Chapter 101 James and Isabella Are Like Two Mad Dogs Biting Each Other: My Ridiculous Family

Elena Garcia's POV:

Everyone was caught off guard by James's reaction. He was consumed by anger and panic, like a pissed-off lion, ignoring everyone around him, not giving a damn about his reputation, and not caring about the consequences of slapping his wife in public. 

"James!" I exclaimed. This was not what I wanted to see.

Isabella's presumptuous actions were infuriating, but James's humiliating slap to his wife in public was equally unacceptable to me.

I stepped forward, blocking James and holding Isabella's arm, trying to stop his rage.

Albert moved almost simultaneously with me. We both disliked our mother, but we couldn't tolerate James's behavior either.

"What the hell is wrong with you? You can't treat your wife like this!" I scolded James, trying to touch Isabella's cheek. "Isabella? Are you okay?"

I then called for the maids to bring ice or a first aid kit.

Isabella pushed me aside, and I nearly fell, saved only by Noah's timely intervention.

Isabella roared at me, "Get away from me, you fake-hearted bitch! I don't need your false kindness!" Isabella's expression shifted from disbelief after James's slap to hatred. She clutched her cheek, looking at James, and questioned, "Why did you hit me? What did I do wrong?"

"Who allowed you to invite this loser to the Garcia Manor? And without my permission, you announced Elena's engagement to this fool? Are you challenging my authority as the head of this house?" James showed no remorse, shouting and giving William, who stood awkwardly, a cold look.

James was eager to climb the Bianchi family ladder, and the McDonald family was no longer in his plans.

The McDonald family was wealthier than the Garcia family, but compared to the Bianchi family's dangerous, bloody, violent, and more lucrative mafia connections, they were far behind. James, being a businessman, knew who to choose for the greatest benefit.

Isabella exclaimed, "I am the hostess of this house. I have the right—"

James directly interrupted her, "You have no rights, Isabella. Just stay at home or wherever, and play your role as a wife, okay? Everything in this house is mine. The only master of this family is me. Only I can make decisions!"

Their argument was loud, but fortunately, except William and Noah, there were no other guests at the door. Otherwise, this would have been a scandal that shamed the Garcia family.

The ridiculous part was that James didn't respect my wishes at all as he was madly emphasizing his dictatorship.

Under his warning, Isabella showed a hint of retreat. "I just thought it was a good idea to help Sofia."

"Who cares about that damn Sofia? She ruined everything herself. Am I expected to solve her problems?" James spread his hands, his exaggerated expression showing no pity for Sofia.

I believed he was acting this way because Noah was present. He needed to show that he cared more about me than Sofia, desperately trying to please Noah.

"If your father knew I was lying to him, that I'm just a powerless, non-heir in the family, he'd probably tear me to pieces," Noah whispered in my ear.

"Are you okay? I hope you didn't twist your ankle. You shouldn't have cared about your mom. She didn't even notice that her most beloved daughter just stood there, while only her despised daughter cared about her." Noah lifted his chin to signal me.

Indeed, Sofia, who followed James, looked shocked and dazed at the moment. She covered her mouth, watching the scene in disbelief.

But she was just standing there, watching everything, even though Isabella's face was swollen. She didn't move a step, let alone try to stop James.

When James shouted, "Who cares about that damn Sofia?" she showed a hint of resentment.

Isabella shouted crazily, "James, you can't treat Sofia like this! This bitch came home and took everything from Sofia, and you're still defending her!"

"Elena is our daughter too. Don't forget you brought her back yourself!" James pointed at Isabella, clearly losing his patience.

"But I never expected her to—" Before Isabella could continue her words, James slapped her again, stopping her.

Both shocked and annoyed, he shot a quick glance at me. He didn't know I already knew the truth and was still trying to maintain a false facade.

"Shut your mouth!" After the slap, James tried to handle things rationally. He realized he couldn't let Isabella continue; she might reveal more things.

He looked at Sofia, signaling her to come over.

Sofia hesitated, then approached them, biting her lip, looking both aggrieved and scared.

James patted Sofia's shoulder, indicating she should look at Isabella. "Tell your mom you don't need her to do this, right? Her irrationality and favoritism will ruin our family. Sofia, you should understand why I'm angry and know what to do, right?"

Isabella also looked at Sofia, her eyes filled with anger and pity. Her belated motherly love was all for Sofia. She loved Sofia madly, obsessively. If Sofia rebelled against James, I thought Isabella might side with her.

Meanwhile, Albert and I stood aside, like strangers unrelated to the Garcia family, watching this family drama unfold: the selfish parents and an adopted daughter who fit right into this shameless family.

