Without thinking, Isabella followed the sound to a grand office. Through the doorway, she saw Ethan standing confidently beside his partner, Marcus Hale. At the head of the table sat Mr. Reed, discussing investments, imports, Asia.
Isabella’s heart pounded. Her mother lying pale in a hospital bed. Her baby brother fighting to breathe. Her father breaking under guilt. And there they were—laughing.
She stepped inside.
“You’re a thief!” she cried, pointing straight at Ethan.
Silence—then laughter again.
“Whose kid is this?” someone muttered.
Ethan smiled coolly. “Probably confused.”
Laura rushed in, apologizing, pulling Isabella away. In a service room, she whispered anxiously, “You’ll get us fired!”
“So nothing can be done?” Isabella asked, her voice small.
Laura sighed. “Sometimes we just survive.”
But moments later, firm footsteps approached. Mr. Reed entered quietly, studying the child before him.
“Why would you say that?” he asked seriously. “You didn’t look like you were joking.”
Isabella swallowed hard.
“Because he stole from us,” she said. “He took everything. My mom almost died. My baby brother is on machines.”
Mr. Reed’s expression shifted.