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David’s face darkened with concern. “The police said the driver had a history of alcohol abuse, but there must be someone orchestrating this behind the scenes. The investigation is ongoing. The other party is very cautious.”
“Keep digging.” Ronan’s gaze grew even colder.
“Yes, sir,” said David.
**
After knowing that Isla had been taken away, Aurora finally exhaled a heavy sigh of relief.
Failing to eliminate Isla back then had always been a thorn in her heart.
But she hadn’t expected that three years later, this thorn would transform into her replacement.
Her parents had told her she didn’t need to worry about the marriage arrangements, but Aurora knew the truth better than anyone.
Aurora imagined the exquisite look of pain and despair on Isla’s face when she realized her friend had betrayed her once again.
Just the thought made Aurora’s blood boil.
She wanted to watch the once high–and–mighty, pampered eldest daughter being crushed beneath her feet.
Standing atop the summit, the view was magnificent.
Aurora no longer had to worry about her engagement with the Ellsworth family. She knew Ronan favored her; with just a little effort, she could marry him as she wished.
At that moment, her social standing would rise once more to an entirely new height.
Confident and elated, Aurora’s mood soared.
The Ellsworth family had sent her numerous expensive gifts, which she eagerly sorted through.
The Beaumont family hovered around her, their eyes full of indulgent affection.
“Finally, peace has returned. As long as Isla is out of the way, our household will run smoothly. She has at least served her final purpose–ten–plus years of raising her weren’t wasted,” Cora said softly to Julian, a cruel smile in her tone.
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Julian’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “I thought she’d learned her lesson, but she’s still foolish. A daughter like her is useless. It’s her honor to stand in for Aurora in marriage.”
Little did they know, their actions today would haunt them for the rest of their lives.
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*****
Cloudie University.
In the office, Isla’s eyes narrowed as she studied the data on her computer.
She knew the Ellsworth family had troubles, but she hadn’t realized it was this severe.
Rowan’s parents died in an accident when he was thirteen. Though bankrupt, they left him a
company.
Logically, the profits should have guaranteed him a lifetime of comfort.
But the Ellsworth relatives used his age as an excuse to manage the company on his behalf, attempting to embezzle funds.
Fortunately, Rowan’s father’s loyal lawyer waited patiently for him to come of age.
At eighteen, however, Rowan’s legs were crushed in a car accident, leaving him disabled. Naturally, his uncles and aunts seized control of the company.
Information about the company thereafter was scarce.
Only in the past two years, as the Ellsworth company began to decline, did the marriage arrangement resurface, prompting the Beaumont family to scheme the replacement marriage.
Aurora’s parents couldn’t bear to send their precious daughter away, and so Isla became the sacrifice.
All of that was tolerable.
What truly bothered Isla was Freya.
She couldn’t believe that her lifelong friend–the one who had always stood by her side–would betray her.
Isla picked up her phone and dialed Freya’s number.
She hadn’t expected an answer, but to her surprise, the call went through.
Freya’s tone was light, almost smug, as if she had anticipated this. “So, it’s you, Isla. I’ve been waiting for your call.”
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Isla’s expression hardened, her eyes flashing with ice. “What do
you mean?”
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“Don’t blame me. You know my family’s situation isn’t good,” Freya said matter–of–factly. “I helped out, and the Beaumont family promised me a million in return. Back then, I saved your life–now it’s only fair you do me this one favor, isn’t it?”
She laughed, light and careless, “You’re not going to hate me, are you? Yesterday you were still thanking me. Is your life not worth helping me once?”
Hearing the taunting voice, Isla’s expression grew even colder.
“So our friendship is only worth a million?
“You know what kind of person Rowan is, right?”
There was a brief pause on the other end, a slight hitch in her breath, yet the words remained dripping with sarcasm. “Well, what else? If you don’t like it, why not divorce him? You wouldn’t lose anything, right?
“I know I did this, and we can’t be friends anymore–but that’s fine. I’ve long stopped wanting to be friends with you. You know how much trouble your past actions caused me? Walking with you, I couldn’t even lift my head. You moved on, but I was shamed all these years because of what you did. Now that you know, I won’t pretend anymore. Let’s end it here.”
With that, the line went dead with a sharp click.
Isla clenched her phone, knuckles whitening.
So that was how Freya really thought?
Isla had assumed that everyone in the world would abandon her, that Freya would stand unwaveringly by her side.
But now it seemed she had overestimated her importance.
Indeed, even the family who once loved her had become cold–blooded monsters.
And others how could she have expected differently?
Yet, Isla would no longer be like she was three years ago–trampled, ground down, unable to lift
her head.
A knock sounded at the door. “Isla, are you there?”
“Yes, come in,” a voice sounded.
Logan’s voice reached her, and Isla composed herself, shutting the computer.
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Logan entered with a smile, his expression polite and earnest, the demeanor of a mentor who had been instructed to stick close to her since her return.
“Isla,
you haven’t forgotten the invitation from Cloudie Hospital to visit, right? Let’s head out.”
“Okay.”
Isla’s gaze darkened as she looked at Cloudie Hospital before her.
This was the very place she had once dreamed of working in, a promise she had made with Freya–but now, neither of them had stepped inside.
In contrast, Aurora was already an intern here.
They were welcomed personally by the assistant to the director with utmost respect.
Inside the surgical department, a voice sounded. “What? She’s back? Why didn’t you tell me earlier? What do we do now? That idiot won’t seek revenge, will she, for what happened back then-”
The man pacing and talking frantically on the phone was Isla’s ex–boyfriend, Felix.
But the next moment, his voice abruptly cut off.
Not far behind him, at the corner of the wall, stood two figures–one tall, one short.
Felix’s head shot up, and when he saw the taller one’s face, goosebumps erupted across his back.
The first figure he noticed was a tall, handsome young man, smiling as he spoke to a woman.
But the woman wasn’t paying attention. Her gaze was fixed directly on him. The icy, piercing light from her eyes forced him to step back involuntarily.
Felix’s face turned pale, his lips trembling, words stuck in his throat.
It was Isla.
Send Gifts
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