Ch. 2201..2205

Chapter 2201

They wound back the clock and managed to dig up plenty of older videos, some of them from when she just emerged into the scene.

There were compilations of her most iconic scenes as well as many lighthearted, comedic moments. Just like that, she gained yet another large batch of new fans.

However, she had not been paying attention to these ongoings since she was mostly spending her time these three days with Sylvia and Odell in Coastrock.

After three days had passed, the internet was more or less cleansed of any negative news about her, and the situation had largely been sorted out. It was only after Odell, Sylvia, and Liam had left Southboro when she was finally caught up to the latest developments online.

Most of the netizens who had been badmouthing her scrambled back to her and apologized to her in her private messages and her comment sections.

Isabel wore a wide grin on her face while skimming through the messages.

"What are you looking at?" Roland, who was sitting next to her, noticed that she had been smirking for a while now.

This stirred his curiosity so he drew closer to steal a look for himself.

Isabel motioned at the screen. 'Tm looking at the comments, they're all apologizing to me now."

Roland made a face. "Yeah."

Isabel swiped a few more glances before putting away her phone. It was only then that he noticed that Roland was staring at her. She asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

Roland was silent for a moment. "I'm thinking that | should go to the hospital.”

Isabel asked worriedly, "The hospital? Why, are you not feeling well?”

Tm fine." Roland gently patted her head and assured her, then he stated, "The old man is sick, he says he wants to see me before he passes."

Before he passed? Was his condition so severe enough to be life threatening? Was he not in high spirits and jumping around back when they were still plotting against Roland?

She supposed that there was nothing wrong with Roland going to see him in his last moments. His title as his grandfather still meant a little at the end of the day.

"Go ahead." Upon recalling the complicated history between the two, she felt like she had to point it out. "He’s not planning something again, is he?”

The old man had been so biased toward Decker that it was as if his supposed grandson Roland was just an orphan he picked up on the roadside.

Roland assured her. "No, he won't. Even if he did, it’s more to protect his son than to hurt me at this point." Isabel nodded in agreement. That was true.

The dozens of media outlets that had previously been bribed to defame her were now facing lawsuit after lawsuit. These companies had been pleading desperately and proposing to pay her in settlement over the damage done to her reputation, but her parents and brother did not plan to let them off the hook so easily.

Decker was the mastermind behind it all so there was no way he was going to talk off scot-free.

Master Rockwell must be panicking by now.

Isabel and Roland were just driving out of the airport after sending off her parents and Liam. She looked at the view outside, they would be entering the city districts after several more junctions.

She offered. "We're going to pass by the hospital anyway, let me go with you." "Sure." Roughly fifteen minutes later, the car stopped outside a private hospital.

The duo got out of the car together, accompanied by Roland's bodyguards. They walked into the hospital and stepped into an elevator that took them to the ninth floor, the inpatient section.

Master Rockwell was installed in one of the most deluxe wards. There was nobody else inside the ward apart from a nurse on shift. The old man lay in bed by himself.

It had only been a handful of days since they last met but it seemed like he had deteriorated significantly. He had grown shrunken and his cheeks had caved in so deeply that his cheekbones protruded through. He had grown unbelievably old.

Isabel glanced at Roland.

He looked just as indifferent as usual. It seemed like Master Rockwell was nothing but a common stranger to him.

Chapter 2202 Master Rockwell must have heard their shifting movements and opened his eyes.

When he recognized the faces of Roland and Isabel, there was a brief glow in his murky eyes. He motioned to the nurse to have her help him sit up from the bed.

After he managed to position himself seated up against the head of the bed, he asked the nurse to leave. Then he cast a loving, tender smile on Roland and Isabel." Roland, Isabel, please have a seat."

Roland said disinterestedly, "We have things to get to, just hurry up and tell us what you have to say." Isabel stayed silent.

Alook flashed in Master Rockwell's eyes. Then, he turned to Isabel and expressed regretfully, “Isabel, I'm a foolish old man, it was me who told Decker to leak pictures of you two. He had no choice because | forced him to do so. If you have to blame someone, blame me!"

Isabel frowned.

She was somewhat impressed by how smoothly the old man switched his mask from one to another. From a forlorn and sad state to a show of regret and dejection, she reckoned he must have been an actor in another life.

She was briefly taken aback and pointed out. "If he was truly against it, he wouldn’t have done it even if you tried to force him to."

