Chapter 56

Chapter 56

He held Isabella tighter and looked up at Amelia, his voice cold as ice.

"Amelia, watch what you say. She's my secretary, she's here with me. Her business is none of your concern. Besides, I'm the one who gave her this dress."

Amelia froze on the spot.

She had never received a gift from William, yet this bitch Isabella had received a dress from him.

What made this bitch Isabella so special?

Amelia gritted her teeth hard and immediately looked at Stanley with grievance.

"Stanley, look at William! He's yelling at me over an outsider. William and I grew up together, and this is how he treats me."

Stanley stepped forward, shielding Amelia behind him, and looked at William with a somewhat pressuring tone.

"William, Amelia is young and speaks bluntly. There's no need to take it so seriously. Also, bringing a secretary to the Martinez family's private party really isn't appropriate. After all, everyone here has a certain status."

His gaze fell on Isabella again, clearly warning her.

Isabella's heart started racing with panic.

If Saskia found out that the man she liked disliked her so much, Saskia would probably be even more upset.

William pulled Isabella further behind him and glanced at Stanley with displeasure.

"If the Martinez family's party doesn't allow guests to bring a date, then how about I leave right now with my date?"

As soon as William finished speaking, everyone gasped.

Was William really going head-to-head with Stanley over a female secretary?

Stanley and William usually had the best relationship, but now they were arguing over a woman. This was just too unbelievable.

Stanley's face instantly darkened. His gloomy gaze deliberately swept over Isabella.

"Ms. Taylor is quite impressive, to have Mr. Brown so enchanted. But some positions aren't for just anyone to covet. Ms. Taylor is a smart person; you should understand what I mean."

Isabella blinked, still looking confused, and nodded with a smile.

"Mr. Martinez is right. I've always followed the rules, just doing my job well. As for other things, I don't understand them."

She pretended not to understand while knowing full well, playing dumb to the end, neither confronting him nor accepting his warning. This left Stanley angry but unable to vent, so he could only snort coldly and say no more.

Isabella breathed a sigh of relief and looked at William beside her, her eyes full of gratitude.

If he hadn't stood up for her just now, she didn't know how much longer Amelia would have mocked her, or how she would have dealt with Stanley's sarcasm.

William always quietly gave her support when she was most embarrassed and helpless, shielding her from all the storms.

The party continued, with soft music flowing through the air, but Isabella no longer felt like staying.

People around her were still secretly watching and gossiping about her. Though they didn't dare mock her openly anymore, those probing, contemptuous looks made her uncomfortable.

She quietly looked up at William, who was making small talk, and said softly.

"Mr. Brown, I need to use the restroom."

William looked down at her, his eyes slightly darkening, as if he could see her discomfort. He nodded.

"Go ahead, come back soon, and don't wander off."

"Okay."

Isabella answered softly, carefully withdrew from his embrace, turned, and walked through the crowd toward the restroom.

She just wanted to find a quiet place to catch her breath and escape those suffocating stares and gossip.

The restroom at Sunset Vale Manor was extremely luxurious, with marble countertops, shiny mirrors, and fragrant diffusers. It was so quiet you could only hear the sound of running water.

Isabella stood at the sink, turned on the faucet, and let the cold water splash on her hands, calming her chaotic thoughts a bit.

She looked at herself in the mirror - her face still somewhat pale, her eyes hiding unresolved discomfort and insecurity. She sighed softly.

She knew there was a world of difference between her and William. He was a privileged son of heaven, while she was just an ordinary secretary. Between them, there could only ever be a boss-employee relationship.

She really shouldn't have any hopes.

Just as Isabella was about to dry her hands and leave the restroom, familiar voices came from the hallway outside.

Isabella stopped in her tracks and instinctively stayed behind the door without going out.

It was Amelia and Stanley's voices.

Amelia's voice carried heavy coquettishness and grievance, soft and clingy - her usual manner in front of Stanley.

"Help me, please. I really like William. I want to see him alone and talk to him properly. Can you set up a meeting for me?"

Amelia really did like William. In a way, Amelia did those crazy things for her own love.

Amelia's love for William was something she herself couldn't compare to.

After all, she only had some feelings for William at most, and to protect herself, she chose not to date William.

Essentially, she was selfish, and her thoughts were base.

Isabella looked through the crack in the door at the distant hallway.

Stanley's voice carried helplessness but was full of affection - after all, Amelia was his long-lost sister, and he couldn't bear to see her suffer any grievance.

"You just know how to pester me. William has a cold personality. You saw just now how protective he is of Isabella. He might not agree to see you alone."

"I don't care!"

Amelia stamped her foot, her tone both spoiled and stubborn.

"That Isabella is just a secretary, she's not good enough for William at all! William's interest in her is just temporary! Stanley, you're the Martinez family's son and his good friend. If you ask him, he'll definitely give you face. Just help me this once, please?"

She pulled on Stanley's arm, continuing to act cute.

"You care about me the most. I finally met someone I like, you can't help me. When William and I get together, I'll thank you properly!"

Stanley was silent for a moment. Thinking about how much Amelia had suffered since childhood, and now she just wanted to pursue someone she liked, he finally softened and sighed helplessly.

"Alright, I'll help you set it up. I'll find an excuse to ask William to discuss something alone, and then you can show up. Will that work?"

"Really? You're the best!"

Amelia was overjoyed and immediately hugged Stanley's arm, extremely happy.

"I knew you cared about me the most! Thank you!"

"Stop with that act," Stanley helplessly ruffled her hair, his tone becoming more serious.

"But remember, William isn't an ordinary person. Don't be too willful. If he's not willing, don't force it, understand?"

From the earlier situation, he could tell that William really did like Isabella.

If William truly liked Isabella, it wouldn't be appropriate for Amelia to bother him.

He said this, hoping Amelia would come to her senses in time.

After all, with Amelia's personality, she and William really weren't compatible.