“Mrs. Blackwood, you’re making a scene.” Isabella’s voice was calm, almost detached. “I’m only taking what’s rightfully mine. There’s no need for this to become a war. Besides, my belongings are already packed at Green Lake Villa. By the time I meet William, everything will be settled. After today, we’ll be strangers.” She glanced at her watch. “The Blackwood family has more wealth than they could ever spend. Surely, they won’t miss a single invitation.”
Eleanor’s face flushed crimson at Isabella’s indifference. “We don’t want anything from you!”
Ethan stepped forward, standing protectively beside his mother, his gaze sharp enough to cut glass. “If I’d known you were this heartless, I never would’ve let you into our home. Just give her the damn invitation and leave.”
Isabella didn’t flinch. Her silence was more cutting than any retort. The more she ignored him, the more Ethan’s temper flared. “If it weren’t for you saving my grandfather—”
Before he could finish, a voice thundered from the hallway.
“Ungrateful boy!”
William stormed into the room, his face dark with fury as his butler steadied him. Without hesitation, he raised his cane and struck Ethan across the back. “What kind of grandson have I raised? That woman has played you for a fool!”
He pointed the cane at Sophia, his rage undeniable. “Have you forgotten how she abandoned you for money? She left you at the altar and nearly turned this family into a laughingstock. If it weren’t for Isabella cleaning up your mess, where would you be now?”
Ethan stammered, scrambling for an excuse. “I—I haven’t forgotten. But Sophia was forced into that marriage by her parents. What was I supposed to do? Just like I was forced to marry Isabella because of you—”
SMACK!
William’s palm cracked against Ethan’s cheek before he could finish. “You’re a fool, Ethan! Sophia has made a mockery of you!”
Seeing William—the only one in the Blackwood family who had ever treated her with respect—Isabella felt a pang of emotion. She moved to calm him. “William, please… don’t upset yourself. Your health can’t take this stress. You just left the hospital. You need to rest.”
William exhaled heavily, as if the weight of the world pressed on his chest. He patted Isabella’s shoulder, guiding her to sit beside him on the couch. His eyes locked onto Ethan, each word dripping with disappointment.
“For three years, Isabella has held this family together while you buried yourself in work. In all my years, I’ve learned one truth—gratitude is the foundation of everything. If you can’t grasp that, you don’t deserve the Blackwood name!”
Ethan’s face burned with humiliation and anger. He clenched his jaw, swallowing his retort.
When the sting of William’s words faded, the old man turned to Isabella, his expression softening. “If this idiot doesn’t wake up, I’ll disown him without hesitation. As of today, I only recognize one granddaughter-in-law.”
The declaration landed like a detonation.
William’s favoritism toward Isabella was no secret, but the depth of his loyalty stunned everyone. Eleanor, standing rigidly to the side, had never seen William speak with such finality. She had been part of the Blackwood family for decades and had never earned even a fraction of the regard William showed Isabella. Now, he was willing to cast aside his own blood for her?
But Eleanor knew better than to challenge him. She forced a weak smile. “William, I’m not feeling well. I’ll retire for the evening.”
Sophia, sensing the shift in power, trembled. She turned to Ethan with wounded eyes. “Ethan… your grandfather clearly despises me. Maybe I should go before I cause more trouble.”
Ethan gripped her hand. “I won’t let you leave.”
But William’s patience had run out.
