Chapter 272
The scorn in Catherine’s eyes was unmistakable. “With these amateur tactics, you’ll never become Mrs. Harding.
Catherine had always looked down on Isabella. Despite having been dealt a strong hand in life, Isabella had played her cards terribly. With even a modicum of intelligence, she wouldn’t have ended up in such a pitiful situation.
Isabella’s face darkened at Catherine’s criticism. “What’s that supposed to mean? If you’re not going to help, at least don’t mock me!” Her voice dropped to a threatening whisper. “You’re my mother. If my life is miserable, I’ll make sure yours is too!”
Catherine snorted coldly. “Don’t call me ‘mother‘ unless you want to die!” Her voice was ice. “Our relationship is something you’d better keep buried deep inside you. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself locked up in the old estate again!”
Catherine clearly had no patience for her unpleasant illegitimate daughter. She walked away on her high heels, heading toward Henry’s hospital room.
Isabella, afraid of losing Catherine’s support, quickly hurried after her.
That day when Henry had doubled over with gastric spasms and been rushed to the emergency room, Isabella and Catherine had exchanged secrets about their true relationship in his hospital room.
Catherine wasn’t sure if Henry had overheard anything, but she planned to test the waters once they
entered his room.
Henry had been transferred from the ICU to a VIP room. The moment he regained consciousness, he
immediately asked about Sophia’s whereabouts. He remembered Catherine bringing Isabella to his
room just before the pain overwhelmed him, driving Sophia away.
If he hadn’t been so physically weak, he would have leapt from his bed to search for Sophia. Richard, unaware of what had transpired, saw his son’s pale face and gently pushed him back onto the bed.
“She has things to take care of,” Richard soothed. “Focus on recovering first. Everything else can wait
until you’re better.”
Richard had heard about Harper’s death and had paid his respects at her funeral, having just
returned now.
When Henry woke up and didn’t see Sophia, his handsome face darkened with displeasure. “What things does she need to take care of? You already took Billy, didn’t you?” His voice grew contemptuous. “Work matters? That job where she waits on people all day? She’d be better off without it.”
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Chapter 272
He recalled several occasions when he’d visited Sophia at the hospital, watching patients deliver. making things difficult for her, Instead of standing up for herself, Sophia had responded with patience and a smile.
“I don’t understand why she’s so attached to that servile job.”
Richard frowned at his son’s attitude. “There’s no such thing as high or low status work. Stop being condescending! Sophia chose this career, and you need to respect her choices.”
“So,” Richard continued, “how did you manage to drive Sophia away this time?” He knew Sophia well enough to understand she wouldn’t break her promise to care for Henry unless he had done something excessive.
Henry protested immediately, “Dad, don’t jump to conclusions! I didn’t do anything! Mom brought Isabella to harass Sophia!”
He explained how he’d suggested Catherine make fish soup, hoping to get her out of the room and give Sophia some peace. He never expected her to return with Isabella in tow.
Richard delivered a sharp slap to his son’s uninjured left arm. “Who told you to be so unfaithful, keeping such a calculating woman around? Answer me this: how would you feel if Sophia brought her ex–boyfriend to see you, and they were all over each other?”
Alexander and Sophia had never engaged in any overly intimate interaction, yet even that had made Henry uncomfortable. The mere thought of seeing her being physically intimate with another man was unbearable.
The events of that day flashed through his mind frame by frame.
Suddenly, something clicked into place.
“Dad, there’s something I need to ask you.” With just the two of them in the room, he felt safe voicing the thought that had been circling in his mind.
“Is Mom really-” Before he could finish his question, the hospital room door swung open.
Catherine entered with Isabella close behind her. “Henry, darling, I’ve brought Isabella to see you!”
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