30 Come to my office

The La Roche Mansion

Old Master Thomas massaged his eyes, trying to escape the residual effects of slumber. Something was wrong because he could hear the chaos of voices echoing around the home. He forced himself out of bed, put his rove around himself, and went to the grand hall.

Isabelle and Timoteo stepped into the grand entrance of the mansion, with their daughter Elizabeth. As they unloaded their shopping bags and luggage from the car, the butler and other staff members were busy.

Isabelle warned the servants, "Hey you... careful with those they expensive."

As her husband Timoteo had given her a lot of expensive bags, Isabelle couldn't wait to start unpacking their luggage. She glanced at her spouse.

Isabelle said, her face beaming, "You know how to make me happy."

Timoteo returned her smile and said, "Anything for my two lovely girls," as he encircled Isabelle and Elizabeth, who had just exited the car.

"Mom, dad, can I go to my room now"

"You.. child... greet your grandfather first before you go to your room"

"But mother, I'm tired, can I do that after I get to rest?" Elizabeth groaned silently. She wanted to roll her eyes and her mother demanded, but she couldn't do it in front of the servant, especially with her father around.

"But...."

"Let her rest Isabelle.... our daughter is tired from her hectic schedule," Timoteo said, hearing that his youngest daughter had traveled the state for the premiere of her film.

Elizabeth leaped joyfully at her father's "Thank you, Dad" and gave him a cheek kiss before running to her room to unwrap all of her father's gifts.

Timoteo made a nod toward his daughter.

Old Master Thomas, who was on the opposite side of the grand hall, observed the events from the side of the corridors. As he observed the several shopping bags that Timoteo's wife and her daughter had brought back from their trip, he couldn't help but feel disappointed with his son. Especially when they did not attend Thea's engagement nor he didn't even call her.

How were they able to purchase so much stuff when they didn't even show up to their eldest child's engagement?

Timoteo approached his father and gave him a hearty hug as soon as he saw him standing by the side.

"It's good to be back, Father," he said, and Isabelle butt in and greeted the old man " We had a wonderful trip, Father"

"It appears that you went on a quiet shopping spree", Old Master Thomas said, pointing to the shopping bags.

Isabelle chuckled uneasily, "Oh, you know how it is Father, While we're abroad, we usually like to bring back a few treats for the family, and we also buy gifts for Thea," but the truth is that all of the items are for her and Elizabeth, unbeknownst to Isabelle, the old master overheard their earlier conversation.

When she spoke, he simply nodded. then fixed his gaze on his son.

Old man Thomas stated in a stern voice "Teo, come to my office.." he left the husband and wife standing, before turning to glance at Isabelle and saying, "Just you Teo."

Master Thomas left the final message because he was aware that his son would always try to include his wife in family business concerns, something the elder Thomas would have always resisted. How could he permit a stranger to engage with the empire he had worked so hard to build? She'll never fit the La Roche.

Teo and Isabelle were standing in the grand hallway of the Thomas family mansion when a strong sense of tension filled the air. With an unpleasant voice and a stern gaze directed at Isabelle, the family patriarch, Old Man Thomas, had summoned Teo to his office. Upon hearing his voice, she flinched.

'I can't wait for you to pass away, you foolish old man.' Isabelle thought, hiding her irritation at the old man's last remarks.

Teo and Isabelle exchanged knowing glances as they both anticipated the upcoming events. Teo tried to soothe Isabelle by giving her a light squeeze of the hand as they moved apart.

"It's all right, Isabelle. "You'd become bored if you tagged along, Father must be discussing business."

Isabelle's, acting skills fire up as her eyes held a hint of fear as she replied, "I know your father doesn't like me, Teo. I just hope he won't treat our daughter, Eli, the way he treats me. As a mother, it would really hurt me. I hope you understand." She put on a pleading expression, knowing that Teo would do anything to protect her.

Teo nodded, his stomach beginning to feel very uneasy. Although he was aware that his father didn't approve of Isabelle as his second wife, it is improper to always treat her as a stranger in the mansion. He thought.

"I know, Isabelle. I'll talk to my father about this. Don't worry any longer. Just go to your room and unwrap all my presents for you."

Nevertheless, Isabelle grasped her husband's arm before Timoteo left, her eyes begging.

"Remember Eli's movie premiere party at our Mansion", she advised. "Eli has been eagerly anticipating this, so I hope your father will escort him inside the banquet hall."

For weeks, Isabelle and Elizabeth had been meticulously organizing their plans in an effort to advance their social status. Isabelle was aware that Old Man Thomas accompanying Elizabeth to the ball would be interpreted as a favor and acknowledgment from the patriarch, elevating their social stature. Everything had to be flawless, including Elizabeth's outfit and the dining hall's accents. With this occasion, Isabelle and her daughter would finally be able to prove to the world that they were just as strong and influential as the rest of the La Roche family. Isabelle was convinced that this would be the turning point for her and her daughter.

Teo nodded, but his thoughts were already racing about how to respond to his father's since he knew it would be about her arrogant eldest daughter. He assured Isabelle, "Don't worry. I'll let Father know about it."

"Thank you, honey"

Isabelle gave herself a small smile of satisfaction as she imagined the jealous and admiring stares Elizabeth and she would receive at the ball. Isabelle was certain that they would be able to exceed Thea in every manner, even though she was aware that the rumored evil heiress, Thea would be present. With their strategy in place, Isabelle and Elizabeth excitedly anticipated the ball's date because they wanted to make an impression on the upper class and prove their worth to everyone.

She turned to look at her husband one last time as he up the stairs and then murmured to herself. She thought, her eyes flaming with rage, "Hmm... this will be the last time you'll treat me like a stranger, you old man." "I'll do anything to acquire the entire La Roche fortune,"

The ongoing rivalry between her daughter Elizabeth and Thea, Old Man Thomas's cherished grandchild, caused Isabelle to become enraged. Thea always seemed to receive preferential treatment from the old man, and Isabelle was filled with hostility towards her. She swore to make Cassandra's daughter's life miserable and to prove to the rest of the La Roche family that she was the one who deserved to be in charge.

When she considered the strategies she would use to carry out her schemes, Isabelle's eyes burned with rage. She was prepared to use any measure necessary to accomplish her goals. With thoughts of vengeance and retaliation running through her mind, Isabelle came straight to her room.

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Note from the Authors

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Stella Brit