Chapter 262: People Without Principles
Chapter 262: People Without Principles
The middle-aged women had wasted half the day trying to persuade Isabella. They'd appealed to her emotions, reasoned with logic, and taken turns talking to her, but none of it worked.
When they finally left, they supported each other as they walked away, their backs hunched over, looking utterly pitiful.
Isabella felt a twinge of sympathy and quickly looked away.
The doctor said William's wound would need at least a week before the stitches could be removed.
Richard was busy handling the factory's operating procedures and permits, so the task of caring for William fell to Isabella and Olivia.
During these days, Isabella wanted to ensure William got proper nutrition. She found the local market and went every morning to buy the freshest ingredients for cooking.
Living here, Isabella discovered the biggest advantage of an economically underdeveloped area—everything was incredibly cheap.
Compared to Seaside City prices, the prices were almost unbelievable.
One morning, Isabella and Olivia were shopping for ingredients when they passed a flower stall. Olivia's attention was immediately captured, and she couldn't move her feet.
"Mommy, I saw on TV that when people are sick, you should bring them flowers. Shouldn't we get some for Daddy too?"
The flower vendor noticed them and quickly came over.
"City folks these days always bring flowers when visiting patients. Put them on the table—looks classy and beautiful."
The vendor casually picked up a sunflower and held it in front of Olivia. "These flowers were all freshly picked this morning. Put them in a hospital room, they'll last at least two weeks."
The vendor meant to prove his flowers were high quality, but Isabella thought his words sounded rather inauspicious.
Staying in the hospital for two weeks—what kind of blessing was that for a patient?
She glanced around, instinctively wanting to find another flower shop.
The vendor smiled smugly. "I'm the only flower shop near the market. If you want to buy flowers elsewhere, you can walk about ten more minutes to the flower market over there."
The vendor figured Isabella, a woman with a little girl, wouldn't walk that far, so he confidently continued promoting his other flowers.
"For a husband or boyfriend, you could also pick these red roses. This is the best quality batch from my garden this year—every one in full bloom, absolutely gorgeous! There are also stargazer lilies and yellow roses, and balloon flowers are new arrivals..."
Olivia held the sunflower the vendor had given her and spent a long time choosing among the various flowers, finally settling on a bouquet in yellow tones.
Mainly sunflowers, supplemented with yellow roses, and accented with a few sprigs of eucalyptus.
Besides being beautiful, the most important thing was that the bright golden colors looked auspicious and lifted one's spirits.
Isabella had cooked oatmeal porridge that morning, bought bread from outside, and stir-fried two vegetable dishes.
That was breakfast for her and Olivia.
For William's patient meal, Isabella added a fried egg and a piece of grilled chicken leg.
Vegetables and meat—perfect for recovery.
Olivia held Isabella's hand, already imagining in her mind how William would react when he received the flowers.
"I picked these flowers myself. Daddy will definitely love them!"
Isabella held the bouquet, attracting considerable attention on the street.
She smiled helplessly and handed the flowers to Olivia. "If you're the one giving the flowers, you should carry them."
Olivia shook her head. "I'm too small. If I carry the flowers, I'll walk too slowly, and Daddy's probably waiting anxiously at the hospital."
Though Olivia was young, her reasoning was so sound that Isabella couldn't refuse.
As usual, Isabella checked with the nurse about William's recovery progress before Olivia eagerly pulled her upstairs.
As they reached William's hospital room, Olivia couldn't wait any longer and pushed the door open, rushing inside.
"Daddy, Mommy and I prepared a big surprise for you!"
After Olivia shouted this, she realized there were two unexpected visitors in the room.
Laura stood by William's bedside holding Nathan's hand, looking at him with eyes full of concern.
Both looked travel-worn, Laura's hair still disheveled—they'd clearly come straight from the car.
Hearing the commotion, Laura turned to look.
When her gaze locked onto Isabella, she stared at the bouquet for a long moment, unable to process it.
She clenched her jaw.
So Isabella's previous disdain had all been an act. Given the opportunity, she couldn't maintain the pretense.
The yellow flowers were glaringly obvious, making Laura's whole body tremble.
"I never imagined you were someone so utterly without principles. To get back together with William, you'd actually stoop to this." Laura couldn't help but sneer.
Nathan turned to look, his eyes lighting up with delight when he saw Isabella.
He knew his father had always wanted to reconcile with his mother, but she wouldn't agree.
The flowers seemed like a turning point, letting a ray of sunshine through the gloom that had covered their lives.
William, lying face-down on the hospital bed, looked over, his eyes instantly brightening.
Olivia silently took the food container and gently placed it on the bedside table.
Another battle was about to erupt.
"Olivia chose the flowers." Isabella's voice was flat as she explained, afraid William would misunderstand.
She was also worried Laura would once again cast her as an imaginary rival.
Isabella had no interest in scheming with Laura again, fighting tooth and nail over a man.
Laura's lips pressed into a tight line.
"Yellow roses are still roses. You think I don't know what you're really thinking, using a child as an excuse to send roses?"
Laura's behavior perfectly illustrated how people with dark minds see darkness in everything.
It was just a rose, but to her it became a monumental issue.
"There are only so many flowers in yellow tones. Roses are a very common floral element."
"You have ulterior motives. You probably thought up this excuse on the way here, didn't you?" Laura boldly speculated about Isabella's intentions.
"While I'm away, you want to develop a relationship with William and get back together. Don't think I don't know what you're thinking!"
Now with a more powerful shield, Laura no longer bothered to pretend in front of William.
Isabella frowned. "Do you have some kind of persecution complex?"
Though William had some abilities, he certainly wasn't so charming that everyone loved him.
He didn't have such great appeal that Isabella would want to go down this dead-end road again.
"You—" Laura was left speechless by Isabella's retort, glaring at her with wide eyes.
William couldn't stand it anymore and propped himself up to stop Laura.
"Haven't you made enough of a scene?"
"What scene am I making?" Laura turned to look at William, eyes full of disappointment. "I thought you truly loved me, that after me you'd never change your heart again. Now I see I underestimated your nature!"
"William, you've disappointed me so much."
Every word Laura spoke was emphatic. "If I didn't love you, why would I forgive your betrayals again and again? Why would I even come all the way here to find you?"