Ch. 2191..2195

Chapter 2191

Isabel stared back at Roland before answering the phone.

She immediately heard Amanda's frantic voice, "Isabel, are you at a dinner party with Roland right now?” Isabel cocked an eyebrow and asked, "Yeah, why?"

"There are people sneaking pictures of you two together! You should get out of there as quickly as you can. They are posting pictures of you and Roland online right now. Those ridiculous discussions that you managed to squash last week are back up on the trending charts again!"

Isabel scowled. So, this was why Clarice texted her and hinted at her to bring Roland here. This was the plot she had weaved the entire time.

She answered with a brisk smile, "Don’t worry about a thing, Amanda. Something spicy is coming up later tonight, so make sure you stay tuned."

“Huh? What do you mean by that?"

"You'll find out soon enough.”

Without bothering to elaborate, Isabel hung up.

While Roland was still in the middle of his phone call, he looked at Isabel with a look wrought with concern.

Isabel could briefly make out his dialogue on the phone. It seemed like he was contacting Marcus to deal with the situation online. She did not interrupt him and flashed a smile at him so that he would not worry.

Shortly after that, Roland wrapped up his call. He walked up to Isabel and took her hand. "Come, let’s go home." "| haven't seen enough yet. Let’s stick around a bit longer." Roland frowned, his voice suddenly dropping a pitch. "Isabel. If

He wanted to take her home right now. He did not want them to be photographed by the paparazzi and for her to be continually harassed online.

Isabel swept a look around the venue.

She figured that most of the attendees must have caught up with the latest development online. A lot of them were scrolling on their phones and not so subtly casting glances at her the entire time.

She tugged at Roland and said in a soft, pleading voice, "At least, let me have another glass of wine before we go." Roland gave in. "Okay."

He handed her a glass of wine. "We're leaving after you finish this.”

"Sure." Isabel picked up the glass and took a gentle sip, then she reached for her phone and opened her social feed. Roland immediately tensed up. He looked like he was going to take her phone away.

Isabel turned around to shield her phone from him. It did not take long before she saw her name on the trending charts. Most of what people were saying about her was the same as the last time.

However, there was certainly something new as she read a certain comment.

"| heard that Rockwell Corporation's stock prices are very unstable right now. | can’t believe Master Roland hasn't dumped her yet even when things are looking this bad. Is this what you would call puppy love?”

Many people chimed in. "She's a seductress."

“How vile. She's the one who put them in this position and she’s still latching onto him."

"The Rockwell young master sure is something alright. | can't believe he would choose her over his family's business empire." These comments were relatively tame.

Some people were more aggressive and bombarded her with private messages or comments in her older posts. They said vicious things about her without pulling any punches.

They accused her of being a shameless woman. How dare she even have the audacity to have Roland bring her to such a venue?!

They said that she was cunning as they came and joked that she must have received professional training from a scammers’ organization.

Even her nemesis Isabella piled in on her as if she was worried that Isabel would forget about her amidst all that was happening, "Isabel, say bye-bye to those leading roles and endorsements you were banking on. They're all mine now. Good luck...”

Although Isabel was already mentally prepared, reading everything people said about her still made her feel a certain way. She clenched the wine glass tightly and finished its contents in one swig.

Immediately afterward, Roland took her wrist and beckoned softly. "Alright, let's go home." In one brisk motion, he snatched away the phone in her hand while she was not paying attention. She did a double-take.

Before she managed to come up with an excuse to buy some more time, the relatives of the Rockwells who were just suckering up to Master Rockwell moments ago began approaching her.

They wore sly looks in their eyes. In a single glance, she could tell that they did not have good intentions.

 

 

Chapter 2192

One of them, who seemed like a rather mannered man nearing his forties, expressed in a scornful voice, "Roland, have you seen what people are saying about her? They're starting to make fun of you as well because you've been getting involved with her. What are you even thinking? Why are you getting associated with a woman with no self- respect who messes around in the entertainment circle?"

Immediately afterward, his other relatives began to chatter as well, "Look what happened to Rockwell Corporation's stock prices now. Is this what you want? Are you going to ruin our family business for a woman like her?"

One of them glared at Isabel with an offended look as if she was the carrier of a deadly disease. His eyes were stark with contempt and disgust. "How dare some wench like you try to slither into our family?! Don't even think about ever becoming Madam Rockwell! I'll have you know that even if Roland stubbornly insists on being with you, none of us will ever acknowledge your status!"

"Scram, get out of here, you disgraceful woman!"

The only thing stopping them from flinging their drinks right at Isabel's face was that they had to watch their manners as members of high society.

Roland clenched Isabel's hand tightly.

