Chapter 26 Isaac Thinks She's Dirty
With reddened eyes and a hint of resentment in her gaze, Kalista looked up at him.
"Isaac, do you have any idea what I've been through today? I was bullied by Nora and her new boyfriend at the Porters’ Mall. They not only snatched what I wanted but also kicked me out, humiliating me in front of everyone! I tried to find you all day to stand up for me, but the moment I get the police to take Nora, here you are questioning me. Am I really less important to you than Nora?"
Isaac's eyes darkened as he replied icily, "I heard about what happened at the mall. That jewelry set was Nora's choice first; you were in the wrong. Even if I'd been there, I wouldn't have sided with you just because you were making an unreasonable scene."
Kalista looked at him in disbelief.
He really thought she was being unreasonable?
Kalista was heartbroken, her voice laced with indignation. "Fine, I'll take the blame for the jewelry incident. But being banished from the mall and told never to return, to suffer such embarrassment in front of everyone? You have to stand up for me."
She continued, "Isaac, could you please have someone check out Nora's new boyfriend? What kind of influence does he have that even the mall manager obeys him? Or is there a mole inside the mall? How else could a stranger have so much sway? I mentioned our relationship when I was there, but he still kicked me out without a second thought. It's not just a slight against me but a slap in your face, too. You can't let him off the hook that easily!"
Isaac's face was a picture of seriousness.
The man in question was himself. Was he supposed to hit himself?
Remaining composed, Isaac said dismissively, "I've looked into him after hearing about the mall incident. I'm not entirely sure of his full background, but he's under the protection of my grandparents. Even I can't touch him."
"How is that possible? You're the heir to the Porter family empire. How could you not have any power over him?" Kalista was staggered by the revelation.
Now, a wave of concern washed over her.
Isaac's grandparents were shielding this man?
Even Isaac couldn't lay a finger on him?
Just who was this mystery person?
Could he be the Porter family's secret love child?
If this man truly turned out to be Porter's illegitimate scion, it would make sense why the store manager was so compliant and indifferent to her standing.
Kalista was stunned by the possibility.
If he really was a clandestine member of the Porter lineage, who knew if someday he might usurp Isaac's place as the rightful heir?
With a bitten lip and a quivering voice, Kalista pressed, "If you can't move against him, what about the humiliation I suffered? Now everyone in our circle knows that I was driven out of the Porters’ mall. They're all laughing at me! Isaac, you promised to marry me. I'm your fiancée. My tarnished reputation reflects on you too. You'll be the butt of jokes as well. You can't just let this slide!"
Kalista's words triggered a cascade of memories for Isaac.
Four years ago, the day Nora left, he sped after her in his car.
On that road, he met with an accident, sustaining grave injuries.
Mustering the last of his strength, he dialed Nora's number, desperate for one last encounter.
Yet she coldly rejected him, claiming she didn't want to see him.
Swallowing his pride, he had even put aside her betrayal and asked humbly, "What if I were about to die? Would you come to see me then?"
How had she responded?
He remembered her icy tone, her words laced with scorn. "Well, in that case, I'll visit you at your gravesite."
At that moment, he was utterly despondent, his will to live abandoned.
It was Kalista who stumbled upon him later, rescuing him and taking him to the hospital.
During his urgent medical treatment, he was in desperate need of a blood transfusion, and it was Kalista who donated her blood.
To save him, she gave so much that she went into shock.
Later, when he was brought back from the brink, it was Nora's betrayal that left him listless and dispirited.
During those bleak times, it was Kalista who steadfastly remained by his side.
Wanting to repay her, he had asked what her heart desired.
Her wish was simple. She wanted to marry him.
And he had agreed.
But a year after the incident, Nora came back and, using the influence of his grandfather, compelled him into marrying her, leaving his promise to Kalista unfulfilled.
At the thought, a wave of guilt surged through Isaac.
With a softened tone, he said, "The deal with Century Square is done; there's nothing I can do about that. But the company's been working on a new plaza, which is nearly complete. I can transfer the naming rights to you and offer you a managerial position. It would restore the dignity you lost."
Kalista's eyes sparkled, her body trembling with excitement.
To have the new plaza named after her and a managerial position?
She could boast that Isaac built and gifted her a plaza to make amends.
That would surpass the glory of returning to Century Square by far!
She could already picture the envy in others' eyes.
Clearly, she still held a significant place in Isaac's heart.
"Alright, I'll follow your lead. Thank you," Kalista said, her eyes brimming with affection as she shyly responded.
Isaac steered the conversation back to Nora.
"Regarding the car accident, I told you I'd handle it. All you needed to do was recover. Why didn't you listen? Why did you go to the police on your own?"
Kalista felt her temper flare once again.
Nora! It’s always Nora! Why couldn't he just forget Nora? Was that woman haunting him?
Kalista swallowed her rage, voicing her grievance. "I wanted to let you handle it, but there's video evidence proving Nora set me up. Yet, you won't avenge me. Taking her to the police station was just a scare tactic. How am I supposed to handle this for you?"
Isaac replied coolly, "Nora said she didn't push you. She's not one to shirk responsibility for her actions."
"So, you believe Nora and think I'm framing her?" Kalista's voice was tinged with sorrow.
"Isaac, after all these years, don't you know me at all? You trust someone who betrayed you but refused to believe in me and the evidence in front of your eyes?"
Isaac narrowed his eyes, his voice icy, "Do you think you're some kind of saint? I remember what happened at my grandma's birthday celebration clear as day. Do you need me to jog your memory about what you did?"
Kalista felt as though she had been slapped, her cheeks burning with shame.
It was bad enough that others mocked her for that incident, but Isaac was using it to taunt her, too.
That was too much!
She was fuming inside.
She had thought that Isaac's recent attempts to make amends were because he felt indebted to her, that he would take her side.
But now, he was actually helping Nora!
"It was a moment of impulse," she defended weakly.
Isaac cut her off, "I'm well aware of what you've done over the years. I've chosen not to dwell on it, but that doesn't mean I'm blind to your character. I'm giving you a chance to go to the police and drop the case. Don't force me to dig deeper into this!"
Kalista let out a bitter laugh. "Fine, go ahead and investigate! I've made my share of mistakes, but I'm innocent in the car accident. I fear no scrutiny!"
She had already confirmed that only the hotel entrance cameras could have captured her accident.
And it was this very piece of footage they had in their possession.
Even with Isaac's powerful influence, he wouldn't find anything new.
Isaac's eyes narrowed.
Just then, the ward door burst open.
A group of uniformed police officers walked in; their eyes immediately fixed on Kalista.
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