Chapter 46

Isabella caught wind of Amelia's comments and playfully tapped her forehead. "I'm perfectly clear-headed. What are you trying to say?"

Amelia gave Isabella a nudge and whispered, "Don't you think Michael's a bit off? He says he's just a middle manager, but he acts like he's running the place! I think he's got some hidden agenda getting close to you!"

Isabella rolled her eyes at Amelia's wild theories. She met Michael by chance and didn't see why he'd be interested in her.

Isabella knew she was pretty, but she wasn't drop-dead gorgeous. There were plenty of women more beautiful than her, and she didn't think Michael was joking about marriage.

"Alright, thanks for the heads-up. I'll be careful," Isabella said, though it was clear she wasn't too worried about it.

Amelia, knowing Isabella better than anyone, could tell what she was thinking. She sighed, "Just be careful, okay? By the way, Mr. Williams wants to meet Michael. Did he say yes?"

Isabella blushed a bit. Mason was like a grandfather to her, and introducing Michael felt like a big deal, almost like meeting the parents.

"I was going to tell him tonight, but then John showed up with my parents," Isabella explained, recounting how Michael had stood up for her.

"So you're worried John might use this to mess with Michael?" Amelia guessed, understanding Isabella's concern.

Isabella nodded, exasperated. "Yeah, that's why I don't want him meeting Mason. John will definitely tag along."

Amelia waved her hand dismissively. "John's a jerk. He deserves to get hit by a car or at least break his legs so he can't bother anyone."

"Shh, keep it down. Bianca and that jerk John are in this hospital too. We don't want them hearing us," Isabella said, peeking outside the restroom and feeling relieved when she saw no one.

"What are they gonna do? I'm not scared. And don't get me started on that witch Pearl. I don't get it. You never try to piss anyone off, but trouble always finds you. Are they nuts?" Amelia ranted, unable to hold back.

As Amelia continued her tirade, they suddenly heard Pearl's voice nearby.

"Where's that bitch Isabella? Where did she go?" Pearl was yelling at a nurse.

Isabella and Amelia peeked out of the restroom.

Seeing Pearl, Isabella gave Amelia a look. "You jinxed it!"

Amelia scratched her head, embarrassed. "Sorry, I'll try to be more positive next time."

"Let's go deal with Pearl. If we don't, she'll spread rumors that I'm scared of her," Isabella sighed, stepping out of the restroom with Amelia trailing behind.

"Pearl, this is a hospital, not your personal stage. Stop yelling and disturbing everyone," Isabella said, frowning as she approached.

Pearl's face twisted with anger. "Cut the act, you bitch. I found out that the painting of Eleanor was a gift from John's uncle to Mr. Williams. Did you seduce John's uncle to get that painting?"

Amelia, standing beside Isabella, sneered. "Pearl, not every woman uses their looks to get what they want like you do."

Pearl shot Amelia a venomous glare. "Then explain how she got the money for that expensive painting with her family's business in ruins."

Their argument drew a crowd from the nearby wards.

Bianca, hiding in the back in her wheelchair, smirked coldly. She had leaked Isabella's hospitalization to Pearl and told her that the painting actually belonged to Michael, thanks to John.

"Isabella, let's see how you handle this mess," Bianca said to herself, her lips curling into a malicious smile.

Isabella, unfazed by Pearl's accusations, furrowed her brow. "The elders of the Williams Family are much kinder than you. Maybe they gave me the painting because they couldn't stand seeing me harassed by someone like you."

"That's bullshit! John's uncle is my fiancé; why would he help you?" Pearl screeched, like a cat with its tail stepped on.

Isabella recalled the auction scene and sneered. "At the auction, he wouldn't even let you sit with him. Even when we argued, he chose to help me, not you. Since when did you start dreaming you're his fiancée?"

Isabella's sharp words hit Pearl hard. She screamed and lunged at Isabella, but a large hand grabbed her wrist before she could make contact.

Isabella looked up, surprised to see Mason's bodyguard.

"Let go of me! Do you know who I am? How dare you grab my hand! Who's your boss?" Pearl yelled at the bodyguard.

"He works for me, Ms. Brown. It seems your father never taught you any manners," Mason's voice boomed from the elevator.

The crowd parted as Mason, supported by the bodyguard, walked towards them. Pearl's face fell; she hadn't expected Mason to show up. In the back, Bianca quietly wheeled herself back to her ward.

"Damn it, why is Mason here? Looks like my plan to mess with Isabella failed again," Bianca muttered angrily, cursing Mason under her breath.