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Chapter 63: Scandal’s Shadow
Last Updated:
2025-01-28 02:18:48
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The morning sunlight spilled into the dining room as Isabelle toyed with her toast, pushing it around the plate absentmindedly. Across from her, Liam sipped his coffee, his gaze shifting occasionally from the file on the table to her worried face. Her silence had stretched too long, and he knew something was bothering her.“You’ve barely touched your food,” he said, setting his mug down. “The issue with the rumor has been cleared. What’s on your mind?”Isabelle sighed, leaning back in her chair. “It’s not that… it's my father. I feel guilty for not visiting him since he was transferred to the nursing home. I know he hasn’t been a good father to me, but… he’s still my father. And he became like that while he was here.”Liam placed his elbows on the table, leaning closer. “You don’t need to justify your feelings, Isabelle. If you feel like you should see him, then go. I'm sure he might have things to say to you too.”She looked at him, hesitant. “I was hoping you’d come with me. I don’
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Mary Jane stood in the kitchen, stirring a pot absentmindedly, her brows slightly furrowed. Isabelle noticed immediately—Mary Jane wasn’t usually this quiet, especially around her.“Mary Jane, is something wrong?” Isabelle asked, setting down the glass she was holding.Mary Jane hesitated for a moment, then sighed. “It’s nothing important.”“Come on,” Isabelle pressed gently. “You’re clearly thinking about something.”Mary Jane wiped her hands on a towel and turned to Isabelle. “I have to travel for a family emergency… just for the weekend. But I don’t know what to do about Lucas.”Isabelle blinked. “Lucas?”“My son,” Mary Jane clarified. “I was going to ask my neighbor to watch him, but she has plans. I don’t want to trouble you, Isa—”“Say no more,” Isabelle cut in with a reassuring smile. “Bring him over. I’d love to take care of him.”Mary Jane’s face lit up with relief. “Are you sure? He can really be a handful.”“I can handle him,” Isabelle said confidently. “Besides, I think it
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Isabelle’s pen tapped lightly against her desk as she glanced at the time. Lunch break. It had only been a few days since she started at Anderson Corp, but things were already getting interesting.She turned to Ethan, who had been typing something furiously. "Hey, lunch?"Ethan immediately stood up and stretched. "Finally! I was about to die at my desk."They both grabbed their lunch trays from the cafeteria counter. As they scanned the room for a seat, Isabelle spotted an empty table near the glass windows. She walked over and sat down, expecting Ethan to join her.But just as Ethan was about to sit, someone else slid into the chair across from her."Excuse me, Ethan," Laura said with a polite smile, her own tray in hand. "I need to talk to Isabelle about something."Ethan hesitated, glancing at Isabelle for approval. Isabelle gave him a small nod."Alright," Ethan said reluctantly, picking up his tray. "I'll be over there. Call me if you need me here."Laura chuckled. "Am I about to
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Liam was standing close to Isabelle as they chatted. He dropped his coffee cup after finishing the content and suddenly placed his hands lightly on Isabelle's waist, his breath warm against her skin.“Liam...” Isabelle started but couldn't finish. He leaned in, his lips brushing against hers, but just as he was about to deepen the kiss, Isabelle pulled back slightly, her eyes flicking down to her wristwatch."Break's over," she said in a voice that was both teasing and firm, pulling herself away from him with a small smile.Liam’s face softened, disappointment flickering in his eyes, but he still couldn't hide the affection in his voice. "I see you everyday but I still miss you."Isabelle let out a soft laugh, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I know, I can make it up to you later at home, I didn't give a date." she replied, her voice light, a playful tone slipping in as she began to walk away, still holding the coffee cup. Liam watched her go, his gaze lingering on her as she walk
Last Updated : 2025-02-05
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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
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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
