The Scorned Heiress's Hidden Empire (by Jade Quinn) novel Chapter 83

Chapter 83

Ryan strode over, pointed right in her face, and started yelling at her.

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“Are you out of your mind? Seriously, what’s wrong with you? Did you get your head slammed in a door, kicked by a mule, or did your family’s old dog slobber all over you?” he spat.

Isabelle was so stunned she forgot to wipe her tears and snot.

“What did she ever do to you, huh? You’ve been yapping nonstop. Who the hell do you think you are? Are you even qualified?” Ryan continued.

Ryan was getting more and more worked up, his finger practically poking Isabelle in the face.

“Don’t you know what kind of trash you are? Acting like you care about her. Who are you trying to gross out?” Ryan spat.

“Look at your face. Your foundation’s almost gone, your eyeliner’s all smeared, you look like a damn ghost. And you still have the nerve to stand here embarrassing yourself in front of everyone?

“Fake–ass bitch!”

The whole place went silent.

Everyone was stunned by Ryan’s barrage of curses.

Isabelle was frozen, so shocked she forgot to cry.

After finishing his tirade, Ryan caught his breath and turned to Natalie.

“Did this psycho hit you? Did she lay a finger on you?” he asked.

Natalie was a bit taken aback by Ryan’s verbal smackdown, but she shook her head.

Ryan finally let out a sigh of relief. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Evan was with Natalie and was a bit puzzled. ‘What’s Evan doing with Natalie?‘ he wondered.

Before Ryan could say anything, Isabelle, standing behind him, finally broke down.

Never in her life had she been this embarrassed. Today, it felt like anyone could just walk up and stomp all

over her.

She didn’t even know Ryan, but she couldn’t help thinking, ‘Why is everyone acting like Natalie’s the center of the universe?‘

Isabelle finally snapped. “Who the hell are you? Do you even know what happened, or are you just here to shout at me?”

As soon as she finished, the entire banquet hall fell silent, a collective gasp swept through the crowd.

The way everyone looked at Isabelle shifted in an instant.

Some people started edging away, afraid of getting dragged into the mess.

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09:17 Tue, May 5

Chapter 83

Ryan was momentarily stunned, then broke into a smile.

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That smile was strangely reminiscent of Blake Mitchell. He was smiling, but it sent chills down your spine.

With a faint smile, Ryan asked, “You don’t know who I am?”

His tone was gentle, but something about it made Isabelle shiver unexpectedly.

Isabelle braced herself and shot back, “So what if I don’t know you? Who are you anyway, and what gives you the right to yell at me?”

Someone nearby whispered, “Stop talking… I’m scared for you!”

But Isabelle was so blinded by anger, she couldn’t hear a word anyone said.

She jabbed a finger at Natalie, her voice shrill. “She got thrown out of the Grant family for stealing. She’s just a bitch! All of you keep defending her, are you really that easily fooled by her pretty face?”

Ryan’s eyes suddenly went cold.

“Who are you calling a bitch?” Ryan shot back, his tone deadly.

Isabelle flinched at Ryan’s icy glare and stepped back, but she refused to back down, still shouting, “I’m talking about her! Natalie! She stole stuff! She’s a thief! She’s a thief! You all got played by her!”

SMACK!

Ryan didn’t even hesitate. He just raised his hand and slapped her straight across the face.

The sharp sound of the slap echoed through the silent banquet hall, piercing the quiet like a knife.

Isabelle covered her face, totally dazed. She couldn’t believe what just happened.

“You… you actually slapped me? I’m a girl! How could you hit me?” Isabelle cried out, her voice shaking with shock and indignation.

Ryan just snorted, amused and a little annoyed by her barrage of questions.

“So what? I slapped you. Is it really that big a deal?” he said, acting like she was making a mountain out of a molehill.

He gave Isabelle a once–over, mocking her. “And what’s with the ‘I’m a girl‘ excuse? Gender doesn’t matter to me. I hit whoever deserves it!

“If you’re not happy, I handle all complaints personally. Ryan Mitchell, fifth son of the Mitchell family, come find me anytime!” he added, sounding cocky as hell.

Isabelle’s sobs stopped dead, and she just stood there, frozen.

‘Wait… Ryan Mitchell?‘ she thought, her mind spinning.

‘Ryan Mitchell?

‘Ryan Mitchell from Harbor City?‘

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A glaring red handprint stood out on her face, her makeup was trashed, and tears mixed with foundation streaked down her cheeks, smearing everything as it went. She was a mess, totally falling apart.

All she could think was:

‘I can’t afford to offend the Mitchell family or the Hale family.

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Chapter 83

Ryan sneered as he looked her up and down.

“What, scared now?” he taunted, his voice slow and dripping with sarcasm.

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“Weren’t you acting all tough when you were running your mouth? Calling her a bitch and a thief every chance you got. So, what happened? Cat got your tongue?” he drawled.

Isabelle’s tears flowed even harder, as if she was desperate for someone to feel sorry for her.

She looked at Natalie with pleading eyes, silently begging her to say something on her behalf.

But Natalie just leaned casually against the railing, her face calm and aloof, watching Isabelle with a hint of mockery in her eyes.

That kind of indifference hurt Isabelle more than any insult ever could.

“Natalie…” Isabelle finally managed to squeeze out, her voice raspy, like sandpaper scraping her throat.

“Can you… can you…” she stammered, barely able to get the words out.

“No.”

Natalie cut her off, her tone flat and indifferent.

She cut in coldly, “Why bother talking to her?”

Suddenly, a woman’s voice cut through the crowd, making everyone turn to look.

Olivia Shaw walked over in a burgundy velvet gown, her long, wavy hair cascading down her back, a glass of red wine in her hand.

When Isabelle spotted Olivia, it was like seeing a lifeline. Her eyes practically sparkled with hope.

Olivia was the host of the yacht party. Isabelle had bumped into her once before while hanging out with friends.

They’d added each other on WhatsApp back then, and this time, Isabelle only managed to get in because Olivia posted the invite on her Instagram. She used that to get through the door.

Isabelle figured Olivia was here to back her up. After all, it was no secret Olivia had a crush on Ryan.

But now that Ryan was defending that bitch Natalie, with Olivia’s spoiled princess temper, there was no way she’d let Natalie get away with it!

The Shaw family might not be as powerful as the Mitchells, but they were still one of the most prominent families in Harbor City.

The Mitchell family wouldn’t want to fall out with the Shaws either.

“Olivia!” Isabelle called out.

She stumbled forward, her legs trembling as she hurried toward Olivia, desperately reaching out to grab her arm.

TUE

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