Isabel could feel his hands trembling. He was like a volcano quaking with fury, threatening to erupt at any moment. She put her arms around his arm to try to still his anger.

Roland put his arms protectively around her. He swept a scornful look over the group heckling and insulting Isabel. Behind all of them was Master Rockwell who was observing the commotion with a wry, satisfied smirk.

Clarice held Decker's arm and spectated the scene as well. She smiled coyly at Isabel and was ecstatically waiting to see her getting kicked out of the venue.

Decker looked on without much semblance of emotion. He seemed to be waiting for Roland to escalate the situation while also closely observing Isabel.

Isabel was closely protected by Roland whose expression seemed murderous. Just as he was about to tell off these people and chased them out of there, one of the venue staff posted by the entrance approached them frantically.

He went straight for Master Rockwell and Decker and cried out loud enough for everyone to hear, "Master Rockwell, President Decker... the chairman of Carter Corporation is here!"

Master Rockwell seemed appalled. Both Decker and Clarice were equally shocked.

The group who were heckling at Isabel and Roland were immediately quietened by this news. They turned around to look at the staff who had delivered this news.

Roland turned to cast a look at Isabel. Isabel calmly put her arms around his waist and smiled assuringly at him. "This time, I'll be the one to protect you."

Something stirred in Roland’s eyes when she said this. He seemed too stunned to react appropriately and then chose to respond with a faint smile.

Meanwhile, Master Rockwell had just processed the information. He asked for further clarification, "Who did you say was here?"

The staff repeated the same thing, "It's Carter Odell, the chairman of Carter Corporation. He came with his famous painter wife known as Mrs. Sunflower. Even his eldest son, the owner of Carter Tech City, is here as well.”

Master Rockwell rose to his feet without even needing the aid of his walking stick. He would have stumbled over if not for someone who quickly went up to him to support him.

After he anchored his feet, he turned to Decker in disbelief. ” Decker, you met him last time when you were in Westchester, didn't you?"

"I've met the chairman once, but..."

‘But we are hardly acquainted’ was what he wanted to say. At least, they were not close enough to a point where Odell would bother attending the Rockwells' dinner.

Before he could finish his sentence, Master Rockwell interrupted him, "No matter, we have to attend to them immediately. We mustn't offend them."

The Carters were the reigning monarch in Westchester for more than a century. Their wealth was several multitudes above the Rockwells whose history barely spanned half a century.

Moreover, Madam Carter was an internationally renowned painter who wield just as much influence in the family. Even their eldest son, the prodigy Liam Carter, who was the founder of Carter Tech City, one of the wonders of the world, was here.

It was a great honor for the Rockwells to be able to receive the Carters! Master Rockwell quickly walked outside with Decker.

Clarice followed behind them, still in shock and awe. She mused that this was a golden opportunity for her to get acquainted with the prestigious Carters as well.

 

Chapter 2193

Everyone seemed to have completely forgotten about tormenting Isabel and Roland as they crowded toward the entrance as well.

Isabel calmly took Roland's hand and unhurriedly paced toward the entrance. With that, a sizeable crowd formed by the entrance.

Isabel immediately recognized her parents as well as her eldest brother stepping into the bright hall. They were escorted by the group of Master Rockwell, Decker, and many others.

Odell was dressed in a black suit. Even at his age, he still stood a head taller than most people and exuded a fine, elegant air about him.

Sylvia walked next to him, dressed in a beautiful dress with a shawl thrown around her. She adorned herself only in simple, non- flashy jewelry, but even so, it did little to conceal the dignified air that set her apart from any other woman present at the scene.

Liam was dressed in a suit as well. He was lean, tall, and even intimidating due to the stoic expression he wore on his face constantly. Several men who were thinking about going up to greet him were dissuaded when they met his piercing eyes and promptly backed away.

Master Rockwell was all smiles. He walked next to Odell

with Decker carefully supporting him and began musing, " What a surprise and honor to have Master Carter and Madam Carter visit us. Even the young master is here!"

Decker and Clarice put on their best smiles as well, making sure to make their guest feel welcomed and even exalted. Odell stated icily, "Don't get the wrong idea. We are here to see our daughter."

Master Rockwell was taken aback by this.

Everyone else was just as surprised and puzzled.

To see his daughter? Here?

An awkward silence took over for a few seconds before Decker tried to reel the situation in. "Master Carter, is your daughter here with us by any chance?"

Odell ignored him as he cast a look around the venue and his attention promptly landed on Isabel who was still standing with Roland.

With Master Rockwell, Decker, Clarice, and all the other friends and families of the Rockwells watching, Odell called out after her, "Isabel, we’re here to see you. What are you waiting for?"

