Clara was momentarily rendered speechless by Isabella's apparent lack of understanding. She felt as though Isabella was testing her patience, and her frustration showed in her tone.
"Have you lost your mind?" she snapped incredulously.
With Mabel now listening attentively from her concealed position by the door, the conversation regarding her mother became even more riveting.
"What? Why are you getting so worked up? I merely spoke the truth about her mother," Isabella responded with an unapologetic air.
Clara buried her face in her hands, overwhelmed with stress. She was well aware of Isabella's strong disdain for Mabel's mother, but this went beyond the pale. Isabella had crossed a line by uttering such hurtful words to a child who had never even met her mother.
"Isabella," Clara attempted to maintain her composure, though her patience had been thoroughly tested dealing with the formidable woman.
