Chapter 61
University of Ardenfall
Isabel had just finished class when her phone buzzed with a Wha
[Isabel, look to your left“]
a WhatsApp message.
Isabel glanced at her phone, then turned her head. Sure enough. Blake was casually leaning against his car.
Isabel walked over, and with a flourish, Blake pulled a bouquet of sunflowers from behind his back.
These are for you, sweetheart!” he said with a grin.
The sunflowers were fresh and vibrant.
Taking the bouquet, Isabel asked curiously. “How did you know I like sunflowers?”
“Because your WhatsApp profile picture is a sunflower, he replied matter–of–factly
Isabel was surprised.
She had designed the profile picture herself ages ago.
She preferred sunflowers over roses because they always looked bright
“Babel, check out my profile picture, Blake added with a mischievous smile.
Isabel curiously took out her phone and took a bok. She was dumbfounded.
His profile picture was a cow manure… complete with steam rising off it.
She was speechless.
Unfazed, Blake explained with a smile, “A beautiful flower deserves fertile soil. Isabel. I’m willing to be the manure to nurture you”
Isabel was speechless.
She stared at him, exasperated. “You’re disgusting.”
“Say whatever you want, I don’t mind I like you too much.”
Isabel was utterly speechless.
If it were anyone else, Isabel thought, he would already be smacked against the wall so hard he would be stuck there.
“Uh… Mr. Blake, Miss Clyde, perhaps you’d like to get in the car first? Richard, who had been watching, could not hold back anymore
“Sure, let’s go.” Blake Yates the car door and let Isabel in first.
Richard rolled his eyes discreetly. He could not believe it. After all the hardship Blake had endured, the man’s personality seemed to have done a complete 180
Once cold and distant, Blake was now shameless and full of outrageous lines.
Even comparing himself to manure! That took creativity
As the car drove off, a group of Isabel’s classmates, including g Yvette, emerged from the university.
“Hey, Yvette, look! I think Isabel just got into that car. Isn’t that a Bentley!”
Yvette glanced briefly and scoffed, “Hmph, probably some rich guy she’s gotten involved with.”
“Really Isabel doesn’t seem like that kind of person. Maybe it’s her boyfriend?”
“Boyfriend? As if” Yvette sneered. “She’s got a fiance, and I’ve met him. He’s just a lowly delivery guy.
“You think someone like that could afford a Bentley? She’s probably fooling around with some rich man behind his back. What a disgrace!”
Chapter 61
The classmate nodded, convinced by Yvette’s explanation
Meanwhile, in the car, Blake suddenly grabbed Isabel’s hand.
Isabel tried to pull away, but his grip was firm.
“Tabel,” he said seriously, “I need to talk to you. Taking you to meet the Yates family might not be easy on you.”
Isabel frowned unsure what he was getting at
“I wanted to
o give yo
“you a happy family” Blake began, “but that might not be possible.
“My family is complicated. My father married three women, and they all live under the same roof. It’s like a never–ending drama, full of schemes and power plays, I’m worried they’ll target you, but I promise I’ll do my best to protect you?
“So that was what he was worried about Isabel thought.
Tabel glanced at him, then smirked. ‘Do you think I’m somer
If anything, she was the one who did the bullying
someone who’s easy to push around”
Blake laughed. “Hahaha. I knew you’d say that! We’re a perfect match! Today, we’ll join forces to take on the world. If anyone gives you trouble, just fire away. I’ll back you up.
Isabel rolled her eyes but did not respond.
They soon arrived at Yates residence.
Blake held Isabel’s hand as they walked in
The hall was nearly packed with the entire Yates family
Both the first and second branches seemed particularly intrigued by Blake’s young fiancée.
As Blake walked in holding Isabel’s hand, every pair of eyes in the room hxated on them.
“Dad, Mom, everyone, this is Isabel Clyde,” Blake announced.
“Blake, introduce us properly,” Thomas Yates, his father, urged.
Blake began the introduction, starting with his father.
“Isabel, this is my father.
“Hello, Mr. Yates, Isabel said politely.
“Hello. You and Blake seem like a good match. I heard your family took care of him during his recovery. Don’t worry, the Yates family won’t forget your kindness, Thomas replied warmly.
“Thank you, Mr. Yates.
Then, Blake led her to Thomas’s first wife.
She looked frail and pale, as if speaking required effort.
“This is Madam Connie, my dad’s first wife
“Hello, Madam Connie.”
Connor glanced at Isabel, then gave a soft wave of her hand. A servant beside her stepped forward, carrying an antique, intricately designed box. This is a jade bracelet that I cherished Now it’s my gift to you. May you and Blake have a harmonious and loving marriage” she said softly,
She truly looked unwell.
Thank you, Madam Connie.”
At this morrent, a sharp, grating voice interrupted, instantly dampening the atmosphere.
11.18 AM c
Chapter 61
truly adore Blake’s fiancée. That jade bracelet is a family
“Oh my, Connie you really went all out! Giving away something so precious? You must t heirloom, passed down since ancient times.”
Hearing that, Isabel hesitated. Such a valuable gift made her uneasy.
“Madam Connie, this bracelet is far too precious. Please take it back. I really can’t accept something like this?”
But Connie gently held her hand, stopping her from returning the bracelet. “Once I give away something, I don’t take it back,” she said softly. Tubel, 1 like you. You’re a good girl”
Her voice was kind, carrying a fragile yet warm tone–far more pleasant than the sharp one from earlier.
Blake chimed in with a smile. “Since Madam Connie has given it to you, Isabel, you should accept it.”
With that, Blake led Isabel to the source of the sharp voice–the second wife of Thomas.
This is Madam Penny, my dad’s second wife,” he introduced.
Penny looked at Isabel with a smug, disdainful expression, barely hiding her contempt.
Hello, Madam Penny.”
Penny scoffed, her haughty gaze lingering before she handed over a small, ornate box.
“Here. A necklace for you,” she said, her tone dripping g with condescension.
A servant opened the box to reveal an elegant necklace, Isabel froze the moment she saw it
Penny noticed her reaction and sneered. Clearly, she thought Isabel was some clueless bumpkin overwhelmed by luxury.
“You’ve probably never seen something this exquisite, she taunted. “Let me educate you. This necklace is called ‘Starlight. It’s a masterpiece by the renowned designer Lily from the Dely Studio. It was part of a limited edition released two years ago. Now? Practically a one of a kind treasure”
Isabel remained silent, her expression calm but thoughtful.
Blake glanced at her, curious about what she was thinking
Just as he opened his mouth to confront Penny, Isabel spoke up.
“Madam Penny,” she said casually. “I think you’ve been duped. This necklace is a fake.”
“What did you just say! Fake?” Penny’s voice shot up an octave, trembling with outrage. “You, a county girl, dare to call my necklace fake! You have no idea what you’re talking about! Don’t spew nonsense!”
Her tone was as sharp as blade, her anger palpable. Questioning the authenticity of her prized possession was a direct slap to her face.
But Isabel only smirked inwardly. How amusing? That Starlight necklace? She had designed it herself years ago.
If anyone could tell the real deal from a knockoff, it was her.
