Chapter 49

Isabella looked at Samuel awkwardly and explained, "I lost a bet, so I had to dance here."

Leaning closer, she whispered in his ear, "You didn't want me to break my promise, right?"

Samuel caught a whiff of Isabella's fragrance and momentarily froze. His eyes narrowed slightly as his gaze fell on her exposed, slender waist. The light accentuated its slimness.

He frowned, removed his jacket, and draped it over her. Isabella didn't refuse, adjusting the coat for comfort.

Samuel said calmly, "Since you're here, I'll introduce you to my friends."

Isabella nodded and glanced toward her friends. "Wait a moment. Let me say hello."

Samuel nodded.

Wrapped in Samuel's jacket, Isabella approached her friends. As soon as she reached Mark and the group, they eagerly surrounded her. "Bella, who's that guy?"

Isabella instinctively glanced at Samuel, who stood tall and still, clearly waiting. She turned back, smiled, and explained, "Just a friend."

The others clearly didn't believe her. Their skepticism added an element of ambiguity.

Isabella looked at Luna, gently took her hand, and said softly, "Luna, I have something to do. I'll leave now."

Luna winked suggestively. "I get it. Have fun."

Isabella playfully punched her shoulder. "Stop talking nonsense."

Luna nodded. Although she had many questions, she knew it wasn't the time. They would have to talk later.

Isabella waved to Jill and the others. "Have fun."

Only then did she walk over to Samuel.

Jayden watched her go, a gloomy look on his face. He thought, Is Isabella trying to distance herself from me because of Samuel?

A few girls whispered, "No wonder Bella said she wasn't interested in Jayden. She's found someone better."

Another girl replied, "Totally! He's clearly noble. Isabella has excellent taste in boyfriends."

Jayden overheard the whispers. Their looks made it difficult for him to maintain his composure. After keeping a calm smile all night, he finally lost it as the party ended.

Isabella followed Samuel into their private room. Before she could sit, Charles approached with a big smile.

4:21 PM

Chapter 49 (Note: The time stamp is unnecessary and repetitive.)

Charles said, "Welcome. I'm Charles. What would you like to drink? I'll get it for you."

Before Isabella could respond, he brought over a fruit platter. "Try this. If you don't like it, I'll have the front desk send more."

Charles smiled, but inwardly he was nervous. It was his first time trying to impress such a beautiful girl. He bustled around, constantly trying to win her affection.

Isabella remained indifferent, offering a polite, distant smile. "Thank you."

Charles was disappointed. Oh no, she's an ice queen. What should I do? He looked to Henry for help, but Henry only offered a mysterious smile. Charles’ anxiety grew.

He glanced at Isabella's jacket. Even though Draxenport nights required layers, the bar was warm. He thought she must be uncomfortable.

He stepped forward, smiling warmly. "It's hot in here. How about you take off your jacket?"

But as he touched her jacket, Samuel's icy stare fixed on him. Startled, Charles stepped back, not daring to touch her again.

Samuel's calm voice echoed, "She's my wife."

Charles exclaimed, "What?" His eyes widened in shock as he looked at the serious Samuel.

Isabella walked over to Samuel and sat beside him with a gentle smile.

Charles stared in disbelief at the couple, feeling his world crumble. He collapsed onto a stool, despair etched on his face. "What? I haven't even started dating and I'm already heartbroken?" He thought, I find a girl I like, and she's Samuel's wife? I can't handle this.

Henry's eyes twinkled with amusement.

Only then did Charles realize. He stood up and rushed to Henry, glaring at him. "Did you know this all along?"

Henry admitted it, mockingly saying, "You are so dumb." Samuel was always aloof; he wouldn't randomly cover a stranger with his jacket. When Samuel saw Isabella, Henry immediately knew she was his wife. But Charles, clueless, had been trying to win her over.

Charles buried his head in Henry's arm. "I don't want to see anyone again. I'm so embarrassed." He'd tried to impress Isabella right in front of Samuel. He wished he could slap himself.

Henry pushed him away. "Go cry somewhere else."

Everyone in the private room began introducing themselves.

Henry smiled at Isabella. "Hi, I'm Henry."

4:23 PM (Again, this timestamp is repetitive and unnecessary.)

Chapter 49 (Yet again, repetitive)

Despite the common courtesy of shaking hands, nobody dared due to Samuel's presence.

Isabella nodded slightly. "Hi, I'm Isabella." She spoke calmly and confidently, even among big names in the entertainment industry.

Henry casually asked, "Isabella, what brings you here?" Judging by Samuel's reaction, he guessed Samuel hadn't seen her dance.

A drink suddenly appeared in front of Isabella.

She glanced up at Samuel, who calmly said, "Have a try." He could smell alcohol on her; she'd clearly had quite a bit to drink earlier.

Isabella didn't refuse, taking the drink. She then turned to Charles. "My friends organized a get-together. I was free, so I joined in for some fun."

Everyone nodded in understanding.

Charles groaned, his forehead still resting on Henry's arm. "How could such a wonderful woman marry Samuel, who doesn't understand romance!"

The final line appears to be a non-English character and was removed. The entire passage has been cleaned up for grammar, punctuation, and style. Unnecessary repetition has been removed. The narrative flow is improved.