Isabella didn't want Eleanor and Liam to worry. She leaned close to Emily and whispered, "Please take Liam and my grandmother inside. I'll deal with this."

Emily's expression showed concern, but she nodded. She gently picked up Liam and helped Eleanor back into the apartment.

Isabella turned to face Sophia, who watched her with a mocking smile. After three years, Sophia still looked glamorous but carried a more aggressive energy, completely lacking her former innocence.

"Well, if it isn't the famous designer Isabella Scott? I thought you were dead!" Sophia said, crossing her arms, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Isabella responded with a faint smile, her voice steady. "Sorry to disappoint you, Miss Reed. I'm very much alive."

Three years had changed everything. The timid Isabella was gone. Now she stood with unshakable confidence, her gaze unwavering.

Sophia felt a flicker of unease seeing Isabella's transformation. Was this really the same woman she had manipulated so easily? The Isabella before her now was composed and unflinching, her eyes revealing a depth that Sophia found unsettling.

But Sophia's unease quickly turned to smug superiority.

Isabella dropped her calm facade. Her eyes turned icy as she stared into Sophia's. "It's late. Why are you here?"

Sophia replied, "I saw you at the hospital today and decided to pay a visit. Didn't expect you to have a child with you..."

She paused, her hand resting on her flat stomach, her smile loaded with implication.

Isabella's expression hardened. Her hands clenched into fists—a reaction Sophia noted with satisfaction.

"The child is adorable. He looks just like you," Sophia continued, deliberately provoking her.

"If you came to see the child, you've seen him. Please leave. I don't want any trouble," Isabella said, her voice cold, her anger barely contained.

"Trouble? Let's be clear, Isabella. You're the one causing trouble. Three years, and you're still here in New York. Don't tell me it's not because you're still hung up on Ethan." Sophia's voice was sharp. "Take my advice and move on. He's with me now, and we're getting married soon."

Isabella took a deep breath, struggling to control her emotions. "I returned only to care for my grandmother. This has nothing to do with you or Ethan."

Sophia scoffed coldly. "Really? You expect me to believe that? You abandoned Ethan for money three years ago. Now you're back, trying to rekindle old flames, aren't you?"

"What are you talking about?" Isabella's voice rang out, every word filled with anger. "I never planned to cross paths with Ethan again!"

"Really?" Sophia retorted, her tone skeptical. "It's been three years, and not once has he tried to reach out to you, Isabella." A glint of malice appeared in her eyes as she leaned closer. "Do you know what Ethan said after your car accident three years ago? 'It'd be simpler if she just disappeared.'"

Isabella felt those words like a knife through her soul. Her entire body shook. Her face turned pale, her jaw clenched tight.

"Get out of my sight!" Isabella seethed, her fists tightening. "I don't care about Ethan, and I don't want you near me! I swear, I'll never see him again!"

With those final words, she turned and walked away, her steps faltering but filled with fierce determination.

Sophia's eyes narrowed as she watched Isabella retreat. A shadow of doubt crossed her face. She wasn't convinced Isabella had truly moved on.

"Keep watch over her," she murmured coldly to the empty space before turning to leave.