Chapter 139 This Was A Taboo Subject

Chapter 139 This Was A Taboo Subject

Adrian sneered, "Confidence is great and all, but too much of it can bite you."

Thalia shot back, "Mind your own business. Do you really think we can't tell you're sucking up to Isabella?"

Adrian felt a bit exposed and embarrassed. "You're talking nonsense."

"George has been fuming for a while now. And sure, Isabella's pretty, but she's got a kid. You're really not picky, huh?" Thalia slapped her forehead. "Oh, right, you're into that type."

Adrian glared at Thalia. "You!"

"What? Memory failing you? Forgot about that older woman?"

Thalia was talking about Adrian's ex, a woman ten years older, divorced, with a kid. They dated for three years until she remarried her ex-husband.

That relationship left Adrian pretty messed up. Bringing it up made him both sad and angry.

This was a sore spot for Adrian, and he lost it. He slapped Thalia, the sound echoing through the room. Everyone turned to stare at them.

Thalia's face had five clear finger marks, and she was both hurt and humiliated. "Adrian, you actually hit me. Just wait, I'll tell Dad and he'll deal with you."

Thalia ran off crying, and Adrian, feeling just as humiliated, quickly followed her.

Patricia looked worriedly in their direction and asked George, "What happened? Why are they fighting?"

George didn't budge. "Let them sort out their own sibling drama."

Patricia figured that made sense; they weren't kids anymore, so she didn't step in.

After the guests left, Patricia went to rest.

Isabella went upstairs to take off her makeup. From the mirror, she glanced at George, who was sitting on the bed.

"George," she called.

George looked up. "What?"

"Do you know why Adrian and Thalia were fighting?"

"They argue over anything, and they've been doing it since they were kids."

Isabella raised an eyebrow. So, it had been like this forever. "I'm not trying to badmouth her, but someone really needs to rein Thalia in. She always talks nonsense and spreads rumors."

George seemed off today, and maybe Thalia had been stirring the pot.

Seeing George stay silent, Isabella switched topics. "I met with Gregory today."

He looked up. "What did he say?"

"My mom didn't commit suicide; she was pushed down the stairs during a fight with Donna. He saw it himself." Isabella turned to look at George. "Now that we have a witness, I want the case reopened, so I asked the lawyer to handle it."

"That's great. People who commit crimes shouldn't get away with it."

Isabella had been swamped with all these issues lately. "And about the shares, I'm planning to go to the Jones Group tomorrow."

"Do you know who's running the Jones Group now?" he suddenly asked.

Isabella shook her head; she hadn't checked. "Who?"

"A young guy named Clayton Reynolds. Remember his dad, Andrew Reynolds? Lester thought the world of him when he was alive."

Isabella hadn't heard of him, but if Lester liked him, it might help with the share mess. "So, you think he'll help me out?"

George gave her a look. "Not a chance."

"Why not?" Isabella was puzzled.

"Andrew was someone Lester valued, sure. But after Lester died, Lucas wanted him on his team the most. Everyone's got a price."

Isabella got it. "So, you're saying getting the shares back won't be a walk in the park?"

"I'm just saying Clayton's a lot sneakier than his dad. Don't fall for his smooth talk." George, being the savvy businessman he was, gave Isabella some solid advice.

Isabella sighed. "Dealing with a sly guy like that is exhausting just to think about."

"Take your time. I'll be here to help." He rubbed her head affectionately.

Isabella hugged his waist. "Thanks."

To make sure Isabella wasn't alone at the Jones Group, George drove her to the entrance and had Caleb go in with her. It made her feel a bit more at ease.

"If anything goes down, call me. Don't go head-to-head with them, got it?" George's instructions sounded more like a plea.

Isabella nodded. "Got it."

George then looked at Caleb. "Take good care of her."

Caleb nodded. "Don't worry, Mr. Spencer."

Isabella took a deep breath and walked towards the Jones Group, with Caleb right behind her. She'd been here once as a kid, back when it was called the Neville Group, a place full of happy memories.

The company looked the same, but it felt different. As soon as she stepped into the lobby, she was stopped. The receptionist asked, "Can I help you?"

"I am here for Clayton," Isabella said.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"Tell him it's Isabella."

The receptionist looked a bit unsure but picked up the phone and dialed an extension. Soon, she stepped out from behind the desk and invited Isabella and Caleb to proceed, "Mr. Reynolds will see you now."

Clayton showed up, not very tall, medium build, looking all scholarly. He smiled warmly before speaking, giving off a gentle vibe. If George hadn't warned her, she might've been fooled by his nice-guy act.

"Ms. Neville, you should've called ahead. I would've personally welcomed you. Please, come in." Clayton led Isabella to the meeting room, personally brewed coffee, and handed it to her. "We met once when we were kids. Do you remember?"

Isabella gently blew on the coffee and took a sip. "I don't remember."

"That's understandable; you were really young then."

After sipping the coffee, she set it aside and looked up at Clayton. "Clayton, I'm here today about the share transfer. My lawyer should've informed you a few days ago."

"Yes, your lawyer has frozen the shares. Technically, these shares were meant for you from Lester, so there's no dispute. However, they did go through another process, meaning the actual shares are under Lucas's name. And Lucas's will doesn't mention you in the share distribution, so..."