Chapter 16
In the evening, Isabel had just returned home when Hannah pulled her over to a boy sitting in the chair,
“Isabel, this is your brother, Sumon. He’s home for the weekend” Hannah eagerly introduced, “Simon. Come on, say hi to your sister Isabel
The boy glanced at Isabel briefly, not even bothering to acknowledge her, before storming off into the room. He slammed the door with a loud bang
Isabel frowned. Her little brother wasn’t exactly warm, was he? She understood–it was that rebellious phase. Teenagers were always a handful Plus, they hadn’t even met before, so it was only natural there wouldn’t be any bond yel
Hannah, clearly uncomfortable with the situation, mumbled, “Simon…”
“It’s fine, Mom, Isabel reassured her. Til go check on Dad and see how he’s doing.”
bort him when walking. With the
Hannah sighed and followed her into the room. Samuel was doing better. He no longer needed someone to support help of his rehabs equipment, he could move around on his own.
At that moment, Hannah’s phone rang. She stepped aside to take the call. Her face turned serious
“Hannah, what’s wrong? Samuel asked, noticing her change in expression.
“It’s… it’s from the manor. Hannah said, her voice low. They want to see Isabel”
Isabel froze for a moment. The manor? Wasn’t this house their only p
property? What did they mean by “manor“?
The Galvez family isn’t just rich–there’s the Galvez Corporation too. Not quite top–tier, but a big name in the business world” Hannah, sensing her confusion, explained.
“Your father’s family has two other branches, living in the manor, and well, the e main branch pushed your father and his side of the family out years ago. They haven’t really been in touch much since
“We can just ignore them if this is the case. Isabel frowned.
“But that’s your grandmother. If we ignore her, it could cau
cause trouble. Hannah continued, her tone a bit more pleading
Yeah you
you should go Samuel agreed. “You should at least hear her out.”
much it meant to her mom and dad, reluctantly agreed. She’d go tomorrow.
nz how n
“Alright” Isabel, seeing
The next morning. Hannah woke up early and prepared fresh vegetables from their garden, packing them i up to bring to the manor. “Isabel, let’s go! I would’ve gone with your dad, but with his leg, it’s just me with you today, Hannah said, giving a strained smile.
Isabel nodded. They took public transport, then a cab, making their way across the city until they finally arrived at the Galvez manor.
She looked around at the grand estate, which was clearly wealthy, though not quite on the level of the top–tier families. Still, it was a far cry from
hardships her side of the family had faced.
the
The butler opened the door when they arrived, but his attitude was less than welcoming. He looked at them like they were some random country cousins who had shown up uninvited.
“Come in. Madam Galvez has been waiting.” He s
“Let’s go Hannah urged, pulling Isabel along.
Isabel carried a basket of vegetables on her back. She had told her mom not to bother, that they weren’t likely to appreciate it, but Hannah insisted. Going empty–lunded would’ve felt rude,
Inside the grand foyer, the Galvez family was gathered in full force. The house was as fancy as they came.
Madan Galvez, Isabel’s grandmother, was an older woman with dark hair, though likely dyed as the roots were turning white.
She looked in excellent health. Her sharp, calculating expression made it clear this was a woman who knew how to get what she wanted.
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Chapter 16
“Ah. finally! Took you long enough to show up!” The voice came from the second branch–Emily, Isabel’s aunt.
Hannah rushed to apologize. “Sorry, there was traffic. We took the bus.”
“Anyway. Mom. I brought some fresh vegetables from our garden, just picked this morning. No pesticides, really good for your health… She started to explain, trying to be gracious.
But before she could finish, another voice cut her off. “Great, so now we’re eating grass?”
That came from label’s aunt, Grace, from the third branch. “You really think this is a gift! You couldn’t even bring anything decent, and now stuck with this? This is an insult!”
Ell of
The rest of the family quietly snickered. Hannah, embarrassed, didn’t know how to respond. Her posture sagged.
“Enough.” Madam Calvez finally spoke. Take that away before it dirties the carpet. She said it with such dismissiveness that Isabel could practically feel the disdain.
Isabel raised an eyebrow. “So this was how things worked in this family, huh?
She could already tell the difference in treatment. Emily and Grace were all decked out in gold and jewels, acting as though they were above everyone else. Isabel couldn’t help but feel bitter.
It was all about status, wasn’t it? She thought. Her mother and father had been cast aside while these people lived in luxur
Madam Galvez’s eyes fell on Isabel.
“So, you’re the one they swapped out for the fake one?” She sneered.
“Yes, this is Isabel,” Hannah urged. “Go on, Isabel, say hello to
to your grandmother?”
“Hello, Grandma” Isabel responded flatly.
“And these are your aunts and uncles, Hannah continued to introduce, “Say hi to them as well”
Isabel didn’t budge this time. The room was heavy with judgmental stares.
“Alright, Hannah, you can leave now. I need to talk to Isabel
alone”
Madam Galvez commanded.
Hannah gave Isabel a quick glance before stepping out, leaving her alone in the center of the room, surrounded by the cold, watchful eyes of the family.
“Come over here, child” Madam Galvez’s tone was suddenly soft, but Isabel could tell there was something off. The sudden shift in attitude was as fake as her dyed hair.
habel took a step closer, her voice cool. “If there’s something you want to say, just say it. I’m listening:
that you’re back with the Galvez
Madam Galvez’s smile faltered, her eyes narrowing. “I heard that you were with the Clyde family before. Now the family, are you still in contact with them?”
Isabel saw where this was going. Madam Galvez was trying to use her to get closer to the Clydes.
“No, habel didn’t even try to hide the lack of warmth in her voice.
“Is that so?” Emily sneered, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Now that you’ve reconnected with your real parents, shouldn’t the Clydes have in to pull your family out of the mud? I mean, you were their daughter‘ once, weren’t your
stepped
Isabel couldn’t bite her tongue any longer. She glanced at Emily and retorted with a cold smile, “Funny you’d say that. Even blood relatives don’t always step up, so why would you expect anything from people who aren’t even family?”
Her words landed like a quiet bomb, a pointed jab at the whole Galvez family. The very same people who had shoved Samuel and his family out into the cold, forcing them to scrape by while dry basked in wealth and luxury.
The room went silent for a m
a moment. Emily, flustered, opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Madam Galvez snapped, “Enough” Quiet”
