Chapter 2 She is Back

In the wilds east of Emerald City, the night was pitch black, and the wind howled through the trees.

Suddenly, a beast's head emerged from the tall grass.

It looked like a wolf.

Its green-yellow eyes glowed with a sharp, wild light, fixed on a girl lying on the ground, barely alive.

For a starving beast, the scent of blood was an irresistible lure.

It pounced out of the grass, viciously attacking the girl, sinking its teeth into her frail wrist.

As the sharp teeth pierced her skin, Isabella's eyes snapped open, pain flooding her gaze.

Was she...

Dead?

Where was she now?

The agony of her flesh being torn forced her to lift her head.

In the next moment, she locked eyes with the beast.

The eye contact brought her to full awareness.

Isabella raised her other hand and gouged at the wolf's eyes.

The wolf's scream echoed through the night like a ghostly wail.

Isabella knelt, gripping its neck, driving a sharp stick she held through its throat.

She held the position, ensuring the beast was lifeless before slowly releasing her grip.

She looked around, seeing wild grass and trees growing unchecked, rocks scattered everywhere, and countless insects and ants.

This was Heather Bluff, on the west side of Emerald City.

The scene was eerily identical to one night four years ago!

Back then, after Bianca had fallen down the stairs while they were going downstairs together, Olivia had punished Isabella by making her kneel in the yard to reflect.

She had fainted from exhaustion.

When she woke up, she found herself abandoned in this desolate place...

Isabella pushed herself up from the ground.

At this moment, the repeated events and the familiar surroundings pointed to one fact—

She had come back!

Back to four years ago.

In her previous life, she had tried her best to please, only to be met with her parents' and brothers' disdain and rejection.

This time, she no longer sought the so-called family affection.

To her, the most important thing was herself.

Isabella licked her dry lips with her tongue, then glanced at the gruesome sight of the dead wolf, and pulled the long stick from its body.

Using the stick for support, she limped down the mountain.

——

The Taylor Villa.

Lunch time.

Bianca sat at the dining table, looking at the distinguished man in a well-fitted black suit across from her. "Chase, Isabella hasn't come back yet. Should we wait for her to have lunch together?"

"If she didn't come back on time, that's her problem," Chase said coldly. "We can't all wait for her, and besides, she's not worth it."

"Bianca, eat," Gabriel said, sounding disgusted at the mention of Isabella. "Don't bring her up."

He placed a few slices of beef into Bianca's bowl. "Your favorite. Eat more, you've lost weight recently."

Bianca smiled sweetly. "Thanks for caring, Gabriel."

Just then, the door opened.

Isabella stood at the entrance.

She wore a cheap white t-shirt with two rips, faded jeans, and white canvas shoes caked with mud.

Such attire was completely out of place in the luxurious house.

Chase glanced up briefly before looking away, showing no concern.

Tobias, dressed in a tailored white shirt and cutting steak, frowned, a hint of disdain in his eyes. "How did you end up looking like this?"

Isabella said nothing, walking towards the dining table.

"Go clean up before you eat. Bianca's immune system is weak; don't spread germs to her," Tobias reminded.

Isabella glanced at Tobias, then turned and headed upstairs.

Tobias paused, a bit surprised.

After being brought back from the mountains, Isabella had always been careful to please them, eager to fit into the family, afraid of being rejected.

Always humble, always submissive, her eyes always pleading, like a dog.

But just now, her gaze was so indifferent.

It was unprecedented.

——

Isabella walked up the stairs to the room at the end of the hall.

She opened the door to a small room with a narrow bed, a simple set of table and chairs, a chipped wardrobe, and a cracked mirror.

This was her bedroom in the house.

Converted from a storage room.

No windows, no sunlight.

But she had been grateful.

She had been thankful to the Taylor Family for taking her back and giving her everything.

She had tried to care for everyone in the family, cherishing her regained relatives...

Isabella looked at herself in the mirror.

Memories of her cautious life over the past four years replayed in her mind.

She had sought attention and kindness, believing that persistence would earn her the Taylor Family’s sympathy, but she got nothing.

Under the guise of family, they belittled her, humiliated her, trained her, and then... killed her.

Isabella took a deep breath, looking at the dark, sunless room.

The true daughter of the Taylor Family should not be so humble.

——

Halfway through lunch.

Isabella walked down the stairs casually.

She had changed into clean clothes. Her eyes, once timid, now held a cold, fierce determination.

Her back, always hunched in submission, was now straight, her demeanor calm and unhurried, bringing a chill as she walked.

Gabriel was momentarily stunned.

Bianca looked up, her heart skipping a beat, her face paling, her hands clenching under the table.

Isabella's face... how could it be so beautiful, especially those eyes!

Gabriel noticed Bianca's tense body and quickly asked, "Bianca, what's wrong?"

Bianca shook her head slightly, smiling. "Nothing, just that Isabella seems a bit different today."

Gabriel sneered, "She's just a girl from the countryside."

Bianca gently tugged his sleeve. "Gabriel, don't say that. She's your sister too."

"Sister? I only have one sister, and that's you."

Isabella walked to the empty seat beside Tobias.

Tobias adjusted his glasses, speaking coldly, "Stay away from me."

Isabella ignored him, pulling out the chair and sitting down.

Tobias's expression darkened. "I don't want to sit with you."

He had a cleanliness obsession.

Isabella paused, then tilted her head slightly to look at Tobias. "Then you can leave."

Her words stunned not only Tobias but also Chase and Gabriel.

Tobias was incredulous. "What did you say?!"

Isabella's lashes lowered, her tone icy. "If you don't want to sit with me, you can leave."

"You..." Tobias's refined face froze for a moment.

Isabella had told him to leave?

"Isabella," Chase's gaze swept over her face, his voice cold. "How do you talk to Tobias like that?"

Isabella had always pretended to be obedient, trying to please everyone, never speaking so coldly.

Isabella looked directly at Chase, her eyes no longer filled with admiration or a desire for approval. "The way he talks to me is the way I talk to him."