Chapter 39 I’m Just an Ordinary Person

Chapter 39 I’m Just an Ordinary Person

"Had enough?"

Flora withdrew her stinging hand and asked coldly.

Vivian covered her face, her lips parting. She wanted to speak, but her throat felt blocked by wet, heavy cotton, making it ache.

She stared blankly at Flora, her eyes filled with shock, anger, and overwhelming humiliation.

This bitch... this bitch, how dare an adopted daughter fight back against her!

She was the real heiress of the Smith family!

Vivian's jaw tightened, fury blazing in her eyes, full of resentment.

Seeing her like this and worried things would drag on endlessly, Isabella stepped in again to stop them: "Enough, both of you say less. Whatever conflicts you have, settle them privately. What does it look like making such a scene here? And you, Ms. Smith!"

"I know you meant well, but this wasn't handled properly. Let's all stop here and quit arguing over this."

Vivian froze on the spot, then a mocking smile appeared on her face as tears streamed down: "Fine, fine! It's all my fault! I'll leave then!"

She roughly wiped away her tears, forcefully pushed through the crowd blocking her way, and ran out of the venue.

The guests present wore various expressions, but no one tried to stop her, and no one got up to chase after her.

Vivian's dramatic exit annoyed Isabella, but given the current situation, she could only continue smoothing things over: "Just young people having a little conflict, everyone please don't take it to heart."

After speaking, she had the guests take their seats as usual, and the host who had been waiting on the side came out at the right moment to liven up the atmosphere and divert everyone's attention.

Flora had also planned to take the opportunity to leave, but just as she stepped forward, she saw Isabella slowly return, warmly inviting her to chat in a nearby lounge.

Flora raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of curiosity crossing her mind, and slowly nodded.

After entering the lounge, Isabella gestured for Flora to sit across from her, then began making coffee. "I'm really sorry about earlier. If I hadn't stepped in to stop it, your sister would probably have kept making a scene."

Flora showed a polite smile and replied courteously: "You don't need to be polite, I also did things improperly."

"Also, I've already left the Smith family and changed my surname to White. Vivian is not my sister."

The moment she left the Smith family, she had already drawn a clear line with them—they were no longer related.

Isabella poured her a cup of coffee and smiled kindly: "Ms. White is really straightforward."

"With such a broad mind, you're nothing like ordinary people, and certainly not like the narrow-minded country bumpkin others describe." Her gaze fell directly on Flora, that smile hiding shrewd calculation and subtle assessment.

"You're too kind. I'm just borrowing Mr. Williams' influence." Flora picked up the coffee cup and gently blew on the steaming coffee. "If I were really that capable, I wouldn't have let Vivian provoke and bully me repeatedly, always holding back and giving in, only fighting back when I couldn't take it anymore."

"Physical confrontation is the lowest form of response anyway—just satisfying a momentary impulse."

She had clearly sided with Vivian at the banquet earlier, then turned around and specifically invited her for a private chat. This wavering back and forth, this unstable stance, was ultimately just weighing pros and cons—not genuine appreciation or a desire to befriend her or discuss cooperation.

Seeing Flora deflect, Isabella didn't insist, but changed her approach to continue probing: "I can tell you and Gavin have a good relationship."

The engagement between the two families had lasted so many years, it was normal for them to develop feelings. Besides, from Gavin's attitude earlier, it was obvious he preferred her.

The Williams family's situation was clearer than the Smith family's. Barring any surprises, Gavin would be the next person in power in the Williams family. If he insisted on marrying Flora, the Williams family members might not object. In contrast, the Smith family members would probably regret their harsh words and want to bring her back into the Smith family.

In that case, her value would be even higher than the identity of 'the Smith family's heiress.'

She was someone worth cultivating a relationship with.

Isabella rubbed the rim of her cup, saying meaningfully: "I can see he really likes you. Your situation is different from before, so you should cherish these opportunities to improve your social status even more."

Her words were direct, presenting a benevolent attitude of looking out for a younger generation.

Having come this far, Flora could certainly taste the deeper meaning in her words. She drained the coffee in her cup and continued playing dumb: "It's just an engagement arranged by our parents, what feelings could there be? He speaks up for me simply because I came with him—if he let others bully me, he'd be humiliated too, right?"

She strongly denied having any background, making clear she was just an ordinary person. She also resisted being associated with Gavin, framing their relationship as friends.

This heavy defensiveness made Isabella reassess her.

After several more rounds of conversation, unable to get any useful information or find anything unusual, Isabella had to let her go. "I see."

"We're fortunate to have met. If you run into any difficulties in the future, feel free to come find me." She showed a warm smile.

Flora knew these were just polite words, but still cooperated by thanking her.

After she left, Isabella's previously relaxed crow's feet now furrowed tightly together again.

Not long after Flora left, a middle-aged woman in luxurious but understated clothing walked in slowly.

She adjusted her shawl and asked: "Well? Mom, did you learn anything about her?"

Isabella shook her head: "She's very cautious, speaks without any flaws—she's someone with a meticulous mind. It's just a pity her background seems to be from an ordinary family, otherwise she could marry Conrad."

Wealthy families always relied on marriage alliances to consolidate power, strong joining with strong. If she were still a descendant of the Smith family, she would naturally agree to this marriage. But she was just an adopted daughter, so her status didn't match.

"Mom, if you put it that way, I think it would be better to set her up with Max."

Max Taylor had an eccentric and cold personality, always acting without any plan. Despite his age, he was always causing trouble everywhere, and each time the family had to clean up his mess. They needed someone like Flora who was capable enough to control him, but whose family background was ordinary enough that she could only be controlled by the Taylor family in the future.

With this pointed out, Isabella clearly thought of this too and began scheming thoughtfully.

On the other side, after leaving the lounge, Flora walked straight out of the hotel and stood by the roadside waiting for a taxi.

While waiting for the car, she was completely unaware that several thugs were hiding in the shadows behind her.

After confirming she was their target, they exchanged glances, lightened their footsteps, and slowly closed in on her.