Chapter 60
At that moment. In the Riverside Villa, Isabella was curled up on her soft ivory sofa, scrolling through videos.
She sneezed and rubbed her nose with a fingertip and glanced toward the window.
She wondered, ‘Strange. The window’s closed, so why am I sneezing?
Shaking her head, she returned her attention to her phone.
She was watching a short drama video – a scene where a boyfriend got upset because his girlfriend wouldn’t sit in the front. passenger seat.
Large text on the screen read: [Girlfriend’s Exclusive Spot]
Isabella furrowed her brow. “The other night, after leaving the bar, I sat in the back seat. Samuel’s mood had shifted. I didn’t know about this…
Back then, she was completely unaware of these things.
She thought, ‘So, that’s why he was upset? Not just because I danced, but because I didn’t sit in the front? That’s… pretty childish
She scratched her head, feeling a little unsure of what to think.
Isabella scratched her head in frustration, I promised Samuel I’d be a good Mrs. Howerton… And now it turns out I didn’t even know something this simple. Guess I’m not doing a great job as his wife.
She thought, ‘Not knowing was one thing, but now that I did, I had to do something to make up for it, right?”
She glanced at the time on her phone, her eyes lighting up. Tucking the phone into her pocket, she stood up.
She thought, I’ll make it up to him. Take him lunch. Do something a good wife would do.
With that decision made, Isabella changed her clothes and headed downstairs.
In the kitchen. Megan was busy preparing lunch when Isabella walked in. Megan immediately looked up, her voice filled with concern. “Mrs. Howerton, what are you doing in here? The kitchen’s filled with smoke. You should leave…
She was worried that Isabella couldn’t handle the kitchen fumes.
But Isabella had no intention of leaving. Instead, she asked curiously, “Megan, do you know what Samuel likes to eat?” Though they had been married for some time, Isabella realized she knew very little about Samuel’s preferences. Megan paused, surprised by the question. Then a warm smile spread across her face. “Are you planning to bring Samuel lunch?”
Her heart swelled with happiness at the thought of how well Isabella and Samuel were getting along.
Isabella shook her head. “Not just that,‘ she said. Then, after a pause, she added, “I want to cook it myself.”
Ordering takeout felt too impersonal. After all, that’s something money can easily buy.
Megan was even more surprised, but she quickly recovered and began listing Samuel’s favorite dishes. Isabella nodded attentively, committing each one to memory.
She rambled on with a long list, and Isabella nodded, jotting everything down.
Concerned that Isabella might not know her way around the kitchen, Megan offered, “Are you sure you don’t need my help?”
She wanted to help, so as to spare Isabella from any awkwardness in cooking.
But Isabella shook her head. “No, Megan. You can go about your own business.”
Megan smiled and nodded, though she had no intention of leaving Isabella alone. She thought, “What if she hurt herself? Samuel would be devastated:
Chapter 60
“I don’t have anything urgent to do, Megan said gently. “I’ll stay and help.”
Isabella didn’t refuse again. “Alright then
She got to work. pulling ingredients from the fridge, washing vegetables, and prepping the dishes.
She began picking and washing the vegetables…
Soon, the kitchen was filled with the aroma of stir–fried vegetables and braised meats. Megan watched in awe as Isabella moved gracefully around the kitchen, her knife skills sharp and precise.
‘Isabella can cook! Megan thought, marveling at the delicious smell filling the air.
Just the rich aroma drifting through the kitchen made her feel sure it must taste great. “You’re amazing, Mrs. Howerton!” Megan exclaimed, her eyes wide with admiration.
Isabella gave a soft smile and replied quietly, “Not too bad.”
Back when her mother was still alive, Isabella had never stepped foot in the kitchen. Her mother had always said, “A girl’s hands aren’t meant for the stove. Our Bella will be a beautiful princess.”
But after her mother passed, and Molly married into the Stout family, those princess–like days were gone.
Cooking, cleaning, doing laundry – Isabella had to do it all.
‘Otherwise, Molly would find ways to make my life miserable, Isabella thought, her heart heavy with memories she tried hard. to bury. Isabella lowered her eyes, keeping all these things deeply hidden in her heart.
She finished packing the lunch for Samuel and left the rest at home. Then, with a determined look, she walked out the door. Megan watched from the doorway as Isabella drove off, a smile spreading across her face. “The Samuel’s in for a treat today.” At the traffic light, Isabella’s car came to a stop.
She glanced at the lunchbox sitting in the passenger seat and smiled.
