Chapter 131: How Much for the Night?
After tucking Olivia into bed, Isabella's mood remained incredibly buoyant.
It had been years since she'd felt this genuinely happy—so elated that she was practically buzzing with excitement. Isabella felt so wired that sleep seemed impossible tonight.
She tiptoed out of her daughter's room, asked Mary to keep an ear out for Olivia, then immediately called Daphne.
Daphne's voice was exhausted on the other end: "Isabella, what's got you calling at this hour? Not doing your usual early bedtime routine with Olivia?"
"Did I wake you?" Isabella asked, suddenly worried she'd disturbed her friend.
"Of course not. I'm still stuck at the office pulling another late night. Probably got ten more minutes before I can finally head home." Daphne yawned audibly through the phone.
After a pause, Daphne continued: "Calling me this late—don't tell me it's just to check on how I'm doing?"
"William's grandfather came back today. Olivia and I went for dinner, and we settled everything about the divorce. I'm getting custody of Olivia!"
The news hit like a bombshell. Even Daphne was stunned into silence for a moment before letting out an ear-piercing squeal.
Her exhaustion evaporated instantly, replaced by pure joy for Isabella.
"We absolutely have to celebrate tonight! Same place as always—my treat. Get there now and wait for me. I'm leaving this instant!"
Isabella worried about Daphne burning out with work tomorrow and wanted to suggest they celebrate another day when she had more time, but Daphne had already hung up.
With no choice but to go along with her friend's enthusiasm, Isabella changed clothes and headed out.
Since driving would mean arranging a ride home later, Isabella decided to just take a cab.
Surprisingly, when she arrived at their usual spot, Daphne was already there, waving excitedly when she spotted Isabella.
"You left work before finishing?"
Daphne threw an arm around Isabella's shoulders: "Hearing your amazing news was the best surprise I could ask for! I wrapped up the rest in under five minutes and caught the last train here!"
She'd ordered an entire table's worth of alcohol—Isabella's favorite fruit wines, plus whiskey and brandy.
"Today's a lucky day that calls for getting absolutely hammered!" Daphne grabbed the brandy and was about to drink it straight.
Isabella quickly stopped her: "Have you eaten anything? Drinking on an empty stomach is terrible for you."
"I'm so happy right now, who cares about my health?"
Isabella shook her head and pulled a sandwich from her purse.
"I left in such a rush that I didn't have time to make anything fancy. But you should eat something before drinking—it's easier on your body."
As Daphne ate the sandwich, her emotions got the better of her, and tears started streaming down her face.
"Ever since we met in college, I've always thought you were incredibly thoughtful. Back then, I believed someone as talented as you shouldn't be trapped in domestic life—whatever you did, you'd be extraordinary at it."
No one had expected that Isabella, a rising star in scientific research and a genius who could potentially break through new energy development bottlenecks, would choose to marry right after graduation and quickly have two children.
After finishing the sandwich, Daphne took two large swigs of alcohol.
"I've watched how hard these years have been for you. That bastard William is just a man who doesn't know how to appreciate what he has—completely blind to cheat on someone as amazing as you!"
Daphne was already getting emotional before the alcohol even hit, her eyes and cheeks flushed with excitement.
Isabella picked up the whiskey, her own eyes reddening as she fought back a surge of emotion: "Things will be better now. I'm finally free—I can do whatever I want without anyone standing in my way."
Daphne nodded vigorously and raised her glass: "Tonight we're drinking ourselves silly and letting out all the frustration from these past years!"
They chatted sporadically, reminiscing about their college days when they leaned against each other.
Daphne was crying and laughing at the same time, clinging to Isabella like a child.
They were deep in conversation when suddenly a hand reached from behind and tapped Isabella's shoulder twice.
Both Isabella and Daphne turned to see a completely unfamiliar face.
The stranger wore Chrome Hearts and Louis Vuitton shoes—clearly some rich kid showing off his family's money.
"Interested in getting acquainted?" He extended his champagne flute with what he apparently considered a charming smile.
Daphne and Isabella exchanged glances before Daphne burst out laughing.
"We're having girls' night. Not interested in meeting strangers—you can go hunt for other prey somewhere else in the club!"
"How much for both of you for the night? I can pay."
He pulled out a bank card and slapped it on the table. The silver card gleamed under the ambient lighting.
Isabella barely glanced at it—she wasn't impressed by his display of wealth.
She'd seen truly wealthy people before. William casually carried around black cards that made this guy's silver look like pocket change.
In terms of pickup artistry, this rich boy was leagues below the men in William's circle.
"Sir, that card doesn't have nearly enough clout. Maybe go home and ask mommy and daddy for more allowance before trying to pick up women." Daphne laughed again and tossed the card back at him.
The rich kid's face reddened slightly. Being rejected repeatedly was humiliating.
"Don't push your luck," he snarled, grabbing Isabella's hand and trying to drag her toward his booth.
Isabella wasn't about to take that lying down. She gripped his wrist with her left hand: "Get your hands off me!"
When dealing with classless people, Isabella didn't hold back—she was ready to fight when necessary.
Seeing things go south, the rich kid's friends quickly swarmed over from their booth: "Mr. Kelly giving you attention is a privilege—don't be ungrateful!"
A whole group of young men and women rapidly surrounded Isabella and Daphne, trapping them in the middle while wearing nauseating smirks.
They looked at the two women like they were prey waiting to be devoured.
Daphne scoffed: "Give me a break—some punk-ass kid who can barely tie his own shoes thinks he's hot shit? If hooking up with your boy Kelly is such a sweet deal, why don't you pucker up and take one for the team yourself?"
"Hell, maybe you'll even bag yourself a sugar daddy! 'Mrs. Kelly's has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?"
The alcohol had definitely sharpened Daphne's tongue to a razor's edge.
The guy's expression shifted from smug to furious after getting burned like that.