Chapter 23 So Stingy

"What did you say? No money? If you can't pay, then drop out. I'll call the police if you don't. You have to pay up," Anouk snapped.

"I'm not dropping out. Sierra's the one bullying me. Can't you control your own daughter? What kind of mother are you?" Isabella yelled back.

"You little brat, just wait," Anouk fumed.

One chased, the other ran, circling around George.

Owen was pacing nearby when George shouted, "Stop!"

Anouk, out of breath, said, "Why are you yelling? Aren't you all in this together? You pay for her."

George, looking stern, walked over to Owen and said, "I'll cover Sierra's hospital bills. Compensation will be determined legally, not a penny more."

He glanced at Anouk, then at Isabella, and said, "Once the compensation is settled, Sierra needs to sign a waiver. No more trouble. Owen, you handle the punishment for both of them."

Owen, sweating, replied, "Got it."

As George and Isabella were about to leave, Anouk tried to stop them, but Owen held her back, saying, "Anouk, Isabella will cover Sierra's medical expenses. Go to the hospital and get the treatment she needs. We'll work out the compensation details later."

Isabella followed George out of the principal's office.

She had heard George and Owen's conversation clearly. Paying for medical expenses was unavoidable, and the compensation wouldn't be small.

"Since you agreed to compensate Sierra, you'll be the one paying, right?" Isabella asked George.

George stopped and looked back at her. "If you want to drop out, you don't have to pay."

"Why are you like this? I mean, if you pay, I'll be grateful," Isabella said.

"It's not for free. You have to pay me back," George said as he opened the car door and got in. Isabella stood outside, a bit annoyed, saying, "You're really stingy."

George snorted and drove away from the school.

Hearing that Isabella had been called to the principal's office, Elodie rushed over, seeing Isabella staring at the car's taillights.

"I heard Sierra's mom came. She didn't do anything to you, did she?" Elodie asked, concerned.

Isabella shook her head weakly. "No, she's just after money."

"Sierra's almost healed, and they still want money?" Elodie asked angrily.

"If I don't pay, I'll have to drop out," Isabella sighed.

"They really don't give up easily. How much does she want? Do you need me to help you out with some money?" Elodie offered.

"George will probably help me pay," Isabella said.

Elodie scoffed, "What's he going to pay for? He's practically a vegetable. He can't even take care of himself. You'd be better off asking your mother-in-law. She wouldn't let you suffer this injustice."

Isabella looked at Elodie and said slowly, "George is awake."

"George is awake?" Elodie was shocked, her eyes wide.

"Yeah."

"That's great! Then he should help you pay. You're his wife, after all," Elodie said happily.

Isabella walked along, shaking her head weakly. "He said I have to pay him back."

"He's so cheap, counting every penny. Does he want to divorce you?"

Isabella had thought about this, even when George was still unconscious. If he wanted a divorce, she could handle it.

"A divorce isn't out of the question," Isabella said, frustrated.

"What will you do then?" Elodie asked.

Isabella took a deep breath. "If it comes to that, we'll divorce. There's no real connection between us. It's a marriage of convenience. No one likes it. Besides, I'm just a country girl, not good enough for someone like him, right?"

"Did George say that?" Elodie asked.

"No," Isabella said, lowering her thick eyelashes to hide her eyes.

"Marriage isn't something you can just enter and leave easily. Even if it comes to a divorce, you should fight for your own interests." Elodie thought that if a marriage wasn't about love, it should be about money. Getting a large sum wouldn't be a loss.

"We'll see when we get there," Isabella said.

"You haven't had sex, right?"

Isabella glared at her. "He just woke up and is still indifferent to me. How could he be in the mood for that?"

"And you?"

"What about me?"

"Do you want to have sex? Haven't you made a move?"

Isabella really wanted to sew Elodie's mouth shut. "Even if I like him, I'm not gonna force it. I still got some self-respect."

"True. I heard George had a bad temper before he got hurt. You should be careful."

Isabella was annoyed. "Let's not talk about him. After class, let's go eat. My treat."

"Sure," Elodie said.

After class, as Isabella and Elodie walked out of the school gate, they saw the luxury car that often came to pick up Isabella.

"I thought John wouldn't come to pick me up. We'll have to reschedule. I'll go first," Isabella said.

Elodie waved goodbye to Isabella.

As usual, Isabella opened the back door and got in.

But this time, George was sitting in the back seat.

She was startled and asked, "Did you come specifically to pick me up?"

"Yes, specifically," George said, raising his hand as the driver started the car slowly.

Isabella guessed that Patricia had probably asked him to come and bond with her.

At an intersection, the driver got out, and George moved to the driver's seat. He looked back at Isabella and said, "Sit in the front."

Isabella hesitated, then opened the back door and sat in the passenger seat.

He leaned over to fasten her seatbelt, making Isabella very nervous, her lips tightly pressed together.

"Are we going home?" Isabella asked.

"No, I'm taking you somewhere," George said, expressionless.

Isabella responded, "Okay."

George wasn't much of a talker, and Isabella had nothing to say either. Fortunately, the car ride wasn't very long, and they soon turned into a club. It was quiet and elegant here, with luxury cars lined up in the parking lot.

After parking, George walked inside. Isabella stood still, unsure if she should follow.

Seeing that Isabella hadn't followed, George walked back a few steps, holding her hand, and led her inside.

Isabella had held George's hand before, but back then he was in a vegetative state, allowing her to play around freely, even trimming his nails for him. Now things were different. George was fully conscious, and it seemed like even the temperature of his palm had risen significantly.