Chapter 9 Unavoidable Tension

Amber's back also turned cold. "Brother, I really haven't done anything... This matter has nothing to do with me."

"How did Grace find out?" he asked. "Besides you, who else has such a big mouth?"

"Brother, I swear I didn't say a word," Amber pleaded innocence.

"You are the only one who has seen Isabella," Sebastian said. "Isn't that right?"

Amber sincerely asked, "Brother, think again. Aside from me, there must be someone else who has seen our sister-in-law, right? Like... Joshua?"

Joshua? Sebastian thought.

Sebastian remembered, Joshua happened to be present during the blind date with Isabella.

Seeing her brother's expression relax a bit, Amber added hesitantly, "Brother, you should consider, besides me, there must be someone else who has seen sister-in-law, right? Like... Joshua?"

Immediately, Amber said, "You see, brother, it wasn't me, it was definitely that troublemaker Joshua."

Sebastian glanced at her and waved his hand. Amber grabbed his bag and slipped away. "Oh, by the way," as he reached the exit of the living room, Amber turned around, "brother, there is a family banquet tonight and grandfather specifically requested your and Second Sister-in-law's presence."

"Amber!" She stuck her tongue out, "I admit, this time it was indeed me who spilled the beans. Brother, Second Sister-in-law, be there at seven tonight, no excuses!"

Now, Isabella was at a loss. William Lawrence, Sebastian's grandfather, requested to see her at Lawrence Family banquet tonight!

"Shall we..." Isabella look at Sebastian, "shall we go tonight?"

"Yes, why wouldn't we?" was Sebastian’s cold response.

"But... I'm not ready yet." Isabella tried to explain.

Sebastian asked her, "What do you need to prepare?"

"For my first meeting with the elders, I should bring a gift to show my sincerity."

Sebastian looked at the butler and said, "Did you hear that?" was his command.

"Yes, Mr. Lawrence, madam," the butler bowed slightly towards Sebastian and then to Isabella. "I will prepare it right away." With that the butler turned to leave and start making preparations.

"Let the butler handle it... It will make me seem insincere." Was Isabella’s worry.

"Do you have any other excuses? Tell me all at once," Sebastian pulled out a cigarette and played with it between his fingers, taking his time to light it "Let me hear."

Alright, he saw through her...

"Just go then!" Isabella took a deep breath and said, "I'll go choose clothes and put on makeup."

She got up and walked towards him, he looked up, and without hesitation, he reached out and pulled her into his embrace. Isabella fell onto his lap.

"An ugly daughter-in-law has to meet her parents-in-law," Sebastian held her waist, "If you can handle this time, there will be future times."

"You're the ugly one! They are lucky to have such a beautiful daughter-in-law like me. Can't you say anything nice?" Isabella retorted.

Although Isabella couldn't be described as stunning, she had always heard praises since she was young. No one had ever called her ugly; at the very least, she was considered a graceful beauty.

"Are you angry?" Sebastian leaned closer, his nose gently touching hers, "Let me guess, are you angry because of the word 'ugly' or because you're still holding onto what Grace said?"

"Both!"

"Didn't you say you weren't bullied?"

"What if she did bully me?"

Sebastian responded confidently, "It's impossible."

His tone exuded innate confidence and certainty. Isabella was taken aback and asked

"Why is it impossible? If I hadn't reacted quickly, my face would have been scratched by her, and I wouldn't be able to go to the Lawrence family tonight."

"If you still haven't learned to protect yourself, then you would truly be foolish." Sebastian tapped his fingers on her forehead twice. "Do you really expect me to rush to your aid every time you encounter difficulties?"

Isabella was speechless.

"I'll be watching from the second floor," he whispered, "I won't let anything happen to you."

In that moment, Isabella suddenly understood the true meaning of having someone's support.

Even if he wasn't present, he could still be her strongest backing, protecting and cherishing her, while she could freely be herself, even audacious and domineering.

Isabella smiled and asked him, "I understand now. If a similar situation occurs in the future, I should handle it like I did today, right?"

