Share

Chapter 6: Unwanted Attention

Author: Ally pens
last update Last Updated: 2024-12-08 15:50:18

The next morning, Isabelle woke up to sunlight streaming through the curtains, a huge difference from the unease that had settled in her chest the night before. She remembered the encounter with Dan, his smug grin and invasive questions lingering on her mind like a bad memory.

She found Mrs. Aldric in the kitchen, humming softly as she stirred a pot of soup. Mrs Aldric greeted her with a warm smile. “Good morning, dear. Sleep well?”

“Better than I thought I would,” Isabelle admitted, though she left out the part where she had tossed and turned at a point worrying about what happened with Dan and if he'll come back and cause trouble for her and Mrs Aldric.

“Good,” Mrs. Aldric said, setting two bowls on the table. “You’ve got a busy day ahead. Saturdays are our busiest at the restaurant, especially with the tourists coming through. So we have to eat before setting out for work.”

Isabelle nodded, grateful for the distraction. Sje needed to work to keep her mind occupied.

---

The restaurant was bustling by mid-morning, the steady hum of conversation and clinking dishes filling the air. Isabelle moved between tables, balancing trays and jotting down orders, her earlier anxiety was now pushed to the back of her mind.

“Isabelle, can we get some more coffee over here?” called a cheerful woman seated with her family. 

“Of course,” Isabelle replied, grabbing the coffee pot and weaving through the crowd.

She was refilling cups at a corner table when she heard the door swing open, followed by a familiar voice.

“Morning, everyone.”

Her heart sank as she turned to see Dan standing in the doorway, his confident swagger drawing attention from the everyone in the restaurant. He scanned the room until his eyes landed on her, a grin spreading across his face.

“There she is,” he said loudly, making his way toward her.

Isabelle froze, the coffee pot trembling in her hand. She had only known him for few days but he had this presence that made her afraid  Mrs. Aldric appeared at her side almost immediately, her expression hardening.

“Dan, what do you want?” she asked sharply.

“Just breakfast, same as everyone else,” he said with feigned innocence, sliding into a seat at the counter. “And maybe a chance to chat with your lovely helper here.”

“She’s busy, also, can't you see that I have customers? Don't cause trouble here.” Mrs. Aldric snapped, placing herself between Isabelle and Dan.

“That’s a shame,” Dan said, leaning back in his chair. “I’d hate to think you were trying to keep pretty Isabelle away from me.”

Isabelle clenched her fists, the familiar feeling of helplessness creeping in. She wanted to stand up for herself, to tell Dan to leave her alone, but the words caught in her throat.

“Isabelle,” Mrs. Aldric said quietly, “why don’t you take a break? I can handle things here.”

She nodded quickly, escaping into the kitchen.

---

In the relative quiet of the kitchen, Isabelle leaned against the counter, trying to steady her breathing. Her mind raced, memories of Richard’s controlling presence blending with the unsettling behavior of Dan.

The door creaked open, and Isabelle tensed, expecting to see Dan. Instead, it was one of the townspeople, a young woman named Clara.

“Hey,” Clara said softly. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” Isabelle lied.

“Don’t let Dan get to you,” Clara said, crossing her arms. “He’s a pest and a bully, but that’s all he is. He likes to act tough, but he’s actually harmless. He does that everytime a new lady moves into town. I experienced it too, he'll get sick of your rejection and give up soon. Just hang in there.”

“Harmless?” Isabelle asked, her voice bitter. “Men like him are never harmless. They're just time bombs waiting to explode.”

Clara frowned, sensing the weight behind Isabelle’s words. “If he gives you real trouble, let us know. The whole town’s got Mrs. Aldric’s back. And we got yours too”

Isabelle nodded, but the knot in her stomach didn’t ease.

 Clara stretched out her hand for a handshake “ I'm Clara and I'm here if you ever need a fellow young woman to talk to.” 

Isabelle smiled and took Clara's hand. “ I'm Isabelle.” 

---

Later that evening, Isabelle helped Mrs. Aldric close up the restaurant. They worked in silence, the events of the day hanging heavily in the air.

As they finished, Mrs. Aldric turned to her. “I’m sorry about Dan,” she said. “He’s a nuisance, but he’s never gone this far before.”

“It’s not your fault,” Isabelle said. “But I can’t help feeling like he’s not going to stop. I feel like he's going to bring trouble and honestly, I don't want you to be entangled in my problems, I don't want your business to stop functioning wel because he keeps coming here.”

