Chapter 3 Birthday Fireworks

Isabella was floored by Michael's sudden outburst. Shocked, a wave of defiance surged through her. "Betray you? Seriously, Michael? Who was the first to trash our marriage?" Isabella shot back, her voice dripping with long-buried resentment and anger.

"Michael, that's enough!" Samuel stepped in, shielding Isabella. He turned to her gently, saying, "This jerk just ruined our good mood. Let's get out of here." Isabella nodded and started to turn away.

"Don't you dare leave!" Michael growled, his emotions spiraling, fueled by the sting of betrayal. He reached out to stop Isabella, but Samuel blocked him. Samuel glared at Michael, standing his ground.

"Olivia, nice job. Care to explain who this guy is?" Michael's face was cold and menacing.

Samuel responded coolly, "Mr. Johnson, seems like your memory's slipping." He held Isabella closer, a calm smile playing on his lips. "We've crossed paths in the business world more than once."

"Olivia, answer me." Michael ignored Samuel, pressing forward.

"We're already divorced, Mr. Johnson. It's none of your business," Isabella replied firmly, "I don't want to see you again!"

Her voice trembled slightly. Thirteen years of love, shattered by Michael himself. She walked side by side with Samuel, making Michael feel as if the whole world had shut him out at that moment.

"You can't just leave!" Michael felt a surge of panic, desperate to catch up with them. "We're not officially divorced yet, and you're already seeing someone else?"

"We're not officially divorced, but Grace can't wait to marry you. I saw you with her and said nothing. What right do you have to stop me from dating?" Isabella's hair fluttered in the wind, her red lips curling into a mocking smile, more stunning than Michael had ever seen, with a fierce defiance. "You can date others, but I can't?"

Isabella's sharp tone left Michael stunned. The usually obedient Isabella was standing up to him! Just then, Grace cried out in pain, "My foot!"

Michael's attention snapped to the cry, a complex expression crossing his face. "Grace, what's wrong?" He turned around, not realizing Isabella and Samuel were making their escape.

"I'm fine, just twisted my ankle a bit." Grace forced a smile, trying to sound relaxed. But her mind was racing with worry about Michael. She couldn't let Isabella and Michael have any chance of getting back together!

"I'll take you to the hospital." After comforting Grace, Michael looked around, but Isabella was gone. He felt a pang of loss, his mind flashing with images of Isabella, mixed with anger and tears.

Meanwhile, Isabella and Samuel had slipped away, Samuel holding her hand tightly, silently vowing to protect her from any more pain.

They hurried back to the Harris Manor, pushing open the familiar door, leaving the outside world and its conflicts behind. Isabella took a deep breath and stepped inside.

As soon as they entered the living room, Isabella's second brother, Daniel Harris, greeted them warmly, his eyes filled with concern and relief.

"Isabella, you're finally back! I thought you were gonna stay out there forever!" Daniel's voice was full of concern as he pulled Isabella into a tight hug. "Why'd it take you so long to come back? I missed you so much!"

"I'm fine, Daniel." Isabella felt the warmth of his embrace, her anxiety slowly melting away.

The recent spat still had Samuel on edge. Thinking about Michael made his anger flare up again. "Isabella, you've been through so much out there. I need to go find Michael and make him pay!" His fists clenched, eyes blazing with anger. "God's on my side."

"Michael, that jerk! How dare he hurt Isabella! I'll start digging into the Johnson Group tomorrow and have Ethan take him down!" Daniel chimed in, just as fired up.

Samuel and Daniel silently vowed to get revenge for Isabella. But Isabella cut them off, "Forget it, don't go after him!" Her sharp voice cut through their anger. They both looked at her, stunned.

"Isabella, what do you mean?" Samuel frowned, clearly confused.

"I don't want any more drama with him." Isabella's eyes were firm, her heart heavy but resolute. She had decided to let go of her past. "Michael's done. I hope you can understand."

"But he hurt you!" Daniel protested, his eyes filled with worry and frustration. "We can't just let him get away with it!"

"I know you mean well, but I don't want to chase this anymore." Isabella's voice softened but stayed firm. She knew that only by truly letting go could she find peace and start fresh.

Samuel and Daniel exchanged glances, seeing the determination in Isabella's eyes. Their anger slowly faded, snuffed out by her resolve. Finally, Samuel sighed, lowering his fist. "Fine, but I won't forget. Anyone who messes with you will pay."

Michael had no idea that Samuel and Daniel had already set their sights on the Johnson Group. He was busy giving David a task—to dig into Olivia's background.

From Olivia's recent behavior, something seemed off. She wasn't as simple as she appeared; she was full of mystery.

Michael stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the bustling traffic and the distant lights. 'Who exactly is Olivia? What's at the end of this road? Could it be the small village where Olivia supposedly lives?' Michael wondered. Then he asked, "David, found anything yet?"

David scratched his head, feeling uneasy under Michael's cold stare.

Michael continued, "Your performance is making me question your work ethic."

David replied, "Mr. Johnson, I'm very serious."

Michael said, "Then it's your competence."

David was at a loss for words. He hadn't figured out much himself and could only report what he had.

After Olivia left that day, she never returned to the nursing home where she used to work. The address she gave for her hometown, Pinecrest City, was fake; no family named Smith lived there.

David even checked with the local police, but there was no record of her. It was all very strange. If Olivia had approached Michael with a plan, what was her goal? To be fair, Olivia had been very good to Michael. If there was a reason for her actions, it could only be that Olivia was blinded by love.

Michael asked, "What about Samuel? Have you looked into him?"