Just then, her phone buzzed. The caller ID flashed: [George.]
She picked up and said, “Another job?”
George sprawled lazily in his chair, propping his legs up on the desk. With a teasing lilt in his voice, he said, “It’s not exactly new news. They’ve already locked in the date for the variety show it’s three days from now. Think you can fit it into your schedule
Even through the phone, Isabella could sense that George was in an exceptionally good mood.
She blinked in surprise and asked, “That soon?”
She mused, ‘I thought this would take much longer to finalize.
George swung his legs down from the desk, a smug grin spreading across his face. “Of course. They really wanted to get you on the show. Now that they’ve finally got your agreement, they’re fast–tracking everything. How could they not?”
‘Probably worried I might change my mind. And if I did change my mind, who knew when they might get another chance to invite me? Isabella thought, amused.
Isabella nodded, “Alright, no problem on my end.
The traffic light ahead turned green, and her car started moving. Just send me the schedule when you’ve got it finalized. If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up now.”
She glanced at the road ahead, just two more intersections, and she’d be at Samuel’s company.
George finally swung his legs off the desk and stood up. I’ll send the finalized schedule later. Oh, and…
He paused for a moment, then his voice took on a mischievous tone. “Hey, got any new cars recently? How about letting me
2/4
4:24 PM
Chapter 60
take one for a spin?”
Isabella was speechless.
think
Does he think I’m some kind of car enthusiast? She wondered, incredulous.
“No,” she replied tersely.
o ahead
Just one word, and George deflated completely, slumping back into his chair with a heavy sigh. “Alright, alright. You go and take care of your stuff. I’ll send the schedule later.”
He had thought, seeing her driving such a fancy car, that maybe she’d caught the car bug.
‘Guess I was wrong. He realized with a slight pour.
Isabella gave a brief response, “Okay, I’ll leave the rest of the arrangements to you.”
George was the one handling all the logistics, and though Isabella wasn’t involved in the details, she knew it was all quite the hassle.
A grin spread across George’s boyish face as he brushed aside his bangs. With a playful glint in his eye, he teased, “Don’t say it’s a hassle- unless, of course, you’re offering to let me take your car out for a spin?”
Isabella couldn’t help but roll her eyes. This guy…
Copying George’s laid–back tone, she retorted, “What Can’t hear you. Bad signal. Bye”
“What the did she seriously hang up on me?” George stared at the phone in disbelief before jumping to his feet and yelling. “Damn! When did this girl get so cheeky?”
He thought, ‘She used to be a goddess in my eyes, still astonished. But now… Well, it seems there’s no going back.
In front of the towering skyscraper of the Howerton Group. Isabella parked her car and grabbed the lunchbox, heading toward the grand entrance of the building.
The lobby was vast and soaring, with a huge crystal chandelier casting brilliant light everywhere. Even in broad daylight, it glittered magnificently,
The decor was European–style, with grand stone pillars wrapped in opulent gold, exuding a sense of prestige.
At the front of the lobby stood a large reception desk.
Several pots of expensive clivia flowers sat atop the pristine white marble desk.
Isabella approached and stood in front of the desk, politely asking, “Excuse me, could you tell me which floor the CEO’s office
is on?”
She glanced around but didn’t see any directional signs.
The busy receptionist looked up and was momentarily taken aback by Isabella’s stunning appearance, but quickly hid her surprise.
With a smile that was polite yet distant, the receptionist asked, “Do you have an appointment?
Isabella blinked, realizing she had forgotten about that little detail.
Isabella was taken aback. She had completely forgotten about that. She shook her head honestly. “No, no appointment. I’m just here to drop off some food.”
The receptionist, Wendy, followed Isabella’s gaze to the lunchbox in her hand. Her face darkened immediately.
Wendy thought, “So I was right. This woman is here trying to get close to the CEO!
Her dislike for Isabella was evident, and her tone grew colder. I’m sorry, but without an appointment, you’re not allowed in.”
Chapter 60
Wendy thought bitterly. Women like this show up every day. Can’t they come up with a less obvious way to get close to the boss? They always make my job harder!
Isabella could feel the receptionist’s hostility and frowned slightly. “I know your CEO. I’m just here to drop off some food and leave, nothing more.”
She explained patiently, already pulling out her phone to call Samuel.
She was following the rules she wasn’t making a scene. But just as she took out her phone and before she could dial, she heard a loud bang.
SEND GIFT
COMMENT
0
