Chapter 401

Atticus knew who Aaron was-Michael's assistant.

When he heard that someone from the Brown Family had shown up in the middle of the night, his face darkened immediately. "Does Michael think his life's been too easy lately? If he doesn't straighten up, I'll skin him alive!"

Isabella pressed her lips together, not daring to respond.

After all, Aaron was Michael's guy, so Michael, as the boss, had to take the heat.

Atticus suddenly thought of something and frowned. "Isabella, is Michael trying to mess with you again?"

"No, Uncle Atticus, why would you think that all of a sudden?"

Isabella was confused. Weren't they talking about Aaron? How did it turn into a discussion about Michael and her?

Besides, she and Michael were already going through a divorce. Even if Michael had any ideas, it was too late.

Atticus glanced at Isabella, hesitating whether to tell her.

Isabella, not getting an answer and seeing Atticus's hesitant expression, asked again.

"Uncle Atticus, are you hiding something from me?"

In her eyes, Atticus never talked about irrelevant matters. Now that he suddenly mentioned Michael, could it be that something happened with the Brown Family?

"Is it about Aiden?"

Aiden was the only thing she could think of.

"No!"

Atticus quickly reassured her. "Don't worry, Aiden is fine."

"Then what is it?"

Isabella pressed for answers.

Seeing her persistence, Atticus decided to come clean.

"It's about the Brown Group. I just got word that there's going to be a major personnel change within the company."

Personnel change?

Isabella frowned, then heard Atticus get to the point.

"I heard that Nolan from the Brown Family wants to return to the family business. He's already resigned from his position at the school. His capabilities are well-known, and if he returns to the Brown Group, it will undoubtedly cause a storm. So, Michael's current situation isn't looking good. I thought he might try to get to you."

Atticus didn't say the rest, but Isabella understood his meaning.

With Nolan's abilities, even if he didn't get support from Aiden, he still had the trust of the company's board members.

If Nolan fully aimed to take Michael's position, he would be Michael's strongest opponent.

And as the eldest daughter of the Wilson Family and the heir to the Wilson Group, if Michael could bring her back, the resources he would gain would greatly overshadow Nolan.

Isabella smiled helplessly.

She knew Atticus was worried about her, but she didn't expect him to worry to this extent.

"Uncle Atticus, you're overthinking it. Michael and I have been over for a long time. You don't need to worry about him trying to trick me back into the Brown Family for his own gain."

"Because we're getting divorced soon."

"And besides, Aaron didn't come over to deliver a message from Michael. He had his own reasons."

Atticus felt somewhat relieved by Isabella's explanation, but then he frowned again. "What do you mean by his own reasons? What business does an assistant have with you?"

Atticus still didn't trust that scoundrel Michael.

Isabella had no choice but to tell Atticus about Aaron and Renee's relationship.

"Aaron came over just to see Renee and apologize to her. It's not what you think, Uncle Atticus."

"And when he showed up, the bodyguards let me know. I couldn't stand to see Renee upset, so I let him in. So don't blame the staff; it was my call."

Atticus didn't hold it against Isabella for tricking him into coming back. As long as she was safe, he was relieved.

"I've been slacking on things at home lately. I'll have security check everything again."

"Uncle Atticus, you must be starving after rushing back. Why don't you grab some breakfast? I need to go to my room for a bit."

Although she had tricked Atticus into coming back, it was clear that Renee's situation was more urgent now.

So, she had to put off dealing with Atticus and Olivia's matters for a while.

After speaking, Isabella went upstairs alone.

Taking advantage of the moment, she knocked on Renee's door. "Renee, it's me. Can you open the door and tell me what's going on? Don't worry, it's just me, no one else."

Isabella didn't believe Renee would change her mind so suddenly.

She clearly couldn't bear to part with Aaron, yet she said such heartless things. There had to be a reason behind it.

Inside, Renee sat on the edge of the bed, wiping her tears.

Hearing that Isabella was alone, Renee took a deep breath and opened the door.

"Ms. Taylor, I'm fine. Has Aaron left?"

He must have left.

After what she said, how could he stay? He would probably forget about her and never look back.

Thinking about this made Renee's heart ache.

But this was her decision. Why did it hurt so much to follow through?

"Yeah."

Isabella said softly, "Renee, I see you as a sister. Why are you calling me Ms. Taylor again? Can't you just call me by my name like before?"

Isabella knew what was troubling Renee.

It was about the child. The guilt in Renee's eyes when she was taking care of Isabella in the hospital was something Isabella had noticed.

But Isabella didn't blame her. The blame lay with the person who drugged her and the mastermind, Bianca!

Isabella's gentle words made Renee's eyes redden even more.

She shook her head. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it. Isabella, my mind is a mess right now. I don't want to affect you. You should go back."

"No way!"

Seeing Renee's tear-streaked face, Isabella knew she had feelings for Aaron.

And Renee's behavior today was too unusual. If she didn't get to the bottom of it, Aaron and Renee might really have no chance.

"I'm not leaving. If you don't want to talk, that's fine. I can stay with you until you're ready to talk."

Isabella had a feeling that Renee had a reason for rejecting Aaron.

If Renee didn't want Aaron to know, Isabella, as a friend, could help her sort things out.

Seeing that Isabella wouldn't leave, Renee said no more. She stepped aside to let Isabella in and closed the door.

Inside the room, Isabella held Renee's hand and sat on the bed, asking softly, "Tell me the truth. What happened? Why did you say those things to Aaron?"

"Do you know, Aaron was devastated when he left. He was heartbroken."

Renee's chest tightened, and she spoke in a choked voice, "I know he was heartbroken. So was I, but I had no choice."

"Why?"

Isabella was puzzled.

Renee held back her tears and began, "Isabella, I'm very grateful you saved my life back then. But now, I have to go back to that place."