Isabel smiled jovially and promptly trotted over to Odell and Sylvia's side right in front of Master Rockwell, Decker, Clarice, and all the others who were staring at them wide- eyed, their jaws dropping to the floor.

“Hey, Mom, Dad, Bro, what took you guys so long?" She complained, "They've been pushing their luck, saying all those mean things about me."

Odell's eyes gleamed with ice instantly. "Who?”

Master Rockwell silently retreated a step back.

Decker and Clarice stiffened.

Everyone else backed away almost by instinct.

Isabel was not going to let any of them off the hook. She gestured at each and every single one of them to say, "All of them."

Everybody zipped their mouths tightly, afraid to even utter a whisper. Roland soon approached and expressed apologetically," Uncle, I'm sorry, | should've done a better job protecting Isabel." Odell grunted and barely responded to him.

Sylvia consoled Roland with a warm smile, "Roland, it's not your fault. We know that it was Isabel who asked you to bring her with you."

"So what? He's still the reason that they're dragging Isabel's name through the mud!" Odell expressed vehemently when he recalled the incessant insults spewed online about Isabel.

Then again, would Isabel have ended up in this state if not for Master Rockwell and Decker sabotaging Isabel to get at Roland? Roland lowered his head and did not attempt to shy away from the blame at all. "I am truly sorry."

"It's fine. Besides, this isn't the time for that,” Sylvia said as she tugged at Odell.

Isabel stayed next to Roland the entire time and stood up for him, "Dad, I'm telling you, it's not Roland's fault."

Odell glanced at Roland, then he directed his attention to the others who looked like their souls had been sucked out of their shells.

 

Chapter 2194

Master Rockwell turned as pale as a sheet of paper while he shifted his attention back on forth between the expressions of Odell, Sylvia, and Isabel. His lips seemed to quiver like he had something to say, but no words were produced from him.

Clarice had turned so white that it looked like she was going to faint. Her eyes were wide with disbelief.

How could this be? Isabel Ross, the third-rate actor who should never deserve a place in the spotlight was the daughter of the chairman of the Carters of Westchester?!

Decker was stiff and quaking all over, his face colored entirely with shock and disbelief. Never in his wildest dreams had he ever thought that the same woman he had once slapped and abandoned when he decided to get with the Houstons to climb up the social ladder was the daughter of the Carters.

Everybody else was extremely silent. The venue turned into a graveyard in the dead of the night in an instant. Even the two older shareholders, who were supportive of Roland and previously tried to advise him to break up with Isabel, were speechless.

It was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Eventually, Odell directed his laser-sharp attention to Decker.

Decker felt a shiver run through him. It took him a lifetime to muster the effort to crack an ugly smile and to explain quite pitifully, “Master Carter, this is all a misunderstanding."

“Misunderstanding?" Odell scoffed, "Do | look like an idiot to you? You don't think | know about what you've done to my precious daughter?"

Before Isabel kicked off her career in the entertainment industry, he had made a promise to her that he was not going to interfere with her affairs.

Despite that, he had been keeping track of every piece of news that had anything to do with her. He knew the most minute details such as which crew members and actors she hung out with and what they ate. Going by that vein, it was no surprise that he was caught up on all the latest controversies involving his dear daughter!

He was also perfectly aware of the names of every one of Isabel's rivals in the industry. He knew who tried to plot against her, who was competing against her, and especially who had tried to blacklist her!

He would have stepped in a long time ago if not for Isabel being so competent and managing to handle everything by herself up till this point. This time was the nail in the coffin. How dare they make up these pathetic accusations against her?!

He would not stand forthem slandering his beloved daughter and calling her a glorified prostitute. Even if Isabel decided to let it slide, he would no longer have it!

He was going to make sure that everyone who was in on this got what they deserved. They would all have to pay for what they have done!

The air in the venue was sucked out in an instant, and even the temperature seemed to drop. Nobody dared to speak at all.

Odell did not have the patience for Decker's pathetic excuses. With a sharp scowl, he declared ominously, "Every single one of you will get what’s coming for you."

With that, he glared at Master Rockwell and Clarice, then he took Isabel and strode outside. Sylvia walked out with them.

Liam, who had not spoken the entire time, turned to Roland to inform him, "We came at a moment's notice and haven’t had time to book a hotel.”

Roland suggested, "There are enough guest rooms in my place, so you can all come over if you don't mind."

"Alright."

Liam walked outside.

Roland was about to join them when Master Rockwell called out after him.

“Roland, | admit that | was in the wrong. Despite everything that happened, you can't deny that I'm still your grandfather. We're family, aren't we? Won't you put in a good word for us in front of the Carters?" he spoke with a sweet and

vulnerable affectation in his voice.

