Chapter 121: I Am Quite the Clever One +5 Pearls

Thunder roared. Isabella’s brain nearly overheated. Should she, as Alexander’s wife, respond to his ex-girlfriend’s email? What was Alexander implying?

The email had been opened accidentally. The initial plan was to feign ignorance, letting Alexander handle it. But he’d questioned her directly. Was he hinting that his first love was returning, and Isabella should step aside?

Alexander’s rage simmered. Selena and Rosalie watched, speechless. Alexander's question wasn't about the email itself; it was about how Isabella, as his wife, should respond.

"Calm down," Alexander thought. "Think this through!"

Selena and Rosalie's hearts pounded. Selena thought, "Bella, exude the dignity of a married woman. A proper ex acts dead—no need to even show up at the funeral." Rosalie countered, "Bella! Alex's request shows honesty and transparency. He has no lingering attachments. That's security! Seize the opportunity, eliminate the risk! Tell his ex to get lost!"

Unfortunately, Isabella, accustomed to solitude, was confused. She even felt a thrill of curiosity. Seeing Isabella's wide eyes, Alexander softened. "You can respond however you want," he said gently.

Isabella's thoughts raced. She considered several responses:

• "All right, I'll wait for you." (Alexander froze.)
• "You wanted to part ways, so we did. Now you want back? What do you take me for?!"
• "If you don't love me, don't bother seeing me again." (Frustration surged through Alexander.)
• "I'm not divorced yet." (Alexander smiled kindly.)

Selena and Rosalie despaired, "Enough! Our hearts can't take it!"

"Honey, have you made up your mind?" Alexander interrupted.

The word "honey" sent a shiver through Isabella. While she playfully called him "hubby," he rarely used "honey." Was he stirred up by his ex's email? "No, you provoked me!" Alexander thought. Selena and Rosalie silently agreed, "It's you!"

Isabella sensed something odd in Alexander's smile. A chilling feeling washed over her; he seemed dangerous.

"Should I give her a piece of my mind?" she asked. Then, retracting her words, she proposed, "She didn't make unreasonable demands. Should we just ignore it? It's the safest answer. I'm quite clever!"

Selena and Rosalie couldn't decipher Isabella's intentions: fear, testing Alexander, or apathy?

Alexander gazed intently at Isabella, making her doubt herself. Finally, he merely murmured, "Hmm." He seemed unhappy. Isabella had essentially returned the decision to him.

Seeing Selena and Rosalie’s curious stares, Isabella felt embarrassed. Rosalie exclaimed, "Bella, why didn't you respond? You should have retorted!"

Anyone overhearing only Isabella and Alexander would be confused.

Panic seized Rosalie. Selena quickly added, "It's clearly about the group we met. Give them a piece of your mind!" Rosalie mentally applauded her mother's quick thinking.

Isabella chuckled, "It's not them."

Selena and Rosalie wisely excused themselves. "I need to use the restroom, Rosie," Selena said.

Isabella, internally rolling her eyes, tidied up. Retorting would be foolish; if Alexander and his ex reconciled, she'd be the villain.

Alexander, about to delete the email, was speechless, noticing Isabella humming while sorting through confiscated items. He felt suffocated. He averted his gaze, grabbed the mouse with his left hand (concealing his ambidexterity), and typed:

"My name is Isabella, Mrs. Quirk. I would prefer if you refrain from meeting my husband again. Please, stop reaching out to him."

Sent!

Alexander felt a mischievous glee, but seeing Isabella, he felt guilty. "Let's go out to eat," he offered as compensation. They enjoyed a lavish family meal.

Overseas, Eleanor, Alexander's ex, saw the email and sneered. Her friend was indignant. "She thinks she's Mrs. Quirk? I heard she manipulated Alexander into marriage. She has some nerve!"

Eleanor sneered, "Such an idiot. She'll be easy to deal with. I won't contact Alexander. Next time, he'll understand my hardships." Her friend suggested exposing Isabella's "charade," but Eleanor disagreed, planning to use the email to manipulate Alexander upon her return.

Isabella sneezed. Alexander draped his jacket around her. "Are you cold?"

"No, someone's talking about me," Isabella mused. "Could it be the band of wives?" Alexander frowned.

Her phone rang—a call from Danielle.