Mrs. Aldric’s lips thinned. “I understand, but he's done it before but not this consistent. You don't have to worry about me, just make sure you protect yourself and don't feel oppressed by him. He’ll learn his place soon enough. And if he doesn’t, we’ll handle him.”

Before Isabelle could respond, there was a knock at the door. They both turned to see Dan standing outside, his face illuminated by the glow of the streetlamp.

Mrs. Aldric muttered a curse under her breath. “What does he want now?”

Isabelle’s heart raced as Mrs. Aldric opened the door a crack. “We've run out of ingredients to cook. We’re closed,” she said firmly.

“Just wanted to apologize,” Dan said, his tone unusually smooth and sober “Didn’t mean to scare anyone earlier.”

Mrs. Aldric didn’t budge. “Apology accepted. Goodnight.”

Dan held up his hands. “Alright, alright. I’ll leave. But I wanted to give this to Isabelle.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box.

Mrs. Aldric snatched it from his hand before he could step inside. “I’ll make sure she gets it,” she said curtly before slamming the door.

Isabelle watched as Mrs. Aldric opened the box. Inside was a simple bracelet, delicate but undeniably expensive.

“What is this supposed to mean?” Mrs. Aldric muttered, her expression dark.

Isabelle felt a chill run down her spine. Whatever Dan’s intentions were, she knew they couldn’t be good.

“ I know Isabelle would like it. All ladies like expensive things. You might think I'm just being a pest, but really, I want to be with Isabelle. Her beauty has captured my heart. Just give us your blessings, Mrs Aldric.”

Mrs Aldric scoffed in surprise. “ You? I should give my blessings? What....”

“Mrs Aldric.” Isabelle finally spoke up, taking one step forward. 

“ This is concerning me. I'll handle this once and for all.” She continued. 

Isabelle faced Dan, who had a smirk on his face, he probably thought Isabelle would accept him because of the expensive bracelet. 

“ Look here, Mr Dan. Why do you keep doing this? Mrs Aldric has made it clear that I want nothing to do you, why do you persist so much? You should spend all this energy and money on improving this town, not on me. I don't need all of this, so leave me alone.” 

“ You're really rejecting me? You'll regret this, Isabelle. I swear. I'll make sure you're mine.” 

 With that, Dan left the shop, implanting a greater fear in Isabelle..

Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App

Related chapters

  • Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend    Chapter 7: Into The Lion’s Den

    Isabelle stood in the kitchen, rinsing out a few dishes as the older woman bustled around, preparing her things for the busy day ahead at the restaurant.Mrs. Aldric paused at the doorway, turning to Isabelle with a thoughtful look. “Isabelle, I want you to stay home today.”“What?” Isabelle blinked, setting down the dish. “Why?”Mrs. Aldric sighed, adjusting the strap of her bag. “Dan’s got his sights set on you, and I don’t want to give him another excuse to show up at the restaurant. I don't think he's been so focused on something like this, it only just lasts for a while, but what he said yesterday sounded pretty serious and I don't want to put you in danger.”Isabelle frowned, a pang of guilt and frustration tightening her chest. “But I can’t just hide here. I don’t want to be a burden to you. With the way I told him off and rejected him, he would know that I'm serious and stay away too, wouldn't he?”“You’re not a burden,” Mrs. Aldric said firmly, placing a reassuring hand on Isa

    Last Updated : 2024-12-09
  • Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend    Chapter 8: The Search Begins

    The evening sun cast long shadows across the quiet streets as Mrs. Aldric hurriedly locked the restaurant door, her hands trembling. Isabelle should have arrived hours ago. Something was wrong. Her gut churned with unease as she practically jogged home, her thoughts racing.“Please let her be home,” she muttered under her breath, her shoes clicking against the cobblestones.When she reached the house, she threw the door open, calling out, “Isabelle? Isabelle, are you here?”The silence that greeted her sent a chill down her spine. She checked the kitchen, the small sitting room, and even upstairs, her worry growing with every empty room. Isabelle’s bag and the ledger were gone, but the house was eerily quiet.Mrs. Aldric sank onto the sofa, her head in her hands. “Where could she have gone?” she whispered, fear tightening around her chest.She didn’t sit for long. With a resolve born from years of running her business and protecting the people she cared about, she bolted out the door a

    Last Updated : 2024-12-10
  • Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend    Chapter 9: A Web Of Deceit

