Chapter 52

Samuel: [I’m waiting for you downstairs.]

Feeling a little calmer, Isabella put away her phone and looked up at Luna and the others. “Luna, I need to head back.”

Luna paused, looked at Isabella, and smiled. “Sure, wait for me.”

Before Isabella could respond, Luna was already saying goodbye to her friends. She got up, walked toward Isabella, and said, “Let’s go, Isabella.”

As Luna exited the private room, she saw the bar manager. Smiling, she said, “Take care of my friends, and put it on my tab.”

The manager beamed, bowing. “Okay, Ms. White.”

Luna waved and left the bar with Isabella. As they stepped outside, the bar's noise faded, replaced by sudden quiet.

Luna stopped abruptly. Isabella, confused, turned to her. Luna's smile was gone, replaced by an apologetic expression. “Isabella, I’m sorry. I meant to surprise you, but it became a burden.”

A gentle breeze blew by.

Isabella knew Luna was referring to Jayden. She hooked her arm around Luna’s, leaned on her shoulder, and laughed lightly. “What are you talking about? Apologizing for such a small thing?”

Isabella understood Luna’s good intentions. No one else would have gone to such lengths. She wouldn’t blame Luna.

Seeing Isabella wasn’t upset, Luna chuckled. “I worried you’d be angry. But…”

Luna turned to Isabella, curious. “What’s going on with you and Jayden? Did you really break up?”

Isabella paused, a sarcastic smile playing on her lips. “We were never together, so why talk about breaking up?”

Isabella thought, After all those years without acknowledgment, it was just wishful thinking.

Luna’s gaze was filled with concern. She’d seen Isabella’s dedication to Jayden over the years. She thought it was unwise for Isabella to hide her true self because of Jayden; Isabella was excellent.

Luna patted Isabella’s hand and laughed. “It’s alright. You deserve better. You’ll find a perfect boyfriend.”

Isabella chuckled softly and nodded. After deciding to give up on Jayden completely, she felt much more relaxed.

“But didn’t this come too soon?” Isabella was still pondering when Luna changed the subject. “What’s your relationship with Samuel?”

Isabella’s smile faded. She was taken aback, then a playful smile appeared as she grabbed Luna’s finger. “I’m not telling you.”

Luna quickly pulled her hand away, glaring. “So now you keep secrets from me?”

Chapter 52 (continued)

Luna reached out to tickle Isabella. Isabella laughed and dodged, the two playfully teasing each other under a streetlight. Eventually, Isabella pleaded, “Alright, stop. I’ll tell you when the time is right, okay?”

Luna, catching her breath, pulled back, hands on her hips. “If you don’t tell me, watch out…” She reached out to poke Isabella’s waist.

Isabella dodged, laughing. “I promise I’ll tell you, or I’m a liar.”

Satisfied, Luna withdrew her hands. “That’s more like it.”

A car honked. Beep!

Isabella and Luna turned. A luxurious Maybach’s window slid down, revealing Samuel.

Isabella raised an eyebrow. Is he waiting for me?

She turned back to Luna, but before she could speak, Luna smiled knowingly and nodded. “I understand. Have fun. I’ll take my leave.” She waved at Samuel. “Bye, Mr. Howerton.”

With a flip of her hair, Luna left with a sexy sway of her hips.

Isabella chuckled, shaking her head, feeling helpless yet fond. Watching Luna drive away, Isabella walked toward Samuel’s car.

The moment Isabella opened the car door, Samuel’s expression darkened. Unaware, Isabella fastened her seatbelt, but noticed he hadn’t started the car. She furrowed her brows.

She met his cold gaze. Is he upset?

The car started. Samuel remained quiet, the atmosphere tense.

Isabella composed herself, realizing her actions that night were inappropriate. Looking at him, she said softly, “The dancing incident was unexpected. I’ll be more careful in the future to uphold my dignity as Mrs. Howerton.”

The tension increased. Samuel furrowed his brow, his aura cold. He replied in a low voice, “Do you think it’s all about my dignity?”

Isabella looked perplexed. “Why are you angry?” She thought, Is it not because of that?

Since getting in the car, she’d sensed his bad mood. Besides the dancing, she couldn’t think of anything else that would anger him.

The atmosphere remained frigid. Samuel remained silent until they reached Riverside Villa.

Isabella got home, showered, and after her skincare routine, lay in bed browsing messages.

4:23 PM

Chapter 52 (continued)

But Isabella couldn’t focus. She put down her phone, got up, and went to the study. The lights were bright. Samuel was focused on documents. Isabella leaned against the doorframe. “Aren’t you going to sleep yet?”

Samuel paused. He said coolly, “You go sleep.” He continued his work.

Isabella nodded, feeling angry. She said nothing and returned to her room. Sitting on the bed, she couldn’t figure out what upset him. Furrowing her brows, she decided not to think about it. She put down her phone, pulled the covers over herself, and slept.

Two days later, the Cox family villa bustled with servants cleaning. It felt much more lively. When Isabella parked, she saw Xavier sitting in the garden. The coldness on his handsome face softened slightly when he saw her arrive.

(The final line appears to be a musical notation or unrelated text and has been omitted.)