Chapter 468 Small Gathering

Chapter 468 Small Gathering

When Lucy saw Kenna's name pop up on her phone, she quickly made a shushing gesture and looked at Isabella with eager anticipation, like a puppy begging for a treat.

As soon as Isabella answered, Kenna's distinct, brisk voice came through. "Isabella, are you back in Silvercrest?"

"Yeah, I got back last night. I haven't had a chance to tell you yet. How'd you know? Did you run into Michael?" Isabella replied.

Kenna paused for a moment before responding, "Yeah, I bumped into him. Since you're back, let's catch up. It's been a while."

"Sure, sure," Lucy eagerly whispered, trying to answer for Isabella.

Isabella quickly gave her a look to keep quiet. But Kenna had already heard and couldn't help but laugh. "Is Lucy with you?"

"Yeah, she's here. She was just saying she wanted to have dinner with you and was pestering me to set it up," Isabella said, sounding a bit exasperated.

Kenna laughed heartily. "Lucy has asked me out a few times, but I've been too busy to meet up. She probably thinks I'm avoiding her on purpose."

"Alright, you pick the place. We're free and can come meet you," Isabella said promptly.

After hanging up, Kenna quickly sent the address to Isabella's phone.

Isabella turned to Lucy and warned, "Kenna isn't avoiding you; she's just really busy. When we see her, don't say anything out of line."

Lucy nodded earnestly. "Got it. I just want to see her to tell her I'm planning to take a break from school and work at her company."

Isabella looked at Lucy in surprise. "You haven't even graduated yet. Why would the Jackson Group hire you? You should finish college first."

"Isabella, you put too much stock in a degree," Lucy scoffed. "Is a college diploma really that important? Austin didn't graduate, and he's about to take over the company. If he can do it, why can't I? College doesn't teach you how to work. I can learn on the job."

Isabella sighed and corrected her, "Austin is the heir to the Jackson Group. He's going to be the boss. If you join the Jackson Group, you'll be an employee, and regular employees don't get to see the boss."

Lucy fell silent, stubbornly following Isabella without another word, but it was clear she hadn't given up.

Sure enough, as soon as they met Kenna, Lucy brought up the topic.

Without hesitation, Kenna bluntly refused, "No way. Austin is becoming the boss; it's his destiny. You haven't even graduated. The Jackson Group isn't a charity that takes in just anyone."

Her words were even harsher than Isabella's, leaving Lucy devastated and teary-eyed.

Kenna wasn't swayed by her tears and sternly said, "Crying won't help. Finish college first. Our company requires at least a master's degree. You're an art student who hasn't even graduated. Don't even think about it. Austin may not be in school, but he's still learning. I've arranged for him to study business management. The Jackson Group's heir can't be a dropout."

Lucy's eyes lit up, quickly wiping her tears and trying to butter up Kenna. "Kenna, I can learn too. I can study with Austin. Let me join him."

"No way. Austin needs to grow quickly, and you can't slow him down," Kenna firmly refused.

Isabella couldn't help but give Kenna a discreet thumbs-up.

"I need to use the restroom," Lucy said, holding back tears as she left to compose herself and think of a way to deal with the tough Kenna.

"Don't mind her. Lucy's young and doesn't understand," Isabella quickly explained after Lucy left.

Kenna waved it off. "Don't worry, I won't hold it against a kid."

Then she took Isabella's hand and asked with concern, "Lucy was here, so I didn't ask earlier. You've lost so much weight in just a few days. What happened?"

Isabella sighed and gave a bitter smile. "A lot has happened since I left. It feels like ages ago. It's a long story."

"Then take your time. We're not in a rush," Kenna said, pouring her a glass of lemon water.

Isabella took a small sip and, without looking up, said in a low voice, "Kenna, I lost my baby."

Kenna was stunned, dropping her glass, spilling water everywhere. She didn't bother to clean up and quickly grabbed Isabella's hand. "What happened?"

Tears streamed down Isabella's face. Though some time had passed, she thought she had come to terms with it and wouldn't be as heartbroken as she was initially. But she had overestimated her resilience and underestimated the impact of the loss. No matter how much time passed, thinking about the baby still caused her heart to ache, like reopening a wound.

"Isabella, why are you crying?" Lucy asked, surprised to see Isabella's red eyes when she returned.

Isabella had finished telling Kenna and quickly forced a smile. "It's nothing. I accidentally ate a hot pepper."

"Give it to me! I love spicy food. Kenna, you only ordered mild dishes. My mouth is bored," Lucy said excitedly.

Kenna immediately scolded her, "Isabella was crying from the spice, so I had it taken away. If you want it, I'll have it brought back, but you have to finish it. No leaving until you do."

"I don't want it anymore," Lucy said, quickly covering her mouth, making Kenna and Isabella laugh.

As they were leaving after dinner, Kenna called out to Isabella. "I thought about it and decided I need to tell you something. This is between the two of you, and he shouldn't bear it alone. I'm not saying this because I feel sorry for him, but because you're married, and you should face things together."

"What is it?" Isabella asked, curious.

"I visited a relative at the nursing home today and saw Michael. He was kneeling outside his grandfather's room. I didn't know why at first, but after seeing you, I realized it must be because of the baby."