It was a tactical retreat, feigning weakness and dropping hints.

It also made Serena seem all the more unreasonable.

She was expecting her mother's comfort.

However, Catherine just looked at her, sighed, and took her hand. Her tone was gentle. "Isabella, you've seen it for yourself. That boy, Nicholas... he's serious about Serena. And Serena isn't entirely without feelings for him either."

"Their engagement was arranged a long time ago. Seeing how they are now, they'll end up together sooner or later. When that happens... Nicholas will be part of the family."

"I hope you can adjust your perspective and let go of any improper ideas, do you understand?"

What Serena had just said clearly implied that Isabella must have done something.

Although Catherine hadn't spent much time with Serena, she knew her daughter wasn't the type to start trouble. The problem must lie with Isabella.

Catherine's intention was only to persuade Isabella to calm down and accept the situation.

As long as she and Serena could coexist peacefully, she would remain a daughter of the Lancaster family, enjoying the same status and privileges as before. That would never change.

But to Isabella's ears, Catherine's words sounded like a warning... a warning issued on Serena's behalf.

Catherine's words were the last straw, utterly crushing her.

Unfair!

It was so unfair!

Why did everything have to become Serena's the moment she returned?

The title of the eldest daughter of the Lancaster family, their grandfather's affection, their parents' love, their brother's

protection, and even Nicholas Lnet

whom she had adored for so many years...

FindNovel.net

She had to give it all to Serena!

It was Serena who had just publicly humiliated her and put her in an impossible position.

So why was her mother taking Serena's side, lecturing and warning her?

A wave of indignation washed over her, and the tears she'd been holding back finally burst forth.

This time, they were genuine tears of heartbreak.

She yanked her hand away from Catherine's and cried, "Mom, you're playing favorites! I'm the daughter you raised for twenty years, but you're all siding with her after she ëmbarrassed me! You don't have me in your hearts at all anymore!"

She glared at Catherine with red, hurt, and resentful eyes.

Covering her face, she turned and ran.

She didn't stop until she reached a deserted terrace, where she gripped the railing tightly, letting the wind dry the tears on her face.

Just then, Agnes's call came through.

She answered, and Agnes's sympathetic voice came from the other end. "Miss Isabella, I heard from one of my friends at the Blackwood estate. Why were you so impatient...?”

Isabella choked back a sob. “What do you mean, impatient? It's them... Every single one of them is taking that hick's side. Aren't they just trying to force me out of this house?"

"If you think that, you'll be walking right into that damn girl's trap!" Agnes's tone grew serious. "Miss Isabella think about it if you have falling out with your parents and leave the Lancaster family on your own, who will be the real beneficiary?"

зим