Too Much to Bear My Love

Chapter 850 That Was Her Chance

When Olivia and Amelia got to Stephanie’s room, Isabella pointed at the man in the corner and roared, “Mom,

who’s this guy? Do you know that Aunt Olivia saw him? My entire life is destroyed now!”

Carol handed the man several thousand and uttered in a disgusted tone, “Get lost.” Then, the man left the Walker

residence without any clothes on. Isabella nearly passed out as she watched the scene.

Glaring at her, Carol said darkly, “Why don’t you ask yourself about your shameful behavior at the hospital? The

doctor was helping to bandage your wounds, yet you kept grabbing his hand to kiss him like a cat in heat. You were

even moaning! You’ve utterly disgraced our entire family.

If some snoop had taken your photo and uploaded it onto the internet, your reputation would’ve gotten ripped to

shreds. Just so you know, that guy was someone you wouldn’t let go of while at the hospital. We had no choice but

to bring him back with us. But now, you’re blaming me? Oh, I could kill you right now!”

Isabella was so shocked that she turned as pale as a sheet. The injury on her arm did not even seem to hurt

anymore.

“How can this be? How is this possible? How can things end like this when I have yet to carry out my plan?” she

mumbled. I refuse to believe that the heavens would be so cruel to me!

As Isabelle returned to her room dispiritedly, Carol shot her a vicious glare and muttered under her breath, “She

truly is the jinx of the Walker family.”

After that, Carol went to Stephanie’s room and said with an apologetic smile, “I’m so sorry you had to see that, Mrs.

Clinton.”

Olivia shook her head. “That’s all right. Isabella is still my beloved goddaughter. Although that man looks polite and

mild-mannered, he seems as poor as a church mouse. He’s not a good match for Isabella. But, of course, that’s

your family’s private matter. As an outsider, I shouldn’t get involved.”

“Isn’t that the truth, though? But she’s all grown up and can make her own decisions. As parents, we can’t interfere

too much, either. Just let her be,” Carol responded with a grimace.

Nodding, Olivia did not say anything more. Nonetheless, she could not help being disappointed that Isabella had

brought home a man to fool around with before it was even dark. She did not feel as fond of Isabella as before.

The two women were still making small talk when Isabella knocked on the door and walked in, neatly dressed. She

approached Olivia, then bowed solemnly and apologized. “I’m sorry for that ugly scene just now. It was my fault.”

Helping her up, Olivia replied, “You didn’t do anything wrong, so there’s no need to apologize. But even if you bring

your boyfriend home, you can’t mess around like that. Besides, it’s clear that the guy is from a very ordinary family

and isn’t a good match for you. You should think about it carefully.”

Isabella lowered her head. Despite feeling displeased with what she had just heard, she answered meekly, “I

understand, Aunt Olivia. I thought he was a good person at first. That’s why I planned to date him and see how

things would turn out. I never expected him to behave so appallingly and lace my drink with drugs. Even though my

parents sent me to the hospital, it was no use. They had no choice but to let the both of us… I can only blame

myself for getting a boyfriend like that.”

“How could he do such a terrible thing to you? That’s too much! We can’t let a loser like that off the hook so easily.

What’s his address? I’ll send some people to teach him a lesson,” Olivia declared furiously.

A look of panic flashed across Isabella’s eyes, and she shook her head. “There’s no need for that, Aunt Olivia. Just

think of it as something I need to suffer in silence. After all, as a lady, it’ll only tarnish my reputation if others find

out what happened.”

Olivia gazed at her thoughtfully and did not press the matter further.

Glancing at her uneasily, Isabella swallowed hard and asked softly, “Are you mad at me, Aunt Olivia?”

Her question tickled Olivia, and the latter responded, “Why would I be mad that you’re dating?”

“Well, because I was a pushover and dated a sad excuse for a boyfriend.”

“In that case, your parents should be the ones who should be even more upset, isn’t that so? I may be your

godmother, but technically, I’m still an outsider. Don’t you agree?” Olivia replied with amusement.

Isabella’s face turned ashen.

Her words seem to be hinting at me not to delude myself. Even though she acknowledges me as her goddaughter,

I’m still nothing more than an outsider. She doesn’t even care that I’m dating.

Taking Isabella’s hand, Olivia added, “Don’t overthink things. My hope is that you’ll date someone from a good

family. Even so, the most important thing is your feelings toward that person. And if you do get married, I’ll prepare

a generous dowry for you.”

