BXBX NOVEL Chapter 22 - 22: Bring Her to Me
He was finally persuaded!
Isabelle Richardson’s tinge of heartache for him at the bottom of her heart evaporated into joy.
But to Lana Lewis, that statement was not pleasant to hear.
“Xavier, you already proposed to Isabelle, and the marriage is confirmed. What do you mean by saying you’re still considering?”
Isabelle Richardson dared not to speak up.
She had forgotten that Lana had mistaken Michael Gallagher for Xavier Gallagher.
Fearing that Michael Gallagher would get angry and change his mind, Isabelle intimately pulled Lana aside and said, “Aunt, Michael… I mean, Xavier has just narrowly escaped death. Let’s give him some time to rest. The wedding can wait.”
When she uttered the words “brother Xavier”, Isabelle noticeably paused, her whole demeanor was unnatural.
She didn’t dare to meet Michael Gallagher’s eyes.
“Aunt, why don’t I take you back to your hospital room first, I have something to talk to brother Xavier privately.”
Now that her goal had been achieved, she was worried that Lana Lewis might say something else, so she took the initiative to suggest taking her away.
Lana, worried about her “older son,” hesitated for a while: “I’m not comfortable leaving Xavier here alone. I will call Michael so he can come take care of his elder brother. It’s much better than causing trouble at school all day.”
Saying this, she pulled out her cell phone to make a call.
Isabelle’s heart rapidly pounded. She hurriedly looked at Michael Gallagher, who was frowning.
His cell phone was right there, he had been using the same private number all these years. If the call went through, their cover would be blown.
Isabelle realized this as well.
She was afraid that if Lana were to regain her memory, it would be a good thing. But if the cover was blown, all of their efforts would have been in vain.
She resolved to stop Lana Lewis.
Lana tried to unlock the cell phone but found it unrecognizable.
“What kind of cell phone is this?”
Hers didn’t look like this!
“Who put a cell phone in my pocket?” Lana angrily threw the cell phone aside.
Isabelle looked at the cell phone on the ground and slightly opened her mouth.
With the rapid development of technology, it was normal for Lana Lewis, who had lost her memory, not to recognize a new model phone.
Isabelle approached and said, “Aunt, you don’t need to call Michael. He has an exam coming up, and I’ll take care of Xavier. You don’t need to worry.”
Lana was silent for a moment, and hearing Isabelle’s words, she gave up on insisting anymore.
“Then you take good care of Xavier. I’ll go now.”
Only after she had left, Isabelle dared to formally look at Michael Gallagher.
Thinking of how she had just referred to him, Isabelle apologized awkwardly:
“Michael, I’m sorry for all the trouble. Thanks for playing along with this lie.”
After that, she secretly glanced at Michael Gallagher. Seeing that he didn’t show any particular reaction, she let out a sigh of relief.
Just as she was about to discuss the specific timing for their wedding with Michael Gallagher, her cell phone rang.
She picked up her cell phone intending to hang up, but then she saw her father, Samuel Richardson’s, name on the screen.
Her father seldom called her.
Upon answering, she was met by Samuel Richardson’s icy voice.
“Isabelle, how did you offend the Thompson family? Didn’t I tell you that we’re currently in business negotiations with the Thompson family? I told you to build a good relationship with them.”
The accusations crashed over her like a wave, and with Michael Gallagher right next to her, she felt her face burning in humiliation and discomfort.
“Dad, I remember, I’ve always got along well with the Thompson family. I’ve been thinking about what you told me. Last time when Gillian Thompson insulted me, I didn’t retaliate. I’ve been giving way to anything related to the Thompson family. Dad, what’s going on, did something happen at home?”
“Are you sure you haven’t offended anyone from the Thompson family?”
“I’m certain.”
“What about Joshua Thompson?”
She found the source of the problem.
Samuel Richardson snorted coldly: “You go to the Thompson’s tomorrow to apologize to Joshua Thompson with a gift. Don’t stop until he forgives you.”
“Why?” Isabelle bit her lip as tears welled in her eyes.
She could get along with anyone in the Thompson family, but Joshua Thompson had been at odds with her since childhood. It was hard for her to swallow her pride and apologize to him.
“Dad, you know that Joshua and I have been mortal enemies since childhood. Even if I apologize to him, he won’t only not give me a friendly face, but also ridicule me,” she expressed.
She could already imagine how Joshua Thompson would taunt her.
Samuel Richardson thought about how Joshua had blatantly caused trouble at the meeting; this made him anxious and his tone sharp, “During our discussions with the Thompson family, Joshua intentionally ruined the cooperation.”
“What?!” Isabelle’s eyes widened, suddenly feeling a chill run down her spine.
She and Joshua had despised each other since childhood, but Joshua had always been able to separate personal feelings from business and had never visited his anger on either family. This was why she dared to contend with him.
Unexpectedly, this time, Joshua intentionally sabotaged the negotiation.
This collaboration was vital. One could say that the success of the Richardson family’s expansion after going public fully depended on the cooperation with the Thompson family.
If she was indeed the one to mess it up, it wasn’t just about whether her father would be scolded by the board of directors or not, but the entire operation of the company might face issues.
For this cooperation with the Thompson family, their family had almost given up on all other collaborations.
If the deal with the Thompsons fell through…
The more Isabelle thought about it, the more terrified she became.
“Isabelle, don’t let your Dad down.” After saying this, Samuel hung up.
Isabelle slumped into a chair, her face pale.
“What’s wrong?”
Michael ‘s words pulled Isabelle back from her thoughts. She steadied her nerves and was about to share the incident with Michael, but she held back.
She was the eldest daughter of the Richardson family, and she absolutely couldn’t reveal her family’s flaws in front of Michael.
She didn’t want Michael to think she wasn’t good enough for him.
“It’s nothing. My father was discussing some work issues with me, but they will be resolved soon.”
Is it just about apologizing to Joshua?
As long as it ensures the continuation of the collaboration, then she would apologize.
As long as she admits her mistake, surely Joshua wouldn’t hold it against her anymore, right?
Isabelle thought.
On the other end, after Samuel hung up, his assistant handed him new information from their investigation.
“This time, Joshua definitely did it on purpose, aiming to get revenge for his rumored girlfriend.”
“Rumored girlfriend?” Samuel took the document. When he saw Molly’s name and her information, his face darkened.
“This woman named Molly is quite skillful.”
Not only was she Michael’s wife, but she also had unclear ties with Joshua.
Unfortunately, his naive daughter had managed to offend her.
Joshua’s actions were most likely done to get revenge for this woman.
He was curious to meet this Molly now.
Samuel lit a cigar and took a harsh puff.
“Get me this Molly, and remember, don’t use violence.”
After a whole day of searching at her grandmother’s house, Molly finally found a small box.
When she opened the box, inside was a thin muslin handkerchief, along with two strands of hair wrapped in paper.
Her grandmother was meticulous, thinking that perhaps her family would come looking for her one day. She had saved all her belongings, including the hair that was on her when she found her.
She held them up to the light and noticed it was long hair, slightly yellowish.
It probably belonged to a woman.
The muslin was thin and small, it seemed like it had been casually picked up.
In the frigid winter, the only thing accompanying her was this handkerchief. If her grandmother hadn’t saved her, she would’ve lost her life in the underworld. Molly’s eyes turned dry from looking, her heart weighed down like it was chained.
The person who abandoned her, truly wished for her death..