Chapter 149
My question embarrassed her, and it was probably at this moment that she remembered—their home was the one I had forced them to give up as debt payment. Now they could only squeeze into a small room, surviving by selling the luxury goods they'd managed to bring with them.
She quickly lowered her head with a pained expression: "Yes, the house is gone, but as long as Mom and Dad are together, that's home, isn't it? Emma, your brother is still missing, and Sophia... you know her health has never been good. Since getting pregnant, she's been hospitalized several times. I know it's not appropriate to tell you this, but as long as the family is together, we can get through any hardship, right?"
I kindly reminded her, "That's your family, don't count me in. I live in a big mansion, drive luxury cars, and my fiancé is handsome, rich, and treats me well. My life couldn't be better."
Isabella let out a breath of relief and said. "Yes, seeing you doing well is what I want most. Emma, I know you hate us, but you're my child. How could I not care about you? You've always been so driven, wanting to do everything better than others, but Sophia is different from you..."
The smile on my face froze instantly, and I stared at her, the urge to throw her out hitting me hard in that moment.
She saw the change in my expression and quickly changed the subject: "I understand, you don't want to talk about her. It's not that I'm protecting her—one grew up by my side, one is my biological daughter. You're both my children. I hope you can get along. She wronged you, and I'll make her pay you back. Just say the word—whatever you want her to do, I'll pass it along."
I silently reminded myself that I was no longer Emma, and she was no longer my mother. There was no need to be hurt by her words.
Taking a deep breath, I put away the darkness on my face and looked at her with a smile: "You're saying whatever I say, you can make happen?"
Seeing a chance for things to work out, Isabella nodded eagerly: "Yes, as long as she can do it—no, as long as I can do it, you can ask for anything. I'll do my best to make sure she does it to your satisfaction."
I smiled and said, "That's easy. She sold me out, didn't she? I happen to have connections too. You need money now, and even though she's pregnant, she's pretty and innocent-looking—she might still fetch a good price. It's a two-for-one deal with the baby included. Some people have a taste for that. You don't need to consult her—just go back, and I'll send someone to collect the merchandise. What do you say?"
Isabella's face went pale, looking at me with fear: "What are you saying? That's human trafficking; it's illegal. How could you do such a thing?"
"Oh, so you know human trafficking is illegal?" I looked at her with a smile. "Then maybe sending Sophia to prison would be safer."
Isabella quickly said, "That's not what I meant. Emma, it's been three years. What's the point of bringing it up now? What matters is the present. You came back safe and sound, didn't you?"
I kept smiling: "I survived and came back through my own efforts. You have no right to forgive on my behalf. There are only two options: either you send Sophia back to prison, or you hand her over to me to sell. I promise I'll get you a good price. Otherwise, don't appear in front of me."
Isabella frowned at me, tears falling one by one: "Emma, you used to be such a kind child. How did you become like this?"
"I never said I was kind. Didn't you all used to call me vicious? You were right—I am vicious. That's why I came back to get revenge on you. Taking away the Brown Group is far from enough. Jasper won't come back, and Sophia will disappear sooner or later. Scared?"
I sat across from her, smiling, slowly leaning forward, satisfied to see her body trembling with fear.
Those few words were enough to leave her completely speechless.
After a long while, she stammered: "You mean... Jasper's disappearance has something to do with you?"
She wasn't stupid after all.
I just raised an eyebrow, saying nothing—neither confirming nor denying, letting her imagination run wild.
Isabella slowly stood up, looking at my face as if I were a complete stranger: "I should have thought of it earlier. You came back from Solstice, and he went to Solstice to contact Mr. Johnson—you must have arranged it all. Emma, what are you trying to do? Don't be rash—Jasper is your brother."
I laughed: "I don't have a brother who wishes I'd die again. Didn't he say he wanted me to kneel before him and beg someday? I'll show him who ends up kneeling. I'll make sure he doesn't even get the chance to kneel before me. Don't worry about the Brown family having no heir—take Sophia for a checkup. The one in her belly might be your only hope."
My words confused her: "What do you mean? Sophia's child... Sophia's child... are you saying..."
Her face went even paler. I didn't know if she was shocked that Sophia's baby was Jasper's, or disappointed at missing an opportunity to destroy the Lopez family.
I smiled brightly, pretending to be shocked as I covered my mouth: "You didn't know? That's really surprising. I thought you'd given your approval. If that's the case, this is a bit tricky. Does this mean you can't bear to send Sophia to prison or sell her?"
Isabella became incoherent: "That's impossible. Don't make things up. Jasper and Sophia are siblings. They've been close since childhood. It can't be. What good does it do you to slander them like this?"
I smiled, watching her lose her ability to think, and stood up to show her out: "You'd better hurry back and get to the bottom of this."
Isabella didn't linger. She stood up and quickly walked toward the exit. After a few steps, she stopped and looked back at me hesitantly: "Emma, I need to go back and ask first. Don't worry, I'll definitely give you a satisfactory answer."
She came in a hurry and left in a hurry. Watching her disappearing figure, I didn't know if I felt lost or disappointed. I shook my head with a bitter smile.
Oscar, who had been sitting nearby watching the show, and he didn't look surprised at all. Instead he just asked softly: "It's getting late. Let me make you something to eat."
I nodded at him: "Can you make tomato pasta?"
"No problem, just give me fifteen minutes." Oscar stood up and walked toward the kitchen.