“Your shop’s close by. That just means even more pressure, doesn’t it?” Jennifer said, her tone casual, but her eyes sharp.
Isabella stayed quiet, letting her talk.
It was obvious Jennifer didn’t care how her business was going. She just wanted Isabella to give up, stay home, and be Ethan’s pampered little secret. A pretty bird in a golden cage.
“What else did you put your money into?” Jennifer asked, eyebrows raised.
“Short web dramas,” Isabella replied.
Jennifer leaned in. “And? How’s that working out?”
“The first series is already online. It did pretty well. I made a bit of money.”
Jennifer curled her lip. “A bit? How much is that? A couple thousand?”
Isabella kept her voice calm. “It’s not much to you, but it’s what I earned myself. So I spend it however I want.”
“With that kind of money, you can’t even buy a decent bag,” Jennifer shot back, her words dripping with sarcasm.
Isabella let it go. They lived in different worlds. For Jennifer, a single handbag could cost more than Isabella’s rent for a year, maybe even more. Isabella used her bags forever and usually only spent a few hundred at most. The only expensive one she had was a Hermès, and that was a gift from Cynthia.
“Are you short on cash?” Jennifer pressed.
Isabella gave her a look, something between a smile and a smirk. “Jennifer, just say what you want to say. No need to play games.”
Jennifer took a sip of her coffee, slow and graceful, like she was performing for an audience. When she put the cup down, her voice was soft but clear. “Last Friday, Ethan’s dad brought in some top specialist to check on him. A men’s health doctor.”


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