Chapter 126: Fate

Chapter 126: Fate

At this moment, Theresa's face was filled with despair.

She had just tried to climb up the social ladder right there, only to be coldly rejected and humiliated. Worse, the whole thing had blown up her relationship with David.

Before, she and Anthony were enemies, but at least she still had David as an ally. Now, what she'd just done had clearly hurt him.

Still, that didn't really matter. Maybe if she begged David hard enough, he'd forgive her and take her back.

With that thought, a small spark of hope reignited in her otherwise desperate eyes.

The next second, she stumbled toward David, who was standing nearby with fury written all over his face.

"David, I was just testing Anthony — I wanted to see what he was made of. I never thought he'd actually turn me down. I know I didn't give you a heads-up. You're not mad at me, are you?"

As she asked, Theresa forced an awkward smile.

Even she felt embarrassed saying it.

Because what she'd done wasn't a test at all. She had genuinely tried to switch sides — Anthony just hadn't given her the chance.

But now that she wanted to come crawling back, what else could she say?

She could hardly tell him the truth: "Anthony wouldn't take me in, so David, please let me come back."

With no other option, she lied.

Not that lying was hard for her. It came as naturally as breathing.

But the next second — slap! Slap! Slap!

The sharp crack of a hand hitting a face rang out, followed by a woman's piercing scream. The customers browsing the sales center froze, completely stunned.

"What on earth is going on?"

They looked over and saw David beating Theresa.

After a moment of shock, the crowd burst out laughing.

"Well, would you look at that — this woman is getting smacked around again..."

"Ha! Serves her right. That Theresa is clearly a schemer. Women like her will do anything to get what they want — no limits, no shame. She had it coming."

"Ha, couldn't agree more. Honestly, even if he beat her to death, she'd deserve it."

The crowd's chatter only fueled David's rage.

"You worthless woman — you just made me look like a complete fool in front of everyone. The laughingstock of the whole room."

"I can't believe Anthony actually turned you down."

"Good for him. Even I wouldn't take back someone like you."

Slap! Slap! Slap!

Five or six more hard slaps landed across Theresa's face.

Still not satisfied, David lifted his leg and kicked her to the ground, then let out a triumphant laugh.

Lying on the floor, staring up at David's manic expression, Theresa felt completely hopeless.

Who could have guessed she'd misread the situation so badly — again.

Even when she tried to go back, David wouldn't give her the chance. He just slapped her in front of everyone.

It suddenly hit her — she had come to this sales center today to watch someone else's downfall.

Instead, she and David had become the spectacle.

She wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn't come.

Click, click, click.

The sharp, rhythmic sound of high heels cut through the noise.

Everyone looked up, puzzled.

It was Isabelle, walking steadily toward David.

David's jaw dropped.

Then his mind started racing — could it be? Was Isabelle actually interested in him?

Had she been so struck by the way he'd handled Theresa that she was now walking straight toward him, in front of everyone?

Was she about to confess her feelings for him, right here, right now?

If so, then this disaster had turned into a blessing.

Everyone knew how massive Isabelle's family empire was — fingers in every industry. If he could marry someone like her, his life would truly reach its peak.

David watched her approach, his eyes full of eager anticipation, almost lovesick.

His mind was spinning with fantasies as she drew closer, bringing with her a faint trace of perfume.

Up close, she was even more stunning than he'd imagined — a breathtaking, commanding kind of beauty.

Her face was flawless, but her expression right now was dead serious.

That gave David pause. If she was into him, shouldn't she be smiling?

Then he figured it out.

A woman like her — powerful, in control — wouldn't express love the way an ordinary girl would, all giggles and grins. She'd be serious. Because to someone like her, love was something solemn. Not a game.

Was the big moment finally here?

He couldn't wait.

David gazed at Isabelle's perfect face, his heart already trembling. He felt like it had floated right out of his chest before she'd even said a word.

Then — crack.

A sharp, clean slap snapped him back to reality.

"Ow — why did you hit me?!" He pressed his burning cheek, genuinely shocked. Even Isabelle's slap stung like hell.

"Hmph. A slap is the least you deserve, you piece of trash."

Isabelle's voice was ice cold. There was no warmth hidden beneath the seriousness, no public declaration of love — just her hand across his face.

"Ms. Isabelle, we don't even know each other. Why are you treating me like this?" David's face went pale with shock.

"Since you're so confused, I'll spell it out for you."

"The two of you are like flies buzzing around this sales center — you've made a scene, embarrassed this place, and dragged down the entire atmosphere."

"What? Dragged down your... standards?"

David's mouth twitched.

He had always thought highly of himself. The idea that Isabelle saw him as garbage — that his very presence lowered the tone of the room — was almost too much to take.

And she'd been so offended that she'd come over and hit him herself.

In her eyes, he and Theresa were a stain on the place.

That kind of contempt cut deep.

"Ms. Isabelle, I think you've made a mistake. I'm from the Douglas family—"

But instead of backing down, Isabelle's expression grew even more dismissive.

"The Douglas family? Am I supposed to be impressed? I've never thought much of your family. Not even for a second."