Isabella frowned as she looked down. She replied docilely, “Thank you, Aunt Olivia.”

Isabella put on an obedient front, but her eyes glinted with malice. She had already gotten so far and could not

afford to fail. If Olivia did become an obstacle in her plan to be a part of the Clinton family, she had no qualms

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

about getting rid of her. She would not let anyone get in her way of reveling in power and riches.

Olivia remained in the bedroom for around an hour. Then, the housekeeper knocked on the door and said, “Mr.

Clinton has arrived.”

Isabella’s eyes lit up instantly when she heard Oscar’s name. She sprang to her feet with unconcealed excitement,

and everyone turned their gazes toward her in unison.

Embarrassment flashed in her eyes as she abruptly realized her blunder. “Nature calls. I need to use the

bathroom,” she muttered before actually dashing off to the bathroom.

Smiling apologetically, Carol said, “She’s so unmannerly. Again, I apologize that you had to see that.”

Olivia chuckled.

“Since Oscar is here, we’ll be heading home now,” she said as she stood up.

Carol quickly asked her to stay for a meal.

After giving it some thought, Olivia replied, “That’s all right. I’ve already instructed our cook to prepare Tony’s

favorite dishes. They should be ready by now, and we’ll be able to start dinner as soon as we get back. I’ll pop in

another day to visit Stephanie and my grandson.”

Hearing that, Carol hurriedly shot Stephanie a look.

Stephanie said in a cutesy manner, “Please stay for dinner, Mom. I’ve been stuck inside the house all day and am

practically bored out of my mind. I’ve been looking forward to spending time with you and chatting. If you go back

now, I’ll die of boredom.”

Olivia tapped her daughter’s forehead and answered with a laugh, “How can you still act like a big child at this

age?”

She nearly caved in and accepted the invitation. However, Tony said in a piping voice, “Grandma, I want to eat the

lobster we have at home.”

Upon hearing that, Olivia changed her mind at once.

She picked Tony up and replied, “We won’t be joining you for dinner today. Maybe some other time. Tony is a picky

eater, but he loves the sauce our cook whips up. Tony always gets a huge appetite and can finish three helpings of

meat with that sauce. He’s a growing boy, so we can’t let him go hungry.”

The expressions on Carol’s and Stephanie’s faces shifted at once, and the latter nearly dug her fingernails into her

flesh.

Carrying Tony, Olivia was just about to leave with Amelia when Isabella rushed out of the bathroom.

“I’ll see you to the door, Aunt Olivia,” she uttered dutifully.

The older woman nodded in response.

They all trooped downstairs, and Oscar stepped forward. He took Tony from Olivia’s arms, then placed a hand on

the back of Amelia’s head and pulled her in for a deep kiss as though there was no one else around.

After letting her go, Oscar asked Olivia, “Shall we head home now?”

Olivia nodded.

Whether intentionally or otherwise, she flicked her gaze toward Isabella and said, “Oscar, Isabella has a boyfriend. I

saw him just now. He appeared polite and mild-mannered, but he didn’t look as though he was from a well-off

family. Be extra nice to him when you meet him. Got it?”

At that, Isabella clenched her jaw tightly and nearly broke a tooth.

She had not expected Olivia to choose that time to stab her in the back. At that moment, she felt a faint loathing

for how two-faced Olivia was.

Nonetheless, she forced herself to say, “Aunt Olivia, there’s no need to tell him about such things.”

“Why ever not? It’s great that you’re dating. It’ll also save Oscar the worry of being unsure whether you might still

harbor feelings for him. Besides, we’re family. As an older brother, it’s only right that Oscar looks out for your

boyfriend,” Olivia replied, smiling.

Isabella was caught off guard by her response.

Oscar merely glanced at Isabella and nodded indifferently.

Isabella bit her lip, then piped up, “Since it just so happens that everyone is here, you should stay for dinner, Aunt

Olivia. Even if you rush home now, Tony won’t get to have dinner until nine or ten o’clock at least. He’ll be starving.”

As Olivia hesitated, Tony swung his legs and said, “Grandma, I want to eat the lobster dish our cook makes. You

promised me.”

Seeing how adorable he was, Olivia felt her heart melt at once.

“We’ll go home for dinner this time. We should get going. Otherwise, Tony will be hungry.”

As Isabella watched them leave, she balled her hands into fists, and a myriad of unfathomable expressions flashed

across her face.

Carol rolled her eyes at her and hissed, “Hurry and get inside. Are you planning on lingering here to make a fool of

yourself?”

