Chapter 146

Isabella just gave a little smile at Mia's request.

"Got it. I'll think about it," she said, nodding without really committing.

Mia's face lit up, "That's awesome! Please, think it over carefully. Our family's future is in your hands!"

"I get it. I'll give it some serious thought. My husband's waiting for me at home with dinner ready. Can you hop out now?" Isabella pointed to the door, still smiling.

"Sure thing, just don't forget about it," Mia said happily as she opened the car door and stepped out.

Leo, seeing Mia leave, hung up his phone and slid back into the driver's seat.

Earlier, when he stepped out, Leo had secretly called Michael to let him know about Mia's visit to Isabella.

Once back in the car, Leo stayed quiet, knowing his job was just to drive.

"Ms. Taylor, ready to go?" Leo asked.

Isabella nodded, and Leo started the car, heading towards the villa.

Isabella sat in the back seat with her arms crossed, silent. Leo glanced at her through the rearview mirror; her face was calm, but her eyes seemed a bit sad.

The car ride was pretty heavy with silence. Suddenly, Isabella spoke up, "Leo, if your parents forced you to do something you didn't want to do, like marrying someone you don't love-a marriage that could ruin your life-and they did it for their own selfish reasons, how would you feel?"

Leo blinked, a bit surprised by the question. But he quickly remembered some rumors about Isabella.

There had been talk that Isabella was forced by her parents to marry John, but since no one confirmed it, the rumors gradually died down.

'Guess those rumors were true,' Leo thought with a sigh.

"Ms. Taylor, if it were me, I'd go against my parents! Just because they gave birth to me and raised me doesn't mean I'm their slave! I have my own life and my own thoughts; I'm not anyone's puppet. If I can't fight back, I'd run far away. But if I can, I'm gonna show them what I'm made of!" Leo said, as if talking about himself, but also hinting at Isabella.

With Michael by her side, Isabella didn't have to fear anyone. No matter what came her way, Michael had her back.

A smile curved on Isabella's lips. "You're right, I should fight against my fate."

Soon, the car arrived at the villa. To Isabella's surprise, Michael was standing outside to greet her.

After the car stopped, Michael walked up to open the door and gave Isabella a hug as she got out.

"Why are you here to greet me?" Isabella asked with a smile.

Michael shrugged, "Because today is a big day! If you didn't secure Kevin's project, I'd be here to hug and comfort you. If Kevin chose your design, then I'm here to celebrate and praise you."

Isabella laughed at Michael's words, stood on tiptoe to kiss him on the cheek, and then pulled him into the villa.

Michael had dinner all set up. They sat across from each other at the table, a bottle of red wine between them.

The wine was from Isabella's own vineyard. After sharing it with Gabrielle that day, she had fallen in love with it too.

Halfway through the meal, Michael suddenly said, "A buddy of mine in the tax department told me someone paid off all your parents' taxes. They should be out soon."

Michael brought this up to get Isabella to open up about her mom's visit. He wasn't trying to control her; he just knew that if he didn't mention it, she'd keep it all inside, which would only make her feel worse.

Just as he thought, Isabella's smile faded when he mentioned it.

She put down her glass and said softly, "It's not just my parents; even Bianca has been released from prison."

Michael pursed his lips, staying quiet. He already knew about this.

Isabella's fingers traced the rim of her glass as she sighed, "They've let me down so many times. I thought I was numb to it, but I still get blindsided by how shameless they are. They actually want me to convince Mason to let Bianca marry John."

"What do you think?" Michael asked, standing up and moving behind Isabella. He placed his hands on her shoulders, gently massaging them to help ease her stress.

A cold smile appeared on Isabella's lips. "I told her I'd think about it, but I have no intention of agreeing. If Bianca hadn't tried to kill me before, maybe I would have considered it. But she almost had me die on the operating table. No way I am agreeing, and I'll find a way to get back at her!"

Isabella's eyes narrowed, her voice icy. If John hadn't protected Bianca so well, she would have found a way to deal with her long ago.

"I've been thinking about something. Very few people knew my schedule, yet when Pearl snatched me, she knew exactly where I was. I hadn't talked to anyone else that day except my parents who called me. I casually mentioned my plans, and now I'm thinking they might have sold me out," Isabella said, her voice filled with hatred.

Michael's eyes flashed with cold fury. If Jasper and Mia weren't Isabella's biological parents, he would have dealt with them long ago.

"They tried to force me to marry John, John wanted my kidney, Bianca wanted me dead-they all wanted me gone. But thankfully, you saved me every time." Isabella turned to look at Michael, her eyes filled with tender love.

Michael gently caressed Isabella's cheek, pressing her face against his chest, enveloping her with his warmth.

"How should I thank you, Michael?" Isabella murmured softly.

"How about we have a baby?" Michael suggested, stroking Isabella's hair and lifting her up, carrying her towards the bedroom.