Chapter 9

Violet handed Isabella the tools, not missing a beat. "See that? Your wife can bring things back to life. Too bad all you ever do is ruin people."

Mason shot her a cold look.

Ten minutes later, the porcelain vase was standing under the lamp again.

The cracks were still visible, but the vase stood firm, looking even better than the last time it was restored.

An old man in the crowd pushed up his glasses. "You don't find this kind of craftsmanship in your average shop."

The landlord was stunned. "Mrs. Gonzalez, did you really work in a shop before?"

The assistant's expression shifted.

Nora stepped out of the car, her voice soft. "Isabella, Mason wants you to give in a little. Why put everyone in this awkward spot?"

Isabella handed the vase to Violet. "Have the customer come pick it up tomorrow."

Violet nodded. "Got it."

Mason stared at the vase, his eyes flickering with a complicated look. "When did you learn to do this?"

"There's a lot you don't know about me," Isabella replied.

"Like how you secretly know the hospital's former director?" Mason pressed. "Or how you had someone investigate me?"

Isabella finally looked at him. "Are you scared of what I might find?"

"I'm afraid you'll use Michael's death as an excuse to take revenge on everyone," Mason said.

Before Isabella could say anything, a black sedan pulled up at the corner.

A man in his fifties stepped out, wearing a worn-out suit and carrying a cloth bag.

The landlord's legs nearly gave out when he saw him. "Mr. Brooklyn, why are you here?"

Caleb Brooklyn walked into the shop, and when he saw the porcelain vase, he let out a sigh of relief.

"Who said they were going to take over this shop?" he asked.

The assistant frowned. "Who are you?"

The landlord quickly explained, "This is Mr. Brooklyn, the original owner of the whole block. We all bought our shops from him."

Caleb ignored the assistant and stared straight at Isabella.

"Mrs. Gonzalez, sorry I got here so late," he said.

As soon as he spoke, Mason's gaze snapped to Isabella.

"It's not too late," Isabella replied.

Caleb turned to the landlord. "Lorenzo, when you bought this shop, you signed an addendum. As long as Half Cup Spring pays the rent on time, you have no right to kick them out. Your kid's job matters, but you gotta have some integrity."

The landlord was so embarrassed he couldn't even look up.

The assistant muttered, "Mr. Brooklyn, this is a Gonzalez family matter."

Caleb set his cloth bag on the counter. "I don't care about the Gonzalez family. Whoever messed up Mrs. Gonzalez's shop, you're not leaving until you've cleaned up every last piece of this mess."

Violet clapped her hands. "You heard him. Start sweeping."

The burly guys all looked at the assistant.

The assistant glanced at Mason.

Mason stared at Isabella. "What else are you hiding from me?"

Isabella picked up a broom and tossed it at his feet.

"Start sweeping," she said.

Everyone turned to look.

Mason didn't move.

Anthony called out from the car, "Daddy, let's go home. I don't like it here."

Nora said softly, "Mason, don't argue with Isabella."

Mason bent down and picked up the broom.

Instead of sweeping himself, he passed it straight to the assistant.

The assistant reluctantly started sweeping up the broken porcelain shards.

Violet rolled her eyes. "Looks like Mr. Gonzalez's back is made of solid gold."

Isabella turned and went back into the shop, coming out with Michael's medical records in her arms.

When Mason saw the medical records, his tone hardened.

"You can't take that," he said.

"That's Michael's," Isabella replied.

"That's Gonzalez family medical records," Mason insisted.

Isabella met his gaze. "Michael may carry your name, but he's my flesh and blood."

Mason took a step forward, but Caleb stepped in front of Isabella, blocking his way.

"Mr. Gonzalez, Mrs. Gonzalez doesn't want to go with you today," Caleb said.

Mason's patience snapped. "What right do you have to meddle in our marriage?"

Caleb pulled an old photo out of his cloth bag and set it on the counter.

In the photo, Isabella was standing next to a white-haired old man, holding a restored celadon bowl in her hands.

Mason picked up the photo, his brow furrowing.

"You two go way back?" Mason asked.

Caleb replied, "I've known her longer than you have."

Mason turned to Isabella. "Where were you before you married into the Gonzalez family?"

Isabella took the photo back.

Just then, another car pulled up outside.

Riley's butler hurried over. "Mrs. Gonzalez, Riley wants you back at the Gonzalez Estate right away. Someone from the hospital is here. They said there's a problem with Anthony's report."

At the Gonzalez Estate, the hospital staff had already arrived.

It was Hudson Cooper, the head of the hematology department, accompanied by a young doctor. They sat on the edge of the sofa, not touching their coffee.

Riley sat in the main seat, her expression even more grim than usual.

Mason walked in first with Nora, and Isabella followed behind, holding the medical records in her arms.

When Hudson saw Isabella, he immediately stood up.

"Miss Roberts," Hudson greeted.

Mason's brow twitched. "Did you just call her that, Dr. Cooper?"

Hudson paused. "Mrs. Gonzalez."

Isabella picked up on it instantly.

Hudson definitely knew her, but he wasn't about to say it.