Chapter 141: Isabella’s Reign of Terror
No matter how strong we become, no matter how confident in our abilities we may become, and no matter how far we think we have come through in our journey to recovery, one slap by mother reality can negate years of heartfelt effort, making it all seem meaningless.
Edmond had spent his entire life trying to avoid Isabella De Clare, a woman he considered a monster and a constant reminder of a deep, unhealed wound. Their shared history was a scandal so profound that everyone involved kept it a closely guarded secret. The events that connected Edmond and Isabella were known only to the 172nd graduating class of the Royal Academy, who referred to that period as Isabella’s Reign of Terror.
The main culprit here was none other than the beautiful yet ruthless Isabella De Clare, the one whose actions almost disturbed the political scene that year. According to testimonies, Isabella and Edmond had such a bad relationship that Isabella completely pulverized any shred of dignity he was born with.
Isabella graduated the following year, and Edmond still had two years to go, but he disappeared for most of the time and would occasionally appear during the finals, as he was desperately dodging those who may have known the truth.
But it was completely impossible to avoid Isabella, since she was everywhere, from social gatherings to parties and galas. Even the auction house was practically her domain, and Edmond had to step carefully around that place, despite how often Prince Liam frequented that place with Matilda.
Then came the storm manifested in human form, Isabella following Edith, his sister, who was none the wiser about their relationship. One slap was enough to make Edmond relive one year of utter humiliation, especially with the nickname "Softy" that she stigmatized him with.
In conclusion, Edmond was bullied; that’s the truth. He was not completely blameless, but what he did by a foot, Isabella avenged by a mile.
"Oh, by the way, how is the Fashion Club?"
Then her voice pulled him back to reality; red-faced, shamed, and utterly humiliated, Edmond barely raised his gaze to meet hers, which had the same sickening smile he so much loathed.
But to ask about the Fashion Club of all things, Edmond realized that his bully was never the type to grow up or be refined. There was genuine hate between the two of them, and that Fashion Club was at the center of it all.