I looked at them silently, and Albert comfortingly put his arm around my shoulder.

Sofia bit her lip, first silent for a second, and then timidly looked at Isabella, opening her mouth as if to say something, then looking at James, hesitating. 

Finally, she nodded, her voice low. "Yes, Mom, you shouldn't treat Elena like this. I know you love me, but Elena is your daughter too. I don't want you to regret it."

She acted pitifully, her eyes red, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I... I appreciate everything you've done for me, Mom."

"See, I told you Sofia said she doesn't need it!" Seeing Sofia being obedient and sensible, James was extremely satisfied.

James added, "I promise you. I'll handle Sofia's situation. I'm dealing with it, so don't cause more trouble, okay?"

He didn't see the growing anger in Isabella's eyes. In her view, her beloved daughter was forced by James to say these words. Sofia was fragile and powerless but still trying to protect her mother's dignity. Her gratitude for her mother's efforts was proof.

So Isabella showed rare strength, pushing James away and calling him a bastard. "Drop the act, James. You just want to let it go! I don't know what that bitch did to change your attitude, but I know there's only one reason for your change. Is her whoring past going to help you gain more benefits?"

Isabella's venomous words spewed from her mouth, attacking everyone. She was now retaliating against everyone she thought wronged her and Sofia.

"What benefits? How do you plan to gain them? Make her someone's mistress? A high-class prostitute?" Isabella poked James's chest, fearlessly staring him down. "Come on, James! Stop acting! What are you hoping for? Do you think thatbitch will be moved and say some nice words for you while she's shaking her ass for other men, helping your business? She's just a loser. Only the perfect Sofia can help you!"

"Shut up!" James tried to raise his hand again, but Isabella had learned to resist, knowing to dodge. She slapped James first, and they started to tussle.

Sofia couldn't just stand by this time. She pretended to be shocked and sad, trying to pull James and Isabella apart, but they both pushed her to the ground, ruining her elegant hairstyle and dress.

James and Isabella, in their struggle, even trampled her dress. They had completely forgotten her existence, cursing each other.

Sofia's expression became more strained, looking increasingly impatient, barely maintaining her act of trying to stop them.

William tried to help Sofia up after she was pushed down, but James kicked him hard, making him fall to the ground.

Sofia called out to us worriedly, "Elena, Albert, why are you standing still? Help stop them! You don't want Mom and Dad fighting like this, do you?"

I turned to look at Albert, who wore a bored expression like he was tired of watching a TV show.

Albert said nonchalantly, "Isabella said I've been disowned by the Garcia family. Their future assets have nothing to do with me. Why should I intervene in their fight?"

Sofia hesitated, then looked at me.

I sneered, "Isabella thinks her daughter was a prostitute, but I'm not, so I'm not her daughter and have no reason to stop them."

I was sure Sofia's plea wasn't sincere. Sure enough, after not getting help, she didn't try to ask us again.

In this chaotic situation, Noah thought it was a good time for us to leave. Though he was reluctant to miss such a ridiculous scene, it was still the Garcia family's private matter.

"Actually, I don't mind leaving you here, letting you watch their ridiculous fight, and then calling someone to pick you up." 

Albert rolled his eyes and said to Noah, "Or would you prefer to join in and interact with them?"

Noah said playfully, "Uh... how to interact? Should I go up and say, 'I think the Garcia family is ready to face the Bianchi family's wrath!' or 'Hurting my beloved Elena, you'll pay the price!'? I think that sounds cool. I've always wanted to try it!"

Albert teased, "I guarantee, if you say those stupid things, not only Marco but even Francesco will call you for a talk."

Noah's joking words eased some of the awkward and complex emotions Albert and I felt.

But our departure wasn't as smooth as we thought. When the Bianchi family's car stopped in front of us, William saw us leaving and rushed over. "Wait! Elena, you can't just leave Sofia here alone. Your parents are fighting and how could you do nothing about it! That's too selfish!"

He rushed over, trying to grab me. Albert and Noah barely managed to stop him.

William shouted, "I'm sorry I hurt you, but Sofia is innocent! She shouldn't have to endure this!"

I looked at William, this idiot who hurt me. When he appeared at the Garcia Manor, I fleetingly hoped he had realized his mistake, been deceived by Isabella into coming here, and had completely given up on Sofia.

But when I heard Isabella mention arranging my engagement to him, another thought crossed my mind.

I asked, "You came here because Isabella told you that getting engaged to me would help Sofia, right?"

His eyes flickered, almost unable to meet mine.

"You bastard!" Albert raised his fist in anger.