Chapter 408 Not Particularly Optimistic About Isabella
The elders of the Howard family were engaged in a heated discussion.
"We should send someone to talk to Isabella, promise her an important position, and some resources. Whatever she wants, we'll try our best to satisfy her."
"Exactly. If she wants to become an elder, that's not out of the question."
Among the nobility, elders weren't selected based on age but on strength, so not all elders were old people. In some families, those with exceptional talent could become elders in their thirties or forties.
Listening to everyone talking at once below, Theron Howard sat in the family head's seat, his gaze sharp, fingers tapping on the table.
After a moment, he spoke coldly: "Isabella must serve the Howard family."
"If she can join the Howard family, we can protect her life."
"But after all, she's not a Howard family descendant. She can't become a core member of the Howard family. If she proves capable in the future, that's best. If not, we'll use her for research."
Actually, he wasn't particularly optimistic about Isabella.
Isabella had dared to bring such big trouble upon herself before even stepping into noble circles - he didn't know if she was stupid or just too young and arrogant.
The "research" Theron mentioned referred to studying someone who possessed both ancient martial arts and hypnotist genes.
The gene research lab partnering with the Howard family was currently dedicated to this area of research. Everyone knew that both ancient martial arts professionals and hypnotist identities were determined by inherited genes. For a hundred years, the belief had been that these two genes conflicted with each other, and during inheritance, one would randomly inherit one of the genes.
But Isabella was an exception.
So if they studied Isabella, perhaps through some experiments, they could modify genes, allowing future Howard family children to all be dual practitioners of ancient martial arts and hypnotism.
If that happened, even the seven great families, even the Powell family, would be no match for the Howard family.
For this reason, Theron could reluctantly accept Isabella.
Theron gave his orders: "Arabella, you should be familiar with Isabella. You'll represent the Howard family and inform her of this matter."
Arabella nodded, "Yes."
——
After leaving the Howard family castle, Arabella went to Radiant University.
Tomorrow was the day the Powell family would publicly reveal Gwyneth's daughter's identity. Because of this, Radiant University's classes have been suspended for the past few days.
Almost everyone was eagerly anticipating who Gwyneth's daughter was. Tonight would perhaps be a sleepless night for many, because the emergence of the Powell family heir often meant that the situation was about to change.
On her way to Radiant University, Arabella encountered quite a few people greeting her.
"Arabella, why are you coming to Radiant University at this hour?"
The Howard family ranked eighth among the nobility, and typically, the higher-ranking noble families had increasingly close relationships with the seven great families.
So Arabella's focus right now should be on attending the Powell family banquet tomorrow.
"I'm coming to Radiant University to pick something up," Arabella said casually.
Naturally, she didn't need to tell them that her real purpose in coming to Radiant University was to find Isabella.
Arabella knew where Isabella's dorm was and went straight there.
Although Radiant University had temporarily suspended classes, Isabella didn't need to attend tomorrow's banquet, so she had nothing to do. If Isabella hadn't gone home, then she should be at the villa dormitory.
Arabella arrived at Villa Dormitory 112 and, sure enough, saw that the door was open.
Standing at the doorway, she could see Isabella sitting on the sofa, holding a book and reading.
Isabella heard the noise at the door, glanced over, but showed no particular expression on her face.
"I know you. You're the student council president."
On her first day at Radiant University, she had beaten up Orville, and then Arabella had said she would tell Gabriella.
"What? Are you still holding a grudge?" Arabella smiled as she walked in, scanning the interior of the villa before finally settling her gaze on Isabella.
"Not really," Isabella said with a slight smile. "As student council president, you were just doing your job."
"Isabella, hello. Let me introduce myself properly. My name is Arabella, and I'm a core member of the Howard family," Arabella said.
"You're looking for me about something?" Isabella asked.
"I'm here to find you on behalf of the Howard family," Arabella said with a smile, somewhat condescending. "The Howard family elders and family head have unanimously decided to bring you into the Howard family, so you need to come back with me now."
Arabella felt that Isabella shouldn't have any reason to refuse.
Because, according to Garth, tomorrow was her death day.
As she understood it, the Hope family elder council had a total of eight elders, the oldest being 92 years old, the youngest 55, and the Hope family's Leandro was also a top-level hypnotist - all of them ruthless.
So if the Hope family elder council mobilized, Isabella would probably die miserably.
Although Isabella looked very calm now, she knew that Isabella was actually more nervous than anyone.
Isabella frowned at her. "I don't think I said I wanted to join the Howard family?"
