However, her attempt had minimal effect.
Catherine just nodded distractedly. "Yes, Isabella. Be careful on your way."
Her mind was clearly still on Serena. She turned and muttered, "This won't do. I need to go to the kitchen and have them prepare some nourishing soup for Serena. She'll need it when she gets back..."
Isabella's smile completely vanished, her meticulously manicured nails digging deep into her palms.
Agnes discreetly tugged on her hand. "Miss Isabella..."
Just as Isabella was about to shake her off with an irritated frown, Agnes shot her a meaningful look and began pulling her outside.
Once they were out of the house, Agnes lowered her voice, a sense of urgency in her tone. "Miss Isabella, you need to pull yourself together! You absolutely cannot let that uncouth country girl outshine you!"
Hearing Agnes's name for Serena, Isabella's expression softened, and the impatience in her eyes lessened.
Agnes continued, "Ever since that wretched girl came back, everyone in this house has been acting as if they're bewitched. You can't afford to slack off now! If this continues, your place in this family..."
She didn't finish the sentence, but her meaning was clear.
Isabella clenched her fists.
Did Agnes think she didn't know all this?
But she was powerless right now. Even playing her trump card—Mr. Harrison—had only earned her some superficial praise and a few material rewards.
"Miss Isabella, you need to think about your future. I just heard Linda, who was cleaning outside, say that the Blackwood family's car... is here again," Agnes said, patting Isabella's hand. "You have to seize this opportunity. As long as you can marry into the Blackwood family, you'll be the most respected woman in all of Vaelion City! And you will always have a place in this family."
Isabella's heart leaped, and her eyes lit up.
Nicholas was here again?
She quickly ran a hand through her perfectly coiffed hair and started jogging toward the main gate of the estate.
She silently congratulated herself for spending over two hours getting ready this morning to meet Mre Härrison. She was in her most perfect state!
At the thought of Nicholas, a shy blush appeared on Isabella's face.
But...
When she reached the ornate iron gate, panting, she found it completely empty.
She walked up to the gate and looked around, but the surroundings were quiet. There was no one else in sight.
"Where is Nicholas?" Isabella asked the security guard on duty.
The guard quickly stood up. "Mr.
B25ickly stood up. "Mr.
his car was at the gate for a little while,
about two minutes ago et
.net>
Gone?
Gone again?!
The shyness and joy on Isabella's face faded, bit by bit.
Her entire body seemed to deflate, as if all the life had been drained out of her.
Why... why had the Blackwood car
appeared at the Lancaster estate et
twice in a row, yet neither time was for her? . FindNovel.net
They hadn't even come to the door either time.
What was Nicholas's reason for coming to the Lancaster estate?
Staring at the empty, tree-lined path, Isabella felt a powerful sense of unease rise within her.
***
Meanwhile.
Serena was sitting in the passenger seat of Nicholas's car.