After the Secret Wedding Rise of My Queen

Chapter 249 Playing the Harp on Stage "Who do you think you are? Just because you toldto 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 hearpoint 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 wantto 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 sold-world society where women have no voice or worth. If I married into your family, would you expectto be treated like a servant? Would Kaleb have the right to controljust because he's a man? Do you even understand what respect means?" Her words resonated with several women in the room.

Regardless of the personal history between Isabel and Kaleb, Cindy's earlier comment that Isabel had never dared speak back-left a disturbing impression.

Isabel had once been Kaleb's 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 while being part of the Johnson family.

However, nobody dared to say anything. After all, Kaleb was their boss, and Cindy was his sister, so they figured saying what was on their mind wouldn't be the best option and might get them fired.

Though no one spoke, the tension in the room was palpable.

Cindy let out a bitter laugh, her voice dripping with mockery. "Well, Isabel, 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 just trying to weasel your way back into my brother's life!" Cindy's self-righteous words rang with arrogance.

Isabel didn't bother responding. She let her actions speak louder than words. She wasn't here for the Johnson Group's gala-she was there for the Bennett Group's event.

With that, Isabel turned and started to walk away, heading upstairs.

"Hey! Isabel, where do you think you're going? Can't you read the signs? This floor is for the Bennett Group's gala! There's security at the door-you can't just sneak in," Cindy called out, hands on her hips, her voice thick with derision.

Eva, always the peacemaker, stepped forward, her voice warm and conciliatory.

"Con, Isabel, Cindy, let's just let it go. 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 . We should focus on living peacefully, not on fighting." Eva's calm demeanor earned her appreciative nods from the crowd.

"Our boss's wife is so kind-hearted. No wonder he chose her over Isabel even though she's prettier," someone whispered.

Although meant as a compliment to Eva, the words hit hard.

What do they mean? Are they trying to say I'm less attractive than Isabel? Eva cast a quiet glare at the person who'd spoken, mentally making a note to handle the situation later.

"Isabel, since you're already here, why not stay a little longer? I'll play a yel piece on the harp for you and everyone else," Eva said sweetly, flashing a smile.

Eva playing the harp? Isabel was about to ignore Eva and walk away, but what Eva said made her stop in her tracks and sparked her curiosity.

I don't recall Eva ever mentioning such a skill before. Is she trying to challenge me, knowing that I once earned awards for my harp performances? But that can't be it. I am now a Zimmerman, and Eva can't possibly know about my past life.

Curious, Isabel stayed to watch. She kept her eyes on Eva as the woman gracefully moved toward the harp.

Эле It was clear that the harp had been strategically placed at the gala. Even if Isabel hadn't clashed with Cindy earlier, it seemed Eva had planned to perform from the beginning.

Isabel smirked, realizing that Eva was trying to show off a new skill to impress Kaleb.

After all, it was a good strategy.

And sure enough, Kaleb's eyes were fixed on Eva, his curiosity evident.

Eva gave Kaleb a small bow, her smile gentle, before placing her hands on the harp strings.

The piece she played was The Butterfly Lovers. Though her performance was acceptable, it was e exaggerated, and she cast frequent flirtatious glances at Kaleb. The tic notes of the piece seemed to tug at his emotions. Isabel propped her chin up with her hand, raising an eyebrow.

She'd always known Eva had a knack for manipulating men. Kaleb wasn't naive-far from it His sharp mind had propelled the Johnson Group to success. Yet Eva's calculated charm had ensnared him so thoroughly that he'd forgotten all the sacrifices Isabel had made for him.

When the song cto an end, the room erupted in applause, accompanied by a flood of compliments.

"Our boss's wife is so talented-not only beautiful, but multi-skilled too." "She plays so well! Almost as good as my college music professor!" "No wonder the boss chose her over Isabel. Isabel's just a pretty face, nothing more." The praise brought a satisfied smile to Eva's lips.

She glanced at Kaleb, who returned her smile warmly.

Her plan had worked perfectly.

She had practiced for months, all for this very reason.

Then Eva looked up at Isabel. She only had one goal before, but with Isabel standing there now, she wasn't about to miss the chance to humiliate her further.