Chapter 49

49 A Smart Ass-kisser

“Competitors?”

“You met her today. She is the daughter of Richard Miller, the Vice-President of Richmond Arts University, and also one of the contestants in today’s art competition.”

Joseph thought for a moment and said, “I see. She also joined the International Dancing Association, right?”

“Yes.”

Joseph paused, puffed out a cigarette and continued indifferently, “Call George and ask him to expel this Doris from the association.”

Gerry was stunned, “Although the International Dancing Association is directly sponsored by the Wilson Group, isn’t it a bit too high-profile to interfere with their membership?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

A sharp look flashed across Joseph’s eyes as he said disdainfully, “Just tell him that I don’t like this Doris. George will know what to do.”

“Okay, I got it.”

.....

Looking at Joseph’s calm appearance, Gerry’s forehead was covered in fine sweats. However, he did not dare to wipe it off as he retreated cautiously.

“Joseph, how’s Isabella?”

“Grandfather.”

Seeing Charlie come to the upstairs, Joseph immediately put out the cigar and respectfully lowered his head. He replied, “She’s already asleep. Doctor Morris said that he had fixed her dislocation, but she needs to rest for a while.”

“That’s good.”

Charlie sized Joseph up and down and sighed, “Don’t worry too much. Ask those board members or vice-presidents to manage the company these few days. You should spend more time with Isabella. When she came back just now, she didn’t look well.”

“I will.”

Charlie said a few words of concern and left. Then Joseph turned around and wanted to enter the room.

He had already placed his hand on the door handle. Suddenly, the scene of Lukas holding Isabella in his arms in the hospital today popped into Joseph’s mind. For some reason, he was instantly enraged.

Joseph let go of his hand and kicked the door fiercely. He angrily instructed the maids beside him, “Take care of this woman tonight. Keep her alive!”

“Yes.”

The maids looked at each other confusedly. Mr. Joseph had been very concerned about Miss Isabella, but now he became furious for no reason...

...

In fact, a small wound like a sprained ankle did not affect the tenacious Isabella, and her huge appetite.

Early in the morning, Isabella jumped down from the stairs on one leg amusedly, which startled William, who was gracefully brewing his black tea. “Miss Isabella? Why did you come down?”

Charlie was sitting on the sofa reading the morning paper while waiting for breakfast. Hearing this, he raised his head with a surprised expression, “Isabella, how is your wound?”

“I am fine except my foot is still swollen.”

Isabella twisted her fingers and glanced in the direction of the dining hall. Her face turned red while she said, “I smelled something delicious in the kitchen. Actually I haven’t eaten anything since yesterday’s lunch time... ”

“Oh! I see!”

Charlie was stunned for a moment, then he immediately stood up and began to order, “William! Warm some milk for Isabella! Where is the Chef? Ask him to cook some instant food for Isabella to have a bite first!”

“Yes!”

Considering that Isabella was inconvenient to walk, Charlie directly ordered people to bring the food to the coffee table for the first time. When he saw Isabella wolf down the food, Charlie revealed a satisfied smile and said, “Take your time, Isabella. I even had someone stew the medicinal soup for you. It will be ready soon.”

Although she knew that Charlie was doing this because she was “Joseph’s girlfriend”, Isabella was still moved by such sincere gestures that she never had for so many years. Isabella couldn’t help but shed tears, “Thank you, grandfather! You are truly too kind to me.”

“Stupid girl, you don’t need to thank me. Just enjoy your food and don’t hurry in case that you choke on them.”

Charlie smiled kindly and brilliantly. As she stuffed delicious food into her mouth, Isabella started to recall bitterly her past life.

It had been seventeen years since she went to the Smiths at the age of five.

But no one ever cared about if she had enough food to eat or might choke.

When Carl was in a bad mood, he would let it out on her by beating and scolding. Very often he would starve her for a few meals.

Every time Rosa would hugged her and cried about this bullying, but there was nothing she could do.

Fortunately, she was tough enough to endure these for seventeen years. Otherwise, she would have already died a long time ago.

These were really ironical contrasts to her current happy life...

Even if this kind of life was fake and wouldn’t last over a month, and even if there was a devil Joseph whose mind was occupied by all evil thoughts, she didn’t care.

She was willing to pay more to be with Charlie for a longer time and cared by him. Just let this sweet dream went on and on...

When Joseph came back after his morning jogging, he was frightened by the scene in front of him.

Isabella squatted down on the stool beside the coffee table with her hair disheveled, wolfing down the food while chatting and laughing with the servants.

Any gracefulness and decorum were no where to find on Isabella. They were all threw away.

Isabella smiled in surprise and said when she turned around to see Joseph. “Joseph, you actually got up so early to do exercise. You’re too diligent. Do you want to try the medicinal soup cooked for me by the chef? It’s so delicious!”

As Isabella spoke, the rice in her mouth explosively sprayed into the air.

Joseph felt the veins on his temples jump up in an instant. He hurriedly walked forward to pull Isabella and angrily said, “How dare you be so rude? Get up! Right now!”

“No! Don’t pull me! My foot hurts!” Isabella howled out of pain.

“You cannot eat here even though your foot is hurt! Who told you to?”

“I did. What’s wrong?”

Charlie had just finished answering the phone when he walked out of the room. Seeing Joseph pulling Isabella whose was already inconvenient to walk, he got angry and said, “What are you pulling her for?”

“...”

Though he claimed himself to be smart, Joseph now was at a lost.

‘Why was I pulling her? My dear grandfather, it was you who set these strict rules. We couldn’t speak while eating or sleeping. We must eat in the dining hall. Everything we did must be in a dignified and graceful manner!’

‘Why did it only take a few days that you made an exception for this damn girl?’

“What’s the matter?” Charlie looked at Joseph’s changing expression and frowned, “Do you have any objections?”

“No ... I don’t.”

Joseph let go of Isabella and immediately said in a nicer tone, “I just think that it’s easy for Isabella to ... eh ... get an indigestion if she eats here.”

Isabella retorted without thinking too much, “What indigestion? I never had that kind of problem! William, can I have a refill?”

Joseph was cornered.

Charlie smiled and looked at Isabella, “Of course. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone who eats so well. Nowadays, teenagers, especially those girls, always refuse to eat more. Actually, when I was your age, I used to eat in big bowls.”

“It turns out that Grandpa doesn’t hate people wolfing down the food!”

Isabella said happily, “I have always been afraid that Grandpa would think that I am no lady and care nothing about my table manners! It is all because that the chef is super good at cooking! Oh right, William’s desserts are also amazing! I can’t stop until I have eaten a big box of them every time!”

Hearing this, William revealed a gratified smile.

As for the chef standing at the side, he immediately straightened his neck proudly...

However, Joseph ridiculed in his heart, “What a smart ass-kisser.”