Chapter 849 Getting Caught
Isabella’s eyes were filled with despair as she watched the trickle of her blood turn into a stream. Her face became paler, and a burning desire within her made her twitch involuntarily.
She wriggled over to grab Kurt with her other hand. “I’m begging you, Kurt. Take me to the hospital.” Seeing that it was almost time, Kurt started the car and quickly drove to the hospital.
He stopped the car at the hospital entrance, then produced a camera and started recording. As he undid her top, Isabella grabbed his hands reflexively. “Kurt, what are you doing?” she murmured in a daze.
Kurt continued to unbutton her blouse with a blank expression. Isabella’s eyes turned misty as his bare skin brushed against hers.
A trace of disgust flashed in Kurt’s eyes as he watched her writhe, but his hands did not stop moving as he ended up with plenty of footage by the time he was done.
After that, he called the hospital, informed them of her location, and swiftly alighted from the car. He then stood in the shadows and watched as the medical staff ran out to carry the disheveled Isabella into the hospital.
“What did you say? Isabella is in the hospital and was… What’s going on? You’d better explain yourself.” Olivia glanced at Amelia, who had brought Tony over, and swallowed the word “drugged” in her interrogation of the person on the other end of the line.
The person on the other end said something, to which Olivia replied calmly, “Don’t worry. The Walkers will be there soon. I have to care for my grandson and I don’t have the time to go over.”
With that, she hung up without another word.
Taking in the older woman’s unpleasant expression, Amelia asked, “What’s the matter, Mom? I heard you mentioning Ms. Walker’s name. Is she all right?”
Olivia sighed. “She was drugged and is currently making a scene in the hospital. The doctor wanted to pump her stomach, but she grabbed his hand and forced herself onto him, thoroughly embarrassing herself. I wonder who did such a wicked thing.”
Amelia’s eyes flashed. Although she felt her heart leap with satisfaction, she said, “I think you should go and see her, Mom. You did acknowledge her as your goddaughter, and she is also the eldest daughter of your in-laws. We can’t justify not paying her a visit.”
Olivia gazed at Amelia, puzzled.
“I won’t come along if you think my intentions aren’t sincere, Mom,” Amelia said with a smile. “I’ll take Tony home instead.”
Olivia beckoned Tony to go over. “I don’t doubt you. You are my daughter-in-law and Tony’s mother. Compared to you, Isabella is just an outsider.”
Tony ran to Olivia’s arms and reached out to smooth the wrinkles between her brows. “Don’t frown, Grandma,” he chirruped, “or you won’t look pretty.”
Olivia laughed heartily and picked him up. “Come. I’ll take you to the hospital.”
Tony frowned, and Olivia stroked his little nose. “What’s the matter? You don’t like hospitals?”
Tony nodded honestly. “I don’t like them. They smell awful. Can we not go to the hospital, Grandma?”
“All right, we won’t go.” Olivia took out her phone and called Carol to ask about Isabella.
“Isabella is fine, Mrs. Clinton,” came Carol’s anxious voice from the other end. “We are taking her home now. She just hurt her arm, that’s all.”
“Really? The hospital called me to say that she was—”
“It’s really nothing. Isabella wasn’t drugged. The people in the hospital were talking nonsense,” Carol interrupted, flustered. It was only after the words left her lips that she realized she had said too much.
After a pause, Carol continued awkwardly, “Matthew and I will take Isabella home now, Mrs. Clinton. We can talk about it another day if there’s anything else to discuss. Goodbye.”
Olivia, being experienced in the ways of the world, had somewhat guessed from Carol’s demeanor that the latter was hiding something. She inferred privately that Isabella’s situation might be worse than she imagined.
“What’s the matter, Mom?” Amelia asked. “Is Ms. Walker not in the hospital?”
Olivia shook her head. “I’m unsure too. We’ll ask Stephanie later, but this is somebody else’s business. The Walkers may think that we Clintons are meddling because of our family’s fortune if we ask too many questions. There is no need to disrupt the harmony between our families for something so trivial.”
