruth was still in their hands. Isabella dared not and could not gamble with her life.Isabella gritted her teeth, thinking, "Such a good trick indeed!" At this moment, the only thing she could do was admit it."Isabella, speak up!" Bruno urged irritably.Looking at the crowd below with various expressions and the flashing lights making clicking sounds, she took a deep breath, about to speak...At that moment, a clear, slightly teasing voice rang out, "Is my name really that hard to utter, Mrs. Parker?"Everyone turned towards the sound, their eyes widening in shock, frozen in place like statues.Isabella's heart skipped a beat the moment her gaze fixed on the entrance of the banquet hall.It was him!The man was still dressed in a bespoke black suit, no longer disheveled from the rainy night. His impeccable features were on full display: sexy thin lips and cold yet passionate eyes. Even a strand of hair on his forehead was subtly stirring the heartstrings of every woman present."It is Joseph Parker!""Joseph Parker?""The current CEO of the Parker Group, one of the top financial conglomerates in the country. He just made it into the top ten of the domestic rich list this year. He is also the youngest on the list so far.""So it is him. I have heard about a low-profile and mysterious young master from the Parker family who settled in New York a couple of years ago. He rarely showed himself in public. Now I know why. Just think about Helen of Troy...""Look at you, you're practically drooling..."The speakers were too excited and didn't control their volume. The whispers among a few reporters completely reached the ears of the people on stage.How could such a big shot have appeare
In the back seat of the limited edition black Maybach, Isabella had been staring at the man's sleeping profile. Her gaze gradually moved from his tightly closed eyes to his sharply defined jawline.Who was he? How did he end up in New York? And why did he appear out of the blue at the Watson family's press conference, even announcing his engagement to her? Was it just to thank her for making his antidote?Or perhaps...Isabella shook her head secretly. It was impossible. With his status, how could she ever catch his eye?As she was deep in thought, the man suddenly parted his thin lips, his voice seductive, "Do you like what you see?""Huh?"Isabella was startled and blushed, like a child caught doing something naughty.This man was too terrifying. He stayed alert even in his sleep. It would probably be very difficult for anyone to harm him secretly.Isabella averted her gaze, coughed to cover her embarrassment, and stammered, "The view outside the window is... is very beautiful."Isa
There were knocks on the door.It came just in time.Like clutching at straws, Isabella immediately turned her face away."Come in!" Joseph sounded displeased.Seeing Isabella, whose blush had not completely faded from her face, Luke knew that he had probably ruined his boss's good time. But he still plucked up the courage and said, "Mr. Parker, your father's phone call...."Joseph understood, stood up straight, and gently patted Isabella's head. He handed her the photo and softly said, "You owe me one. Get some rest early."Watching the two leave, Isabella vaguely felt that the phone call was related to her, which inevitably made her somewhat worried.She was about to take a photo of the screenshot and send it to Amanda when suddenly her phone rang. It was her bestie, Helen."Bella, how are you? Are you okay? Where are you now?" A series of anxious questions came through as soon as the call was connected."I am fine. You can rest assured.""It's good." Helen exhaled deeply and then s
Katherine, sitting in the wheelchair without makeup, looked pitiful. Anyone who saw her would feel a bit of sympathy, yet Joseph remained indifferent.Judging by her expression, she had already known everything."Kathy, you..." Charlotte said, feeling sorry for her."Gerold and Charlotte, please don't make it difficult for Joe anymore. I believe he has his own difficulties." After comforting the elders, Katherine turned to Joseph and said, "Joe, can we talk alone?"Although Katrina was young, she was very clever. She immediately pushed her parents towards the outside of the room.As she walked away, she didn't forget to give her brother a meaningful look. "Right, I just remembered, the Adams family sent over an invitation earlier. I'm going to take Mom and Dad to check it out. You guys go ahead.""But Kathy...""Hey, don't worry, Joe's here. Let's go..."After the three left, tranquility was restored in the living room. For quite a while, no one spoke.In the end, it was Katherine who
Luke was efficient. He quickly picked up Isabella and arrived at the Parker's old mansion."Mr. Gerold and the others have gone to the Adams family to celebrate a birthday. Mr. Parker will be here soon. Please wait here. I will go invite Ms. Adrian," Luke said methodically.Isabella nodded, obediently sitting on the living room sofa.Before long, Luke pushed a woman in a wheelchair out from inside.The woman was beautiful and applied a touch of makeup. She was dressed in a traditional dress of lilac color. Her slightly curled, brown hair bun exuded the elegance and laziness of a mature woman. She would undoubtedly bewitch all beings with red lipstick.Katherine seemed to remember something, turning her face to Luke behind her, and said, "Luke, I forgot to take the blanket. Could you please ask Cindy to fetch it from the bedroom?"Luke nodded and left.Only the two women were left, staring at each other. Although there was a faint smile on Katherine's face, Isabella always felt that he
Isabella leaned forward, ready to get out of the car, when suddenly the car door on her right was yanked open. Before she could react, she along with her bag was pulled out. She stumbled several times before managing to steady herself.The moment Isabella looked up, the man with yellow hair who was pulling her seemed as if he had been struck by lightning, unable to move. Unconsciously, the strength in his hand also loosened.What a beauty!Taking advantage of his unpreparedness, Isabella gathered strength in her foot, gritted her teeth, and kicked him hard in the lower abdomen.Chad Diaz hissed.He immediately let go of Isabella.Isabella seized the opportunity to run towards the plane tree by the roadside, pressing her back tightly against the trunk and clutching her bag close to her chest."Chad!"The other six or seven henchmen, holding iron rods, wanted to step forward and capture Isabella upon seeing this, but they were stopped by Chad.Isabella only regretted that she was too sc
In an old apartment in the suburbs, the pervasive smell of disinfectant and strong tobacco in the air made Isabella involuntarily frown. She lightly pressed her index finger to the tip of her nose to barely suppress the discomfort in her stomach.In the dim light, Isabella saw a young man sitting in a wheelchair, who had a similar appearance to Oliver. Unlike his brother's modest and refined demeanor, the young man was more desolate and gloomy.The brown medicinal soup spilled all over the floor next to the wheelchair and the almost powdered ceramic shards seemed to silently declare the patient's rage.Although Oliver had given her a heads-up on the way, Isabella still couldn't help but feel a chill down her spine.Oliver took a step forward, gently calling out, "Samuel..."Hearing the sound, Samuel Arnot across the room slowly raised his head. It was as if a switch had been flipped, his eyes instantly turned blood red. He was like a fierce leopard, staring intently at the visitor. It
Isabella took a step back.Just then, a warm and gentle hand wrapped around her shoulder, swiftly turning her and pressing her against the wall. At the same time, another hand firmly supported the back of her head, preventing it from hitting the wall.The man made a "shh" gesture with his lips. Then, he tilted his head and leaned forward, but stopped just as he was about to touch her lips.Isabella pursed her lips tightly, holding her breath. Luckily, she didn't scream out for she saw a familiar face.They were so close that they could hear each other's intertwined breaths, and a blush quickly spread across Isabella's cheeks.She wanted to turn her face, but the back of her head was tightly gripped by the man's hand. She could only flutter her long eyelashes, trying hard to suppress the panic in her heart.Joseph felt it was adorable.The bodyguard at the entrance of the villa took a few steps. He immediately showed a disdainful yet envious expression upon realizing that it was a lovi