The Price of Secrets

But Chloe being a spoiled princess didn't allow her.

"Hey you are you planning on leaving after soiling my expensive dress"

"I truly didn't see you," Isabella insisted, maintaining her composure. "I'll gladly replace your dress. Please, let me—"

"Who would want your cheap hand-me-downs? My dress costs over fifty thousand—it's custom!" Chloe sneered, dismissive.

Isabella stifled a laugh. Fifty thousand? The dresses in her wardrobe started at six figures. Rather than argue, she replied calmly, "In that case, I'll have my assistant transfer the amount to you tomorrow."

This struck a nerve with Chloe, who assumed Isabella was only pretending to act superior because of her tenuous connection to the Anderson family. Sensing an opportunity to humiliate her, Chloe escalated the argument.

"Don't pretend to be rich. You only look good because of the Anderson family. Do you even have a penny of your own? When they kick you out, let's see how arrogant you'll be then."

Her words quickly attracted a few onlookers.

"That's right! If it weren't for you pestering Mr. Anderson, you wouldn't even dream of marrying into the Anderson family," someone else chimed in, joining the attack.

Isabella recognized them—women who had once been obsessed with Ethan, loving him to the point of madness. Upon closer inspection, every single person surrounding her was someone who had harbored feelings for Ethan.

"You've occupied Mrs. Anderson's position for three years and even pretended to be in a vegetative state to avoid divorce. You're truly despicable," another person sneered. "But luckily, your three-year period is up, and you're about to become a discarded wife of a wealthy family."

"I can't wait to laugh at you when that happens!" Chloe laughed the loudest. "Three years ago, you were the laughingstock of Crown City, and three years later, you still are. You really haven't forgotten your roots. Hahaha!"

Had this been the pre-amnesia Isabella, she might have been ashamed by their words. But post-amnesia Isabella? She was fearless. Why would she care about a few sarcastic remarks?

She smiled slightly. "It seems you're all well-informed, knowing that I'm about to get a divorce. That means everyone here has a chance to become the next Mrs. Anderson."

She paused for dramatic effect, then continued, "In fact, I have some top-secret information about Ethan's preferences. It's 100 million per copy, and I'm only selling five copies."

"First come, first served. I guarantee it's genuine. Who wants it?"

A moment of hesitation passed before the socialites looked at each other—and then pounced.

"I want it!"

"I want it!"

"Me too!"

To them, 100 million was nothing more than the price of a dress. Buying inside information about Ethan was an absolute bargain.

Isabella was too busy collecting money to notice the tall figure standing in the shadows, watching her with an icy gaze.

When she checked her account and saw an extra 500 million deposited, she couldn't help but sigh. Making money was ridiculously easy.

Truly, it was the era of "fan economy."

She turned to Chloe, who was still standing beside her, and raised a brow. "What's wrong? Do you have something else to say?"

With a shameless grin, Chloe lifted her chin. "How about sending me a copy of that confidential information? When I become Mrs. Anderson in the future, you'll definitely benefit from it."

Isabella wasn't surprised. Since childhood, Chloe had lived with a "my mother is the best in the world" mentality—believing everyone had to indulge her whims.

With a knowing smile, Isabella said, "Sure. That'll be 500 million."

"What?! Are you robbing me?" Chloe scowled.

"Your copy is different. Theirs was a mock exam, but yours? The real exam—with a much higher success rate," Isabella whispered. "I'll even throw in a genuine photo of Ethan's abs."

Chloe hesitated, struggling against temptation. After a long pause, she finally relented. "Fine. Deal. But I don't have 500 million. I'll give you my car instead. It's a Ferrari that cost over 500 million when I bought it. You're making a fortune."

She handed over the car keys.

Isabella glanced at them, immediately recognizing the model. A 2017 Ferrari. Even though it was second-hand, it could still fetch over 200 million if well-maintained.

Just then, Ethan stepped out of the shadows, his expression dark and foreboding. His sharp gaze locked onto Isabella.

That damn woman. She dared to use him to make money?

Emma, standing nearby, had amusement flickering in her eyes as she watched the drama unfold.

"Ethan," she mused, "I think she really wants to divorce you. You mean nothing to her."

Ethan shot her a cold look. "That's none of your business."

Emma didn't respond, but a hint of jealousy flickered in her gaze. She had always been the one by Ethan's side. So why had Isabella stolen him away? And why, even now, did Ethan insist on giving Isabella a generous divorce settlement, when she clearly didn't care about him?

Emma clenched her fists. She wasn't willing to accept this.

Meanwhile, Chloe pouted and went to find her parents—William and Grace. The moment Grace saw her daughter covered in red wine, she gasped.

"What happened?" Grace demanded.

Chloe exaggerated the story, playing the victim. Then, in a sweet voice, she whined, "Mom, can you buy me a new dress? Dad, can you buy me a new car?"

She had no intention of changing her stained dress yet. If she stayed in it longer, her mother would feel more sorry for her and give her even more pocket money.

Though she was the young lady of Wilson Group, her parents were notoriously stingy with her. The monthly allowance they gave her was never enough.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have pawned her car to Isabella.

William, upon hearing her request, grew anxious. "How could you give her the car? That Ferrari was originally hers. We took advantage of her depression and secretly claimed it as our own. What if she remembers?"

Chloe scoffed, unconcerned. "She won't. She has amnesia now—she's easy to fool."

"If she weren't so foolish, would she really be divorcing Ethan?"

William considered this, then n

odded in agreement. "That's true. After all, Ethan isn't someone just anyone can hold onto."