Roland stopped and turned to the old man whose face was covered in wrinkles. He hissed without any warmth in his eyes, "Was that what you were thinking when you were drawing up your dirty schemes to defame Isabel? Did it occur to you that we were family then, dear Grandfather?"

Master Rockwell seemed to shrink into himself. He could not come up with any excuses after that.

Roland did not bother to continue the conversation and stomped outside.

Shortly after that, he joined the Carters and they all walked out of the venue, disappearing from the Rockwells’ sight. It was then that Master Rockwell slumped over backward as if all the strength had been sapped out of his legs. Everyone was distraught by what happened.

An SUV was driving toward the seaside mansion.

Isabel sat in the back seat with Odell and Sylvia while Liam and Roland sat in the middle row.

 

Chapter 2195

Astiff silence hung over them.

Then, Isabel poked Odell's arm. "Dad, don't be angry.” Odell made a face and ignored her.

Isabel poked at Sylvia this time.

While Sylvia took a deep breath, she could relate to how Odell was feeling. Even now, she was rather upset about the things she read online, and what people were saying about her dear daughter.

"Isabel, your father and | have talked about this and decided that we are fine with you continuing your career as an actress, but only on the condition that you cannot keep hiding the fact that you are our daughter. If you are not okay with that, you'll have to come home and take over the family businesses instead." Sylvia's tone was stout.

Isabel was slightly troubled to hear this. Still, she understood that they were deeply bothered by what people were saying online about her. After a while, she answered, "Alright, | understand."

They sat in silence together for a while again until Liam, who was in the middle row, turned around and informed them," Mom, Dad, | just got a text from the lawyer. He says that he just put up the official letter online."

At last, Odell's frown softened even if just a little.

Sylvia shared a sigh of relief. ‘This should all be over tonight. If

Isabel was puzzled by this. "What lawyer's letter are you talking about?"

Sylvia smiled and bopped her nose playfully. "Check it out yourself.”

Isabel promptly reached for her phone and went to check her social feed.

The number one item on the trending bar read: "The Carters’ official letter", followed closely by: "Isabel Ross is a Carter."

She clicked on the first post which redirected her to Carter Corporation's official blog. The post was a picture of a letter drawn up by a lawyer. The entire format and phrasing were very formal, but it was specifically stated that it was written to represent her.

The lawyer they put to the task was a very renowned lawyer from the best law firm in the country. Right from the very first sentence, it was clarified that he was commissioned by the chairman of Odell Carter, the chairman of Carter Corporation to issue an official statement on behalf of his daughter, Isabel.

It also explicitly stated that all the media outlets that had been actively involved in defaming Isabel would have lawsuits coming their way very soon. Altogether, there were more than 30 of them with all of their IDs listed, all of

varying reputations. Some of them were even quite significant media outlets.

Within a few minutes, the post was flooded with thousands of comments.

Some of the comments went as follows.

"I! Is this Carter Corporation’s official page? Are you serious? Isabel has been the daughter of the Carters this entire time?" "Yes, this is the official page of Carter Corporation. There's no mistake about it!"

“What is this plot twist? | thought she was just a wanna-be celebrity who tried to ruin the Rockwells? What is this that people are saying about her being a Carter? Her name is Isabel Ross, not Isabel Carter!"

"Well, Chairman Carter's wife, who is a famous painter that goes by the title Mrs. Sunflower, is named Sylvia Ross. | believe Isabel took her mother's family name instead."

"So, Isabel was the real deal the entire time and even the daughter of billionaires to boot? Are all those rumors about her being trained in a scammers’ organization fake all along?”

“Even the chairman of Carter Corporation has come down to our mortal realm to deal with this matter himself. Those outlets responsible for making up these false rumors are doomed for sure. Phew, good thing I’m not stupid enough to get swindled by them. I'd advise everyone to not take every rumor at face value from now on."

‘Then, what was all that between Isabel and the Rockwells?"”

‘The Rockwells are nothing compared to the Carters. | don't know what the actual conflict between them is, but I’m sure it’s nothing like what these media outlets described."

‘That's right. | doubt Isabel has even cared about the measly Rockwells this entire time. She wouldn't be the one to start it, for sure.”

There were simply far too many comments for Isabel to sift through. Still, she made out that the consensus was that her innocence was cleared.

All it took was an official letter posted by Carter Corporation's official page for her to be exonerated. As glad as she was, she was also slightly at a loss.

She hooked her arms with her parents’ and thanked them, ’ Mom, Dad, thank you so much."

Sylvia smiled and gently patted her head. ’You're welcome." Odell graced her with a very rare smile as well.