Master Rockwell stared blankly into space, then he explained unconvincingly, "You must've had the wrong impression of him. I'm his father. The boy has always listened to me since he was a child. | know he cares a lot for you, but he wouldn't oppose me."

"Do you remember my father?" Roland interrupted him apathetically. "As far as | can remember, my father was loyal to you."

Master Rockwell's face turned pale for a moment, he avoided Roland's gaze and stated, "Your father was my eldest son, of course, | remember him. It's a pity what happened to him-"

"It’s a pity that he had someone like you for a father. What a terrible car accident, wasn't it?"

Almost instantly, the temperature in the room shifted drastically. It was as if the seasons transitioned from fall to winter ina heartbeat.

Isabel was surprised by Roland’s bluntness. Master Rockwell's turned another degree paler, and he began to cough furiously.

When his coughing fit was over, Roland took a step forward and peered into the old man's murky eyes, stained with guilt, a sharp contrast to the vivid and intense look in his eyes." Even the devil wouldn’t do something like that. How did you find the heart to orchestrate such a convenient accident?

How much did you hate him?"

“Ack... | didn’t! What happened to your father was an accident. I'm his father, why would | ever kill him!” Master Rockwell sat up and explained frantically amid violent coughs.

Isabel watched them, she was trembling uncontrollably. This explained why Roland was never close to his grandfather. It was his grandfather who killed his father!

Roland, who had been glaring at Master Rockwell must have sensed Isabel's discomfort. He suddenly turned to her with a softened expression and gently told her, "Isabel, could you wait outside? I’ll be with you in a bit."

Isabel pursed her lips. "Okay."

She turned and walked out. Astiff silence descended over the ward. Master Rockwell stared at Roland who stood like a tower over him. It made him shrink into the bed like a reprimanded child.

Roland stood tall over him and continued regarding him with a vehement stare. He was staring into the eyes of who he thought to be a fool.

Feeling out of control of the situation, Master Rockwell cried out, "! didn't kill your father! It was the truck driver who lost control of his truck and killed him!"

Roland grimaced sharply, he did not speak. This only made Master Rockwell grow more frantic. He was terrified of what Roland could do to him.

Two streaks of tears ran down his face, a mixture of his apprehension and remorse. He broke down and confessed, ” | was only hoping that he’d be crippled so he'd not interfere at the company. How was | to know that the driver would end up killing him! He was my son! Even if | didn't like him, | wouldn't have gone so far as to murder him!"

Roland pulled a scowl, looking more disgusted than ever.

"Doesn't make a difference as you're still to blame." If he did not hatch some plans, nothing would have happened.

Chapter 2203

"| never meant to kill him! Roland, you have to believe me. Why would | still try to deceive you when I'm in this state?" "In that case, you can go ahead and explain things to him in the afterlife.”

Master Rockwell was taken aback by this, his demeanor tightened. "You...you..."

Roland looked at him calmly. Don't worry, | won't hurt you. It was Grandma and my parents who raised me. They instilled morals and virtue into me and made sure I'd grow into a decent man."

Master Rockwell was briefly relieved to hear this, but before he could rid himself of his trepidation, Roland continued in a dark voice, "But | won’t forget about you and Decker bribing all those media outlets to defame Isabel. | know you manipulated the stock prices to try to kick me out of the corporation. I'll make sure to settle our score through the legal system."

If convicted guilty, they would have to rot in prison.

“Roland... listen to me, Roland. Decker is your uncle. If you want revenge, you can come at me, can you leave him out of this?" "Has that thought ever crossed your mind when you did what you did to my father?!"

After his tremendous roar came utter silence. Master Rockwell was frightened and froze like a statue.

Roland threw one last glare at him. "I'm never going to let both of you off the hook."

After Isabel stepped out of the ward for a while, Decker showed up.

He was dressed in a casual shirt and regular trousers. His attire was ruffled and had stains on them, a completely different presentation from his usual clean and dignified self. He must not have showered for days.

Isabel was taken aback by the disheveled state he was in. She carefully inched toward the bodyguard that came with them. The bodyguard also assumed a defensive stance, carefully eyeing the approaching Decker the entire while.

Decker stopped about two meters away from her. Upon seeing the cautioned look on Isabel's face, he made a face and said, "Don't worry, | won't do anything to you."

"You can't even if you want to anyway.” Isabel mocked.

He only chuckled. "You're right."

The entire time, he did not take his eyes off her.

After a while, he suddenly asked, "Would you mind if | asked you a few questions?"

There was an uncharacteristic look of sincerity on his face as his usual devilish charm with the cunning hidden underneath was nowhere to be seen.