The look on Isabella’s face was inscrutable as she reluctantly walked back into the house.

“Don’t get involved with any more dubious men in the future. We can introduce you to some guys if you can’t find

anyone. We don’t hold a candle to the Clinton family. However, we’re still a wealthy family, and many would jump at

the chance of marrying you. Whenever I think about that riff-raff you brought home, I feel completely humiliated.

How could you sink to such depths just because you can’t have Oscar? Even I’m quickly losing respect for you.

You’re lucky your father and brother aren’t around today. Otherwise, you’d be too embarrassed to remain in the

house,” Carol snapped.

“Are you even my biological mother?” Isabella asked, gazing at Carol with reddened eyes.

“If I weren’t your biological mother, I’d have left you at the hospital to make a fool of yourself after you got

drugged. I’d be happy if you were half as obedient as Rachel and stopped going around with your head in the

clouds.” With that, Carol headed straight upstairs.

“Rachel, Rachel… All you care about is Rachel. Have you considered that everything I’m doing is for the good of the

family? What has Rachel ever done? What else does she know how to do apart from acting like a spoiled brat

whenever she encounters problems?” Isabella yelled indignantly.

Alas, her words fell on deaf ears.

Fuming over the unfairness of the situation, Isabella went to Stephanie’s room and grabbed the latter’s hand. She

burst into tears and said, “You have to help me this time. Otherwise, our efforts all this while will go down the

drain!”

“What are you talking about? What do you mean, go down the drain?” Stephanie asked anxiously.

Isabella proceeded to give an embellished version of what she had gone through.

“You’re saying Amelia told Kurt to kidnap you, then took nude photos of you and even drugged you?”

Nodding, Isabella said through heaving sobs, “That man helped to neutralize the effects of the drug, but I felt so

disgusted with myself that I kicked him out of the room. Unexpectedly, Aunt Olivia saw that and thought I was

fooling around with my boyfriend. If she’s disappointed in me, I’ll never get to marry into the Clinton family even if

Oscar and Amelia divorce.”

Stephanie frowned. Then, she replied frostily, “You’re an idiot. How can I help you when you’ve fallen for someone’s

trap?”

Turning her tear-stained face toward Stephanie, Isabella warned, “You’re the only person who can help me now. If

you don’t, you’ll also risk losing any influence in your family if Aunt Olivia fails to keep a leash on Amelia.”

Stephanie froze. “How do you want me to help you?”

Isabella whispered something into her ear.

After pondering for a moment, Stephanie replied, “I’ll try to put in a few good words for you when I’m with Mom.

The thing is, I’m still recovering from giving birth and can’t go to my family’s house. I’m afraid I won’t be able to get

Oscar to come here and see me. The most I can do is ask that b*tch, Amelia, to visit me. But I’ve no wish to see her

at all.”

“Why don’t you go back to the Clinton residence and stay there? That way, you’ll get the chance to drug Oscar.

We’ve put in so much effort for so long. If we fail, everything will have been for naught, and Amelia will well and

truly become the lady of the Clinton household. Even you, the family’s eldest daughter, will be cast aside if that

happens. Without your family’s support, Noah will naturally lose interest in you. Don’t forget that my brother has a

woman he dated for almost ten years.”

Stephanie’s expression darkened, and a vicious look appeared in her eyes for a fleeting moment.

“Okay. I’ll help you,” she replied.

I’m Noah’s wife now, so I should be there for him through weal and woe. Judging by how much Oscar dotes on

Amelia, I’m afraid I’ll have no place in the Clinton family in the long run if Amelia does become the lady of the

house. If so, Noah will really have the guts to go out and sleep around. Once I lose my family as a pillar of support, I

won’t be able to control him. Noah and I are in the same boat. I’ll only be able to mend my relationship with Oscar

if Isabella marries into the Clinton family.

Isabella’s eyes gleamed. Stephanie has finally taken the bait. As long as she agrees to help, I’ll be able to drug

Oscar again within five days.

That night, Stephanie mentioned to Carol about staying at the Clinton residence. Although the latter was not too

pleased when she heard that, she dared not argue openly with Stephanie about it.

“Are our cook’s dishes not to your liking? Or do you feel uncomfortable staying here?” Carol asked kindly.

“Oh, not at all. It’s just that I suddenly miss the food at my parents’ house. After getting married, I’d go home

occasionally to have a meal. However, I haven’t gone out after giving birth, and it feels like I’m locked up in prison. I

also haven’t eaten anything made by my family’s cook and I miss it so much. That’s why I feel like going there to

Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

stay. You don’t mind, do you?” Stephanie replied.

