Chapter 98 Termination of Engagement
No matter if the evidence is real or fake, Isabella's reputation is gonna be shot.
When that happens, the Stewart family will definitely be dragged into it.
Everyone understood this but kept their faces neutral.
They offered a few polite compliments and quickly took off.
Soon, the guests who had come for the engagement party started leaving one by one.
The reporters wanted to stay and interview Isabella, but they were promptly escorted out by the Stewart family's security.
Before long, the only people left in the Stewart villa's grand hall were members of the Stewart family and the Brown family.
Nora glared at Isabella with a dark expression. "Isabella, don't you have anything to say?"
What was supposed to be a perfect engagement party, a chance for Nora to reestablish the Stewart family's reputation, had turned into a disaster.
Facing Nora's furious gaze, Isabella's shoulders trembled violently.
"Mom, I swear I didn't do it. Please believe me..."
"Ms. Brown, call me Nora."
Isabella hadn't even finished speaking when Nora interrupted her coldly.
Isabella stared at Nora in shock, and Hayden and Olivia's faces also changed drastically.
"Nora, that's too harsh. Isabella is still part of the Stewart family, even if the engagement hasn't been finalized, the agreement still stands."
Seeing Isabella's exhausted and devastated appearance, Hayden felt a pang of sympathy.
"Thanks for the reminder, Mr. Brown. That engagement was just a casual agreement from the previous generation, not binding."
Nora's smile was faint, but her eyes were icy.
Zander's face turned pale, and he quickly spoke up, "Mom, you can't do this. Isabella and I love each other."
"What else can I do? The other branches of the Stewart family are watching us closely. If this scandal gets out, your grandfather will be deeply disappointed in you. What will you have to compete with then?"
Nora liked Isabella, but when it came to Zander's future, she had to make a choice.
Hearing this, Zander opened his mouth but couldn't say a word.
The Stewart family had four branches, and Zander had three cousins and two younger brothers.
Zander had lost his father at a young age.
Without Nora's shrewdness, he wouldn't have survived the complex environment of the Stewart family.
If Isabella's scandal became public, it would undoubtedly affect Zander.
The Stewart family inheritance would then fall into someone else's hands.
Seeing Zander's silence, Nora was satisfied.
She knew her son well and understood his weaknesses.
"Mr. and Mrs. Brown, this situation is ultimately due to your poor upbringing. We can't have such a malicious woman in the Stewart family."
"Nora, I was framed! Please believe me, don't make me break off the engagement with Zander!" Isabella cried, rushing forward to grab Nora's sleeve, begging desperately.
If the audio went public, she would be ruined.
But as long as the Stewart family didn't abandon her, there was still hope.
However, Nora coldly brushed her off.
"Isabella, don't blame me for being heartless. You're so understanding; surely you don't want Zander to lose his inheritance because of you?"
Nora's words left Isabella speechless.
She looked at Zander, pleading, "Zander, say something! Didn't you say you loved me? That you wanted to be with me forever?"
"Isabella, I'm sorry."
Zander turned away, hiding his pain.
Compared to love, he had to secure the Stewart family inheritance.
Isabella's heart sank, and her hatred for Sophia intensified.
It was all because of that vile woman Sophia!
Otherwise, Zander would never have abandoned her!
Sophia, you will pay for this!
Isabella's face twisted with rage, her eyes filled with malice.
Standing on the sidelines, Flynn felt a wave of sadness seeing Isabella like this.
He had always thought Isabella was kind and gentle, even resenting Sophia because of Isabella's tears.
But he never imagined Isabella could be so vicious behind the scenes.
Thinking of Sophia's cold demeanor, Flynn felt a sharp pain in his chest, almost suffocating.
He had been wrong.
He owed Sophia an apology; the entire Brown family did.
Remembering the harsh words and disdain he had shown Sophia, Flynn felt as if his heart was being torn apart.
Flynn gave a bitter smile, guilt consuming him.
Under everyone's gaze, he slowly turned to leave.
"Flynn, where are you going?" Olivia frowned in displeasure.
She couldn't believe Flynn would choose to leave at such a crucial moment!
Flynn paused, then slowly turned to look at Hayden and Olivia.
"Sophia is your biological daughter. Knowing she suffered so much, how can you still be indifferent?"
His gaze fell on Isabella, a mocking smile on his lips.
"Isabella, the Brown family has treated you well for over ten years. Whatever you wanted, our parents and us three brothers would give you. But how did you treat us? With manipulation and deceit?"
Isabella shook her head desperately, tears streaming down her face.
She sobbed, defending herself in a low voice, "No, it's not like that. I didn't do it! Flynn, please believe me!"
"The evidence is clear. How can I trust you?"
Flynn shook his head slowly and left the Stewart villa without looking back.
Watching Flynn's departing figure, Isabella felt a wave of panic.
Her instincts told her she was finished!
She had always been cautious, only targeting Sophia secretly.
Worried Sophia might record her, she had even smashed Sophia's phone.
But Isabella hadn't anticipated that Sophia had started recording before the phone broke.
Even though the phone was damaged, the recordings survived.
Sophia had brought them out at such a critical moment today.
Isabella was now filled with regret.
Not for the things she had done, but for not eliminating Sophia completely.
Meanwhile.
Benjamin held Sophia's hand as they left the Stewart villa.
His face was grim, his grip on Sophia's hand tight, a shadow over his heart.
As soon as Sophia got into the car, she was pulled into Benjamin's embrace.
Her face collided with Benjamin's broad chest, causing a sharp pain in her nose.
She whimpered, wrinkling her nose in discomfort.
"Honey, you hurt me."
Sophia pouted, lifting her face from Benjamin's chest.
Realizing his actions had been too rough, Benjamin loosened his hold slightly.
But he still kept Sophia in his arms.
"Sophia, you've been through so much."
Benjamin held Sophia gently, stroking her soft hair tenderly.