The words of Isabella sent chills down Natalia's spine. It was clear that Isabella had spiraled into a dreadful abyss of her own making. Natalia regretted her brash decision to confront Isabella alone; she should have brought James along.
But death held no fear if it meant getting the antidote.
Isabella, lost in her reminiscences, didn't notice Natalia's pale face. She threw her head back and laughed, a sound filled with arrogance and triumph. "I watched him convulse on the ground until he stopped breathing. Then, I took all his money and escaped that farm that held me captive for a year. I traveled to Europe and had a plastic surgery. My face bears a sorrowful story. I wanted to discard my past and start afresh, to live a life that's truly mine!"
Natalia shivered. The most terrifying thing in the world was the human heart; it was capable of shifting blame onto others despite knowing one's faults.
"Do you know how I spent these years, Natalia?" Isabella sneered at Natalia, answering her own question before Natalia could respond. "I got a new face, a clean slate, and studied business management. I wanted to begin a new life, to repay the humiliation I suffered at your hands a thousandfold! If not for you, I would still be the radiant heiress of the Simmons Group, not a plaything for others' lust! This is all your doing! All your fault!"
"Really, Isabella? Why do you always blame others and never reflect on yourself? Don't you bear any responsibility for the things that have happened to you?" Natalia retorted, feeling that Isabella had lost her sanity.
"Me? What did I do wrong? Everything that's happened is thanks to you! I forced myself to study and quietly returned to Melfort. With my impressive resume, I easily secured a position at Andersen Corporation. Thank heavens, they must have seen my burning desire for revenge and blessed me with a smooth journey. I quickly rose to the position of executive assistant," Isabella said, her gaze filled with hatred as she looked at Natalia. "But when I saw Magnus, whom I hadn't seen for years, the love I had kept for him exploded. His handsome and rebellious face attracted me and kept me awake at night. Every day, I yearned for his tender care."
Natalia frowned, shaking her head internally. Isabella was beyond redemption.
"Why are you frowning? What right do you have to frown at me? If not for Magnus' protection, you're nothing. You're not even worth being my servant!" Isabella spat harshly, her hands clenching tightly as she envisioned ripping Natalia apart.
"So, you drugged him? To make him have sex with you?" Natalia asked disdainfully. Even though she knew Isabella would admit it, she couldn't help but feel nauseous.
"That's right. It was me!" Isabella admitted openly, without a trace of shame. "Why should a man as outstanding as Magnus only have eyes for you? What do you have that I don't? I dream of sleeping with him, and even if it kills me, I'd die happy! What about you? Can you say the same?"
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