They both shared the Vinton family's blood. How could the difference in their character be so monumental?
Holding the soup container, the savory aroma alone seemed to calm his ragged breathing.
He stared at Anna, who was still curled up on the floor, weeping hysterically. His eyes were filled with disgust. "Starting today, freeze every single asset under her name!"
"Drag her back to the estate and lock her up! She doesn't need to attend university either. She stays confined until she genuinely realizes what she's done!"
He turned his furious gaze to Douglas. "Call her father. Tell him exactly what happened and demand he get his ass back here to discipline his precious daughter!"
"No... Grandpa, I know I was wrong! I really know I was wrong!" Hearing that her father would be informed, Anna began trembling violently. She scrambled up, trying to cling to Holden's legs. If her dad found out, she was truly dead!
"Get off me!" Holden shoved her away with his cane. "Douglas, drag her out of my sight. I don't want to look at her for another second!"
Douglas smirked. He grabbed the wailing Anna by her collar, hauling her up as easily as a ragdoll. "Understood. My men will certainly take excellent care of my dear niece."
Anna was completely paralyzed by fear. She shrieked louder, thrashing with all her might. But how could she possibly match Douglas's strength?
With Anna dragged out, the suite plunged into a heavy silence.
Everyone's gaze slowly drifted toward Isabella, who was still huddled in the corner.
Isabella felt those glares stabbing into her back like needles. Holden and Kiera's eyes, in particular, were filled with agonizing disappointment. Cold sweat drenched her clothes.
She lifted her tear-stained face, looking pleadingly at Kiera. "Grandpa Grandma, I... I only wanted to help Serena fit into Anna's social circle as quickly as possible. never imagined things would turn out like this..." Her voice caught, making her look pitiful and fragile.
She knew Kiera had always had a soft spot for her. The older woman hated seeing her cry. As long as Kiera felt an ounce of pity, she could still save herself!
However, Kiera's gaze was colder and more profoundly disappointed than ever before. Even now, Isabella was still trying to deflect the blame, still trying to paint herself as the innocent bystander.
Anna had poured her heart and soul
into their friendship, treating Isabella like a true sister. Yet the moment disaster struck, Isabella immediately abandoned her. Hell... when Anna was being beaten senseless just moments ago, Isabella hadn't dared to utter a single word in her defense.
The more Kiera thought about it, the deeper her disappointment grew. "Isabella, I used to think you were just a sweet, well-behaved girl with a slight temper. It seems my old age has made me completely blind."
"What you truly intended-whether you just didn't think it through, or if you did it entirely on purpose-only you know the truth."
She looked overwhelmingly
exhausted and closed her eyes. "I finally understand why Catherine insisted on banishing you to the countryside villa. I used to think she was just overly biased toward Serena But now see she and the rest of the Lancaster family saw your true colors a long time ago."
"Your heart is entirely too toxic."
Those words plunged Isabella into an icy abyss.
Her face went deathly pale, and she stared in absolute disbelief at the woman who had always doted on her. She wore a mask of immense grievance and heartbreak. Now even Kiera... didn't believe her anymore?
"Leave," Kiera said wearily, waving her hand. "I don't want to look at you."
"Grandma!" Isabella's tear-filled eyes widened in shock as the drops spilled over. "You... you're kicking me out too?"