“It’s no big deal if you want to stay at your parents’ house. However, it wouldn’t be good if word of it got out.

Others would think we’re mistreating our daughter-in-law.”

Stephanie took Carol’s hand and said in a wheedling tone, “Who would dare to think such a thing? Everyone knows

the both of us get on like a house on fire, and I’ll be sure to tell my mother how well you treat me while I’m home.

Once my postpartum period is over, all three of us can go for a high tea together. We’ll go shopping after that, and

I’ll buy lots of beautiful clothes for you and my mother.”

Carol’s eyes lit up as she mulled over the matter carefully.

After a while, she nodded. “Very well. I’ll get the housekeeper to pack your clothes for you. While you’re there, I’ll

drop by every two days to visit you and my darling grandson.”

Although Stephanie was all smiles as she nodded, she sneered inwardly. What an opportunist.

Bright and early the following morning, Stephanie bundled up well and returned to the Clinton residence.

After ushering her into the house, Olivia demanded angrily, “Why are you running around when you’ve only just

given birth? What are you going to do if you fall ill?”

Stephanie sat on the bed and answered sweetly, “That’s because I missed you. I also missed the cook’s dishes.

Although I get pampered with lots of good food at the Walker residence, I’m still not used to the cooking there.

That’s why I insisted on coming home. What’s the matter? Am I not welcome?”

“How can you say that when you’re already here?” Olivia tapped her daughter’s forehead as she spoke, then

turned to Noah. “Why did you indulge her wilful behavior? You should’ve given her a talking to.”

Shooting her a bitter smile, he replied, “She has practically clipped my wings after finding out that I had a woman

outside. I’m still under an observation period. If I say anything, I’m afraid I’ll have to sleep on the couch every

night.”

“Oh, Stephanie, every man is bound to have had several relationships before marriage. Just because Noah is willing

to dote on you doesn’t mean you can take advantage of it. Do you understand?” Olivia chided while rolling her eyes

at Stephanie.

The younger woman pursed her lips. “Mom, one shouldn’t spoil men. This is punishment for him. If he dares to

mistreat me, I’ll take the baby and come back here.”

Olivia looked as though she were about to fly into a rage. However, Noah chimed in, saying, “I was the one who

slipped up first, so it’s reasonable for Stephanie to be angry at me. Please don’t upbraid her for it. I’m willing to use

the rest of my life to treat her well.”

Those words made Olivia’s expression relax a little.

Stephanie stuck her nose in the air petulantly. “You should go back, Noah. You can come again in the evening to see

the baby. However, let me make things clear. You’re not allowed to go frolicking around with other women. If I find

out about it, I’ll get a divorce.”

“I wouldn’t dream of doing that. I’m still under observation, so I need to perform well,” Noah replied with a gentle

smile.

“That’d better be the case.” Waving her hand at Noah as though she were conferring a favor, she said, “That’s

enough. You may go. Just looking at you now annoys me.”

Noah nodded and said to Olivia in a good-natured manner, “Please take care of Stephanie and the baby.”

Olivia saw him to the door, then said, “Go on to the office, then.”

Once Noah left, she walked back and flicked Stephanie’s forehead. “As his wife, how can you treat him like that?”

“What’s the big deal? It’s not like I wanted it to be like this. The hypocritical Noah thinks I’m a total pushover. All I’m

doing is letting him know that I’m not someone to be messed with. As we go through life together, he’ll do well to

remember that I’m a high and mighty queen,” Stephanie retorted, snorting coldly.

Olivia had wanted to reprimand her daughter, but she thought better of it. Her life with the Walkers will be much

easier if she has Noah under her thumb, so I shouldn’t say anything.

“Mom, since I’m staying here now, why don’t you ask Oscar and Amelia to come back tonight for dinner so we can

all gather?” Stephanie suggested as she lay in bed.

“Even if they come over, you can’t go downstairs to eat with us.”

“Mom, I miss my brother. I just want us to get together as a family.”

Olivia glanced at her and said, “Oh, okay. I’ll ask them to come over for dinner.”

“I’ve always known you’re the nicest to me, Mom.”

“Don’t try to butter me up.”

Stephanie merely smiled in response.

After Olivia invited Oscar and Amelia, Stephanie secretly called Isabella and Carol to tell them to come by that

evening to see the baby and stay for dinner.

When Isabella got the call, she knew that was her chance.