However, Isabel was in no mood to speak to him, so she shot him down crossly. "| don’t want to talk to you, stay away from me."

Decker fell silent for several seconds, then he presented his question nonetheless. "When you were with me six years ago, why didn't you tell me your true identity? Did you not think that | was not trustworthy and was cautious of me trying to take advantage of your family's wealth? Was that why you hid the truth from me?"

Isabel was not interested in answering his question, but she was also slightly bothered by how he was hinting at her being a manipulative person then.

She expressed with disgust, "Stop trying to apply your logic on me, I'm not as cunning and material driven as you are." Decker made a look. "Then why didn't you tell me?"

"| had a minor accident and hit my head, it caused me to lose my memory."

Back then, she came to Southboro for a short trip. She had only arrived in the city for a while when a thief stole her wallet and ran off. While she was trying to chase the thief down, she fell and hit her head at an odd angle, which gave her temporary amnesia. She only faintly remembered her name but completely forgot everything else about herself.

Decker frowned and seemed skeptical. "You lost your memory?" "Believe whatever you want." "| believe you, | believe everything you say." He assured her with a smile.

It did sound plausible. After all, she was a very timid and gentle person back then when she knew her, a complete contrast to her brazen and bold attitude these days.

Besides, he faintly remember her saying something about a head injury, only he was too busy plotting his takeover of Rockwell Corporation to care about what she had to say.

 

Chapter 2204

Chapter 2204 “How did you and Roland meet?" Decker suddenly asked. Isabel turned away, fully intent on ignoring him.

"Did you meet each other at Carter Corporation? Or did you meet him outside of work and gradually fell in love with him, then you decided to set him up with a position at Carter Corporation?"

What did he mean by that? Was he insinuating that Roland was relying on her to snake his way into Carter Corporation?

She threw a sideways, belittling look at him. "Do you think Roland is anything like you? He wouldn't latch on another woman to further his goals."

Decker was not upset by this as he continued with a smug smile. "Oh? Then how did he get into Carter Corporation?"

"He proved his worth." Isabel realized that she had been roped in by Decker again. Nevertheless, she continued, "He passed the interviews himself. | was one of the interviewers and initially planned to dismiss him, but he managed to leave a very good impression on my father and the rest was history."

"Then how did you get together? Was he the one pursuing a relationship with you or was it the other way around?"

Isabel chuckled. 'Til have to thank you for that."

Decker was taken aback. "For what?"

She prompted. "Remember last year’s Legend of Goddess' party?"

Decker frowned. "That night?"

Isabel smiled cunningly. "That's right, | pretty much threw myself at him that night and he's been obsessed with me since." This would not have happened if not for Decker spiking her drink with whatever he put in at the time.

Decker made a face as he observed Isabel's haughty expression in silence. After a while, he laughed mockingly. " He only ended up with you because he knew about you being a Carter, didn’t he?"

Isabel would have gone up to him and punched him in the face. She decided against it because she wanted to be through with this man.

"Decker, do you think my family background is the only thing to note about me?" She sneered. "Or do you think I'm so stupid that | can’t make out the kind of person Roland is?"

Decker remarked, "You're beautiful and the most intelligent woman | know." Now only that, but she was also feisty, charming, and adorable at times.

"| know that," she said with a scoff before stating grossly, " But don't you even think about complimenting me to get my guard down. I'll never forget about all those terrible things you did to me.”

As she said this, the look in her eyes sharpened. "Get ready to go to jail!”

His list of crimes would take an entire day to note down. There was his bribing of countless media outlets, a blatant act of defamation, and there were also the numerous things he must have done at Carter Corporation that broke regulations. With all this evidence stacked against him, Roland would most certainly put him in jail.

The smile on Decker's lips vanished in an instant. He looked at her with lingering affection.

After a while, he spoke up, "I've wronged you, that's on me. Still, I'm very happy to have been with you at one point. It's the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me."

Isabel felt goosebumps run through her body. Ugh, what a disgusting man.

"Soon, I'll be a broken man with everything taken away from me. Before that, could you give me a hug, considering that we at least still have a bit of affection for each other from the past?” he asked without shame.

His voice was gentle and soft. If Isabel was a child who had never gained any worldly experience, she might have been seduced. However, she was no longer a child.

She shot a look at him. "If you take a step closer, I'll have Brandon beat you until you’re crippled.”

Brandon was the bodyguard.

