Chapter 43

Isabella's parents looked like they'd been through the wringer. Gone was their party glitz; now they looked like they'd been living on the streets.

"John, you gotta help us! We need to find that thief!" Jasper was fuming, his face red with anger. He'd never been this humiliated before.

John just frowned. He didn't have much sympathy for Jasper and Mia, and their robbery didn't really concern him.

But since Jasper and Mia were Bianca's folks, he figured he could at least call the cops and push them to catch the thief.

Bianca squinted, a new plan forming in her mind to mess with Isabella.

"Jasper, Mia, remember what Isabella's husband said when they left?" Bianca nudged.

John, who'd left early, had no clue what Michael had said, but Jasper and Mia did.

"That jerk said he'd had enough of us and wanted to show us who's boss. This has to be his doing," Mia spat, her face twisted with anger.

Jasper was just as mad. He reached for his phone to call Isabella, only to remember it had been stolen too. He turned to Bianca, looking helpless.

"Bianca, can I use your phone to call Isabella?" Jasper asked.

Bianca shook her head. "No need. Isabella's here in the hospital; she sprained her foot."

John nodded. "Yeah, she's here. I'll take you to her."

John led the worn-out Jasper and Mia to Isabella's room.

Isabella was lying in her hospital bed talking to Amelia when they were suddenly interrupted by a rapid knocking on the door, causing her to frown.

"Who is it?" Isabella called out, opening the door to find John, Jasper, and Mia standing there.

"John, what are you doing here?" Isabella asked, frowning.

She wasn't worried about John seeking revenge; she could always call Mason to handle him.

John pointed at her parents and sneered, "I'm not here for you. Your parents want to see you. Ask your husband what he did to them."

Jasper stormed forward, pointing a finger at Isabella. "How could I have a daughter like you? Teaming up with outsiders to bully us."

Isabella's smile was icy. "How could I have a father like you? You two threatened to kill yourselves to force me to marry John. Is that what parents do?"

John was taken aback. He hadn't expected them to pull something like that. Jasper and Mia looked away, embarrassed, avoiding John's gaze.

John, who already had little respect for Isabella's parents, now looked down on them even more.

Even though John despised Jasper and Mia, he had to side with them because he was using their being bullied as an excuse to confront Isabella.

"Even if your parents messed up, that doesn't give your husband the right to bully them!" John said, his voice stern.

Isabella glanced at Jasper and Mia's injuries and sneered, "Got any proof my husband did this? Last time, those marks on your neck were self-inflicted. Who knows what happened this time? Maybe you two are into some weird stuff."

Jasper shook with rage, pointing a trembling finger at Isabella. He and Mia were too old for such accusations.

Before Jasper could retort, Isabella turned to John.

"Even if my husband did hurt them, that's a Taylor family issue. What's it got to do with you, John? You know, I once heard about a guy who lived to be 107. Wanna know his secret?" Isabella asked with a sly smile.

John frowned, confused by the sudden change in topic, but shook his head.

Isabella's smile turned mocking. "He lived so long because he never stuck his nose in other people's business."

John realized she was mocking him, and his anger flared.

"When did you turn into this? You weren't like this before. Now you're just a thug!" John snapped.

Isabella's smile vanished. "Why did I become like this? Because of you all pushing me! Not only can I mock you now, but I can also curse you. You're a piece of crap, a jerk! Just seeing you makes me sick. Get out of my room, or I'll tell your grandpa about the time you almost had my kidney taken out!" Isabella's eyes blazed with fury.

John, seething, knew he couldn't afford to cross Isabella right now, so he stormed out. Jasper and Mia, feeling awkward, followed John out.

After they left, Isabella felt a wave of relief. She closed the door, pulled out her phone, and called Michael.

As soon as he picked up, Isabella asked, "Did you have my parents taught a lesson?"

Michael was silent for a moment, then chuckled. "If I said no, would you believe me?"

"Of course, I believe you!" Isabella replied without hesitation.

Michael was taken aback by her unwavering trust, and it touched him.

He took a deep breath. "Actually, I did it. I thought they needed a wake-up call."

Michael waited, wondering if Isabella would still love him knowing he had acted against her parents.

To his surprise, Isabella's voice was warm. "They did need a lesson. John brought them here to cause trouble, but I gave it right back to him." She sounded proud but then grew worried.

"Even though it felt great to curse John out, I know the Williams family is powerful in this city. If he targets you because of this, you might be in a tough spot," Isabella said, her voice filled with concern.

Michael didn't expect her to be so worried about him. He smiled. "Don't worry; he can't touch me. He doesn't have any evidence."