His words were filled with affection for Serena.
"As for the gift..."
Old Mr. Blackwood said, stroking the small porcelain bottle Serena had given him with a cherished air. "It's the thought that counts. That's what this old man cares about most."
"Besides, Serena is the Lancaster family's own flesh and blood, the apple of their eye. Do you really think they would mistreat their own daughter?"
At his words, Isabella's face turned white as a sheet, and she swayed on her feet.
Was Old Mr. Blackwood implying that...
She was just the Lancasters' fake daughter?
Did he only care about..... the real one?
"Isabella."
At that moment, Old Mr. Blackwood suddenly looked at Isabella.
Isabella flinched and quickly tried to compose her expression, looking at him in a daze.
Her eyes were already turning red.
Old Mr. Blackwood's tone softened a little. "I appreciate the thought, Grandpa has received it. Thank you for going to the trouble of making this soup, but... I have the pills Serena gave me, and that's enough."
Isabella felt a wave of shame and humiliation, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes.
She bit her lip hard to keep from crying in front of everyone.
She couldn't believe it. Old Mr. Blackwood, who had always been so kind to her before and had even wanted her to be his granddaughter-in-law, was now so biased and trusting of Serena.
Even before...
Before Old Mr. Blackwood knew she was an imposter, he had never been this pleasant or shown her such unconditional trust and enthusiasm.
Karen saw Isabella swaying on her feet, looking utterly devastated and ready to give up.
She gritted her teeth.
This was about her own future!
She had invested so much in Isabella, counting on her to marry into the Blackwood family so that Karen herself could gain more influence and benefits.
After all, she couldn't rely on her useless father.
She had to plan for her own future.
She also needed Old Mr. Blackwood and the main branch of the family to
former secure the perfect husband
for a strategic marriage.
To maximize her own gains!
But all of that depended on Isabella marrying Nicholas.
As scared as she was, Karen wasn't ready to give up. She forced herself to speak again. "But... but, Grandpa Isabella used her own savings to win that EverVita Essence at auction, paying whatever it took it was developed by the Ghost Doctor, how could there be anything wrong with it? Serena Lancaster... she doesn't know anything about medicine, she's just fearmongering. You... you can't just take her word for it..."
The coldness emanating from Nicholas intensified His
handsome face beca
dangerously captivating.
So captivating it was terrifying.
Suddenly, a cool, soft hand gently rested on the back of his.
The touch was delicate and smooth.
It easily dispelled the cold aura radiating from him.
Nicholas's body went slightly rigid. He looked down.
Serena's hand was covering the back of his.
The warm, soft touch was like cotton...
It was enough to make his heart melt.
His Adam's apple bobbed slightly as his gaze shifted from her hand to her face.
The girl's expression was calm and cool.
He understood her meaning-she could handle this herself.
Nicholas's eyes deepened slightly, the corners crinkling with a hint of tender affection.
A smile touched his thin lips, and he turned his hand over, enclosing hers in his
palm.
He didn't say another word.
Serena was speechless.
She was just tired of watching those two make a scene.
What did he think he was doing, taking the opportunity to get touchy?
A sly fox was a sly fox.
Always finding a way to slide in.