So once nobles decided to do something, they didn't need to consult the person involved?
That was a bit domineering.
"I forgot to tell you," Arabella smiled, somewhat superior. "I only said half of it. Of course, the condition for you joining the Howard family is that we'll help you deal with Garth."
Before Isabella could say anything, Arabella crossed her arms and walked up to Isabella, continuing: "Our Hope family elder council has thirteen people, half of whom are stronger than those Hope family elders, so if you're one of the Howard family, Garth naturally wouldn't dare touch you."
As Arabella said this, her tone carried some pride and boasting.
If the Howard family's strength wasn't good, how could they possibly be a top ten noble family?
The Hope family is currently ranked eighteenth. Although it seemed like only a ten-place difference, eighth and eighteenth were ultimately not in the same league.
Arabella felt she had said everything she needed to say. She glanced at Isabella and urged, "The elders also said they're willing to protect you, so don't waste time. Come back with me now."
"No need," Isabella said in a low voice. "You don't need to protect me. I have my own way."
Arabella was stunned at these words, then her expression hardened. "You have a way?"
"What way could you possibly have?"
Facing the combined assassination of the Hope family's many elders and killers, no one could escape, right?
"Those so-called Hope family elders can't kill me," Isabella said.
Arabella looked at Isabella, and now couldn't help but narrow her eyes slightly.
After a long moment, she laughed. "Isabella, you're really interesting."
To actually say that the Hope family elders couldn't kill her?
Was she too full of herself?
Sure enough, she was too arrogant, thinking that just because she was a dual practitioner, she could look down on everyone!
Arabella shook her head somewhat disappointedly.
"You're quite tough, but sometimes, forced toughness doesn't bring you any real benefits."
"The Hope family elder council's ages add up to over a thousand years. Dealing with you is probably as simple as breathing."
"The only reason you're still alive now is because of what Brandon said at the Radiant University gate that day. The Hope family is giving the Powell family face by not daring to touch you these past few days."
"Once the Powell family's young lady's identity is announced tomorrow and things settle down, you'll die very soon."
Arabella was just stating facts.
If it were her, what she would do now is save her life - where there's life, there's hope.
But if it were her, she wouldn't be so stupid and impulsive, refusing to study properly and instead offending the Hope family, even daring to destroy Orville's foundation. If the Hope family didn't kill her, who would they kill?
"Whether I die or not is my business. You don't need to worry so much about me," Isabella retorted.
Arabella's expression stiffened at these words.
"Isabella, don't be so ungrateful." Arabella completely lost her patience for kind persuasion and said coldly, "If it weren't for the Howard family head's orders, do you think I'd want to come find you?"
"Since you can't figure it out yourself, then you can suffer the consequences!"
Arabella was completely fed up with Isabella.
Isabella had no real ability but thought she was so great. She couldn't be reasoned with - what was she thinking?
If Isabella wanted to die, no one could stop her.
Arabella couldn't be bothered to look at Isabella anymore and left in a huff.
——
Isabella watched Arabella's retreating figure, her eyes briefly focused, then looked away again after a moment.
Just then, her phone rang.
It was a call from Gwyneth.
"Ansley, are you at Radiant University?"
Gwyneth's voice was always very gentle, even on the phone. Of course, that was when talking to Isabella. With others, Gwyneth usually had too strong a presence, making people feel very pressured.
Isabella's tone was obedient: "Yes."
"Come back early. Mom has prepared a dress and jewelry for you. See if you like them."
"Okay, I'll come back right away."
However, she thought of something.
William had just called her about the Parker family matter.
Her biological brothers and her biological father seemed to still be looking for her and Gwyneth.
"Mom, don't you miss your husband?" Isabella asked.
"What?" Gwyneth was stunned, not catching on.
"I mean my dad, and your sons. They're all still in Lumaria," Isabella reminded her.
"Your dad?" Gwyneth suddenly understood. "I know, but I don't really remember these things."
After Gwyneth left the Parker family, she had lived alone with Isabella for seventeen years. First, it had been too long, and second, her memory was damaged. She didn't remember what happened at the Parker family at all, or even why she left the Parker family in the first place.
Isabella: "..."
"They seem to be looking for you. Do you want to see them?"
"No," Gwyneth smiled and said, "Having you is enough for me."
Since Gwyneth didn't want to, Isabella couldn't say much, only: "Mom, I'll always be with you."
Hearing this, Gwyneth was deeply moved.
She was truly the luckiest mother in the world to have such a lovely and thoughtful daughter.
Gwyneth increasingly felt that her husband and sons had no reason to exist.