After the Secret Wedding Rise of My Queen

Chapter 249 Playing the Harp on Stage

"Who do you think you are? Just because you told me to repeat myself doesn't mean I will," Isabel said, rolling her eyes slightly, her voice thick with sarcasm.

Cindy's expression darkened, her face contorting in fury.

"Hah! I knew it you're too scared to say it again, you coward!"

Isabel raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk crossing her face. She studied Cindy for a moment before responding, "Fine. If you're so desperate to hear me point out your flaws, I'll do it.

"You're like a wall-no, more like a brick wall. Anyone who crashes into you is bound to get hurt."

Right after Isabel finished speaking, a quiet laugh escaped from the crowd.

A soft ripple of chuckles spread through the room, quickly turning into a wave of suppressed laughter.

Cindy's face flushed bright red with anger, her eyes burning with rage. Isabel's confident stance and perfect composure only seemed to make Cindy's resentment grow, as if the sight of her rival's poise stung even more than the words.

"Well? Still want me to repeat myself?" Isabel asked, her lips curling into a teasing smile.

Cindy's temper flared, her body visibly trembling with fury. Isabel's words felt like a public slap, her insinuation that Cindy had asked for such treatment only making it worse.

"Kaleb! Look at Isabel-she's gone too far this time! She used to never talk back to me. And now? Just look at her! You've got to put her in her place!"

Here we go again.

Isabel shook her head, her gaze icy as she looked at Cindy. "You and your mother are exactly alike. Whenever you're wrong, you run straight to Kaleb, expecting him to fight your battles. But have you thought this through? Kaleb and I don't owe each other anything anymore. Why should he defend you?"

Kaleb, who had been silent up until now, clenched his jaw and stared at Isabel, his expression a mix of confusion and thoughtfulness.

Isabel wasn't finished. "And let's say, hypothetically, that Kaleb and I were still together. It's the 21st century, not some old-world society where women have no voice or worth. If I married into your family, would you expect me to be treated like a servant? Would Kaleb have the right to control me just because he's a man? Do you even understand what respect means?"

Her words resonated with several women in the room.

of the personal history between Isabel and Kaleb, Cindy's earlier comment that Isabel had never dared

fiancée, and her position should have commanded respect, but instead, she had been mistreated. It made the others wonder just how much Isabel had suffered

boss, and Cindy was his sister, so they figured saying what was on their mind wouldn't be the best option and might get

tension in the room was

looks like your tongue has gotten sharper since we last met! But don't think I don't see through you. The only reason you're here today is because you knew it's the Johnson Group's big gala. You're

words rang with

words. She wasn't here

turned and started

the Bennett Group's gala! There's security at the door-you can't just sneak in," Cindy called

stepped forward,

So much has happened already-why dwell on the past? Life's too short to keep holding grudges," Eva said with a serene smile, gently stroking her round belly. "I'm a mother now, and I don't have the energy for all this drama.

earned her appreciative

wonder he chose

as a compliment to Eva,

Are they trying to say I'm

the person who'd spoken, mentally making a note to handle the

you're

a little longer? I'll play

yel

harp for

said sweetly, flashing a

Eva playing the harp?

was about to ignore Eva and walk away, but what Eva said made her stop in her tracks and

ever mentioning such a skill before. Is she trying to challenge me, knowing that I

am now a Zimmerman, and Eva can't possibly know about

watch. She kept her eyes on Eva as the woman gracefully moved

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at the gala. Even if Isabel hadn't clashed with Cindy earlier, it seemed Eva had planned to perform from the

was trying to show off a new skill to