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The Surrogate He Discarded

Chapter 218: Plotting Against Isobel · Oct 11, 2026

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Chapter List (283)

Page number / 6

201 Chapter 201: The Showdown 2026-10-11
202 Chapter 202: A Sister, By Blood 2026-10-11
203 Chapter 203: The Confrontation 2026-10-11
204 Chapter 204: Forgiven! 2026-10-11
205 Chapter 205: The Burden He Carried 2026-10-11
206 Chapter 206: The Ghost of Leon’s Past 2026-10-11
207 Chapter 207: Unexpected Visitor 2026-10-11
208 Chapter 208: Unexpected Visitor 2 2026-10-11
209 Chapter 209: His Trump Card 2026-10-11
210 Chapter 210: Meeting an Old Friend 2026-10-11
211 Chapter 211: The Beginning of Richard’s Troubles 2026-10-11
212 Chapter 212: The Story of Sharon 2026-10-11
213 Chapter 213: The Green-Eyed Monster 2026-10-11
214 Chapter 214: Delusional 2026-10-11
215 Chapter 215: Her Calculations 2026-10-11
216 Chapter 216: Happy Daddy 2026-10-11
217 Chapter 217: The Mother and Son Confrontation 2026-10-11
218 Chapter 218: Plotting Against Isobel 2026-10-11
219 Chapter 219: Plotting Against Isobel 2 2026-10-11
220 Chapter 220: Richard’s Dark Secret 2026-10-11
221 Chapter 221: Richard’s Dark Secrets 2 2026-10-11
222 Chapter 222: Isobel’s Confession 2026-10-11
223 Chapter 223: The Storm Raging In Him 2026-10-11
224 Chapter 224: His Pain 2026-10-11
225 Chapter 225: The Homecoming 2026-10-11
226 Chapter 226: The Warmth Of Family 2026-10-11
227 Chapter 227: The Sisters 2026-10-11
228 Chapter 228: The Invitation 2026-10-11
229 Chapter 229: Something Isn’t Right 2026-10-11
230 Chapter 230: Isobel’s Suspicion 2026-10-11
231 Chapter 231: Her Burden 2026-10-11
232 Chapter 232: The Voice She Borrowed 2026-10-11
233 Chapter 233: The Price of A Secret 2026-10-11
234 Chapter 234: Preparing For The Gala 2026-10-11
235 Chapter 235: A Rival From The Past 2026-10-11
236 Chapter 236: The Reason She Came 2026-10-11
237 Chapter 237: Women of Courage 2026-10-11
238 Chapter 238: The Auction 2026-10-11
239 Chapter 239: Stealing The Spotlight 2026-10-11
240 Chapter 240: Shaming Her 2026-10-11
241 Chapter 241: Standing Up For Her 2026-10-11
242 Chapter 242: The Dance 2026-10-11
243 Chapter 243: The Dance 2 2026-10-11
244 Chapter 244: The Masked Man 2026-10-11
245 Chapter 245: The Man Behind The Mask 2026-10-11
246 Chapter 246: The Jealous Man 2026-10-11
247 Chapter 247: The Scheme Failed 2026-10-11
248 Chapter 248: The Rivals 2026-10-11
249 Chapter 249: They Came For Her 2026-10-11
250 Chapter 250: Between the Father and the Grandpa 2026-10-11

Mary flinched, but she did not retreat.

She had spent years mastering the art of keeping her emotions beneath a polished exterior, and she would not lose that control now—not over a woman she considered completely unsuitable for her son.

”They aren’t enough for you to bring her into this family.”

Kristoff went still.

For a moment, Mary regretted saying it so plainly. Not because she believed she was wrong, but because she had revealed too much of what she had been thinking.

Still, there was no point pretending anymore.

”That’s where this is heading, isn’t it?”

Kristoff’s eyes darkened.

”Who said anything about bringing her in?”

”The way you defend her.” Mary’s voice remained steady, but her eyes studied him carefully. ”The way you look at her.”

She paused.

”I saw the photographs, Kristoff.”

His jaw tightened.

”And you brought Alexander to see her,” she continued. ”Even after you promised us you wouldn’t.”

Mary took a slow breath.

”You’re falling for her.”

Kristoff said nothing.

That silence told her more than an argument ever could.

Mary’s expression hardened.

”Kristoff, think carefully. A woman like that may deserve your gratitude, but gratitude does not make someone fit to become the mistress of this family.”