"Yes. However, you can be a little more ruthless. For example, replace the ice water with hot water."

"Aren't you afraid of offending people?"

Sebastian also laughed and lifted her chin, "In all of New York... it seems there is no one I can't offend."

"But Miss Turner truly cares for you with all her heart, sincerely and deeply. It's not very nice of you to hurt her," Isabella said.

"Hurting her heart is still better than hurting Mrs. Lawrence's heart”

Isabella looked at Sebastian, her eyes filled with admiration. "You truly have a way with words," she said. "I almost fell for it, my dear husband."

"You're not satisfied?" he asked.

"If I were a naive young girl, today, I would have been deceived by you," Isabella smiled sweetly, her eyes twinkling. "It's clear that you wanted to use me to break Grace's pursuit of you, yet you spoke so nobly."

She was the one who caused the trouble, and now she was the one who was offended.

But what did Sebastian do?

He simply stood up for "Mrs. Lawrence".

In doing so, he had left no room for criticism from the Turner family, and all of Grace's hatred was directed towards Isabella. He had nothing to do with it.

While Isabella applied her makeup, she searched her memory desperately for the little fragments of knowledge about the Lawrence family, she had.

Unlike the prestigious Wallace family that had a history of centuries, the Lawrence family was originally known for their literary accomplishments.

However, more recently in Sebastian's generation, they achieved great success in business ventures and became the leading conglomerate in New York, covering real estate, consumer goods, and currently preparing to enter the entertainment industry.

As for the members of the Lawrence family, Amber was Sebastian's sister, and there was also an older brother above them.

Amber was quite easy to get along with, and if she didn't understand something, she could ask her privately.

After finishing her makeup, Isabella passed by the study and heard Sebastian's voice from the slightly ajar door, "Alright, I'll come over tonight."

Soon after, hurried footsteps approached, and the study door opened.

Seeing Isabella, Sebastian's expression noticeably darkened, "What are you doing?"

"Just passing by," she answered, "But I heard your last sentence. You said you're going over tonight."

Sebastian's expression became even worse.

"Where are you going? Aren't you going to the Lawrence family?" Isabella asked, "Do you have something more important?"

"Yes."

"What about the Lawrence family..."

"I will handle it," Sebastian stared at her, "You stay at Willow-brook Estate and don't go anywhere."

"I can't leave until you come back?"

"Yes."

"How long are you going to be gone?"

Sebastian paused for a moment, "I will come back as soon as possible."

"But..." she asked, "What if I want to go to the hospital to see my grandmother?"

"The butler will arrange for a nurse."

Isabella nodded her understanding "Alright."

He withdrew his gaze and turned to leave, "Next time, don't come near the study."

"And next time, please remember to close the door if you don't want me to hear," she added.

Sebastian paused in his steps and then quickly descended the stairs. Isabella stood in the hallway, a hint of resignation and self-mockery slowly forming on her lips.

However, what could possibly have happened that would make Sebastian ignore the Lawrence family banquet, betraying the trust of the Lawrence family and hastily rushing off?

She turned and walked towards the master bedroom when her phone rang.

"Hello, Dad."

"Isabella, what's going on with your sister? How is she..."

"You should ask your confidante about that." Isabella interrupted him. "Dad, Sharon is getting married to the person Aunt Judy introduced me to initially."

Mr. Wallace was taken aback. "What?"

"She didn't tell you, Dad. Well, now I'm telling you. Do you have anything else to say?"

"I, well..."

"I have things to attend to." Isabella wearily lowered her eyes. "I'm hanging up."

"Wait, Isabella. I also heard that you married the second young master of the Lawrence family. How did I not know about this?"

"You should have found out about my marriage at the same time you found out about Sharon's impending marriage. But when you called, you asked about Sharon first, and then about me. Dad, I'm your biological daughter, am I not?"

"Isabella, don't read too much into it. Sharon's situation is urgent. If we don't handle it..."

"I can't do anything. If you want to save her, go find Sebastian yourself."

After saying this, Isabella hung up the phone without hesitation.