The Return of the Discarded Heiress

On the day Isabella Fairfax was taken back to her biological parents, she was packing her simple belongings in the servant's room where she'd lived for three years.

Outside in the living room, her adoptive mother Helen Johnson's voice was shrill and loud, as if afraid Isabella couldn't hear.

"If we hadn't mistaken her for the wrong person back then, this damn girl wouldn't have enjoyed so many good years at our home! I can't wait for her to get lost!"

"Mom, don't say that."

Victoria Smith's voice was soft and sweet, with a hint of amusement in her tone.

"Isabella has given me blood transfusions several times over the years. She's been useful, at least."

"That's what she owes us! If you both didn't have Rh-negative blood, your dad and I wouldn't have mistaken her in the first place!"

Helen slammed down her teacup heavily, her voice full of heartache.

"Just thinking about this little bitch living the good life at the Smith family while my precious daughter was out there sick and suffering makes my heart feel like it's being stabbed with needles!"

"It's okay, Mom. Don't be upset. Didn't they say that world-renowned miracle doctor Salus has found a way to treat my rare disease? I'll recover soon!"

Victoria comforted her for a bit, then sighed dramatically.

"I'm just worried about Isabella. I heard her biological parents are really poor. Should we give her some money? I can't bear to see her go hungry..."

"She's been living here for free at the Smith family for so long, she's gotten enough benefits. Besides, poor people like that will cling to you once they latch on, and they'll just lower the Smith family's status!"

Helen sneered dismissively, then patted Victoria's hand.

"You're too kind. Even now you're still thinking about that little bitch. George, don't you agree?"

"You're absolutely right. Victoria is gentle and considerate - she's the wife I've chosen. Only she deserves to be the lady of the Lewis family."

George Lewis agreed warmly, drawing a coy protest from Victoria. Isabella listened to the voices outside and smirked sarcastically.

Eight years ago, to quickly finalize the marriage arrangement with the Lewis family, the Smith family only did a simple blood test before deciding Isabella was their lost daughter.

No matter how she and the orphanage director tried to explain, they still couldn't wait to bring her home from the orphanage.

But not long after, they found their real daughter Victoria.

Victoria had suffered terribly outside and developed a rare disease that caused severe bleeding from the slightest injury, putting her life in constant danger.

So Isabella, the "fake," became Victoria's walking blood bank.

Thinking of this, Isabella closed her eyes, her expression cold.

Over these years, she'd endured nothing but cold treatment at the Smith family. Her food, clothes, and living conditions were worse than the servants'.

Victoria went out of her way to torment her, using discomfort as an excuse to make her donate blood every few days, then gleefully tossing the blood bags in the trash.

As for George, who had once been so caring toward her, he couldn't wait to break off their engagement and switch to Victoria the moment she returned, while privately hinting multiple times that Isabella should become his secret mistress.

Isabella found it disgusting.

Fortunately, a few days ago, her biological parents had contacted the Smith family, and Victoria's disease now had a treatment, so blood transfusions were no longer needed.

More importantly, her main reason for staying at the Smith family had been accomplished.

She could finally leave this hellhole.

Thinking of this, Isabella took a deep breath, slung her faded canvas bag over her shoulder, and walked out.

The noise in the living room stopped abruptly. George instinctively looked at her, his eyes dark and unreadable.

He couldn't deny that Isabella held some weight in his heart.

After all, Isabella's face was truly captivating.

Too bad, no matter how beautiful she was, she wasn't the Smith family's real daughter.

He wasn't stupid - of course he knew who was the better choice.

When Isabella had rejected his "win-win" proposal, she'd acted so high and mighty.

Now that she was leaving the luxurious upper-class life to go back to the backwoods, she must be regretting it terribly!

Thinking this, a flash of satisfaction crossed George's eyes.

"How about I drive you? This might be your last chance to ride in a luxury car. Once you're back in the backwoods, who knows..."

"George!"

Victoria's expression changed slightly. She pinched him secretly, then looked at Isabella with a fake smile.

"I heard poor people in the backwoods hate the rich. Going back in a luxury car would be too obvious and might actually hurt you. But if you really want to enjoy it one last time, maybe George and I could both..."

"No need."

Isabella smiled slightly, looking at them like they were clowns.

"I'm a germaphobe. I don't ride in garbage trucks."

George froze.

"What?"

"Can't understand human speech?"

Isabella sneered and raised an eyebrow, her gaze drifting past him to land lightly on Victoria's face.

"I should thank you for recycling trash and treating him like a treasure. You're quite talented."

"You!"

George finally caught on, his face turning purple with rage. Victoria's eyes immediately reddened as she leaned weakly into his arms.

"George and I both care about you. How could you..."

"Victoria thinks of you in everything, and instead of being grateful, you insult us?"

Seeing Victoria hurt, Helen exploded.

"Just like a poor person's bastard child - no manners in your bones!"

"You all have such good manners, putting on this show for me in broad daylight."

Isabella scoffed, casually pulled a coin from her pocket, and tossed it at Helen's feet.

"A little tip. Don't mention it."

"You!"

Helen's face turned red with anger, unable to speak for a long moment.

Isabella couldn't be bothered. She walked straight to the door, and just as her hand touched the doorknob, Victoria's voice came from behind.

"Wait!"

She hurried over, her face breaking into a fake smile again.

"Isabella, my ruby necklace is missing. You can leave, but let me search your luggage first."

Here we go again.

Isabella laughed coldly, her calm eyes showing no emotion.

Over the years, Victoria had played this framing game countless times.

And Helen, as expected, immediately believed her and jumped in.

"You dare steal Victoria's necklace? Truly poor in wealth and character! Hand it over now!"

"I know you'll have a hard time when you go back, but that's my favorite necklace, worth hundreds of thousands. You actually stole it?"

Victoria sighed, looking sincere.

"Forget it. We were family, after all. I don't want to make things difficult for you. If you admit it now, I won't blame you. If you really need money, I suppose I could just give you the necklace."

"Victoria is so generous!"

Helen glared like she wanted to devour Isabella.

"If you know what's good for you, hand over the necklace yourself. Otherwise, if we have to search your luggage, everyone will be embarrassed!"

She was hoping they would search!

Isabella raised an eyebrow, dropped her canvas bag on the floor, and said calmly, like an outsider,

"Go ahead."

Victoria froze, not expecting her to agree so readily. She quickly crouched down to search the luggage.

The simple backpack only contained a few cheap clothes Isabella had bought with her own work money. There wasn't a single item belonging to the Smith family, let alone an expensive necklace.

How could this be?

She'd personally stuffed it into the hidden compartment of Isabella's backpack early this morning!

Victoria bit her lip hard, a flash of anger crossing her face. She rolled her eyes and still refused to give up.

"It's not in the bag, so it must be hidden on her body. Isabella, just take it out. Why make such a scene?"

"Victoria, why are you wasting words on her?"

George's eyes fixed on Isabella, a smile on his lips.

"Since it's hidden on her body, she should strip and be searched. Take off one piece at a time - we'll find it eventually."

His tone carried undisguised desire, making Victoria dig her nails into her palms.

"George, isn't that inappropriate?"

"What's inappropriate? We're all familiar with each other. What's wrong with looking?"

George chuckled, staring hard at Isabella.

"Isabella, if you don't dare to strip, that proves you stole the necklace!"