Chapter 125

Isabella gave Amelia a gentle pat on the back and asked softly, "What's going on?"

"Is it your mom's illness getting worse?" Isabella guessed, her face full of concern.

Amelia shook her head. Isabella was puzzled. Amelia was usually so cheerful and outgoing. She only cried when Isabella suffered injustice.

Isabella thought back over her recent life and realized she had been pretty happy lately, with nothing that should make Amelia cry.

So, it had to be something about a guy.

"Did some guy dump you? When did you start dating? How come I didn't know?" Isabella asked, surprised.

Amelia shook her head. "I haven't been in a relationship."

Isabella was even more confused. Then a thought hit her, and she asked in shock, "Don't tell me you're all lovesick over some guy? Who is this mystery man? Have I met him?"

Amelia blushed. "Let's not talk about it. Just drink with me. I don't want to bring him up."

But Isabella was serious. She grabbed Amelia's hand and said, "Okay, seriously. Even if you won't tell me who he is, I need to know: Is he hot? Rich? Any red flags? What's he like? And MOST importantly, is he married? 'Cause I'm not hearing about you being a side piece."

Amelia couldn't help but smile at Isabella's flood of questions. "Don't worry, I would never fall for a married man. I'm not into breaking up homes. And you're asking too many questions. I don't even know the answers to some of them myself. Let's change the subject."

Isabella looked at Amelia's face, stayed quiet for a few seconds, then sighed and nodded. "Alright, let's change the subject. Did you get drunk because you confessed to him and got rejected?"

Amelia shook her head helplessly. "Actually, I haven't confessed to him. I don't even know if he likes me. I just can't figure out what our relationship is. Anyway, let's not talk about it anymore. Just drink with me."

Amelia handed Isabella a fresh glass of wine.

Isabella had no choice but to drop it. She picked up the glass and downed it in one go.

At that moment, Amelia noticed a handprint on Isabella's neck.

Amelia shot up from her chair, furious. "Why do you have a handprint on your neck? Who grabbed you? It wasn't Michael, was it?"

Isabella shook her head. "It wasn't Michael. He would never lay a hand on me. It was John. He's a lunatic. Even though I'm married, he keeps harassing me!"

Amelia's anger boiled over. "John again! Didn't you tell Mason? He should teach that jerk a lesson."

Isabella shook her head. "No, I feel like John pursuing me is something Mason has silently approved of."

Amelia furrowed her brows. "How could that be? Didn't Mason agree to cancel your engagement with John?"

Isabella sighed, looking defeated. "Remember when John was in the hospital? Mason asked me to cook for him. Even then, I could tell Mason wanted me to be with John."

"Is Mason losing his mind or something? How can he just ignore your feelings?" Amelia grumbled, clearly frustrated.

Isabella traced the rim of her glass, smiling sadly. "Mason means well. I know he genuinely cares about me. He's probably worried that after he's gone, there won't be anyone to protect me. Marrying John, the Williams family heir, would guarantee my safety."

Amelia was speechless. When it came to status, Isabella's current husband, Michael, couldn't compare to Mason.

"Why is our fate so miserable? Never mind, let's drink. Tonight, we drink until we drop," Amelia said, handing Isabella another glass of wine.

The two of them sat at the bar, drinking non-stop. Any guys who tried to hit on them were quietly chased away by Leo.

Meanwhile, Leo informed Michael about Isabella drinking at the bar.

Amelia didn't stop until she was completely drunk. She leaned on the bar, crying, "Isabella, if anyone ever bullies you, you have to tell me. If Michael dares to bully you, I'll kick his balls!"

Michael's voice came from behind them. "I don't think you'll get that chance."

Isabella turned around and saw Michael. "Why are you here?"

Michael looked at the handprint on Isabella's neck, concern flashing in his eyes. "I heard John choked you, so I came to find you. Does it still hurt?"

Michael gently touched Isabella's neck. The memory of John's hands around Isabella's throat choked Michael's heart.

Isabella, a bit tipsy, tried to stand up from her chair but nearly fell. Luckily, Michael caught her.

She fell into Michael's arms, crying, "It doesn't hurt, but I'm scared. John said he would find out your identity and kill us! He humiliated you in front of me, and I couldn't stand it, so I slapped him. Should I not have hit him? Maybe then he wouldn't be so angry. Maybe you should go abroad, to Kenna. He might be able to protect you."

Michael held Isabella tightly, feeling even more heartbroken. He hadn't expected her to suffer because of him.

'John, you truly deserve to die!' Michael thought, a cold, murderous look flashing in his eyes.

While Isabella was crying in his arms, Michael secretly took out his phone and sent a message to Jerry.

Michael: [How's it going?]

Jerry: [Everything is ready. This time, we're using solid wood baseball bats. They hurt a lot but won't cause serious injuries.]

Michael: [Wooden bats? Switch them all to steel ones!]

Jerry, who was about to take action, was stunned when he saw Michael's message.