Chapter 68

John glanced at Bianca, who was in tears, and felt his heart soften once more.

"This whole mess has caused a huge scandal. Even my grandpa's pissed at you. I've got the best PR manager on it, but he says you need to apologize to Isabella, ask for her forgiveness, and try to contain the damage." John sat down next to Bianca, gently stroking her hair.

"You want me to apologize to her?" Bianca instinctively resisted.

John's face hardened. "Got a better idea? I'm all ears."

Despite her reluctance, Bianca could sense John's anger and knew she had no other options. She quickly pulled out her phone to call Isabella, but it wouldn't go through.

"Isabella's not picking up. Maybe she blocked me." Bianca looked at John, hoping for help.

John sighed and handed her his phone.

Bianca dialed Isabella's number, but after a few minutes, she put the phone down, both she and John looking disappointed.

"Isabella blocked my number too," John muttered.

"What now?" Bianca asked, looking desperate.

"Try another phone." John called over a bodyguard and used his phone to call Isabella again.

This time, the call finally connected.

Isabella, at home and puzzled by the unfamiliar number, answered, thinking it might be the organizers. Instead, she heard Bianca's voice.

"Isabella, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. Can you forgive me?" Bianca pleaded, her voice trembling.

Isabella felt a wave of disgust. Did Bianca think she could manipulate her like she did John?

"I've never met anyone as shameless as you. Forgiving you is up to God. I don't want to hear from you again." Isabella coldly hung up and blocked the number.

Bianca stared at the phone, then looked at John with wide eyes. "John, she hung up on me. She won't forgive me."

"Isabella doesn't even respect me," John fumed, dialing again, but it wouldn't go through.

"Damn it, she blocked this number too!" Furious, John hurled the phone at the wall.

The bodyguard, quick as a cat, dove to catch the phone before it hit the ground.

'Since when did being a bodyguard mean saving phones? Good thing I trained with the men's volleyball team,' he thought, feeling a bit sorry for himself as he pocketed the phone.

"Mr. Williams, maybe Ms. Isabella Taylor isn't accepting the apology because we're not offering enough?" the bodyguard suggested.

John's anger flared. He was used to getting his way and hated the idea of bending to anyone. "What are you saying? As the heir to this family, I have to grovel to her? Who in this city dares to disrespect me?"

The bodyguard was at a loss for words but still nudged John, "Mr. Williams, remember, Ms. Isabella Taylor is tight with Mr. Mason Williams. Think of it as keeping him happy. A little gift wouldn't hurt, right?"

John paused, mulling it over. He glanced at Bianca, then called another bodyguard over and handed his phone to her.

"Whatever it takes-money, jewelry-let her name her price. If it gets her to forgive you, it's worth it." John waved his hand, stood up, and walked out.

Bianca's apology was also John's way of trying to patch things up with Isabella, something he'd never done before.

'Like the bodyguard said, I'm not really apologizing to Isabella. I'm just trying to keep Grandpa from getting pissed,' John reassured himself silently.

This time, Bianca managed to get through to Isabella again.

"Isabella, I know just saying sorry isn't enough. Tell me, what do I need to do?" Bianca cut straight to the point.

Isabella was about to hang up but then had a thought. She smiled and asked, "What are you willing to offer? Or rather, what is John willing to offer?"

Bianca gritted her teeth. "Money, jewelry, whatever you want. Just name it, and we'll make it happen."

Isabella laughed. "The organizers already made me their chief designer. I don't need money. As for jewelry, I don't like that stuff either. What I want is for you to go to jail. Do that, and I'll forgive you."

Bianca's face twisted in anger. "I'm your cousin. Can't you forgive me?"

Isabella chuckled. "You stole from me, trashed me online. Did you think about being my cousin then? When you had your lawyer threaten me, did you think about being my cousin? You're shameless! I've got a lawyer now. See you in court!"

Isabella hung up without hesitation, likely blocking this number too.

"Damn it, she wants me in jail! We've lost any leverage!" Bianca looked at John, panicked.

John stared at her in silence. Maybe he should never have let Bianca apologize. If Mason had been the one asking, Isabella would have agreed. But John knew Mason would never help Bianca.

"I'll get the best lawyer to defend you in court, try to minimize the damage, and keep you out of jail." John sighed, waved his hand, and left the hospital room.

Bianca watched him go, feeling his disappointment. It made her panic, like she was losing her grip on him.

'Pearl, she helped me plan all this. She must have a way to fix it!' Bianca thought, clinging to that hope.