After the Secret Wedding Rise of My Queen

Secret Wedding 240 Chapter 240 Kidnapping Isabel to Threaten Reggie "Think about it! If her intentions weren't calculated, how could she have secretly recorded this video beforehand? She had the option to release it earlier or later, but she chose to wait until her father had released his statement. Doesn't that show she's really scheming?" Rachel remarked, her face filled with unease.

Ivana raised an eyebrow, and in her view, Rachel's reasoning didn't seem that significant.

"I must admit, I believe this might also be a way for her to protect herself." Ivana had looked into Isabel's background and the situation with the Zimmermans, so she was aware of their family dynamics.

Colin favored his non-biological daughter but treated his biological daughter harshly. Eventually, he even sets Isabel up with a man in his fifties for a blind date.

This was the main reason for the complete breakdown in their father-daughter relationship. Hearing Ivana speak in defense of Isabel made Rachel feel both uneasy and frustrated.

"Ivana, you're just too soft-hearted. Didn't I break it down earlier? I understand she's trying to protect herself, but she could've used the video to pressure Colin into apologizing, and that would've been enough. Why wait for Colin to twist the story online before revealing the footage? It's clear she planned this deliberately!" After finishing her point, Rachel shifted the topic back to Xander.

"From this, it's obvious that the 'run-in' outside city hall was likely staged by Isabel. I spoke with a maid who was working at Xan's house at the time, and she said that when Isabel first arrived at the villa, she acted composed and wasn't surprised by Xan's status. What does that suggest? It means Isabel already knew who he was beforehand!" Ivana's expression grew darker. The situation between Isabel and Colin didn't concern her deeply, but when it cto her son, her emotions becharder to control.

"This Isabel is clearly no ordinary person!" Hearing her comment and noticing the concern on her face, Rachel smirked maliciously.

"Lettell you one more thing, Ivana. The last tIsabel visited you, she suddenly lashed out at me, then acted like she had a stomachache and started bleeding. Later, the more I thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed. So, I looked into it, and guess what? She just happened to be on her period that day. Ivana, you didn't believethen, and you misunderstood...

As Rachel spoke, tears began to fill her eyes.

Ivana watched Rachel's sorrowful expression, crying as if her heart was breaking, and she couldn't bring herself to doubt anything Rachel had just said. After all, the truth could easily be verified, leaving Rachel with no reason to make up lies.

"Rachel, my sweet girl, don't cry anymore. Your eyes will get puffy if you keep crying. This is my fault. I shouldn't have questioned you. I've seen you grow up and know better than anyone what kind of person you are. I promise, if something like this happens again, I'll never doubt you. I'll always be on your side." "Thank you, Ivana!" Rachel sobbed like a little child, wrapping her arms around Ivana's waist and occasionally acting playfully affectionate in her embrace.

Ivana gently ran her hand through Rachel's hair. She thought of young Leslie, both shared this endearing habit of being sweet and playful with her, winning her over with their charm.

Sigh...

Sadly, she had failed to protect little Leslie, and now she was no longer in this world. No matter what happened, she was determined to safeguard Rachel.

Meanwhile, at the Zimmerman Residence.

Colin was utterly stunned. His original plan had been to use public opinion to teach the siblings a harsh lesson, showing them the consequences of defying their father.

If they refused to hand over the company, he intended to ruin it entirely.

However, he never anticipated such a drastic reversal. Isabel and Reggie remained unharmed, but it was his own reputation that ended up taking the hit.

As he watched the video of himself angrily yelling at Isabel and Reggie, his face unmistakably resembling that of a villain, he couldn't ignore the flood of comments from netizens beneath it.

"How frightening! I've heard rumors that Lillian's father treats Isabel poorly, but I never thought it would be this bad. Look at his expression-it's like he's ready devour someone. If my dad acted like that, I don't even want to imagine it!" "Honestly, I really respect Isabel. To endure a father like that and still manage to keep going, she's remarkable." "Sigh... the world is vast, and it's full of all kinds of people." "D*mn it!" Colin angrily hurled his phone across the room, shattering it into pieces. Lillian shivered, overwhelmed with fear.

Amelia's eyes sparkled as an idea struck her. "Honey, we can't let this keep happening. Isabel is way too good at stirring up trouble. The I.Ze Corporation is expanding quickly, and if it continues like this, it will only becmore powerful. When that happens, our family is sure to be crushed by her." Colin considered her words. With Isabel's determined nature, she just might actually do it in the future.

No! He needed to act fast. He couldn't allow the I.Z. Corporation to keep growing, or their family would pay the price later.

"But what should we do?" Colin slumped on the couch, running his fingers through his hair. A few more strands fell from the thinning spot on his scalp as he did.

"I've got a plan, Honey," Amelia announced confidently.

"What kind of plan?" Colin asked eagerly, his eyes fixed on her.

Amelia grinned and slid closer to him. "Isabel is nothing more than a pesky troublemaker. She can't do much harm. But Reggie is a different story. He runs the I.Z. Corporation. Now, who does Reggie care about the most?" A realization dawned on Colin. "Are you suggesting we kidnap Isabel and use her to manipulate Reggie?" "Exactly!" Amelia said. Her schwas driven more by her own selfish motive than anything else.

That motive was the I.Z. Corporation! If they could take control of it, her position as a high-society woman would rise even further.

"It's a solid plan, but isn't using your own daughter to threaten your son a bit heartless?" Colin hesitated.

"Honey..." Amelia purred, wrapping

her arm around his, "You can't afford to be so soft and gullible. You treat them like loyal children, bu¤athey do is stab you in the back. They don't respect you as their father. They even kicked you out of the company today. Who would do something so cruel?"

Amelia knew exactly how to push Colin's buttons and chose her words chose carefully to stir his emotions. His expression darkened noticeably, a storm of anger brewing on his face.

Amelia gave Lillian a subtle nod, prompting her to pour a cup of warm water and offer it to him.

"Dad, don't get worked up. It's not good for your health, and it's really not worth it. Here, have swater to calm down," Lillian said softly.

Colin glanced at the dutiful Lillian, then at the supportive Amelia, and his resolve hardened.

"Fine! That's exactly what we'll do!" he declared before grabbing his phone. "Get a team together and bring Isabel to me!"