Amelia nodded. “As you say, Mom.”
Olivia was playing with Tony when her phone vibrated. She picked it up and, upon seeing that it was a video sent to her by an unknown number, clicked on it. Her expression soured dramatically when she saw the content within.
Disgusted, she threw the phone aside. Upon noticing Olivia’s expression, Amelia reached for the phone and took a look. Her face contorted as well after she had taken a good look at the contents.
“M-Mom, why would someone send you such a video?” Amelia asked in confusion.
Olivia took a deep breath to calm herself down before letting out a long sigh. “I thought Isabella was a decent girl. I can’t believe she’s shameless enough to allow herself to be filmed in such a manner. Fortunately, it was only sent to me. Her reputation would be ruined if it was posted on the internet.”
Amelia frowned as she considered the purpose of the mysterious person sending this video to Olivia.
It’s obviously not to threaten her for money, as it would be more effective to blackmail the Walker family directly. They recorded the video with great effort, yet they did not ask for money. Why would they send it to Mom, then? Although Isabella is Mom’s goddaughter, she is still considered an outsider. So why else would they record this video if not for money or power?
Amelia’s confusion must have shown on her face as Olivia shot her a glance. “What are you thinking, Amelia?”
Amelia pondered in silence for several moments before speaking. “I’m not trying to be paranoid, Mom, but I can’t figure out why the mastermind would send you such a video. You are Ms. Walker’s godmother, and besides, the Walker family is powerful. It should have been sent to the Walker family if what they wanted was money, yet it was sent to you. Could there be some kind of conspiracy?”
The new worrisome thought nagged at Olivia after Amelia mentioned it. She could not help but wonder if it was something Isabella had set up with outsiders. But upon further reflection, she thought Isabella had no need to gamble with her reputation. The girl would not be that stupid to risk my impression of her for something she desired.
“Since you mentioned it, Amelia, do you think there’s some kind of conspiracy going here?” Olivia asked in return.
Amelia placed the phone down. “I was just saying, Mom. How would I know what the person who sent you the video was thinking?”
Olivia held Tony on her lap and sat him down. She changed the topic by saying, “I’ve asked the cook to prepare a feast for you and Tony. The housekeeper brought a dozen pounds of blue crabs the size of your fist from his hometown. They are delicious and tender. Take some home to cook for Tony.”
“All right,” Amelia said.
“You haven’t gone to work for quite some time because of the incident with Tony. There hasn’t been a problem, I hope? Your company isn’t particularly big, and Tony needs your care. Just quit if you can’t handle it to avoid burning out over work and home. The family doesn’t need the contribution of your salary.”
Amelia smiled. “I’m not tired, Mom. Tony is a good boy. In fact, he told me yesterday that he wanted to attend grade school. I thought about his precociousness and considered how unhappy he would be in kindergarten, so I thought I would have him start first grade instead. What do you think, Mom?”
Olivia turned to Tony and asked in surprise, “Are you really going to grade school, Tony?”
Tony nodded and said with a serious look on his face, “Not only am I going to school, but I’m learning to fight from Daddy. I’ll soon be able to protect you and Mommy.”
Olivia was overwhelmed with delight. She hugged Tony and kissed him fiercely several times. “My grandson is amazing. He is not only clever but also good at fighting. I’m so proud of you. Here’s a reward. Have your mother buy you whatever you want.”
Olivia stuffed a gold card into Tony’s hand.
“Thank you, Grandma,” Tony said sweetly as he pocketed it.
They continued to chat and then sat down to dine together. Olivia announced her intention to visit Stephanie at the Walker residence and, at the same time, see how Isabella was doing.
For some reason known only to herself, Amelia wanted to bring Tony along.
“Do you really want to come, Amelia?” Olivia asked, nonplussed.
“Stephanie is my sister-in-law, Mom,” Amelia insisted. “She gave birth to a son whom I, as her sister-in-law, have never met. It’s not right.”
Olivia nodded. “Let’s go, then.”