His eyes flashed.

”Don’t speak about her like that.”

Mary froze.

It was the first time her son had openly rebuked her over Isobel.

For a second, something cold settled in her chest.

Then she understood.

This was no longer about a passing infatuation.

”You see?” she whispered. ”This is exactly what I’m afraid of.”

Kristoff drew a slow breath.

”Isobel is special. Soon, you’ll see it.”

”She has nothing to her name.”

”But what I care about, is who she is, Mom. The person, not the name.”

His voice was calm, almost frustratingly so.

Mary watched him closely.

”You think love is enough?”

”I didn’t say I love her.”

The words came quieter this time. Almost too quiet for Mary to hear.

Kristoff looked away.

Do I love her?

He didn’t know.

All he knew was that he kept thinking about her.

He wanted to see her smile. He wanted to know she was safe. And when he had learned she was in danger, fear had seized him in a way he could not explain.

Mary saw the uncertainty in his eyes.

And that was enough.

”But you didn’t deny it,” she said.

Again, silence.

Her son wasn’t looking at Isobel as a woman who had once been useful to him...the tool for bringing Alexander into the the world.

He wasn’t even looking at her merely as the woman who had saved his life.

He was beginning to choose her.

And Mary refused to allow that choice to stand.

”You may be willing to throw away everything we’ve built for a woman with no family and no standing,” she said quietly, ”but I won’t stand by and watch it happen.”

Kristoff’s gaze hardened.

He wanted to tell her the truth. Isobel wasn’t an orphan with no family.

She was a Foster.

But he remembered his promise.

Isobel had made it clear that she did not want anyone knowing her identity until the Foster family announced it themselves.

So he kept silent.

Instead, he turned toward the door.

”Then don’t expect me to abandon someone simply because you don’t approve of where she came from.”

He walked out.

The door closed behind him.

Mary remained motionless.

Only when his footsteps disappeared did her expression change.

The warmth vanished from her face.

Her eyes became cold and calculating.

She had just learned something important.

Kristoff would fight her if she attacked Isobel directly.

And Mary was not foolish enough to give her son an enemy he could rally against.

She needed another approach. Something quieter.

Something that would not make Kristoff rush to Isobel’s defense.

Something that would make Isobel leave him herself.

Mary turned toward Henry.

”Henry.”

Her husband looked at her.

”Do something,” she said sharply. ”Why were you silent all along?”

Henry gave a faint sigh.

”My dear, as if you don’t know your son. If I joined you in reprimanding him, he would only become more determined.”

Mary’s lips tightened.

”What, then? We simply stand aside and watch?”

”You know what works best with Kristoff.”

She stared at him.

”Not coercion,” Henry said. ”He responds to reason. Give him a choice, and he’ll convince himself it was his own.”

Henry walked toward the door.

”Come. Let’s see what new tricks our grandson has learned in the few days we’ve been away.”

Mary didn’t move.

Her gaze had already drifted toward the family portrait hanging behind Kristoff’s desk.

It showed everything she had spent years protecting—the Dalton family, its reputation, its legacy.

She stared at the faces in the painting. Hers. Henry. Their son, Vandolf and his wife. Kristoff holding the newborn Alexander.

Then Henry’s words settled into place.

Don’t coerce him.

Her expression slowly changed.

”Of course.”

Henry glanced back.

Mary turned from the portrait.

”I’ve been approaching this from the wrong direction.”

He raised an eyebrow.

”I don’t need to convince Kristoff.”

Her voice became quieter.

”I need to convince Isobel.”

Henry studied her for a moment, but Mary had already begun constructing the plan in her mind.

She knew exactly what she needed.

A place where Isobel could see the world Kristoff belonged to.

A place where the difference between them could not be ignored.

And, most importantly, a situation where Mary would never have to openly insult her.

Mary would let the Dalton world do it for her.

She would arrange an elegant family gathering under the perfect pretense: a formal celebration to thank Isobel for saving Kristoff’s life.

The invitation would appear sincere.

Gracious.

Impossible to refuse.

And she would make certain Isobel arrived.

Then Mary would control every detail.

The guest list.

The seating arrangement.

The conversations.

Even the people Isobel would encounter.

Influential families would surround her. Women dressed in couture would casually discuss their estates, charitable foundations, prestigious schools, and family connections.

Isobel would have none of those things to contribute.

Mary could already imagine the question.

Which family are you from?

A simple question. An innocent question. And one that would expose everything.

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