Chapter 7

Isabel didn't dare return to the villa. She locked herself in the lab and turned off her phone. However, Kendall still managed to track her down. He got the key to the lab from the dean of her faculty. He knew the lab was the only place she could be, as she didn't have anywhere else to go. The lab was dimly lit, and Isabel looked up from her computer screen, the shadows under her eyes apparent. She looked physically and mentally exhausted. Her eyes reddened as she watched him approach her. He had a smile on his face, and it was brighter than usual. He seemed to be preparing for something. He asked in concern, "You're still at it? Didn't you say your research already bore results?" Isabel's throat was dry, and she had to force the words out. "Yeah, they are." Kendall rubbed her head. "Congratulations, Izzy." She shut her eyes without saying a word. She still harbored a sliver of hope in her heart—she hoped his congratulations were sincere, and she hoped he wouldn't make such a cruel request of her. After a moment, Kendall looked at Isabel again, his face calm. "Izzy, give Winnie the results of your research." A heavy blow landed squarely on Isabel's heart. She already knew what his choice was, yet intense pain still shot through her at his blunt words. He continued to make excuses for his ridiculous request without waiting for her to speak. "You're an exemplary student, and you've got talent. I'm sure whatever experiments you conduct in the future will also bear fruit. "But Winnie isn't the same. The graduate program will be starting soon, and she'll need a couple of published papers to move forward." Isabel stumbled to her feet while keeping a hand on the desk to support herself. She looked at Kendall and screamed, "I'm an exemplary student? I have talent? Can't you see the hard work I've put into this? "I've spent countless days and nights in the lab, and the skin has peeled from my hands God knows how many times after being soaked in chemicals! I only got these results after putting my heart and soul into the experiments! Are you that heartless, Kendall?" Her words grated on Kendall's nerves. He slammed the desk and straightened up, looking down at her imperiously. "You've worked hard, but so what? Don't forget your place, Isabel. You took Winnie's place and enjoyed the perks the Court family gave you for 11 years. Isn't it natural for you to make some simple sacrifices for her now? "You should be grateful for the kindness that was shown to you. You can't be an ingrate who only wants to take without giving anything back! Look, just be nicer to Winnie, and I promise I won't break up with you. Think of all this as compensation for her." Compensation? An ingrate? Isabel barked out a laugh at those words. She clutched her chest and looked at Kendall, the man for whom her heart had beat for 11 years. At the end of the day, he merely thought of her as an ingrate. She mustered all her strength and shoved him away. "Call me an ingrate if you want, Kendall. I won't give Winifred my research results. I'm not backing down this time!" She turned and left without another look back. Behind her, Kendall's gaze turned sharp and daunting as he watched her leave.