Chapter 53 A Scandal

Everything changed, a new world full of happiness and possibilities opened up for Isabella, the young woman was completely and absolutely happy.

So happy that, occasionally, I was afraid.

She was afraid that she would wake up in a different reality and that it had all been a magical dream.

Was this their happy ending? What her mother had told her, it was true, good things happen to good people and although she had lost her parents, now she had her grandmother, Margaret, and her cousin, Aiden, who took care of her and were looking after her.

In addition, she had a spouse who treated her like a queen, filling her with attention, love, and affection.

She felt that everything she had lost had been returned to her in multiplied terms and although she knew it was impossible, she often imagined what her parents would say if they saw the change that her life gave.

That was his way of remembering them.

Isabella began to get to know new places, important people, luxuries that she could not imagine, between dinners, parties, public events, surrounding herself with wealthy people.

While, for Máximo, happiness was no less, because Isabella had become the center of his world, every day he fell more in love with her and although his work life had become what he had always avoided: more suffocating between demands; he felt that, for Isabella, it was worth it.

It wasn't easy to run both families, it was a full-time job where he only had a break when he returned to his spouse.

However, sometimes it was very frustrating, as I had to go days without seeing Isabella due to business trips.

The pressure was increasingly intense, especially because from time to time, Máximo received calls from Diego, worried about the absence of his boss in foreign companies.

Máximo had completely neglected his personal business, to the point where the situation became worrying. There was only one way out, to sell his companies, for which he had worked very hard, because at the rate he was going and with all the commitments of the Collins/Sinclair families, in the long run, he would lose them.

That was an option he was beginning to consider, one less burden to worry about, but separating from his spouse, as his father had suggested, was no longer in his plans.

It had been three months since they had married and although Máximo spent the day working with his usual bad face, at important events he was seen smiling, sharing with his spouse, whom he took everywhere.

A change in attitude that everyone noticed.

"Maximo Collins, heir to the prestigious billionaire family, is more in love than ever with his new spouse, the beautiful heiress Isabella Sinclair, they have become a cover couple."

Valeria read in an article in one of her favorite magazines, with a photo of the couple, staring at each other with their eyes shining.

The girl tore the page angrily, things were not supposed to end like this, because she should be the one who should appear with Maximo.

That wasn't fair, why, if Isabella was homeless, why did she have to end up like this? Everyone praised that girl and Valeria always had to find them in every news story.

That Isabella was beautiful, that she looked perfect, that she looked kind, they only speculated, because, in reality, no one knew who that filthy woman was until she was chosen by her grandmother, Margaret.

But what if the world found out the truth, who Isabella really was. Valeria smiled maliciously, for she had come up with an excellent idea.

*

Like every morning, in the few months she had been married, Isabella got up early, because her spouse was going to work and, although he told her that it was not necessary, she liked to do it to have breakfast together and say goodbye to Maximo.

She didn't see him much during the day because he was always working, so Isabella wanted to take advantage of every moment she could to share with Maximo.

After a short kiss, as always, Máximo left for work and Isabella stayed in the apartment, there was not much to do, so she only took the newspapers and some magazines to read for a while, when she found an image that left her paralyzed.

"The heiress, Isabella Sinclair, spouse of heir Maximo Collins, lived on the streets of the city as a pauper," with her heart racing and her hands trembling, Isabella read the entire article, giving some details of her life in the suburbs and the time she spent in shelters.

"How...?" He began to wonder as he read an interview with Jade, the key witness who had once been friends and then betrayed her. Isabella's eyes filled with tears, and her breathing became ragged. He reviewed the newspapers and magazines one by one; everyone had the same news.

"Why...?" He wondered, tears falling as he covered his face. The sound of the phone made her react.

"Ma'am?" A woman from the service approached, noticing Isabella's crying in surprise.

"Yes?" Isabella tried to dry herself quickly and regain her composure.

"Her grandmother, Mrs. Margaret Sinclair, is calling her. The woman held out the phone, and Isabella took it with trembling hands.

"Thank you. He muttered, stepping aside to answer. "Grandma?"

"Isabella, I need you to come to my house right away..."

"No..." the young woman whimpered; her eyes full of tears. “Now... I can't... After...

"You already heard, didn't you?" You've seen the news.

"Yes..." the young woman let out with a moan, feeling her tears escape. - I saw it, grandma, I'm sorry...

"Why do you feel it?" Do you think it's your fault? Margaret replied firmly.

- No, but... Mock... They make fun of the whole family and me...

"Come to my house, right away. Margaret ordered with authority before hanging up the phone.

Isabella let out a sigh, trying to compose herself. He wiped away tears and returned the phone to the employee.

"Please let my driver know we'll be leaving in a few minutes." Isabella instructed.

"Yes, ma'am.

The young woman went to her room and, as soon as the door closed, the employee dialed a number on the phone.

"Sir?"

- Did something happen? Máximo answered, almost immediately upon recognizing the call from the apartment.

“Something is wrong with the lady; she seems very affected...

"What?"

- Your grandmother just called you, and the lady asked me to tell the driver that you are going out. She's heading to the Sinclair’s' main mansion right now...

“Thanks for notifying, you earned an extra bonus. - Máximo growled, hanging up the phone and leaving the woman perplexed, because he had never thanked her.

*

As soon as the front door of the Sinclair mansion opened, Isabella was met with a grim reunion.

Aiden received her with open arms, however, Ricardo, Héctor and the rest of her children, did not hide the bad face they threw at her.

- Isabella, come in! Margaret's voice echoed firmly in the mansion.

Isabella entered the main room, looking for a place in the uncomfortable family gathering. Aiden accompanied her, standing by her side as if he were her protector.

"Well, now that the main victim is here, we must find a solution for this..."

“The affected one?! Ricardo interrupted, with a tone full of indignation. "She's to blame!" Because of her we are the laughingstock of society!

Valeria tried to hide a smile from a corner of the room. Aiden looked at her and felt a bad feeling.

"The culprit is the one who spread the news!" And I'm sure it was one of you. Margaret narrowed her eyes suspiciously, pointing to her children.

- What?! Are you really going to blame us for this?! Ricardo exclaimed, clearly indignant.

"We told you the truth, mother, we did nothing. Hector tried to calm things down, in a conciliatory tone.

"Well, I don't believe them at all..." Margaret growled, frowning. "Until they send me the information, I asked for about who the culprit is, neither of us will get out of here. They are going to pay dearly for what they did.

"This is ridiculous!" Ricardo replied angrily.

"Ridiculous?" Margaret slammed the coffee table hard, making everyone startle. His fury was palpable. "I'm going to send you to prison for insult so that you can learn your lesson!"

"Grandma, I need to go, I have classes to attend and..." Valeria raised her hand calmly, advancing slowly towards the door. Suddenly, he collided with something solid.

Valeria looked up and found the body of Maximo, who was looking at her angrily. She stepped back, trembling, for Maximo's gloomy expression was terrifying.

"Max?" Isabella got up from her place, surprised and stammering. "What...?" What are you doing here?

- I came because they need me, didn't I? As your spouse and as one of the heads of the family. Maximus replied, looking at his spouse with annoyance.

Isabella lowered her face, embarrassed. It was logical to her that he already knew about the news and was probably angry with her since her guilt had also brought him discredit.