Chapter 197

Jasper stared at Isabella for a long moment before bursting into laughter.

"You've got to be kidding me. You don't have any proof; you've been lying to me this whole time! I'm not confessing, and I'm definitely not signing this contract." Jasper sneered, grabbing the papers on the table and tearing them up.

He tossed the shredded pieces into the air, and they fluttered like pale butterflies, some landing on the floor and others on Isabella.

Isabella sighed as she picked the paper pieces out of her hair.

Even though they were at odds now, Isabella was his daughter, and Jasper knew her well. Some habits die hard, even if she was acting different.

Jasper could tell from Isabella's behavior that she was bluffing. She might have guessed he transferred the money overseas, but she didn't know exactly where.

"Seems like no matter if I try to buy you off or promise not to hold you accountable, you won't budge. Is it really worth it to go against me? You could be living the high life." Isabella looked at Jasper in frustration.

"Save your tricks. Do you think I'd still believe you? Even if it's written on paper, it wouldn't hold up in court." Jasper sneered, looking at Isabella with disdain.

Jasper had ripped off the company, plain and simple. He knew that even if Isabella wrote in the contract that she wouldn't hold him accountable, the fact that he broke the law couldn't be changed. The judge wouldn't let him off, and their contract had no legal standing.

As for the contract Jasper had previously signed with Bianca, it also had no legal standing. But it served as a mutual insurance policy. If one party didn't fulfill the contract, the other would use public pressure to ruin their reputation.

"I'll talk to Mom. You'd better hope she's as tight-lipped as you." Isabella gave Jasper a cold look before leaving the detention center.

Leo had been waiting outside for Isabella. When he saw her come out with a grim expression, he immediately understood that her mission had failed.

"Ms. Taylor, your parents wouldn't admit their mistakes?" Leo asked curiously.

Leo didn't know the exact purpose of Isabella's visit, but he could guess it had something to do with her parents.

Isabella shook her head, not wanting to discuss it further, and instructed Leo to drive back to the villa.

'Mia probably knows something about the money's whereabouts, but given Jasper's selfishness, what he told her might not be true. They're guilty of embezzlement, no question. I need to get a confession out of Mia. That'll keep Jasper behind bars and give me time to track down the cash.' Isabella bit her lip, thinking hard.

When Isabella returned home, she was surprised to find Michael already there.

"Why are you home so early? Shouldn't you be at work?" Isabella asked curiously, seeing Michael busy in the kitchen with an apron on.

Isabella had taken the day off, so she came home early. Did Michael take the day off too?

"If I don't come home and show some effort, my wife might end up with someone else." Michael rolled his eyes and placed the fish fillet in the frying pan.

The fish sizzled in the pan, and Michael added a small piece of butter. The aroma of the butter mixed with the fish was mouth-watering.

Isabella put down her handbag and walked into the kitchen. She hugged Michael from behind.

"Darling, are you jealous?" Isabella asked, smiling as she peeked over Michael's shoulder.

Michael shook his head. "Jealous of Joseph? He's from one of the top four families, I'm just a mid-level employee. It's like school - the last-place kid never envies the top student."

Isabella could feel his jealousy; it was almost palpable. "To me, you're number one. Neither John nor Joseph can even come close to my heart."

Isabella hugged Michael, her hand caressing his chest.

Feeling the warmth of her hand, Michael sighed. He flipped the fish in the pan, then turned around and hugged her.

"Have you ever thought that if I were a member of one of the four families, I might be able to help you more? Maybe I could have ended all this sooner, or even prevented it from happening. You wouldn't have had to suffer so much," Michael said softly, gently stroking Isabella's hair, his eyes full of tenderness.

Isabella didn't catch Michael's probing tone and smiled warmly. "Don't forget, my family used to be one of the big four. I know how glamorous they seem on the surface, but behind the scenes, they're like rotten sludge. Honestly, I'm relieved you're not part of that world. Being with you, without all that baggage, is a blessing."

Michael smiled and hugged her tightly.

If Isabella looked up now, she would see the bitter smile on Michael's face.

Isabella used to just hate the Williams Family and refused to marry anyone connected to them. Now, she hated all four big families.

This was partly due to the harm Pearl had caused her, and also the injuries inflicted by Jasper and Mia, who were once part of the four great families.

More importantly, Isabella believed that Pearl's miserable state was due to the other two families trying to provoke a conflict between the Brown Family and the Williams Family. Therefore, she harbored the same hatred for the remaining two families.

Michael's heart grew heavier. If Isabella ever learned the truth, would she leave him in anger?

While Michael was lost in his thoughts about the future, Isabella suddenly screamed.

"Oh no, Darling, your fish is burning!" Isabella quickly pushed Michael aside and took over the kitchen.