    The air was cool and damp as Dan pulled up to his secret house on the outskirts of the town, the small property cloaked in shadows from the surrounding trees. Isabelle’s unconscious form lay slumped in the passenger seat, her face pale in the faint moonlight. Dan smirked as he stepped out of the car, walking around to lift her limp body into his arms.“She’s lighter than I thought,” he muttered, adjusting her weight.He had just reached the porch steps when he noticed a figure standing near the doorway. The man was tall, dressed in dark clothing, and leaning casually against the doorframe. The dim light from the porch lamp didn’t quite reach his face, leaving it covered in the shadows.Dan tensed, his grip on Isabelle tightening. “Who the hell are you?”The man straightened, his movements slow and deliberate. “Just someone with a lot of interest in the girl you’re carrying,” he said, his voice smooth and low.Dan narrowed his eyes, stepping closer. “Is that so? What do you know about

    Last Updated : 2024-12-11
  • Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend    Chapter 10: The Hunter’s Game

    Dan sat comfortably on his worn leather couch, a self-satisfied grin on his face as he sipped whiskey from a crystal glass. Outside his home, the muffled voices of the townspeople grew louder, their determined footsteps heading straight for his door, just like he had expected... or heard from Clara. He barely flinched when the knock came—a loud, insistent pounding that echoed through the small house.With deliberate slowness, Dan rose from his couch and strolled to the door. He opened it just enough to lean against the frame, his smirk widening when he saw Mrs. Aldric standing at the forefront of the group. Her face was lined with worry and anger, a combination that only fueled his amusement.“Well, if it isn’t the town’s matron saint,” Dan uttered, dully. “What can I do for you, Mrs. Aldric? And the others?”Her eyes narrowed. “We’re looking for Isabelle. Where is she?”Dan raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “Isabelle? You mean your little stray? Haven’t seen her.”“Don’t lie to

    Last Updated : 2024-12-12
  • Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend    Chapter 11: The Hunter’s Hunter

    Flashback: Hours AgoLiam Anderson leaned back in his chair, the weight of the boardroom’s discussions pressing heavily on him. The sleek conference room was filled with sharply dressed executives, their voices droning on about projections, prices and market trends. Normally, this would be his domain—strategic, controlled, predictable.But today, his mind was elsewhere.The vibration of his phone against the brown polished table snapped him from his thoughts. He glanced at the screen and saw the name flash: Marcus.Marcus was his man on the ground, the one he’d hired to keep tabs on Isabelle from the moment he found her in that hospital and left her to go her own way. He didn’t trust the world enough to leave her alone, not with the shadows of her past looming all around her.“Excuse me,” Liam said abruptly, interrupting the executive that was speaking. He stood up and buttoned his suit jacket. The murmurs in the room reduced as all eyes turned to him.“Mr. Anderson, this is a crucial

    Last Updated : 2024-12-12
  • Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend    Chapter 12: Shattered Trust

    The police station was colder than Isabelle expected, the fluorescent lights casting a harsh glow on the tired faces of the officers and suspects alike. Isabelle clutched her arms tightly around herself as she walked in beside Liam, her steps hesitant. She had a lot on her mind at that moment.Dan was being held in a separate room, but Liam had arranged for her to see him once she felt ready. For now, Isabelle sat in the waiting area just outside the room, trying to piece together her scattered emotions and waiting for Liam to come with a police officer escort.She barely noticed the sound of hurried footsteps and people walking about in front of until a familiar voice cut through the air. It was from inside the room where Dan was kept. “I thought you were better than this?” Clara demanded, her voice tight with worry.Isabelle looked up sharply, her breath catching in her throat. She recognized that voice. It was the voice of someone from the town. It was Clara's voice. What was she

    Last Updated : 2024-12-13
  • Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend    Chapter 13: The Proposal

    The police station was quiet now, the chaos of the evening finally going down. Isabelle sat beside Liam on a bench, her arms wrapped around her body as if trying to shield herself against the cold reality of her life. Mrs. Aldric had insisted on staying until Isabelle was finished giving her statement, but eventually, the older woman had to leave.Before she left, Mrs. Aldric gripped Liam’s arm firmly. “Take care of her,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. “And bring her back safely.”“I promise,” Liam replied, his voice steady.When they were alone, Liam turned to Isabelle, the expression on his face, filled with concern. “Are you alright?”“No,” Isabelle said simply, her voice devoid of emotion. “I don’t think I’ll ever be alright again. That man, Richard is so scary. He would go to the length of killing me just to keep his abusive nature under wraps.”He sighed, his expression softening. “I know this feels impossible, but I’m going to make sure Richard never comes nea

    Last Updated : 2024-12-14
  • Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend    Chapter 14: Stepping Into The Spotlight

