Chapter 41 The Bold Mistress

George thought, 'I need to handle Joseph and the Young Group.'

Checking his watch, George got ready to head home from work.

At Spencer Manor, Thalia was chatting away, keeping Patricia company in the sun.

When George arrived, Thalia happily grabbed his arm. "George, you're home early. Is it because Isabella's not here that you're in such a good mood?"

George frowned at Thalia. Patricia smiled and said, "George, come sit with me for a bit."

George sat down next to Patricia.

"George, Isabella's pregnant. You shouldn't let her be so reckless. There's no one to look after her. What if something happens?" Patricia said, a bit reproachfully.

George didn't correct her about Isabella not being pregnant. He just said calmly, "She's just taking a break. She'll be back in a few days."

"George, you spoil her too much. She's forgotten her place," Thalia said disdainfully.

"If I don't spoil my wife, should I spoil you?" George snapped.

Thalia felt hurt. "George, you used to care about me the most. Now that you're married, you don't care about me at all. Are you still my brother?"

"Someone else will care for you in the future," George said, standing up. "Don't mess with Isabella. Got it?"

"Aunt Patricia, look at George..." Thalia whined.

Patricia advised, "Isabella is the young mistress of the Spencer family. You need to be sensible."

"Aunt Patricia, even you don't care about me anymore?"

"It's not that. Damon said you should go home for a few days. Visit your parents," Patricia said.

Thalia didn't want to go home. She had grown up in the Spencer family and had little affection for Damon. Her stepmother, who had married in when Thalia was very young, was someone Thalia disliked.

"I'm not going back. That's not my home. Why should I go back?" Thalia said angrily.

Meanwhile, Isabella, Elodie, and Colin were in the yard, enjoying a barbecue and drinks.

"I haven't felt this relaxed in a long time. This is the most chill day I've had since I married into the Spencer family," Isabella thought.

"Isabella, can I move in with you? Your place is so big and spacious," Elodie said, leaning on Isabella's shoulder.

Isabella patted her head. "As long as your mom agrees, you can come anytime."

Elodie's face fell. 'Brenda is very strict. She doesn't let me stay out, and if I'm even a few minutes late, she freaks out,' Elodie thought.

"My mom won't agree."

"Finish eating and go home early, so your mom doesn't worry," Isabella said.

Colin had been quiet and distracted. Isabella and Elodie exchanged a glance and then looked at him. "Colin, is something on your mind?"

"No, nothing."

"Tell us, maybe we can help," Isabella said.

Colin looked up at them, then lowered his head with a bitter smile. "It's family stuff."

"Family stuff?" Isabella and Elodie wanted to help Colin but felt it was rude to pry.

Colin awkwardly smiled. "It's not a big deal. My dad messed around and got someone pregnant. Now, that woman wants him to marry her. My dad probably doesn't want to, so she went to my mom and made her sick."

Isabella and Elodie were shocked. "What a bold mistress," they thought.

"What does your dad think?" Isabella asked.

"My dad doesn't want a divorce, but my mom can't get over it. They built everything together. She never thought he'd betray her," Colin sighed, looking disappointed and helpless.

Isabella thought, 'Men are all the same. When they have no money, they behave. Once they have money, they stray. Colin's dad is like this, and so is Lucas.'

"Colin, you need to step up for your family. Your mom's counting on you. If you can't give her a sense of security, what hope does she have?" Isabella's words hit Colin hard. He nodded. "I understand."

At ten o'clock, Elodie and Colin left.

Isabella tidied up the yard and went back to her room.

The empty room always brought back childhood memories, especially Hazel's death.

'I can't imagine the courage Hazel had to jump from the nearly 400-foot-high World Trade Building. I was only ten. I didn't understand why Hazel abandoned Oliver and me, or why Lucas, who loved her so much, couldn't stop her. Maybe Hazel found out Lucas had another woman. With her temperament, she would have tried to bring Lucas back for Oliver and me. But Lucas must have disappointed her, so Hazel chose to end her life? It doesn't make sense. Hazel was rational. If the relationship couldn't be saved, she wouldn't cling to it or torment herself. She wouldn't leave Oliver and me, especially since Oliver's illness was her biggest concern. She wouldn't act impulsively.'

Isabella had a bold thought. 'What if Hazel's death wasn't a suicide but a murder?'

This thought sent a chill down her spine.

The doorbell rang, making her tremble. She snapped back to reality and looked towards the door. 'Who would come so late?'

"Who is it?" she called out.

No one answered.

Isabella turned on the yard light. "This neighborhood is very safe, and it's hard for outsiders to get in. Who would come knocking at my door in the middle of the night?"

For safety, Isabella grabbed a baseball bat and walked outside.

The doorbell kept ringing.

As she opened the door, she raised the bat over her head.

"It's me," George said in a low voice.

Isabella finally saw George clearly. "Why are you here?"

"I was worried, so I came to check on you." George pushed the door open and walked in, locking the gate. "Put the bat down. Aren't you tired holding it up?"

"Did you come all this way just to see if I'm safe?" Isabella thought it was unnecessary. "Or are you checking if there's a man here?"