Chapter 2
Maleah's face darkened as the words hit a nerve.
"You're talking nonsense!" Maleah snapped.
Brody hung up the phone, his eyes cold and menacing as he strode toward me.
"Isabella, my brother didn't pick up," Brody said. "Your lie just got exposed."
He grabbed my shoulder, his grip so tight it felt like he could break my bones.
"Tell me. Whose kid is this?" Brody demanded. "Did you seriously just hook up with some random guy and have his kid just to piss me off?
"If you admit you messed up and get rid of this bastard, I'll let your drama slide for today."
His shamelessness was so ridiculous that I almost burst out laughing.
"Brody, are you out of your mind?" I shot back. "Why would I even bother trying to piss you off? Who the hell do you think you are?"
I jerked his hand off me and wiped my shoulder in disgust.
"This kid's last name is Johnston. Her name is Sienna Johnston," I said. "Her dad is Finlay. No matter what you say, she's your niece."
"You!" Brody, livid, raised his hand as if to strike me.
"Stop." A commanding voice boomed from the entrance of the hall.
Brody's parents strode in, flanked by bodyguards.
Lisa Johnston's brows knitted tight as soon as she saw me, shooting me a look of pure disgust.
Lisa said coldly, "Isabella? How do you even have the nerve to come back here?
"You took 1.5 million dollars from the Johnston family as hush money five years ago. Now that you've burned through it all, are you here to squeeze more out of us?"
The crowd gasped, everyone stunned.
Brody looked at his mother, his jaw dropping in disbelief.
"Mom, what are you talking about? 1.5 million dollars?" Brody blurted out.
Lisa scoffed, "She grabbed the check and walked out on you, all for the cash. Shows how naive you were, thinking she was so pure."
I looked at Lisa's condescending, aloof expression and finally couldn't hold back my laughter.
That 1.5 million dollars? She shoved it at me when I was hospitalized after my miscarriage.
"Take the money and get out of my son's sight. You don't deserve to bear the Johnston family's heir," she'd sneered.
So in their eyes, that was just a breakup fee.
I couldn't be bothered to explain, so I replied flatly, "Mrs. Johnston, I donated every cent of that 1.5 million dollars to a stray dog rescue shelter back then. After all, at least I have more dignity than a stray dog."
"How dare you!" Logan Johnston exploded, jabbing his finger at me as he cursed me out.
"Security. Get this crazy liar out of here," he shouted.
Several burly security guards immediately closed in on me.
Sienna wrapped herself around my leg, trembling with fear.
"Mommy..." her voice quivered.
I ran my hand over her hair, shooting a cold glare at the security guards.
"Just try and lay a finger on me," I said, my tone icy.
Maleah was hiding behind Brody, laughing gleefully, clearly enjoying the show.
"Isabella, who do you think you are?" Maleah mocked. "This is the Johnston family's territory. You couldn't escape even if you grew wings. You're stuck here today."
Brody stared at me, his expression twisted with anger, frustration, and even a touch of smug pity, like he thought he was being generous.
"Isabella, just back down," Brody said. "All you have to do is get on your knees and apologize to Maleah, and I'll tell them to let you walk out of here."
Watching Brody pretend he was doing me some huge favor was so disgusting, I could barely stand it.
"Brody, the only thing you've ever accomplished in your life is being stupid enough to fall for a piece of trash like Maleah," I spat.
Just as the security guard was about to grab me, the doors were suddenly kicked open from outside.
The thunderous noise made everyone jump, their bodies jolting from the shock.
A tall, imposing figure stepped in, silhouetted against the light pouring in from behind him.
The man wore a jet-black tailored suit, his face cold and sharp, exuding a chilling, commanding presence that brooked no argument.
Two lines of bodyguards in black marched in behind him, every move disciplined and intimidating.
The entire hall instantly fell dead silent.
When Logan and Lisa saw who had just walked in, their expressions changed in an instant, and they rushed over.
"Finlay, why are you here?" Logan asked, his tone suddenly full of flattery and respect.
Brody froze and then blurted out, "Finlay."
Finlay didn't even spare them a glance.
He walked straight through the crowd and came right up to me.
The icy look in his eyes softened into an endless warmth as soon as his gaze landed on me and Sienna.
"Sorry, traffic was a nightmare. I'm late," he said.
He scooped Sienna up into his arms and then leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.
"Honey, did they give you a hard time?" he asked softly.
The whole room went dead silent.
Everyone was frozen in place, jaws dropped as if they'd been hit by a bolt of lightning.
Brody's face turned pale, his knees almost gave out as he nearly dropped to the floor.