Chapter 30 The Unpredictability of Human Nature

Isabella thought Sierra was nuts and didn't bother arguing.

But Sierra wouldn't let it go. "Isabella, you really like bald old men, huh? You just brushed off hitting someone like it was nothing. You're unbelievable."

"Thank your mom for that. If she hadn't taken the money and signed the waiver, do you think I'd be off the hook? That money didn't come for free. Stop acting all high and mighty," Isabella said calmly.

"What money? Why don't I know about this? Isabella, explain," Sierra demanded.

Isabella shrugged her off, adjusted her collar, and gave her a disdainful look. "Ask your mom. I'm not your mom."

"Isabella, explain it to me!" Sierra stomped her foot.

On her way back, Isabella called Patricia, saying she'd stay at school for the next half month. Patricia disagreed, insisting John would pick her up no matter how late it was.

Isabella doubted Patricia was worried about her well-being; she probably just didn't want Isabella to cheat.

Isabella scoffed. 'He could cheat, but I couldn't.'

When she got back to The Spencer Manor, she heard laughter from a distance.

Laughter that clear was rarely heard in the Spencer household.

She quickened her pace and saw Patricia talking to a young girl, eyes full of affection.

'George's sister? I didn't know he had a sister. Who is this girl?' Isabella wondered.

"Patricia, I'm back," Isabella said with a smile, trying to look obedient.

Thalia glanced at Isabella with a haughty attitude. "Aunt Patricia, is this Isabella?"

"Patricia, I have to go back to school later."

"I'll have the kitchen make something quick. Eat before you go," Patricia said, signaling John to give orders.

"No need. I'll just have instant noodles," Isabella said.

"That's not good for your stomach," Patricia replied.

Thalia found Isabella's sensibility annoying. "Aunt Patricia, instant noodles won't hurt her. She's not a pampered princess."

Isabella said nothing and went upstairs.

Patricia looked at Thalia reproachfully. "You can't talk to Isabella like that."

Thalia pouted and hugged Patricia's arm. "Aunt Patricia, now that Isabella's here, you don't like me anymore. I'm so sad."

"Of course, I love you the most," Patricia said gently.

Thalia glanced upstairs with satisfaction. "Aunt Patricia, do you believe everything Isabella says? Don't you think something's off?"

"What do you mean?" Patricia asked.

"Have you ever thought she might have a man on the side?" Thalia was blunt.

'When George was unconscious, I considered that, but Isabella's activities seemed normal, so I didn't think much of it. Now that George is awake, she wouldn't dare,' Patricia thought.

"How could that be? It's impossible," Patricia said.

"Aunt Patricia, think about it. When George was unconscious, how did she get through that lonely time? With a man, of course," Thalia said confidently.

Patricia's brow furrowed slightly.

Thalia pressed on. "People like her are great at pretending to be pure. It's just a tactic. Don't be fooled."

Although Patricia thought Thalia's analysis made sense, her long-term understanding of Isabella told her that Isabella wasn't someone with a chaotic private life.

"You're overthinking it. She's not that kind of person," Patricia said.

"Then why is she going to school so late? I bet there's a man," Thalia insisted. "If you don't believe me, let's follow her and see what she's really up to."

"That's not right. If George finds out, he'll be angry," Patricia disagreed.

But Thalia persisted. "Aunt Patricia, we're doing this for George's sake."

Patricia wavered.

To prove Thalia wrong and clear Isabella's name, after John dropped Isabella off at school, Patricia and Thalia followed in another car.

On the way, Patricia kept second-guessing. "Thalia, this isn't right. Isabella is a good kid. She wouldn't do such a thing."

"Aunt Patricia, people are unpredictable. Her goodness might be an act."

"But as an elder, doing this feels wrong. No, I need to go back," Patricia said, about to tell the driver to turn around.

Thalia reassured her. "Aunt Patricia, even if Isabella isn't meeting a man, we can just say we were worried and came to check on her. She can't complain about that. Trust me."

So, after Isabella got out of John's car and walked into the school, Thalia and Patricia followed shortly after.

Isabella wanted to finish the part she hadn't completed today so she could start on another wall tomorrow. The school wasn't paying much, so the sooner she finished, the better.

When she went to the equipment room to get paint, she found Colin still there.

"Why are you still here?" Isabella asked.

Colin was also surprised to see Isabella back. "I wanted to mix the paint. Why are you back so late?"

"I had nothing else to do, so I thought I'd finish this part. Tomorrow we can start on the big wall and try to finish early," Isabella said.

Colin nodded and got ready to help. "I have nothing to do at home anyway. I'll paint with you. Two people can work faster."

"Great, let's try to finish early."

"Okay, Isabella."

Working together, they not only sped things up but also chatted and laughed, making the work more enjoyable.

But even such innocent chatting was seen as flirting by those with twisted minds.

"Aunt Patricia, I told you she was up to something. Do you believe me now?" Thalia's eyes were wide with excitement under the night lights.

Patricia was also shocked by the scene. "How could Isabella do such a thing?"

"She's obviously a repeat offender, Aunt Patricia. You can't let this slide," Thalia continued to egg Patricia on.

Under Thalia's instigation, Patricia walked up to Isabella and Colin.

Isabella was surprised to see her. "Patricia? What are you doing here?"