Chapter 173

Isabella Austin pressed her lips together and cautiously glanced at Andrew Lane, trying to read his expression.
Andrew’s face remained unreadable, his eyes giving nothing away. She couldn’t tell what he thought of Grandpa Kevin’s latest words.
An uneasy flutter stirred in her chest.
Grandpa Kevin rapped his knuckles on the table and cleared his throat. “Since you’ve already transferred your shares of I&A to Isabella, it’s time to set a date for the engagement party. Last time was a disaster. This time, I want everything done right-keep the doors secure and don’t let anyone in who doesn’t belong.”
The mention of the previous chaotic engagement and birthday party sent a flash of coldness through Grandpa Kevin’s gaze. If the Lane family hadn’t stepped in so quickly, the media would have had a field day, and all their secrets might have been dragged into the open.
Hearing him, Isabella let out a silent breath and managed a small smile.
Money always seems to go hand in hand with love, people said—and Andrew Lane had given her far more than he’d ever given Emily Blair.
Five percent of I&A’s shares. Even if she did nothing but spend, she’d be comfortable for generations. That was something Emily Blair would never have.
Her heart lighter, Isabella lifted her head and looked at Andrew. Her eyes sparkled with admiration and a bashful hint of affection.
With Isabella’s hopeful gaze on him, Andrew finally nodded. “Alright.”
The smile on Isabella’s face widened instantly, her eyes bright with warmth and joy.
That night, Isabella lay half-propped on her bed, her gaze fixed on her stomach, her expression tangled with emotion.
She was almost two months along now.
If things had gone differently… if only… but no, if it weren’t for this child, she and Andrew would never have moved so quickly.
She murmured softly, “If you really are Andrew’s baby, then-”
“Isabella!”
Amelia Lane’s cheerful voice rang from the hallway, and before Isabella could respond, the door swung open without so much as a knock.
Startled, Isabella clamped her mouth shut.
If the Lane family ever found out this baby wasn’t Andrew’s, it would all be over.
Amelia bounded over, her eyes bright with excitement and curiosity. “Isabella, what were you just saying? Is something wrong with the baby?”
Isabella’s face went a little pale, and she quickly shook her head. “No, nothing. I was just… talking to the baby.”
Amelia leaned closer, studying Isabella’s belly with a mixture of care and
fascination. “Is the baby giving you trouble again?”
Isabella managed a small smile. “No, the baby’s been good.”
Amelia beamed, folding her arms. “Of course! It’s my brother’s child-how could it not behave?”
Isabella’s smile faltered for a split second.
“Anyway, what brings you here?” she asked, trying to steer the conversation away.
Amelia’s eyes glimmered with mischief. “Isabella, did you see the photos I sent? About Emily Blair and her classmates selling stuff at the flea market lately?”
Isabella nodded. “I did.”
Her eyes dropped, her voice tinged with concern. “Emily’s still a student, after all. With no support from the Lane family, she doesn’t really have a way to make a living. It must be hard for a senior in high school to scrape by like that.”
Amelia nearly rolled her eyes but remembered Isabella’s condition and held back. Instead, she scoffed. “Isabella, you’re too kind. But that’s Emily Blair we’re talking about. Don’t go feeling sorry for her. You know what she’s like—don’t go inviting trouble into our house.”
Isabella answered gently, “She was still the Lane family’s foster daughter for years.”
Amelia made a face. “Foster daughter? More like a leech who just wouldn’t leave. Thank goodness Grandpa finally kicked her out—I can actually relax in my own home now.”
Suddenly, Amelia lowered her voice, eyes twinkling. “Isabella, I’ve thought of something really fun. Want to hear it?”
Amelia was never one to hide her feelings; everything she thought was written on her face. Isabella could see the excitement-and the spite toward Emily Blair-plain as day.
She didn’t try to stop her. If anything, she welcomed it.
Amelia bent down and whispered her plan in Isabella’s ear.
Isabella listened in silence, saying nothing.
When Amelia finished, Isabella’s voice was soft and anxious. “Amelia, you two grew up together. You don’t have to go that far.”
Amelia snorted. “Grew up together? She doesn’t deserve to be called my sister.”
“Don’t worry about it, Isabella. Just leave everything to me.”
Isabella could only look at her with helpless worry in her eyes.