Isabella Li wasn't untouchable. Though the Li family was indeed powerful, they weren't the top echelon. Moreover, Isabella was generally low-key and rarely flaunted her family background. Those without enough social standing didn't understand how powerful the Li family was, while those in the know didn't need any reminders.
Some people who were acquainted with Isabella still dared to disrespect her, mainly because they lacked understanding of her true identity.
Isabella disliked being called "Miss Li," a title she found unfit unless in specific situations with specific people. She preferred "Boss Li" or "Ms. Li," as "Boss" diminished the emphasis on her gender, aligning with her image as a strong, assertive woman.
This was why Ethan had called her "Boss Li" from their first meeting. Knowing her preferences, he didn't want something as trivial as a title to create friction or cause unnecessary misunderstandings.
The woman approaching them now, however, deliberately called her "Miss Li," her tone dripping with mockery.
Isabella frowned and looked up, and Ethan followed her gaze.
Standing before them was a woman in an haute couture French gown, clutching a Hermès Birkin bag and sporting a large diamond ring. She was around thirty, with meticulously styled, wavy hair and a heavily made-up face.
The moment Ethan saw her, he knew who she was.
This was Crystal Liu, formerly known as Lijuan Liu, age 32, originally from Liujia Village in Sishui Township, Erma County, Sea City. She was married to Nathan Lou, the chairman of Juli Group, one of Sea City's top corporations. They had a son together, and with Nathan's support, she established Yunsu Cosmetics Ltd., focusing on skincare and makeup products.
She and Isabella not only knew each other but were quite familiar with one another — as business rivals.
As Ethan knew, Crystal held a grudge against Isabella, believing Isabella had stolen her business. Crystal had opened her cosmetics company six years ago in Sea City, while Isabella arrived four years ago to launch her own brand.
Crystal wasn't skilled at running a company. Without Nathan's repeated financial support and his network, her business would have crumbled long ago. Things only got worse when Isabella's Radiant Style entered the market.
Their enmity reached a boiling point three years ago. Isabella successfully secured a deal with a major chain of beauty salons, which began using and recommending Radiant Style's skincare products. Prior to that, the salons had been endorsing Yunsu's products.
Since then, Crystal's attitude toward Isabella had been overtly hostile.
This year, the contrast between their businesses was more glaring than ever. Radiant Style was now valued at nearly 2 billion yuan, boasting nationwide recognition, while Crystal's company was worth barely 30 to 50 million yuan, mainly due to the value of her factory assets. In reality, it was a small, regional operation — practically a local workshop.
The differences were staggering.
In business, beauty, family background, and education, Isabella outshone Crystal in every way.
Crystal, however, was a vain woman who loved to compare herself to others. Her feelings of inferiority and jealousy toward Isabella had only intensified over the years, especially given their business rivalry. Every time she saw Isabella, she couldn't resist saying something unpleasant.
"Mrs. Lou, didn't Mr. Lou come with you today?" Isabella responded indifferently, glancing around the restaurant.
Nathan Lou was nowhere in sight.
Isabella remained calm, knowing Crystal was here to provoke her with unpleasant words. She was too weary to engage with this narrow-minded woman.
It wasn't that Isabella lacked a temper; she knew how terrifying her own anger could be. But she had no interest in sparring with Crystal, mainly out of respect for her personal friendship with Nathan.
Isabella knew Nathan Lou through her younger brother, Tyler. The two men had a close relationship.
While she didn't like all of Tyler's friends, Nathan had a straightforward and generous personality that meshed well with hers.
Starting in the demolition business, Nathan had worked his way up, eventually creating a successful real estate company. Known for his bold and loyal character, he had once taken a knife for a friend and nearly died in the hospital.
Now, he ranked among the top ten wealthiest individuals in Sea City, with a net worth of around 8 billion yuan. He also served as the vice president of the Sea City Business Chamber.
Nathan often joked with Isabella, calling her "the daughter his parents mistakenly gave away," referring to her strong personality and assertive style.
Nathan had privately asked Isabella multiple times to overlook his wife's behavior, urging her not to take Crystal's actions personally.
To him, Crystal's business was more about keeping her happy than making money; he simply hoped she'd lose as little as possible.
But Isabella could never understand why someone as generous and loyal as Nathan had married someone so shallow. Was it simply because she'd given him a son?
"He's waiting outside for some guests and will come in soon," Crystal replied, then turned her gaze to Ethan. "Is this your boyfriend, Ms. Li?"
Those who knew Isabella well would never ask such a question, but Crystal was here to stir trouble.
"Mm-hmm," Isabella responded with a nonchalant hum.
"Oh, wow! Ms. Li, when did you start keeping a boy toy?" Crystal's tone turned dramatically mocking.
"Aren't you 27 now, Ms. Li? Your boy toy can't be more than twenty, can he? Quite handsome, though. You're really rocking the cougar vibe, huh!"
Crystal spoke loudly on purpose, ensuring that everyone in the restaurant could hear her.
She wanted to humiliate Isabella publicly.
Of course, such petty tactics didn't faze Isabella; she had an exceptionally strong spirit.
But that didn't mean she had to endure it.
Isabella's hand tightened around her wine glass, and Ethan knew she was likely moments away from splashing her drink on Crystal's face, a move that could potentially sour her relationship with Nathan — something that wasn't necessary.
So Ethan spoke up first. "Did you get an overdose of Botox, Ms. Lou? Seems like it's going to your head. Why don't you stop acting like a shrew and let people enjoy their meal?"
"What did you just say, boy toy?" Crystal spun to face Ethan, seething.
"Oh, did I say something wrong? It's not the Botox?" Ethan asked, feigning surprise. "Then maybe it was nerve damage from a botched chin job? Or did a bad eye lift get to your brain?"
"Shut up! I've never had plastic surgery!" Crystal shrieked, sounding like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
Her cosmetic enhancements were a closely guarded secret. Crystal prided herself on her now-refined appearance and couldn't stand anyone insinuating that she'd had work done.
Ethan didn't understand why some people seemed to go out of their way to dig their own graves.
Everyone had skeletons in their closets.
Even someone like Isabella had things she kept hidden.
And Ethan… well, he knew every hidden detail about every significant figure in Sea City.
Pointing out Crystal's cosmetic surgery was merely his opening move.
He hadn't yet mentioned her darkest, most shameful secret — one big enough to make her disappear.
Ethan had no interest in exposing people's secrets without reason; he had better things to do.
But for those who asked for it, he never held back.
Self-inflicted ruin is inevitable.
"Hmm… now that I look at you," Ethan said with a thoughtful expression, "you look kind of familiar. Didn't I see you working at some bathhouse back in the day?"
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。