From Forgotten Wife To Fierce Queen - Chapter 348: Chapter 348

After enduring constant intimidation, Bella was in a bad mental state.
The time when Florence was taken away for police investigation left her without any family by her side.
Paisley, of course, would not target a young child. She simply entrusted Bella to the nanny, who had been taking care of her, and sent her back to the second household's residence.
Perhaps it was because the nanny had suffered too much under Florence's rule, or maybe because the second household had completely collapsed this time, but she no longer treated Bella as well as before. In fact, the nanny even took every opportunity to taunt her.
For example: "Your parents are in prison. They're never coming back."
Or: "You deserve this. Your grandfather, your parents—they're all bad people. And you? You were born rotten."
Or even: "No one in this family wants you anymore. Even if you die, no one will care."
After Christmas, Bella would turn six. She didn't fully understand what had happened, but she could feel, with absolute certainty, that her world had collapsed. The experiences of these past few days would likely haunt her for the rest of her life.
At this moment, Bella was like a frightened little bird, trembling as she huddled in Florence's arms, staring fearfully at the people before her.
Florence, too, was filled with unease. She felt like a rootless duckweed, drifting without any support.
When she was released, she was lost, not knowing what path to take next.
After a brief period of confusion, her first instinct was to return to her Gomez family for help.
But the Gomez family had business ties with the Godard family—they neither wanted nor dared to offend the Godard family.
Ever since the incident, the Gomez family had been on edge, terrified that the Godard family would retaliate because of Florence.
Now that Florence's brother was in charge of the family, the Gomez family, for the sake of their survival, had no intention of sheltering Florence and Bella. Especially Bella—after all, she was Christopher's child.
When Florence was turned away at her family's doorstep—without even being allowed inside—she finally realized that she had truly lost everything.
Only at that moment did regret finally sink in. She regretted not treating Paisley better from the start, regretted not raising Bella properly, and regretted making Paisley her enemy from the very beginning.
When Florence returned to the Godard family, she had already prepared herself to be thrown out. But unexpectedly, she was let in.
Not only that, but she was even allowed to stay in her previous residence. No one mistreated them, yet no one acknowledged them either. It was as if they didn't exist at all.
Until just now, when the old butler called her and Bella to the main building, Florence's heart clenched with anxiety. But the moment she stepped inside, she saw someone she never expected. It was her mother-in-law, Dakota.
"Dakota," Florence called out softly. She had little memory or attachment to Dakota.
Dakota had divorced Edmond too early. After the divorce, she moved abroad, and Florence had only met her once—on the day she married Christopher.
Upon hearing Florence call her name, Dakota frowned. Her voice was cold and emotionless. "Pack your things, both yours and your daughter's. You're coming with me."
"C-Come with you?" Florence was utterly stunned.
"What else? Stay here and keep scraping by? Still dreaming of being the lady of the house?" Dakota set down her teacup, looking at Florence with nothing but disdain.
Paisley remained expressionless, but inwardly, she couldn't help but be impressed. She thought, 'This Dakota certainly didn't hold back her words.'
In front of everyone from the main household, Florence's face burned with humiliation, turning bright red. After everything that had happened, she had already lost all her pride.
"N-No—" She was just shocked. Dakota, who had always ignored them, suddenly wanted to take her away.
Dakota said, "Then what are you waiting for? Get moving. Don't waste my time."
Urged on by Dakota's sharp voice, Florence clutched Bella and hurried back to their quarters, hastily packing several large suitcases.
As for the things she couldn't take with her, she planned to ask Cole to send them later once she settled down.
"Leaving in such a hurry? It's getting late. Why don't you stay for dinner before you go?" Tyson stood at the entrance of the main building, smiling as he spoke to Dakota. He remained polite toward Dakota.
However, Dakota gave a fake smile and scoffed, "Cut the act. I can't stand anyone from the Godard family. If I weren't here to take those two idiots away, I wouldn't have bothered coming."
Paisley, who arrived just in time, remained silent. She thought, 'It seems Dakota despises every member of the Godard family equally. Just how deep is this grudge?'
Tyson wasn't bothered by Dakota's hostility. Instead, he chuckled as if he was used to it, "Alright, see you."
Dakota rolled her eyes dramatically before striding away with her head held high.
In the parking lot, a Jeep Wrangler stood out in stark contrast to the luxury cars surrounding it.
Florence hesitated as she looked at the off-road vehicle in front of her.
Dakota said, "What are you waiting for? Get in."
Florence didn't dare delay and quickly climbed into the Jeep while holding Bella.
Dakota got into the driver's seat with ease. As she adjusted the rearview mirror, she noticed Florence repeatedly glancing back at the Godard family estate.
"Stop looking. They're nothing but poison tying you down." With that, Dakota stepped on the gas, and the car sped off.
Paisley watched the red Jeep disappear into the distance. She hadn't interacted much with Dakota, yet she couldn't shake the feeling that she understood Dakota's words.
Perhaps, Paisley thought, Dakota too was a woman who had risked everything to escape the prison of marriage.
Life gradually returned to normal in the following days. After having a family reunion dinner, Logan returned to his unit.
However, this time, he wouldn't be staying long. He was only going back to handle the final handover.
Though the organization still trusted him, Edmond and Zim's actions had been far too atrocious. Among the people they had connections with on the dark web, aside from fugitives and outlaws, there were even foreign militants.
The fact that Edmond had spent a fortune to smuggle such dangerous individuals into the country was absolutely unforgivable.
It wasn't just Logan's military career at stake—even the Godard family and Godard Group would be under long-term investigation.
Logan couldn't get past this hurdle in his heart. Rather than remaining in his position uncomfortably, he decided to step down.
Upon learning of Logan's decision, Jolin felt reluctant but still supported him. At the same time, she was happy. At the very least, Logan would finally be able to stay by her side more often.
Logan had great admiration for Paisley and constantly praised her. When he learned that she was an excellent chess player, he said he would have a proper match with her once he retired.
After falling seriously ill, Anna had been staying in the hospital.
Max assigned the short caretaker to look after her at the hospital, while the tall one was dismissed.
Just like that, Paisley remained in Montera until the end of the month. With Grayson's school term about to begin and Gary at the film crew growing impatient, it was finally time for her to leave.
On the day of her departure, the one who cried the hardest was Joshua.
At the airport, Joshua sobbed uncontrollably like a child. "Jolin, can't you stay?"
Jolin smacked the back of his head impatiently. "What are you crying for? I'm going back to work, not disappearing forever. Stop acting like this is some life-or-death farewell. So annoying. You're a grown man—quit crying."
Joshua gasped for breath from the hit but didn't dare fight back against his mighty sister.
"Paisley, look at her! You haven't even left yet, and she's already hitting me." He pitifully turned to Paisley for help, his handsome and innocent face making him look pleasing.
Just as Paisley was caught between laughter and frustration, Tyson put down his phone and walked over with red-rimmed eyes. "Your aunt couldn't come to see you off, so she's crying at home. Call her once you arrive in Harrowfell."
Paisley couldn't help but feel speechless. She thought, 'Come on, another one crying.'
She turned to Max. "You're not going to cry too, are you?"
Max shook his head with a warm, doting look. "Once I finish handling the group's affairs, I'll come see you. After your shoot wraps up, we'll return together."
"Alright." Paisley nodded with a smile.
In the past, she had longed for love—so much so that she was willing to compromise herself just to obtain it. But now, just by being herself, she had received more love than she could have ever imagined.
However, at times, this love felt overwhelmingly heavy, making it hard for Paisley to bear.