With Tony in her arms, Amelia followed Olivia to the Walker residence.
Amelia called Oscar along the way to inform him that she was going to the Walker residence. Despite his bafflement, Oscar merely said, “I’ll pick you up from the Walker residence after my meeting.”
“I heard Oscar mention that you want to bring Stephanie back to the Clinton residence for confinement, Mom,” Amelia remarked casually after hanging up.
“I did want to,” Olivia said, “but Stephanie doesn’t. She thought she should be confined at the Walker residence since she was already married. I thought she had a point, so I left it up to her.”
Amelia’s eyes glittered strangely before she disguised it with a smile. “It appears that Stephanie is a lot more understanding.” I don’t believe that for a second. I’m guessing that the Walkers made that decision.
Olivia smiled in relief. I’ve been worried about this daughter of mine, and now I finally hear something reassuring.
After parking the car at the Walker residence, the driver unfastened his seat belt and got out to open the door for Olivia and Amelia.
He even placed his hand on the roof of the car to prevent Olivia and Amelia from hitting it when they alighted from the vehicle.
Carol hurried down the stairs when Olivia and Amelia entered the living room. “What are you doing here, Mrs. Clinton?”
“Amelia and I came to see Stephanie,” Olivia announced. “Besides, you were a little unclear over the phone earlier. How is Isabella? Is it serious?”
A trace of panic flashed across Carol’s eyes. “She’s fine,” she replied shiftily, “but her arm was accidentally scratched by a knife. Didn’t you say you were here to see Stephanie? I’ll walk you up.”
Olivia studied Carol suspiciously but did not press on about Isabella.
The three of them went upstairs and were about to head toward Stephanie’s bedroom when a scream of fury erupted from the third floor. “Who are you? Why are you in my bedroom? Ah! How dare you touch me! I’m going to kill you!”
Soon after, a man clad only in a pair of underpants stumbled out in a state of embarrassment. Carol’s features contorted at the sight, then she subconsciously glanced at Olivia.
Olivia was looking at Isabella, wrapped in a sheet and had come running out in pursuit from within, with a trace of disappointment in her eyes. She could not believe Isabella would be that daring in her own home. I thought she was a pure girl. I can’t believe how cavalier she would be with her chastity, given how decently she has portrayed herself to be before me.
Amelia covered Tony’s eyes, the corners of her lips quirking up. The satisfaction of vengeance made her heart leap.
This woman has been taking advantage of Mom’s love for her by clinging to Oscar. Look where we are now! Without Mom’s support, I’d like to see how she’ll continue to get involved with him.
Olivia took a deep breath. “Amelia and I are going to see Stephanie, Mrs. Walker,” she said placidly. “My grandson is also present. It wouldn’t do to expose him to such a sight.”
Carol’s face turned deathly pale. She clenched her fists. “Go on ahead with Amelia, Mrs. Clinton,” she said, restraining herself with tremendous effort.
Olivia and Amelia were about to leave when the man unexpectedly ran down the stairs. Isabella gave chase and ran into Olivia and Amelia.
Her face was white as a sheet of paper when she recognized Olivia.
“W-What are you doing here, Aunt Olivia?” she asked in a trembling voice.
Isabella had gotten to where she was through drastic means, but for all her planning, she still failed to account for every single possibility. Her mind went blank with shock while her knees buckled.
Olivia’s expression grew cold. “You should get dressed, Isabella,” she said in disappointment. “You shouldn’t mess around like this at home even if you have a boyfriend.”
“No, Aunt Olivia. He’s not. I…” Isabella panicked.
If I fail to obtain Aunt Olivia’s support, marrying into the Clinton family may not be easy even if I manage to trick Oscar.
“Go get dressed, Isabella,” Olivia repeated. “As for your boyfriend”—she turned to look at the wretched man without concealing her disdain—“I’m happy for you if you like him, but it’s better to find somebody more presentable. Amelia and I are going to Stephanie’s room. If you have anything to say, you can get dressed and meet us there.”
