Divorced, But Queen - Chapter 381: Chapter 381

With a knife still embedded in his leg, Isaac was unable to sit or kneel properly. Locking eyes with Aria, hatred burned in his gaze as he pointed at her and bellowed, "Tom, kill her!"
Tom was the patriarch of the Shaw family in Kanit City and Anabel's father.
Seeing the bloody scene, he frowned slightly and looked at Aria, saying, "Even though he was at fault, you were a bit too harsh."
Aria crossed her arms, her expression dripping with sarcasm. "Victim blaming? Seriously? What era is this that people still play that game?"
Aria shot back sarcastically, "Instead of blaming others, why don't you just cage that bastard up and chain him, so he can't get out and hurt anyone else?"
Tom knew exactly what kind of man Isaac was, but he found Aria's methods excessively brutal, utterly lacking the grace and refinement expected of a well-bred young lady from a respectable family.
Her words were just as infuriating.
He wouldn't have said a word if it were anyone else.
But this just happened to be the girl Owen had taken a liking to.
Tom said, "I'm not trying to blame anyone. But you and Owen are bound to be together eventually. If you push the Shaw family too far, marrying into our family won't come easy."
"Dad!"
Anabel's eyes widened in shock. 'This is over.'
Aria lifted her eyes in utter disgust.
"Feudal relic."
With that, she sauntered off.
For the first time in his life, Tom was insulted like this. His face froze, his brows furrowing into a deep scowl. He snapped, "That girl is completely ill-mannered. Owen's father would never allow someone like her to be a part of the Shaw family."
Anabel's head was buzzing with anger when she heard that, and she immediately retorted, "He is nothing like you narrow-minded people."
"It was clearly Grandpa Isaac who tried to hurt someone, but Dad, the moment you showed up, you started blaming others. No wonder Owen's family left for Mandino City. I can't stand you people!"
With that, she decisively ran after Aria.
"Aria, don't listen to that fossilized old man," Anabel said quickly. "Owen's family left the clan years ago. We've barely kept in touch since."
Aria shrugged. "Relax. I don't waste breath on idiots."
Anabel was stunned.
She swallowed the comforting words she'd prepared.
"Aria, please don't let this drive a wedge between you and Owen."
Aria stopped in her tracks and fixed Anabel with a serious gaze. "Why would there be any rift between us?"
"That old fossil thinks I'm on Owen's side, and your dad also believes I'm involved with him..."
"Why does everyone think that?"
Anabel swallowed hard, her tone a bit tense. "Owen doesn't have any female friends. You're the only one, and you live right across from him. Maybe that's why they got the wrong idea."
Aria thought to herself, 'Owen doesn't have any other female friends?'
She accepted the explanation.
"Aria, I'll straighten things out for you."
"Thanks."
Right as the two of them stepped out of the bar, an ambulance came screeching to a halt right in front of them.
Anabel suddenly remembered something, her hand shooting out to grab Aria's. "Aria..."
Aria turned to her, concern in her eyes. "What's up?"
Anabel quickly let go, fidgeting awkwardly. "Never mind."
Aria gently ruffled Anabel's hair and asked softly, "Are you afraid of Isaac?"
Anabel froze, surprise flickering in her eyes. "You noticed?"
Aria nodded slightly. "Yes."
Anabel's eyes welled up.
Even after all these years, none of her family ever realized he was afraid of Isaac, but Aria saw it clearly.
Aria gently draped an arm around Anabel's shoulders. "Home or back to school? I can take you. Or, if you'd rather talk, I'm here for you."
Anabel hesitated for a few seconds, but finally couldn't hold it in. "When I was little, I saw Grandpa Isaac in a violent rage. He nearly strangled a nanny to death. But the family just paid her off and covered it up."
"Did you ever consider telling your parents?"