Chapter 11

Theodore raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"

Isobel said, "I could do with one. Thanks."

She needed a cigarette to calm down—she was trembling uncontrollably.

Theodore fell silent and watched her with interest before turning to get her a cigarette from his car. He asked, "Aren't you going to call Mr. Goode an ambulance?"

She faltered. Then, she took a drag of the cigarette to compose herself before pulling out her phone and calling an ambulance.

Theodore left before the ambulance arrived. Before that, he left a check for 50 thousand dollars, saying it was compensation for what had happened.

After calming down, Isobel didn't think he would've been that blind. The parking lot was huge, yet he just had to ram into Ethan's car. Could there really be such coincidences in the world?

Then again, it did seem like it had happened purely by chance, judging from how nonchalant Theodore had been. She decided not to obsess over the matter since she couldn't understand it.

Isobel ultimately decided to follow Ethan to the hospital, if only for Nancy's sake. On the way there, he kept hurling expletives at her and cursing Theodore, claiming they'd injured him on purpose. He even clamored about wanting to sue Theodore.

Isobel shot him a look. "I'll tell the doctor to throw you out of this ambulance if you don't shut your mouth right now. You can walk to the hospital for all I care."

Whether or not Theodore had done it on purpose, she felt Ethan had gotten what he'd deserved. Besides, she'd yet to figure out who to go after now that she was out of a million-dollar business deal.

In the past, Ethan would've been positive that Isobel wouldn't do that. Now, however, he couldn't be sure. He shut his mouth resentfully but continued to glare at her, looking like he wanted to skin her alive.

Nancy arrived at the hospital shortly after Ethan's leg was put in a cast. "Oh, my God. What happened?"

Isobel pursed her lips and shot a look at Ethan. Then, she said to Nancy, "You should ask him."

For a second, Ethan was lost for words. No matter how shameless he was, he couldn't bring himself to say that Theodore had rammed into him after coming across him trying to force himself on Isobel. So, he stammered, "I-It was just an accident."

Nancy frowned. "Who did it? I'll get back at them for you!"

He pouted. "Theodore Stone."

Nancy fell silent, unable to say anything in response to that. After all, the Stones weren't people they could afford to offend.

After a pause, she said lowly, "So what if it was Theodore Stone? He's at fault for ramming into you. I'll tell your father to go after him tomorrow."

Isobel waited until they were done to pull out the check Theodore had left earlier. "This is the compensation Theodore left for breaking Ethan's leg. He said you guys could speak to his lawyer if there's anything you're not happy about."

Nancy had nothing to say now. She slapped Ethan and said, "This is all your fault! Can't you even drive properly?"

Ethan's face stung from the slap, but he kept his lips tightly pursed, refusing to say any more on the subject.

Isobel didn't want to waste time there. She said to Nancy, "I should get going."

Only then did Nancy notice Isobel's torn strap. Her expression softened with concern. "What happened to you? Go on, go home."

Isobel nodded and left the hospital, feeling extra annoyed after everything that had happened. The house was dark by the time she got home—everyone had already gone to bed. The house was large and spacious, but it didn't feel like her home at all.

She returned to her room and flopped onto the bed after showering. Then, she sighed helplessly.

…

It was the weekend the following day. Isobel woke up early to find Vincent, Anna, and Heather seated at the dining table, looking like a happy family of three. She seemed like such an outsider.

She deliberately stomped on the staircase on her way down, making the three turn to look at her.

Heather looked apologetic. "I'm sorry, Bell. I didn't know you were home. That's why I didn't ask you to join us for breakfast."

Then, she stood up like she was a maid and said, "I'll go get you a set of cutlery."

Vincent frowned at that. "You're not going anywhere. Sit down and have your food. Why does she need you to serve her when she's perfectly capable of doing it herself?"