Chapter 34
979 Words
Resolved that issue with Mr. Knight?
He shook his head.
Really, what man bears such a grudge against a student?
Canceling your admission wasn't enough.
He threatened to run you out of the city.
I was genuinely so shocked when Isabel mentioned it.
Owen just stood there and listened with a baffled look that screamed, When the hell did I say any of that?
Ruby shot Owen a smirk.
Professor, don't worry.
The misunderstanding is all cleared up.
Mr. Knight is actually very generous.
He even found me a job and promised to protect me.
The sugary tone made Owen's face darken.
Professor Miller, however, just breathed a sigh of relief.
He finally noticed the man standing so close to Ruby and remembered snippets of Isabel and Sheila's conversation from earlier.
Is this your deadbeat husband?
He frowned.
Owen's eyes narrowed in outrage, but Ruby chuckled.
You could say that.
Professor Miller looked Owen up and down earnestly.
Son, you're a big, well-built guy.
You should get a real job.
Take care of Ruby, all right?
With that, he walked away, leaving behind a fuming Owen and a smirking Ruby.
Back at the Anderson family home, lunch was a quiet affair.
Natalia looked pale, barely touching the food on her plate.
Warren immediately noticed.
Nat, what's wrong?
Are you feeling all right?
Natalia just waved a dismissive hand and smiled weakly.
Isabel quickly spoke up.
Dad, we ran into Ruby at the hospital today.
I think Mom's just worried about her.
Warren frowned.
And why would she worry about her?
Isabel sighed dramatically.
Ruby probably loathes me, blaming me for having to drop out and leave college.
I just...
She bit her trembling lip, her eyes filling with crocodile tears.
I just hope she won't poison Mrs. Knight against me, you know?
Warren sneered.
She's the one who crossed Owen, not you.
Saving his grandmother with sheer luck.
His expression darkened.
Besides, didn't he only say that I needed to discipline Ruby?
Isabel froze.
Shit.
Dad can't find out I passed along a fake message.
He'd kill me.
Just then, Warren's phone buzzed.
He glanced at the screen and answered immediately.
Mr. Yates.
To what do I owe the pleasure?
At the name, Isabel's heart dropped into her stomach.
No, this can't be happening.
Panic clawed at her throat.
Leo's voice crackled over the speakerphone.
Mr. Knight has been informed that your daughter, Isabel, claimed he wanted Miss Ruby to disappear from New York City.
My boss denies this entirely.
He wants to know when and where this outrageous rumor originated.
Warren's face froze.
He stared at Isabel in a mix of fury and disbelief.
Really?
My goodness, I'm so sorry to hear that.
He sputtered a string of apologies to Leo, who finally cut him off.
Mr. Anderson, you really need to get your daughter under control.
He said before hanging up.
The next second, Warren glared at Isabel with the ferocity of a beast.
What the hell was that about?
Isabel's head drooped, tears streaming down her cheeks.
I'm sorry.
I spotted Ruby with Mr. Knight and panicked.
I feared she'd sabotage my engagement to Carter and embarrass me before the Knights.
I wasn't thinking clearly.
Warren snapped.
Even so, how dare you go around throwing Mr. Knight's name around?
Isabel's hands balled into fists, her eyes darting around wildly as she sobbed.
Dad, Ruby is your daughter too.
I was afraid you'd go easy on her nonsense.
Warren growled, refusing to take the bait.
How many times do I have to tell you?
In my heart, I have only one daughter, and that's you.
Ruby means nothing to me, so that's a sorry excuse.
Natalia spoke up, her voice laced with disapproval.
Warren, don't say that.
Ruby is your daughter too.
Warren turned to her.
Nat, after all these years, you still don't get it.
What happened with Sheila is my life's biggest shame.
I let you down.
I will never acknowledge her or her daughter.
In my heart, you and Izzie are my only family.
Nearby, Sheila stood with her fists clenched, glaring at Warren with hatred.
He had been her childhood sweetheart, yet his heart had always belonged to Natalia.
Years ago, when she'd been pregnant, she had shown him the positive test and offered to be his mistress.
And he had coldly refused, claiming loyalty only to his wife.
With no options left, Sheila had approached Natalia, pleading to remain with the family. Over the years, Warren showed her no kindness and treated Ruby.
As if she didn’t exist. Despite her humiliation, Sheila lowered her head, hiding her triumphant smile.
You’ll never know the truth. Warren, the child you adore and spoil is mine.
Not your precious Natalia’s. She sneered inwardly, and Ruby, she’ll always live in the shadows, just like I do to you.
Natalia, however, stubbornly shook her head.
Warren, this is unacceptable. Izzie made a mistake. She lied and caused everyone to misjudge Ruby. We owe that poor child an apology.
More in scald, excuse me, you expect Izzie and me to apologize to Sheila Sutton’s daughter.
Are you kidding me? Sheila quickly interjected. Oh, there is no need for apologies. Anderson has already done enough by raising her.
Besides, Ruby pursued Mr Knight inappropriately, and he took no action against her. She should be thankful.
But Natalia remained unmoved. No, this won’t do. I’d like to think I raised my daughter better than this.
Izzy has to take accountability. Isabel stared at her mother, shocked and wounded.
Mom, no way. I’m not doing that.
Natalia’s usually serene expression turned cold. It was rare, and it silenced the room.
Izzy, this isn’t negotiable. She said, her voice hard. Tomorrow, you will apologize to Ruby.
Period. Isabel didn’t dare challenge her mother, but her heart burned with endless hatred for Ruby.
- Writer
