Chapter 57

Isabella was pretty sure she could walk out of the police station without a lawyer, but Michael's actions still made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

"It's so nice to be cared for." she thought, a smile tugging at her lips.

Just then, her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was Amelia calling.

As soon as she picked up, Amelia's worried voice came through. "Isabella, I heard you got into it with Bianca and ended up at the police station? Are you okay? That witch didn't give you too much trouble, did she?"

Isabella chuckled. "No, I handled her just fine. She's a woman in a wheelchair; do you think she could fight me? I'm good. Michael got me a top-notch lawyer."

"Thank God you're okay. You had me freaked out. I was actually gonna drop by your place today, but when I got there, it was a mess. Michael was cleaning up and told me you got taken in by the cops," Amelia explained.

Isabella was taken aback. She hadn't expected Amelia to hear about it from Michael, and she wondered how Michael knew.

Isabella quickly realized that it was the neighbor who had called the police, and it was likely that Michael had found out about her fight with Bianca from the neighbor.

"Seriously, I'm fine. I'm heading home now. Let's catch up tomorrow," Isabella said, ending the call with a grin.

She was about to call Michael but figured he might still be at her place, so she decided to head straight home.

When she walked in, she was shocked to see everything back in place. Even the broken stuff had been replaced.

And there was Michael, in the kitchen, whipping up dinner.

"You're back? Go wash up, dinner's ready," Michael said, smiling as he brought out a spread of her favorite dishes.

Seeing all her favorite foods, Isabella felt a lump in her throat.

She used to cook for John, always making his favorites. No one ever cared about what she liked. Except for Amelia, Michael seemed to be the only one who did.

"Why are you tearing up over dinner? No need to get all emotional," Michael teased, wiping away her tears.

"Everything okay at the station? Didn't Nathan sort it out for you?" Michael asked, looking concerned.

Isabella shook her head. "Yeah, Nathan handled it. Everything's cool now. But isn't he retired? How'd you get him to help?"

Michael shrugged. "Just a lucky break. Lawyers make enemies, you know? He got jumped once, and I happened to save his butt. He owed me one."

Isabella nodded, not doubting his story but feeling a bit bummed. "Nathan's a big deal in the legal world. Everyone wants him. My situation wasn't that bad. Bianca wouldn't have dared to do much. Feels like a waste of a big favor."

Michael looked at Isabella and grinned, "To me, anything involving you is a big deal."

Isabella's heart skipped a beat, and she felt her cheeks heat up. Michael sure knew how to say the right things.

'No way, he still hasn't sorted things out with Pearl. I can't fall for the same guy as her,' Isabella thought, trying to keep her emotions in check.

"I'll go wash up," she said, darting into the bathroom and splashing cold water on her face to calm down.

A few minutes later, she finally felt composed and sat back at the table to enjoy the meal Michael had prepared.

The dinner was amazing, all her favorite dishes, and they tasted fantastic.

As Michael watched her eat, something seemed to cross his mind. He hesitated before speaking, "That night you came to the office and got upset, was it because you saw Pearl?"

Isabella stopped eating, her expression souring, but she didn't say anything, which was as good as a yes.

Michael looked at her seriously, "Isabella, trust me. I have zero interest in someone like Pearl. She's just trying to mess with you."

Isabella looked up, uncertainty in her eyes. "Are you serious?"

Michael stood up, looking determined. "If you don't believe me, I'll have someone rough her up right now and bring back a video. Would that convince you?"

His serious tone made Isabella laugh. She shook her head, "No need for that. I'll believe you this time. Pearl does pull some nasty stunts, but you don't need to bother with her. After all, she is also from ne of the big families. Although her family's influence is not as strong as the Williams family, they are not to be easily offended."

Michael felt a warmth in his heart. Isabella still cared about him.

'Even though Isabella believes me this time, Pearl is really a piece of work. I can't deal with her directly right now, but I'll find a way to get some payback for Isabella,' Michael thought, already planning his next move.

Meanwhile, Pearl was having a rough time. Her hand was in a cast because Michael had broken one of her fingers when she wore his ring.

Pearl was seething with anger, but Paxton had warned her not to do anything that would tarnish Michael's reputation and to try to become his woman instead.

"You guys only care about the family, not my reputation! I'm the laughingstock of the city now!" Pearl yelled into her phone, but the call had already ended.

She had just been on the phone with Paxton, who showed no concern for her, only giving orders.

Furious, Pearl left the hospital. Her hand was badly injured, and she had to return for daily check-ups. But as she was leaving the hospital today and getting into her car, she suddenly fell into a sewer.