Chapter 170

The reporters swarmed around Isabella, firing off questions left and right.

The security guards at the entrance quickly muscled their way through the crowd to shield Isabella, keeping the reporters at a distance. But the reporters stretched out their arms, trying to shove their microphones closer to her.

As the security team escorted Isabella to the company entrance, she suddenly turned around, grabbed one of the reporters' microphones, and gave a weary smile.

"Can everyone please calm down? I'll answer your questions one at a time," Isabella said, sounding exhausted.

The reporters went silent at her request.

Holding the microphone, Isabella looked completely worn out, her eyelids drooping like she hadn't slept in days. "First off, about the rumor that I fled alone, I have no idea where you got that from. No one was trying to hurt me, so why would I run away? I went abroad because my husband's family lives there, and I went to visit his parents."

A reporter shouted, "But your parents said they were almost buried alive because you offended the Brown Family!"

Isabella's eyes welled up, and a tear slipped down her cheek. "If you've talked to the police, you'd know I'm the victim here! I was kidnapped by Pearl. As for what happened to Pearl, I have no idea! And about my parents saying they were almost buried alive by the Browns, you can ask Paxton, the current head of the Brown Family."

The reporters internally groaned. They didn't have the guts to confront Paxton, and even if they did, he wouldn't admit to anything.

Isabella knew this, so she threw Paxton under the bus. Jasper and the others were trying to whip up a frenzy, so she figured she'd let Paxton deal with her parents.

Isabella believed once Paxton saw his name in the news, he'd probably sue her parents for defamation.

What was the truth? As long as Paxton didn't admit it, none of it would be considered true.

"Lastly, I'm deeply shocked and hurt by my parents' accusations online! My husband and I love each other very much, despite what they claim. I oppose their interference in my marriage because I want to be free! We all have the right to pursue our own love! But my parents clearly see me as a tool for the family's revival, which is incredibly heartbreaking," Isabella said, suddenly covering her face as tears streamed through her fingers, looking deeply pained.

"I'm really sorry, but I've said all I need to. I have to get to work." Isabella shook her head, handed the microphone back to the reporter, and dashed into the company.

Once inside, Isabella headed straight to the design department. As she stepped in, she unexpectedly saw Bianca.

"What are you doing here? Is your kidney disease cured? How did you recover so quickly?" Isabella raised an eyebrow, looking at Bianca in surprise.

Bianca crossed her arms, smiling, but her eyes were full of malice. "Isabella, I heard about what happened to you recently. It's really tragic! Maybe you should just apologize to Jasper and Mia. I'm sure they'd forgive you."

Isabella just stared at Bianca, not saying a word. Seeing Isabella's pale and haggard face made Bianca feel even more triumphant.

"Isabella, look at the mess you've caused. Now the employees have to sneak in through the back. Don't you feel guilty? This is all because of you!" Bianca declared with a smirk.

Madeline and her assistant Odette walked over, joining the scene.

Odette, standing behind Bianca, nodded. "Ms. Taylor, your cousin is right! Your drama shouldn't mess with the whole company."

Isabella glanced at Madeline, Odette, and Bianca, realizing they had formed some sort of alliance. She wondered what kind of scheme they were cooking up.

Isabella gave Bianca a cold smile. "A few days ago, Mason called me, asking if I needed help. I said no. I brought you up in our chat, and guess what he said?"

Bianca raised an eyebrow but stayed silent.

"Mason said he believes I'm not the kind of person my parents claim I am. He also said he would never let you into the family! Even if he dies, he will put it in his will that John cannot marry you if he wants to inherit anything!" Isabella said, watching Bianca's face turn pale and venomous.

Isabella took a step closer to Bianca, her smile becoming more manic. "My dear cousin, but there's a loophole in that will. Mason only barred John from marrying you, not from keeping you as his...kept woman. You could still be his mistress, flaunting it to the world! But that's all you'll ever be to him."

Bianca clenched her fists tightly.

Odette stepped forward, about to say something, but Isabella's sharp gaze stopped her.

"Did you bring Bianca into the company?" Isabella suddenly asked.

Odette instinctively nodded.

Isabella's lips curled into a cold smile. "Who gave you the right to bring an outsider into the company? Don't you know Bianca once stole my designs, causing significant reputational damage to the company? Are you planning to let her continue stealing from our design department? Who gave you the guts?"

Isabella then turned to Madeline. "Madeline, did Odette get your permission? Did you inform Mr. Larson about bringing a thief to the company?"

Isabella's words drained the color from Madeline and Odette's faces. Bianca had come to them today with a plan to take down Isabella, making them momentarily forget Bianca's past actions.

Madeline bit her lip, knowing she couldn't let Dwayne find out about this, or she would be punished.

Quickly, Madeline came up with a solution. She pointed to Bianca and said to Isabella, "Your cousin came to apologize to you! That's why we brought her in."