That one word, "Isabella," was drawn out, the tone lingering.
It sent a chill down Isabella's spine, making her deeply uncomfortable.
But Serena's question had done its job.
Edward and Catherine's gazes instantly fell upon her.
Isabella's expression nearly cracked.
She had no idea what kind of game Serena was playing...
To show such blatant dislike for her in front of their parents, without even a hint of pretense.
She didn't even bother to keep up appearances.
Isabella was consumed with jealousy, but faced with her parents' scrutiny, she could only force a smile and shake her head. "Of course not. You're overthinking it, Serena. I couldn't be happier that Nicholas is treating you so well..."
Serena let out a soft laugh and leisurely picked up another pastry, her voice calm. “He's never cooked for you, has he? I bet you didn't even know he could cook. How about it? Want to try a taste of what your dear Nicholas can do?"
Isabella was floored.
It was the ultimate psychological blow.
She was trembling with rage.
She knew exactly what Serena was doing-intentionally twisting the knife, deliberately flaunting how good Nicholas was to her!
But in front of her parents, she had to suppress all her emotions, forcing a smile that was more painful than a grimace. Her voice was fragile and wronged. “I'm not as lucky as you, Sis, to get to eat something Nicholas made with his own hands..."
Her gaze, however, uncontrollably drifted to the food container.
She wanted it!
Of course, she wanted it!
The moment she knew that container was filled with food Nicholas had personally cooked, she wanted to snatch it away.
But she knew better than anyone that it was a hopeless fantasy.
The earlier comments mocking her for bringing outside food to a banquet now felt like a series of hard slaps across her face.
And Serena gave Isabella no quarter. After finishing her last bite, she offered a faint, lazy smile. "Good. As long as you know."
Those few light words stabbed at Isabella's heart, making it seize with pain.
The immense sense of humiliation was unbearable, and Isabella's carefully maintained mask finally began to crack.
She bit her lower lip, looking pitiful and wronged. "I don't understand what you mean..."
Serena closed the lid on the food container and stood up. "You know exactly what I mean."
She raised her eyes, her cool gaze devoid of much emotion. "Isabella, since you clearly know your place and realize that
rything you have
was a gift from me, you'd better
learn to behave."
With that, she picked up the
container and turned to her parents,
her expression softening sligh
"Mom, Dad, Lim just going
this
to give
to Patton. I'll be right back."
Catherine glanced at her tearful adopted daughter, then at her calm biological one, and patted Serena's hand. "Go on."
As soon as Serena was gone.
Isabella's eyes were red, tears swimming in their corners. She looked utterly pitiful
as she cast a pleading glance at Catherine.
Her voice was tinged with a sob. "Mom, I really don't understand what she means. What did I do to offend
herat feels like she's been targeting
me from the start..."
“Is it something I did wrong? Or... or should I really just not stay with the Lancaster family...?"