"I've seen you sighing over her photo so many times. And me... I get to be home
with you every day, and I've been with you for so many years. I just thought I'd give this chance to be with you tonight to Serena, so she can spend more time with you."
Her words were dripping with sincerity.
She sounded as if she was thinking entirely of her family, her heart aching for them.
But between the lines, another message was clear: look how thoughtful and kind I am. And Serena? She only cares about enjoying the privileges the Lancaster family provides, while being so cold to her own family.
But Isabella was, after all, the daughter Catherine had raised by her side for twenty years.
She studied Isabella for a long moment, taking in the obedient expression and the hint of bravely suppressed grievance in her eyes. In the end, she didn't say anything more, but looked at Serena. "Serena, do you want to ride with your father and me, or..."
Isabella gritted her teeth in frustration.
Even after she had laid it on so thick, her mother was still asking for Serena's opinion.
What was there to ask?
She kept saying the engagement was off, but she was still trying to push Nicholas and Serena together.
It was blatant favoritism.
At that moment, Nicholas's lazy, relaxed voice cut through the night air, sounding particularly alluring.
"Sorry, my car only has room for Serena."
As he spoke, he turned his body slightly toward Serena, his narrow, almond-shaped eyes seeming to hold the entire starry sky within them.
They shimmered... captivatingly.
"That new encrypted protocol from the institute is in my car. I can give it to you on the way?" he said with a smile.
Serena looked at his sly, handsome face, then turned to Catherine. "Mom, I'll ride with him, then."
Hearing this, the man acted as if he feared she might change her mind. He quickly opened the passenger door extending a hand in a gesture
that both gentlemanly ans
elegant, inviting Serena into the car.
His eagerness made the other Lancasters chuckle. "Alright, then. Be careful on the road."
Serena nodded without a single glance at the ashen-faced Isabella. With Nicholas considerately shielding her head, she slid into the car.
Nicholas said goodbye to the Lancasters one by one and drove off.
The black Maybach quickly blended into the night.
Isabella watched Nicholas's silhouette disappear completely from sight.
She was seething, but could only suppress her rage and reluctantly get into the car with the Lancaster family.
Her foul mood cast a heavy silence over the car.
Catherine saw her adopted daughter sitting with her head down, clearly heartbroken over Nicholas.
"Isabella." Catherine took her hand and patted it gently, speaking in a soft, consoling tone. "I know you've liked that Blackwood boy since you were little, but... you can't force matters of the heart. You've seen his attitude. After all these years, he truly doesn't have those kinds of feelings for you. It just means you two aren't meant to be."
Edward also tried to comfort her. "That's right, Isabella. You're a smart girl. Nicholas has made his position very clear. His... attention is all on Serena If Serena really says yes, he'll be your brother-in-law one day. You should let these feelings go sooner rather than later. Don't get stuck on it."