Chapter 2: The Good News

The Isla humiliation and hate train kept burning strong. With each passing second, a new horrible headline about her dropped. Her hostel was no longer safe, people had broken in and trashed her room. Paintings of her name, smeared with vile remarks, covered every corner of the school hall.

She was too scared to even check her phone. Death threats kept piling up like a semi-truck, but Damien remained untouchable. Instead of losing support, he gained triple. 

People painted him as the victim- the man who had almost been sabotaged by an attention-seeking lowlife.

The hate was too much for Isla to bear, so she decided to leave school for the time being.

"Isla, you don’t plan to lock yourself up in there forever, do you?" A familiar voice called from the door. Throughout the nightmare, Priya never left her side.

But Isla wanted to be alone. Nothing could convince her to step outside. At least, that was what she thought- until a thunderous knock nearly rattled the door off its hinges.

That could only be one person.

Cursing under her breath, Isla dragged her tired body out of bed and opened the door. Standing there was a skinny, sharp-featured woman. She was in her mid-forties, but her permanent scowl made her look ten years older.

“You sly brat. The nerve you have to come back here after running off without paying,” the woman seethed, pointing at her like a witch.

“I promise I didn’t run away, ma’am Rohana. I just didn’t have the money. Even while schooling, I’m still trying to find ways to pay you back,” Isla pleaded.

“Oh really?” Rohana sneered, twitching her lips. She stretched out her hand. “Then give me the little money you’ve managed to make.”

Sweat dampened Isla’s forehead. She didn’t have a single coin to show. And even if she tried to give Rohana another excuse, she knew it would only earn her ridicule. Rohana was fed up and Isla knew it.

“For an extra year, I’ve given you time and listened to your lame excuses. But no more. I want you out tonight!” Rohana snapped.

“Ma’am, please…” Isla clasped her hands together in desperation.

“Your pleas and fake tears won’t work this time. I’ve already sold the house to someone else. They’re moving in tomorrow morning. You have until this evening. I don’t want to see you here again!” Rohana didn’t wait for a reply. She stormed off, leaving Isla trembling.

Isla shut her eyes tight, convinced that was enough bad luck for one day. Then her phone pinged. A message notification.

She planned to ignore it, expecting another death threat. But when she saw the familiar heading label, her heart lurched. She quickly opened it.

Greetings Miss Isla, this is a reminder from Unity Medical Center. Your grandmother, Mrs. Margaret Pereira, has outstanding medical bills. Until payment is settled, she will not be able to continue treatment. Please contact our billing office immediately for follow-up.

Isla’s legs nearly gave way. She bolted out of the house and ran as fast as she could toward the hospital. With no money for a taxi, it took her a long while before she finally arrived, breathless and shaken.

“Why aren’t you attending to my grandmother?!” she cried helplessly to a woman at the billing office.

“I’m so sorry, Miss, but we’ve done everything we could for her. Her bills still need to be cleared,” the woman said gently.

“How much is she owing? Please, I’ll see what I can do. Just treat her... she’s my only family.” Isla’s face was drenched with tears. If anything happened to her grandma, she knew she would never forgive herself.

“She’s owing ten thousand dollars,” the woman informed her.

Isla nearly fainted on the spot.

She didn’t even have a penny, not enough to buy a piece of candy, let alone ten thousand dollars. Where on earth was she supposed to find such money?

Her phone began ringing. An unknown number. She instantly assumed it was another threat from the school, so she declined the call and slumped onto a chair, trying to process everything.

The phone rang again. She declined it, blood boiling.

When it rang a third time, she lost her patience.

“Listen, I don’t know who you are. Leave me alone, okay? Stop bothering my life already! I already have so much to deal with and I don't care about some stupid video on the internet. My grandmother is dying in the hospital, and I don’t even have the money to pay for her treatment and I don't even have a place to stay because I was kicked out of my house. Leave me alone!” Her voice cracked as she screamed into the phone.

The caller stayed calm, waiting for her to finish venting.

“I’m sorry you’re going through all that,” a gentle male voice replied. “But I’m here to bless you with some good news… if I’m really speaking with Miss Isla Pereira.”

Isla blinked in confusion. “Who are you? And how do you know my name?”

“My name is Graham. I am the butler of the late Mr. Harold Khan. He passed away a few weeks ago, but he left everything he owned to you- his estate, his business, his wealth. I’d like us to meet so we can finalize this.”

Isla furrowed her brows, stunned. “With all due respect, sir, I’m already going through too much. If you’re trying to scam me, I’m sorry to inform you, you won’t get a thing from me,” she said firmly.

“I understand it’s hard to believe,” Graham sighed. “But there’s no other way to prove it. You said your grandmother is in the hospital. Send me the hospital account details. I’ll settle the bill, then you’ll know I’m telling the truth.”

It sounded absurd. But Isla had nothing left to lose. If he was a scammer, then at least he couldn’t steal what she didn’t have.

With trembling fingers, she sent him the account details.

Seconds later, a screenshot arrived in her inbox.

It was the proof of payment.

Sent.