Chapter 60 William Is the One at Fault
Isabella had just finished selecting ingredients when she heard the crash of heavy objects hitting the ground nearby.
She spun around to see Richard nearly buried under a pile of soda cans, and her heart almost stopped beating.
She didn't even bother with the shopping cart, rushing over immediately.
When she reached them, she found Richard kneeling on the ground, still protectively shielding Olivia beneath him.
Isabella quickly helped Richard to his feet while asking anxiously, "Mr. Spencer, where does it hurt? Maybe we should head back to the hospital."
The aluminum cans weren't particularly heavy, but being pelted with metal still stung quite a bit.
Richard shook his head, flexing his bruised arm before immediately checking on Olivia.
"Is Olivia okay?"
Olivia had been completely stunned, but hearing Richard's concerned voice, she burst into tears.
Richard looked around for whoever had knocked over the soda display, but they were already surrounded by curious onlookers, and the culprit had long since disappeared.
Store employees rushed over, checking Richard and Olivia for injuries while repeatedly apologizing.
"We're so sorry—this was clearly a problem with our display setup. Do you need to go to the hospital for an examination?"
The store manager grew nervous when he realized a child was involved.
Isabella comforted Olivia while Richard spoke gently to the manager, "You might want to secure these displays better in the future—it could have been much worse if a child had been hit."
Even though he was the most injured person, Richard was still thinking of others.
He didn't demand any compensation from the store, simply offering his advice before wanting to continue shopping with Isabella.
"Your groceries today are on the house—we're truly sorry for causing such trouble," the manager offered as compensation.
Richard nodded in acceptance.
"Does it hurt a lot, Mr. Spencer?" Olivia wiped her teary eyes in Isabella's arms, carefully reaching out to check on Richard's condition.
Richard's lips curved into a smile. "Thank goodness you're safe—otherwise, your mom would be blaming herself all evening."
Richard had clearly observed how much Isabella cherished Olivia.
His earlier actions had been pure instinct—protecting the child without a second thought.
Olivia sniffled and declared generously, "I'll share half my favorite chocolate with you, Mr. Spencer!"
For a child, offering to share her favorite treats was the ultimate expression of affection.
Richard chuckled again, gently pinching Olivia's cheek. "Perfect, I'd love to try Olivia's favorite chocolate. Maybe Julia would like it too."
Isabella quickly selected the remaining ingredients and headed to checkout with her cart.
Richard automatically took both heavy grocery bags from Isabella's hands, and the three of them walked home chatting and laughing.
Just as they stepped out of the elevator, Isabella looked up to meet William's cold, brooding gaze.
He stood at her front door, one hand in his pocket, the other gripping his phone.
"Why didn't you tell me Olivia was being discharged?" William asked, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
He'd just gone to the hospital to visit Olivia, only to find the room empty. After asking around at the nurses' station, he discovered Isabella had already taken Olivia home.
As the child's biological father, he was apparently the last person to know about Olivia's discharge!
William's fury was barely contained, especially when he spotted Richard. The sight made his anger surge even higher.
His gaze swept to the grocery bags in Richard's hands—full to the brim with food and snacks.
The three of them stood together, even their surprised expressions perfectly matched, as if they were the real family here.
William's rage intensified, ready to explode at any moment, burning through his chest like fire.
"What business is Olivia's discharge of yours?" Isabella asked calmly.
William had never been a qualified father. Since discovering his affair, Isabella had stopped expecting him to fulfill any paternal responsibilities.
His inappropriate appearance here, along with his misplaced accusations, would only hurt Olivia emotionally.
That was the last thing Isabella wanted to see.
"I'm Olivia's biological father. We're not divorced yet. Legally speaking, I'm still your husband. Caring about you both is my responsibility and my obligation!"
Every word William spoke came out rigid and harsh, hitting Isabella's heart like hammers.
"I see," Isabella replied flatly.
William's eyes nearly burned crimson, Isabella's attitude stoking his anger even higher.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what I said." Isabella pulled out her keys. "Olivia and I don't need your concern. Focus on Laura and Nathan instead—and maybe keep them from constantly harassing us."
With that, Isabella found her house key and prepared to unlock the door.
The moment she extended her hand, William grabbed her wrist tightly.
"Do you even remember that you're Olivia's mother?"
Isabella looked genuinely puzzled, stepping back while using her other hand to pry William's fingers from her wrist.
"Are you insane?" Isabella asked, frowning.
She could understand each word William spoke, but strung together, they made absolutely no sense.
William's brow was dark with fury, his eyes cold as they fixed on Isabella.
"Don't forget you have a child. Getting tangled up with Richard—what kind of example are you setting for Olivia? We're not divorced yet, but you're already with Richard. What kind of values does that teach her?"
Isabella's frown deepened.
After a moment, her expression smoothed, and she let out a derisive laugh.
"Mr. Montagu, do I need to remind you which one of us is actually at fault in this marriage? Have you forgotten that Laura is your mistress? What gives you the right to stand there so righteously and accuse me of teaching Olivia wrong values?"
"Should we check the hospital security footage to see exactly what Nathan said to my face?"
Who exactly was corrupting the children here? Isabella was beyond tired of debating these points with William.
"Since you're so concerned about this situation, why don't we just make it simple? Sign the divorce papers so neither of us has to affect the other. Wouldn't that be better?"