Isabella's first reaction upon receiving the money from Emanuele was shock, followed by confusion, and then the realization that she couldn't accept this money.
"Emanuele, this money is yours. I can't accept it," she said. She couldn't take such a significant amount of money without a clear reason, especially when she didn't know where it came from or how many people might have suffered for it. Besides, she wouldn't feel at ease spending it.
"I've never taken back something I've given," Emanuele told Isabella. "Consider it for buying some supplements for your health. You look quite pale and fragile. Eat well."
Emanuele reached out and pinched Isabella's cheek. He couldn't help but notice how smooth her skin was, as silky as milk, making him want to touch it again.
His grip was a bit firm, and when he let go, it left a red mark on Isabella's cheek. It was a successful attempt to kindle the fire of anger in her eyes. Emanuele couldn't help but laugh and left the room before Isabella could confront him.
Isabella watched Emanuele's departure, grumbled, and sighed as she rubbed the slightly sore spot on her face. This man was indeed rough. She decided she wouldn't feel safe keeping all that money. She would keep a portion for herself and donate the rest to various charitable projects. She could consider it a good deed done for Emanuele.
"Did that witch come to Chicago already? And you've met her? Isabella, where is she? I want to rip her apart!" Evelyn angrily exclaimed during their lunch break.
Isabella had told Evelyn about Chloe's arrival in Chicago during their lunchtime break.
"Calm down!" Isabella quickly tried to soothe Evelyn.
"I don't need to calm down," Evelyn said in anger. She had heard about some of the things Chloe had done to Isabella, not everything but enough to make her furious. "Damn, maybe you should tell your stepbrother about this. I hear he's nice to you."
Emanuele had taken care of her when she was seriously ill, hadn't he? Hearing Evelyn's suggestion, Isabella felt somewhat uncomfortable.
"I think that might not be a good idea," she hesitated. If Emanuele found out, he might use it against her and threaten her whenever he pleased, making her life even more complicated.
"So what should we do then?" Evelyn looked at Isabella. "You can't be a coward. You need to stand up. Otherwise, she'll keep controlling you."
Forever? Isabella thought. Hopefully not.
She felt less frightened of Chloe than she used to, but seeing her after so long made her a bit uneasy. She was confident she could handle Chloe.
"It's not that I think, Isabella, why would she suddenly come to Chicago out of the blue? Could it be that she's interested in Emanuele?" Evelyn suddenly thought and felt like a genius for coming up with the idea.
"Why didn't she come to Chicago in all these years, but suddenly, after your mother's remarriage, she shows up?" Isabella couldn't make sense of Chloe's motives.
"You mustn't let Emanuele be with her, Isabella. Otherwise, she might poison his ears, and you'd be in big trouble," Evelyn warned.
She didn't know much about the world of the mafia, but she knew they could be as ruthless as crushing an ant. Once Chloe, that nasty woman, got close to Emanuele, and if she instigated him to torment Isabella, it would be a disaster.
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