Deceiving Her Ears: Ignoring Your Call-Chapter 130: He Broke Out in a Cold Sweat

Vanessa looked at Lydia Fletcher in confusion and asked, "Who is she?"

Before Natalie or Isaac could speak, Lydia answered first, "I’m her mother."

Those three words—her mother—kept Natalie frozen in place.

She turned to Lydia Fletcher, feeling a wave of heat surge up from her chest, tumultuous and overwhelming.

Vanessa’s expression showed surprise.

She had vaguely heard that Cynthia Kendall wasn’t Natalie’s biological mother.

And looking closer now, the shape of their eyes and brows was indeed strikingly similar.

"What’s going on? You all think I came here to berate someone?"

Vanessa slapped Isaac’s shoulder.

Isaac snapped out of it, rubbed his shoulder, and chuckled as he hugged his mother, "Of course not."

"You’re the one who told Mrs. Watson to keep quiet, right?" Vanessa snorted, "Let me tell you, Mrs. Watson sure kept her mouth shut. But I’m smart—I guessed it myself."

After saying that, Vanessa pulled away from her son and walked up to Natalie.

"It’s that idiot Isaac’s fault for not protecting you, Nat. You suffered because of him."

She grasped Natalie’s hand, her eyes full of pain and sympathy.

Women understood each other.

Besides, she herself had once lost a child.

She knew how miserable and painful that was.

"Miscarriage surgery hurts your body. Are you all healed up now?"

Natalie hadn’t expected Vanessa truly held no blame toward her. She nodded, "I’m all better."

"That’s good. Starting tomorrow, I’ll have Mrs. Watson come by every day and make soup for you. Look how thin you are—you need some nourishment."

"That’s really not necessary."

Vanessa thought, maybe Natalie didn’t like Mrs. Watson coming over to disturb them. The young couple just wanted peace and quiet to enjoy their time together.

So she nodded, "Alright, just take good care of yourselves."

Then she looked at Lydia, "Well, this is our first meeting, and I didn’t know Nat’s mother would be here too, so I haven’t prepared a gift. Please forgive me."

Lydia nodded lightly, saying no need to be so formal.

Vanessa insisted, "But the proper manners are still necessary. I’ll make it up to you and have Isaac deliver a present later."

Isaac escorted Vanessa out, only to get scolded by her outside for a bit.

"You kept such a big thing from me! Nat suffered and our family didn’t even do anything—it looks like we’re bullying her."

Isaac was touched by his mom’s words, hugged her and acted cute, "Mom, you’re the best."

"Pfft, I’m not as good as your wife. She sacrificed so much for you."

Isaac’s expression darkened.

Vanessa coughed lightly; even though she was embarrassed, she couldn’t help but remind her son, "Be careful from now on! In the end, only girls get hurt by these things. If you’re not ready to be a parent, well, be sure to take all the right precautions."

"I got it."

——

The next day at noon, Isaac went to meet Ethan Vaughn.

He had only an hour, but ended up forty minutes late.

Ethan had waited so long he’d lost his temper, seeing Isaac finally stroll in, so furious he just laughed, "Isaac Vaughn, you’re hard to get a hold of. I’ve waited almost a month just for a meal with you."

Isaac sat down across from him, not bothering with small talk, "Just spit it out."

Ethan’s face twitched; he clenched his teeth and squeezed out a smile, "Let’s order first."

"Forget it. Looking at your phony face, I might get sick."

As soon as Isaac said it, Ethan’s expression turned gloomy. No amount of pretense could cover it up now.

So Ethan didn’t bother to keep up appearances.

"The government project—the Vaughn family is claiming it."

Eight words, simple and direct.

Isaac’s thin lips curled into a mocking smile. He leaned back lazily in his chair, "Oh? Then let’s compete fairly."

Now he was Beckett Group’s VP; naturally, he represented the Beckett side.

Ethan frowned, "Isaac, you might be at Beckett Group now, but don’t forget you’re a Vaughn. Grandpa cares deeply about this project. Are you really going to let him down?"

"Is it Grandpa who cares, or is it you who want that five percent of Vaughn Group shares?"

Ethan wasn’t surprised Isaac knew.

After all, if Vanessa hadn’t told him, that’d be odd.

He looked at Isaac, almost smiling, "Isaac, you act like you do everything for Beckett Group, for Natalie. But if Natalie ever found out about your deal with Old Mr. Beckett, do you think she’d appreciate what you’ve done?"

Isaac didn’t respond, his expression just darkening.

——

Afternoon.

Natalie should still be at Beckett Group at this hour.

Isaac walked in carrying groceries. Not hearing any noise behind him, he turned and glared at the person standing outside the door, his voice cold, "Are you coming in or not?"

Lydia gritted her teeth and finally stepped in.

Isaac said, "All these are Nat’s favorites, so cook them well later."

These past couple days, Lydia had played the "devoted mother" role to the point of exhaustion. Her expression right now was downright unpleasant, her eyes full of resistance.

Isaac spoke slowly, every word threatening, "When you face Nat later, you’d better drop that impatient attitude. If you upset her, don’t blame me for making things difficult for your husband and son."

Lydia snapped, "You! You’re despicable!"

He was using her husband and son to threaten her.

Isaac replied indifferently, "Say what you want. As long as you do what I say, they’ll be fine."

"Besides, Nat is your biological daughter. You really don’t feel even a little guilty toward her?"

Faced with the question, Lydia grew even colder, "No. Why should I feel guilty? I abandoned her so she could live as a real heiress, pampered and privileged."

"I’ve done nothing wrong by her. In fact, she ought to thank me."

Isaac could hardly believe it, "Thank you? Thank you for what? For sending her straight into the wolves’ den? Do you know Cynthia Kendall once tried to kill her?"

Lydia still didn’t care, "She’s fine now, isn’t she? Didn’t die, did she?"

Isaac let out a cold laugh.

His gaze was harsh, fixed on Lydia; if he could, he’d strangle her right then!

How could there be a mother like this in the world?

Sure, no one mandated that mothers must love their children.

But most mothers love their children deeply.

Even Lydia loved her younger son.

But when it came to Natalie, why was she so cold and callous?

Isaac stepped forward, forcing Lydia to back up.

Lydia instinctively retreated, but was grabbed roughly by the arm; she cried out in pain.

"I don’t care what you think. Just show some respect on the surface!"

"You. Love. Nat. Kendall!"

"You’d better play that role with real emotion!"

"Yesterday when my mom came, didn’t you act just fine?"

Lydia bore the pain and tried desperately to pull her arm free, but Isaac’s grip was far stronger than she could break.

She had no choice but to compromise, gritting her teeth, "Fine. Got it."

Only then did Isaac let go of her, satisfied.

Turning to rummage through the bags, he said, "I forgot to buy cilantro. Go get some."

Lydia’s face was ashen as she turned and walked out.

Isaac went into the living room, ready to call Natalie and tell her Lydia would cook for her tonight. Natalie would be thrilled.

He dialed her number.

But she didn’t pick up for a long time.

Isaac was puzzled, when suddenly he heard a faint ringtone coming from the bedroom.

That ringtone was so familiar.

He broke out in a cold sweat.