Chapter 249

Fiona Ferguson broke the silence first. "Please enjoy the rest of the evening. I'll take my leave now."

Aunt Wang quickly smoothed things over. "Young people care about their pride. Let's talk about something else."

The banquet hall gradually regained its warmth, but both Victoria Farley and Isabella Jackson knew they'd been thoroughly humiliated tonight.

After the last guest departed, Victoria turned and slapped Isabella across the face.

"Mom!"

Isabella clutched her cheek, eyes wide with shock and hurt.

William Jackson stepped forward. "Have you lost your mind?"

Victoria sneered. "She forged Elia's signature and made me the laughingstock of the entire event. This is the daughter you raised!"

"What signature?" William looked utterly confused.

After hearing the full story, he fell silent for a moment. "Isabella, don't take it to heart."

He grabbed his coat. "I have work at the office. I won't be back tonight."

The moment the door closed, the hurt in Isabella's eyes twisted into something darker.

Her phone buzzed. Lily White's name flashed on the screen.

"Congratulations on winning!" came the cheerful voice.

Isabella forced a smile. "Thanks. How's filming going?"

"Not bad. Things should pick up even more after the new drama airs."

After hanging up, Isabella stared at her chat history with Ethan Sullivan.

An entire day had passed without a single word of congratulations from him.

Her grip on the phone tightened until her nails dug into her palms.

If she was going down, she'd drag that wretched couple with her.

Meanwhile, Evelyn Sullivan had just finished drying her hair when her phone rang.

Sophia Reynolds' voice bubbled with excitement. "Evelyn, I've got some juicy gossip for you!"