Chapter 14
The four members of the Court family stood in a row outside a luxurious suite on the top floor of a hotel. Their eyes were red and swollen, and their faces were pale.
After waiting for half an hour, the door finally swung open. They immediately put on ingratiating and fake smiles. Gordon said, “Mr. Lodge, we’re here today to explain certain things to you. They have to do with Isabel Court, your sister.”
Tyler said flatly, “I remember you disowning Isabel in public and with cameras rolling, Mr. Court. Her name has now been changed to Isabel Lodge, so she has nothing to do with your family now.”
Gordon was rendered speechless. Behind him, the rest of the Courts‘ expressions turned ugly. Still, he forced a smile and bowed his head. “I’m sorry, Mr. Lodge. We had no idea that she was a daughter of the Lodge family, and it’s our fault that she suffered such grievances. Please forgive us!”
Tyler shot daggers at the Court family, making them tremble uncontrollably. “Ha! So, you’re saying it was okay to mistreat her when you had no idea she was a Lodge? I don’t understand your logic, Mr. Court. Why did you adopt her in the first place?
“Did you think of her as a toy that you could use to vent your frustrations whenever you wanted? Did you ever think of her as a human being?”
His words were sharp and unrelenting. He was one step away from pointing at them and calling them opportunistic and heartless bastards.
Gordon knew he’d said the wrong thing. “I’m sorry, Mr. Lodge! I admit that we neglected Isabel after being reunited with Winifred. We just wanted to make up to Winifred for all the suffering she endured while separated from us.
“But please try to understand how we, as parents, would’ve felt. We only wanted to give our daughter the love she deserved! We didn’t do anything wrong!
“Besides, we raised Isabel and paid for her to go to college. That’s something to be acknowledged, right? Please let us off the hook and stop making things hard for us.”
Tyler’s expression becarne even more contemptuous after he heard Gordon’s explanation. “You claim that you raised my sister, Belle, but what you actually did was assault her verbally and physically. You forced her to grow up to be just like your own daughter.
“Was your family incapable of raising two daughters? Why did you keep picking on Belle after being reunited with your daughter? Why did you make her give everything she worked so hard for to someone who did nothing?”
He sneered. “My whole family has given Belle nothing but love since her return. However, my parents have never forced me to give up anything for her sake. You know why? Because they know that love isn’t about sacrificing someone to complete another,
“You guys have never thought of Isabel as your own! You only adopted her to satisfy your selfish desires! You’re unworthy of calling yourself her parents!
At his words, Linda clamped a hand over her mouth and started crying. She wanted to tell him that he was wrong. Back then, at the orphanage, Isabel had instantly caught her eye among the dozens of children lined up before her. She was obedient, sensible, and had never caused trouble.
However, Linda couldn’t bring herself to say the words. All she could think of was how she’d criticized and insulted Isabel over the years.
The door was slammed shut in the Court family’s faces. Gordon hung his head in shame, and the rest of the Courts looked troubled. Tyler was obviously furious. It was clear he wouldn’t let them off the hook.
They lingered outside the door but couldn’t think of anything else they could do to salvage the situation.
Inside the room, Kendall stood in a corner. He’d heard every word of Tyler’s conversation with the Courts, and he had mixed feelings. He felt like Tyler’s words had also been directed at him.
Tyler glanced at him coldly. “As I said, Mr. Johnson, Belle isn’t here.”
Kendall looked at him, his gaze vaguely pleading. “Where is she, then? Please let me see her.”
Tyler watched him silently for a long time. Back in Almonía, Isabel had told him about everything that had happened in Caledon. After learning the truth, he’d made up his mind to protect her so that the people from her past couldn’t disturb her anymore.
However, Kendall had spent the past few days waiting outside his hotel and begging to see Isabel. Perhaps they did need to meet one last time for proper closure.
With that thought in mind, Tyler nodded and said, “I can bring you to where she is, but it’s up to her to decide whether she wants to see you.”