Decker made a look. He boldly took a step forward as if he had not heard Isabel's threat.

Isabel frowned. "Decker, do you think | wouldn't do it?”

Decker eyed her, then he took another step.

Thump!

Without waiting for Isabel to order, Brandon swung a fist that connected with Decker right in the face. His tall figure collapsed to the floor in one fell swoop.

Isabel flinched when she saw that.

Brandon stood over Decker and readied himself. If Decker was going to continue approaching Isabel, he would deliver a swift kick to his chest.

Decker lay on the ground for more than ten seconds. After he took a deep breath, he pushed himself up from the ground. He rubbed the swollen part of his face and turned to Isabel again. Isabel glared at him menacingly. "What are you looking at? Walkaway or else!"

"Heh." He chuckled.

Chapter 2205

Decker looked nothing like his usual self. The pompous, arrogant man who held himself far above others and who expected everyone around him to kiss up to him because he was superior to them all.

It was as if he had been plunged not only to Earth but a pile of swamp. He had completely lost his usual grace. Isabel said crossly, "Decker, have you gone mental? Is everything going on too much for you?"

"Yeah, could you help me?" he said with a coy smile, "Just one hug should be enough to take care of it all." Isabel rolled her eyes.

Without warning, he suddenly braced himself and lunged right at Isabel, stepping past Brandon who was caught off guard by this sudden attack.

Isabel barely had time to react.

Just when it seemed like his hand was about to graze Isabel, a long pair of arms seized Isabel from behind and jerked her backward.

It was swiftly followed by a long, muscular leg shooting outward right next to Isabel.

Thump!

Decker was kicked to the ground.

Isabel was still processing what was happening. She was dazed as she turned around to look behind her. Roland held her firmly and protectively. He was glaring viciously at Decker who was lying on the ground. The sharp look in his eyes promptly softened when he saw Isabel looking at him.

“Are you all right?" he asked tenderly.

Isabel shrugged it off. "I'm fine, are you done speaking to your grandfather already?

“Yeah.”

Meanwhile, Decker sat up on the ground.

Isabel looked at him warily.

Roland held her tightly in his arms, his eyes shielded with ice.

Decker clutched one side of his abdomen. It seemed like it was quite a devastating blow evident by the grimace he wore on his face.

He made a face as he glared at Roland. "You sure went all out."

Roland hissed. "I can do it again if you want to. Do you want to try me?"

Decker sniggered sinisterly. "You'll end up in jail too if you kill me."

It sounded like he was trying to rile Roland up into making a grave mistake.

Isabel could feel Roland's seething anger, what the man would give to kick Decker to death. She hurriedly took Roland's arm and tried to defuse the situation. "He’s crazy, just ignore him." Roland pursed his lips, the aggression in his eyes dissipated slightly.

He turned to address Decker. "Instead of making things worse for yourself here, why don’t you go inside and be with your father?"

Decker seemed alarmed by this. "What's wrong with Dad?"

"| wouldn't know, he's out of his mind.”

With that, he walked out leading Isabel by her arms without bothering to further acknowledge Decker. Their bodyguard Brandon followed closely behind them. Decker frowned. He was still feeling a throbbing pain in his abdomen while he pulled himself on his feet.

He staggered into the ward and saw Master Rockwell prone over the bed. He was endlessly whimpering, sometimes even howling with tears streaming down his face. "1 didn't mean to kill him, | didn't want to kill him, he’s my son, | didn’t mean to kill

him... Decker immediately went to the bed and helped him upright. "Dad, what’s wrong with you?" He had to shake Master Rockwell a few times before he finally stopped crying and came to.

He fixed a look on Decker for a while before stating," Decker, you're the only son | have left. | swear I'll hand over Rockwell Corporation to you, I'll let you inherit everything | have.”

This was the same thing he had said to Decker many years ago before he had even entered Rockwell Corporation. Decker frowned and anxiously consoled him, "Stop rambling, just lie down and get some rest, I'll call the doctor over."

Master Rockwell was completely inconsolable as he went on. "I don't care what that Roland boy is capable of pulling off, | won't give him a single cent! If he wants to blame someone, blame that woman who raised him, that woman who has been imposing

herself on me all my life and refuses to accept you as one of our family. Hmph! I'll never let Roland inherit the Rockwell empire! I'll help you. Together we'll kick him out and make sure there’s no chance of him ever coming back from-"

Pfft!

After having been so riled up, he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood! With that, he closed his eyes and slumped back into the bed.

Decker was horrified. "Dad!"