Chapter 3

Two years had passed since Isabella had left New York and started her new life in Miami. She had thrown herself into her work, and her company had flourished under her leadership. She had expanded her business, opening new branches and offices all over the world. And now, her company had its headquarters in Miami, where she oversaw all the operations.

Isabella had become even more reserved and cold over the years. She had built walls around herself, and few people were able to penetrate her defenses. She was a force to be reckoned with in the business world, and people respected her for her intelligence, her strategic thinking, and her ruthless determination.

Meanwhile, Brandon's life had taken a different turn. After marrying Mia, he had merged his company with Morano & Rizzo, and he had become the CEO of the new entity. However, his success was short-lived. One of his factories had been set on fire by an enemy, and the company had suffered a huge loss. Brandon was struggling to recover from the setback, but it seemed like one disaster after another was hitting him.

Tragedy had also struck the Rizzo family. Michael Rizzo had died of a heart attack, leaving behind a legacy of business acumen and a family that was still reeling from his death.

And if that was not enough, Salvatore Moreno and his wife had died in a car accident a year ago. The loss had been devastating for the family, and it had left a void that could never be filled.

Isabella had been affected by the deaths, but she had not shown any outward signs of grief. She had attended the funerals, paid her respects, and then gone back to her life, seemingly untouched by the tragedy.

But deep down, Isabella was still hurting. She was still carrying the scars of her past, and she was still trying to come to terms with the betrayals she had suffered. She had built a wall around herself, but it was a fragile wall, and it could crumble at any moment.

As Isabella sat in her office, staring out at the skyline, she couldn't help but think about the past. She thought about her family, about her father.

Michael Rizzo's death was a somber occasion, with the entire family gathered to pay their respects. The atmosphere was heavy with grief and nostalgia, as everyone remembered the man who had been the patriarch of the Rizzo family.

As the family stood around the coffin, lost in their thoughts, a commotion was heard outside. The doors opened, and Isabella walked in, flanked by two burly guards. She was dressed in a simple yet elegant black dress, her hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail. Her eyes were cast down, and she didn't look at anyone as she made her way to the front.

In her hands, she carried a massive bouquet of flowers, which she placed gently in front of her father's coffin. She bowed her head, her eyes closed, and stood there for a moment, lost in her thoughts.

The room was silent, with everyone watching Isabella's every move. Brandon's eyes were fixed on her, his expression twisted in hatred and anger. He couldn't believe she had the audacity to show up here after everything that had happened.

Olivia, Mia's mother, was the first to break the silence. Her voice was venomous as she spat out the words, "Why have you come here? You're the one responsible for ruining our family."

Isabella's eyes snapped open, and she raised her head, her gaze locking onto Olivia's. Her expression was icy, her voice dripping with disdain. "I've come to pay my respects to my father," she said, her tone cold and detached. "I won't be lectured by you, Olivia. You have no right to judge me."

Brandon took a step forward, his fists clenched at his sides. "You're the one who destroyed our family, Isabella," he sneered, his voice dripping with malice.

Isabella's gaze shifted to Brandon, her eyes narrowing. "You're still stuck in the past, Brandon," she said, her voice dripping with contempt. "You're still blaming me for your own mistakes. I'm not the one who cheated on my fiancée with my sister. I am not the one who destroyed our family. You are."

The room was silent, with everyone watching the exchange between Isabella and Brandon. Isabella's words were like a slap in the face, and Brandon's anger was palpable. But Isabella didn't flinch, didn't back down. She stood tall, her eyes flashing with intelligence and determination. She was a force to be reckoned with, and everyone in the room knew it.

Isabella's eyes locked onto Olivia's, her gaze cold and unyielding. "Stepmom," she said, her voice devoid of emotion, "you yourself are responsible for your own ruin."

Olivia's face turned red with rage, but Isabella didn't flinch. She continued, her voice dripping with disdain, "By the way, I just came to attend Dad's funeral. I don't have time to listen to your... shit."

The room fell silent, with everyone staring at Isabella in shock. Brandon and Mia exchanged a nervous glance, but Isabella didn't seem to care. She turned her attention to them, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"A lot is yet to happen, Mom," she said, her voice dripping with malice. The words hung in the air, like a threat, and everyone in the room felt a shiver run down their spines.

Without another word, Isabella turned and walked away, leaving the stunned family members in her wake. Olivia's face contorted in rage, and she screamed, "You should have died instead of your dad!"

Everyone in the room gasped in shock. Isabella didn't react, didn't even flinch. She just kept walking, her back straight, her head held high.

Olivia's scream turned into a wail, and she collapsed into her chair, sobbing uncontrollably. Mia rushed to her side, trying to comfort her, but Olivia pushed her away.

Isabella walked away from the room; she couldn't help but smirk to herself. She had said what she needed to say, and she had made her presence known. She had left a lasting impression on her family, and she knew that they would be thinking about her words for a long time to come.

Her smirk was a small, subtle movement of her lips, but it spoke volumes. It was a sign of her satisfaction, her triumph, and her confidence. She had taken control of the situation, and she had come out on top.

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