    Isabelle followed Liam out of his office, she was nervous from the whirlwind of the past few days and the decision she had made that day. It was going to be a long and hard journey, no doubt, but she had Liam and Mrs Aldric on her side now. “Isabelle,” Liam said, gesturing toward a man waiting by the window. “Meet my secretary, Frank Payne.”Frank turned with an exaggerated flourish, his bright smile instantly lighting up the room. He was a tall, lanky, young man with an easy charm, dressed in a sharp suit that somehow still looked casual.“Ah, the infamous Miss Isabelle,” Frank said dramatically, taking her hand and shaking it enthusiastically. “You’re even more beautiful than the pictures I saw you in. I caught Mr Anderson staring at pictures from time to time. Pleasure to meet you!”Isabelle couldn’t help but laugh, her earlier tension easing slightly. “Nice to meet you too, Frank.”“You’re too kind,” Frank said, shooting a grin at Liam. “How did someone as stiff as you convince h

    Last Updated : 2024-12-15

Latest chapter

  • Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend    Chapter 121– A Hidden Past

    The city lights flickered past in a blur as Frank maneuvered the car through the streets. The atmosphere inside the vehicle was tense, filled only with the steady hum of the engine and the faint tapping of Liam’s fingers against his iPad. His gaze was locked onto the screen, scanning through endless articles, reports, and anything remotely connected to the name Marcus Carter.Frank, who had been watching his boss out of the corner of his eye, finally spoke. “Alright, boss, where exactly are we headed?”Liam didn’t respond immediately. His brows furrowed deeper as he scrolled, his jaw tightening.Frank sighed. “And what are you looking at so damn intensely? I swear, you’ve been at it since we left the office. Did we get a project that I don't know about?”Liam let out a slow breath, lowering the device slightly. “I’m going through everything online that has Marcus Carter’s name on it.”Frank frowned. “Marcus Carter?” He repeated the name, searching his memory. “Can’t say it rings a bel

  • Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend    Chapter 120– The Confrontation at Westford University

    The drive to Westford University was tense. Isabelle gripped the steering wheel firmly, her mind racing through possible ways to handle the situation. Next to her, Selena sat with her arms crossed, tapping her nails against her knee impatiently.“I still don’t see why we have to be nice about this,” Selena muttered, shifting in her seat.Isabelle sighed, keeping her eyes on the road. “Because we need them to trust us. If we go in there guns blazing, they’ll only become more defensive.”Selena scoffed. “That’s assuming they deserve any respect after what they pulled. They didn’t just reject our partnership—they publicly trashed Polaris Tech. If they had doubts, they could’ve kept it internal.”Isabelle nodded. “I agree. What they did was irresponsible. But think about it—did they say anything false?”Selena frowned. “Well—no, but—”“They didn’t outright lie,” Isabelle continued. “They didn’t fabricate anything. They just repeated what they thought was true. And whether we like it or no

  • Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend    Chapter 119 – Liam Anderson Never Makes Empty Threats

    By the time Isabelle finally walked through the doors of the house, exhaustion weighed down on her shoulders. The day had been long—Crestview’s success, Westford’s betrayal, and the revelation that Laura and Estella were behind the attack on Polaris Tech.And worse, the growing suspicion that Marcus had been orchestrating this entire thing from the start.She barely had time to gather her thoughts before she heard the deep, familiar voice from across the living room.“You’re late. Again, Isabelle.”She looked up to see Liam standing by the bar, sleeves rolled up, tie loosened, and a glass of whiskey in his hand. His piercing blue eyes locked onto hers, sharp and unreadable.Isabelle sighed, setting her bag down by the couch. “I know. I'm sorry.”Liam placed his glass down and crossed the room in three long strides. Before she could react, he cupped her face, tilting her chin up so she had no choice but to meet his gaze.“Are you alright?” His voice was low, laced with concern.She swa

  • Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend    Chapter 118 – A Dangerous Offer

    The next morning, Isabelle and Selena sat in Isabelle’s office, scanning an email from Professor Langston.Crestview University had officially agreed to host the Polaris AI demonstration next week.Selena grinned as she leaned back in her chair. “We finally got a big one. This could set off a domino effect for other universities.”Isabelle nodded, feeling a rare sense of accomplishment. “If Crestview endorses us, others will follow.”But before they could fully celebrate, another email arrived—one that wiped the smiles off their faces.Westford University, another top university on their list that they visited and pitched their ideas too had rejected their proposal outright. Worse, they had publicly warned students against using Polaris AI, citing “concerns over long-term data privacy.”Selena’s expression darkened as she slammed her hand onto Isabelle’s desk. “This is bad. If one university publicly doubts us, others will hesitate too.”Isabelle scanned the content of the email showi

  • Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend    Chapter 117 – Winning Over the Universities

    Isabelle arrived at Polaris Tech that morning, fully prepared for a long day. The student discount marketing plan was in motion, and she had no room for mistakes. The moment she stepped into her office, a member of the PR team handed her a thick folder filled with reports and updates. She barely had time to flip through it before her phone buzzed with a meeting reminder.Taking a deep breath, she headed toward the conference room. Inside, the marketing and PR teams were already gathered, with Marcus seated at the head of the table. Greg, the head of marketing, was going over the discount structures they had decided on—tiered percentages for students based on their courses and subscription plans.After some final adjustments, Marcus turned to Isabelle and Selena. "Your job is to make sure students actually know about this. Partnerships, ads, outreach—whatever it takes."Selena crossed her arms. "Universities would be the best way to go. If we get academic institutions to endorse Polari

  • Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend    Chapter 116 – Rivalries and Revelations

    Isabelle took a deep breath before stepping out of her office. It was time for the meeting with the marketing team, and she had already put together a few ideas on how to boost Polaris AI’s public image. As she made her way toward the meeting room, she spotted Selena walking ahead of her, her posture stiff, her steps quick and purposeful."Selena," Isa called out.Selena didn’t stop.Isa frowned but quickened her pace until she caught up and gently grabbed Selena’s arm. The woman turned sharply, her eyes flashing with irritation."What do you want?" Selena asked coldly.Isa let go of her arm and met her gaze with calm confidence. "Look, I know you don’t like me here. You think I’m here to take your position, but you don’t have to worry about that. I have no intention of staying in Polaris Tech permanently."Selena’s expression didn’t change, but there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes."I’ll be gone in three weeks," Isa continued, her voice steady. "I was brought in temporarily,

  • Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend    Chapter 115 – Walking into the Lion’s Den

    The towering glass building of Polaris Technologies loomed before Isabelle as she stepped out of the car. The sleek, modern exterior was almost like Anderson Corp’s, yet there was no sense of familiarity—this wasn’t her first time here. But today, everything was different. Today, she was not a visitor or a negotiator. She was an employee. Even if temporary.With a deep breath, she adjusted her blouse and made her way through the entrance. The moment she stepped inside, the air changed. Whispers rippled through the lobby like a wave, eyes discreetly flicking in her direction. Some employees murmured with excitement, others with skepticism."So that’s Isabelle Rivers? Liam Anderson's wife?""I heard she’s brilliant.""I heard she played a big role in the security breach scandal. She even held a press conference. What’s she doing here?"" Has she been hired permanently by Mr Carter?"Isabelle kept her head high, ignoring the murmurs as she reached the reception desk. The receptionist, a

  • Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend    Chapter 114 – Marked and Claimed

    Isabelle stood in front of the mirror, absently gathering her hair to tie it up. But the moment she lifted it, she froze.Hickeys.Deep, reddish-purple bruises littered the pale skin of her neck and collarbone, evidence of last night’s passion. She inhaled sharply, her fingers grazing over them.Her cheeks flushed.She should be annoyed—it was inconvenient to go around with these marks. But instead, a small, traitorous smile tugged at her lips.Liam was insatiable.She bit her lower lip, caught between amusement and frustration. There was no way she could wear her hair up today.Behind her, the door to the walk-in closet opened, and Liam stepped out, dressed in a sharp navy-blue suit. His hair was neatly styled, and he was adjusting his tie with practiced ease. The sight of him, so effortlessly put together, made last night’s memory even more vivid.Liam glanced at her reflection in the mirror and smirked. “What’s got you so happy this early in the morning?”Isa snapped out of her daze

  • Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend    Chapter 113: The Answers To The Questions

    Isabelle gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white as she maneuvered through the dimly lit streets. She wasn’t supposed to be doing this.Both Allison and Ethan had warned her—stay away.But how could she?The way Vivian had been dragged away, the panic in her eyes, the sheer weight of what had happened—it wouldn’t leave Isa’s mind. And Marcus... she had never trusted him completely. Something about him had always felt off.Now, more than ever, she needed answers.She arrived at the detention center, her heart pounding as she stepped out of the car. It was a grim-looking building, surrounded by barbed wire and guarded heavily. What the hell am I doing? she wondered. But it was too late to turn back now.After going through security and the necessary formalities, she sat in the visitation area, waiting. The fluorescent lights flickered above her, making the dull gray walls feel even colder.The door on the other side of the glass partition buzzed open.Vivian stepped in.I

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status