Chapter 31

Isabella stared blankly at Benjamin standing outside the door, while Michael's eyes flashed with a dangerous glint.

Benjamin, sweating bullets, stammered, "Uh, looks like I came at a bad time. Just remembered I have a surgery at the hospital. Gotta go!"

He quickly shut the door and bolted.

Isabella turned to Michael, puzzled. "How does Benjamin know you?"

Michael shrugged. "We were high school classmates. I asked him to help me find a place."

"Oh, got it." Isabella didn't question him further.

Her thoughts drifted back to her troubled family. She pushed Michael away, tears streaming down her face. "Why are you so good to me? I don't deserve this. We're just in a contract marriage."

Michael wrapped his arms around her from behind, whispering, "Even so, I should still act like a husband."

Isabella wiped her tears and bit her lip. She could feel Michael's sincerity, but she knew the Williams Family's power was something Michael couldn't handle. She didn't want him to get hurt.

Michael watched her in silence, feeling down. He really wanted to tell her who he really was. Seeing his hesitation, Isabella thought he was weighing whether she was worth the trouble with the Williams Family.

She forced a bitter smile. "I have to go. I'll see you later."

With that, she walked out the door.

Benjamin, who had been eavesdropping, fell to the ground as she opened the door.

Embarrassed, he looked up. "The patient ate something before surgery, so it got canceled."

Isabella ignored him and kept walking. Benjamin approached Michael, curious. "Did you guys have a fight?"

"No," Michael muttered.

Benjamin raised an eyebrow. "Dude, you look like you just lost a fight. Did you say something dumb? Girls need comforting. Just talk to her, and it'll be fine."

Michael shot him a look. "If you're such an expert, why are you still single?"

Benjamin went quiet. Michael, frustrated, scratched his head and headed for the door. "Let's go grab a drink."

Benjamin shrugged and followed him to the car.

Michael drove slowly, scanning the streets, but he didn't see Isabella anywhere. His frown deepened.

Benjamin teased, "Stop looking. She probably took a cab home."

"Shut up!" Michael snapped, tempted to punch him.

Isabella did take a cab, but she didn't go home. She went to Amelia's place.

Outside Amelia's apartment, they ran into each other. Seeing Isabella's distressed face, Amelia rushed over. "Isabella, are you okay?"

Isabella's eyes welled up with tears. "Can I stay with you for a few days?"

Amelia could tell something was really off with Isabella. She grabbed her hand and said, "Of course, no problem. Stay as long as you need. Come on, let's go."

She led Isabella back to her place. Isabella plopped down on the sofa, staring blankly out the window like she was in another world.

Amelia felt awful for her and hugged her tight. "I heard your dad's sick. Is it serious?"

At the mention of her dad, Isabella broke down. "They want me to marry John. If I don't, they said they'd kill themselves."

Amelia's eyes went wide. "Did they really say that?"

Isabella nodded, tears streaming down her face. "They even have marks on their necks from trying to hang themselves."

Amelia jumped up, furious. "They threatened you with suicide? What kind of parents do that? That's insane!"

Isabella just stared at the ceiling, too drained to defend her parents.

"You didn't agree to it, did you?" Amelia asked, worried.

"I didn't have a choice. My whole life, they've told me I was born to marry John. They've treated me well, but now I see it was all for this." Isabella's voice was hollow, like she'd given up.

Amelia looked at her with pity. "But if you marry John, you'll have to give your kidney to that witch Bianca. Are you really okay with that? I can't stand it!"

Isabella gave a bitter smile. "I talked to a doctor. I can live a normal life with just one kidney."

Amelia didn't know Bianca wanted Isabella dead, and Isabella didn't want to tell Bianca that marrying John would be her death sentence.

Amelia scratched her head in frustration. "Why don't you tell Mason?"

"He's getting older. I really don't want to upset him," Isabella said seriously.

Amelia kicked the sofa in anger. "I hate these powerful people! They think they're above the law! It's like Congress makes laws just for us, not them!"

Isabella hugged her tightly. "Stop cursing. I've made my peace with it."

Amelia cried out, "Damn it!"

During her stay at Amelia's, Isabella found some peace and a sense of normalcy. But soon, it was time for Mason's birthday party. The party was a big deal, with people from the four major families invited.

Since Isabella was John's fiancée, Jasper and Mia were also on the guest list.

Dressed to the nines, Jasper and Mia were surrounded by reporters snapping photos and asking questions. Little did anyone know, they were secretly planning to sell their daughter.

Suddenly, the reporters' attention shifted to a diamond-encrusted Rolls-Royce pulling up. They swarmed around to see who was inside.

Inside the car, Pearl saw everyone looking and lifted her chin proudly.