Chapter 57

Isla ate her Chinese rice quietly, her eyes fixed on the plate as if the whole world no longer mattered. Her face was pale, looking tired, stripped of all emotion. She didn’t even flinch when the maids moved around, serving her more food. All that mattered right now was her food –one bite after another, slow and quiet.

Across from her, Diana sat watching her. Every small movement of Isla’s spoon pulled at her heart. She couldn’t take her eyes off her daughter. There was pain written all over Isla’s face. The pain Diana had helped create, though she never meant to.

Guilt burned deep in her chest. For years, she had watched Anna torment Isla and said nothing. She had stayed silent not because she was weak. No, but because she wanted the best for her daughter.

No. Not again.

This time, she was going to fight for her daughter. Even if it meant bringing down the entire Wyndham family, she would do it. Anna would pay for every tear, every humiliation, every sleepless night she caused Isla.

However, Isla could read her mother’s mind. She felt that if she didn’t say or do something soon, her mother might blow the whole situation out of proportion, creating unnecessary problems between the two families. So, she decided to tell her mother the truth–but in a way she could handle.

“Mama,” Isla’s voice broke the heavy silence. “I know you’ve seen the news. You’ve probably listened to every word they said about me. But I want to assure you–it’s all lies p>

Her tone was very calm. She lifted another spoonful of rice, chewed quietly, and washed it down with a sip of water before continuing

“ As you already know, Anna will do anything to make my life miserable. But this time, Gabriel isn’t on her side p>

Diana frowned in confusion. “What do you mean p>

She knew how close Anna was to Alfred’s grandchildren–especially Gabriel. For years, Anna had wrapped him. around her finger. That was how she controlled everything in that house.

Isla leaned back slightly and sighed. “Anna wanted Gabriel to divorce me. She even announced our divorce publicly and told him to marry Delphine instead p>

Diana’s eyes widened. “ What?” she almost shouted.

“But Gabriel stood his ground, Mama. He refused to follow her lead. He told everyone that I am his wife, and he will never divorce me. So don’t worry,” Isla said softly. “My marriage is still intact p>

Diana closed her eyes and exhaled deeply, a shaky breath of relief escaping her lips. For a moment, she sat there, quietly thanking God while Isla returned to her food.

“That’s good,” Diana murmured. “But what about your job? Why is Delphine taking your position? ” Check latest chapters at.net

Isla slowly placed her spoon down and sat up straight. “That’s another game grandfather is playing,” she said calmly. “I know him too well, Mama. He always has a plan. If he believes Delphine deserves that office, then there’s a reason behind it. I trust his judgment p>

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But Diana still looked unconvinced. She opened her mouth to speak again, but Isla’s gentle voice cut her off.

“Mother, I’m not sad about the office. In fact, I’m relieved. I’ve been thinking about leaving for a while now. To be honest, I never wanted it. That office was a distraction to me. I have my own company to run in Teriporto. Betsy is managing it for me at the moment p>

Diana blinked in surprise, her face lighting up with a mix of joy and disbelief. “What? That’s wonderful! Since when p>

A maid came forward and cleared the plates, leaving only the untouched salad. Isla didn’t even look at it.

“Not too long ago,” she said with a small smile.

Silence filled the dining room again. But the soft clatter of dishes in the sink was the only sound that filled the

room.

“I want to bu

build something of my own, Mama,” Isla said after a while, her voice steady but full of quiet determination. “Right now, I’m working on something big. The launching will come soon. Once the fancy vivid pink diamond is found-

“Wait,” Diana interrupted, her eyes widening. “Don’t tell me you’re trying to remake my mother’s lost pendant? Isla, that would cost a fortune p>

For the first time since yesterday, Isla smiled-a real, bright smile that reached her eyes. It was like seeing a bit of sunshine after a long storm. Diana’s heart swelled with gratitude just to see it.

Moreover, she had to–it was the only way to change the unpleasant topic at hand.

“Mother,” Isla said gently, “I’m Alfred Wyndham’s daughter– in –law, and money isn’t my problem at all. If you must know, Gabriel spoils me a lot. Besides that, I already paid for the diamond. It’s rare, yes, but the merchant promised to find it for me. Once that’s done, it’ll mark the beginning of my win p>

Tears glimmered in Diana’s eyes. Pride replaced the sorrow she had carried for so long. Her little girl, the one she had once underestimated, was now a woman full of grace and purpose.

She remembered the day Isla’s grandmother gave her that tiny pink pendant, how precious it was, how Isla had lost it as a child. And now, all these years later, she wanted to recreate it not just as jewelry, but as the heart of her new company.

It was symbolic. It was powerful.

Diana regretted many things, the way she had pushed her other daughters into loveless marriages, the way she had once valued wealth over happiness. But watching Isla now, she saw something different. Isla had married into one of the wealthiest families in the country, yet she still wanted to create something for herself. That, Diana thought, was strength.

Maybe that was why Alfred admired her so deeply. The old man would do anything for Isla–that much was certain.

“Oh, yes,” Isla said suddenly, her tone turning casual, “I forgot to tell you and Dad. Grandfather gave me a penthouse at Wyndham Skyline Avenue p>

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“What?” Diana gasped again. She was in shock, and in disbelief.

Isla simply smiled, a quiet confidence glowing in her eyes.

As Diana looked at her daughter. She thought of three things. This was no longer the broken girl. This was a woman who had found her footing–a woman who knows exactly what she wanted and knows how to win.

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Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.