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Chapter 163 - In My Element
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2024-11-05 10:50:23Related chapters
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 164 - New Job
Isabel’s POV“Excuse me, ma’am,” Emerson’s voice came from behind me, smooth but laced with a certain edge. “Isabel is part of my team,” he continued, adding just the faintest touch of authority. His gaze flicked to me, a possessive glint in his eye. “But I appreciate the interest.”The magazine editor glanced between us, her brow arching as if she could sense the simmering tension beneath the polished surfaces. She shifted her attention to me with a knowing smile. “Alright,” she said coolly, but as she turned, she slipped a card into my hand, her voice just above a whisper. “Call me if anything changes.”Emerson’s jaw tightened. The card in my palm suddenly felt like a rebellion, a small act of defiance I wasn’t sure I’d have followed through on, but it made his reaction all the more interesting.After the shoot, he insisted on driving me back to the estate himself. The car was quiet as we pulled onto the long driveway, the hum of the engine almost soothing—if it weren’t for the cons
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 165 - Jealous Whispers
Isabel’s POVHe hesitated, swallowing as if debating whether to go on, and finally took a deep breath.“Goodnight,” he said softly, letting his hand fall back to his side. And with that, he stepped back, allowing me to pass, but not without one last look that left me breathless.As I walked away, my mind raced, uncertainty and frustration weaving through me. I had a plan, I reminded myself. And nothing—no lingering glances, no fleeting touches—was going to pull me off course.I tried to shake it off as I moved through the hall, heading for the elevator. But as soon as I rounded the corner, I nearly collided with a colleague who’d been hurrying past.“Oh!” she exclaimed, pulling back. Then she offered a strange, knowing smile. “Late-night chat with the boss?”I managed a polite smile, though I could feel heat rise to my cheeks. She held my gaze a beat too long, as if searching for something I wasn’t offering. My cheeks flushed further, but I said nothing. After a pointed look, she walk
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 166 - Rumors and Reality
Isabel’s POVIn the break room, I glanced around at the gathered group, mostly women. They were all watching the confrontation unfold with expressions ranging from amusement to curiosity. I took a slow breath, setting my coffee down on the counter with a deliberate calm. The tension was palpable.“Let me clear something up for you,” I said, my voice even, though my heart beat like a drum. “I was offered this role because of my skills as a photographer. If you have any doubts, feel free to watch me work today. You’ll find I’m more than capable of handling the job.” I met their eyes one by one, daring them to say otherwise.The two ringleaders exchanged a glance. The taller of the two opened her mouth to retort. But before she could get a word out, a voice came from the back of the room.“Honestly, cut it out.” A woman stepped forward, crossing her arms. She was petite, with a sleek hazel ponytail and a no-nonsense expression. “Maybe you’ve all forgotten what professionalism looks like
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 167 - Sting of Betrayal
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s gaze swept the room, taking in the tense atmosphere. His brow furrowed as he assessed the situation. His eyes found mine. They softened for a brief moment before his composed mask fell back into place.Beside me, Sarah cleared her throat, arms crossed tightly. Her irritation was practically radiating from her.“Emerson, I’ll be frank,” she said, a tightness to her voice. “The final edits Isabel submitted didn’t meet our standards. The lighting was off, there were typos—frankly, it was amateur work.” Her expression softened as she looked at Emerson, but it was clear she held no such mercy for me. “This isn’t what I expect from my team.”I opened my mouth to respond, to explain that I hadn’t completed the final edits. But Emerson interrupted with a calm nod.“I’ll handle it, Sarah,” he said with quiet authority. “Let’s meet with the client later and discuss compensations. For now, I’d like a word with Isabel.”He motioned for me to follow him out of the studio. Th
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 168 - An Old Nemesis
Isabel’s POVAs I watched Emerson’s figure fade down the hallway, I couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh. It seemed that no matter what we did, we couldn’t escape the tangled web that lay between us. Everything felt too close, too intense. Despite the professional environment, our history together was impossible to ignore. For a brief moment, I wondered if it was always going to be this way—complicated, layered with memories that resurfaced, and heavy with the tension we refused to address.I shook my head and had a quick lunch, then returned to the studio. Sarah was standing by the editing screens, her brows knit in irritation as she reviewed the final edits that Eve had made. Even though she had been fired for her betrayal, Eve had left us with a mess that we couldn’t ignore—her disastrous work had offended one of our biggest clients.Sarah’s face was lined with frustration, and I could see the weight of the situation bearing down on her.“I can fix it if you need,” I offered gen
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 169 - Face to Face
Isabel’s POVThe atmosphere in the room was stifling, charged with a strange tension as Lilith’s slanted green eyes locked onto me. She leaned back in her chair. Her lips curled into a slow, deliberate smile. As if she were savoring a private joke. Everything about her was perfectly controlled, from her posture to her immaculate hair. She looked like she had stepped out of a polished ad. It was unsettling, to say the least.“So,” Lilith’s voice was smooth, dangerous, “the question we should really be asking, Isabel, is... what are you still doing in Emerson’s life?”I forced myself to keep my composure, though my stomach churned. Her gaze felt like a spotlight, pinning me in place. I wanted to scoff, to tell her I wouldn’t be anywhere near Emerson if I had any choice in the matter. But I kept my mouth shut, choosing my words carefully. “I didn’t realize you were the client,” I said, keeping my tone as neutral as I could manage.Lilith let out a laugh, light and mocking. “Oh, but why
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 170 - Web of Deceit
Isabel’s POVLilith’s gaze flicked to Eve. Her mouth pulled into an annoyed scowl. “What is it now?” she snapped.Eve looked tense, glancing over her shoulder like a nervous rabbit. “Miss, I just saw Emerson’s car parked at the door!”“What did you say?” Lilith’s eyes widened, and she rushed to the window. She let out a curse under her breath as she looked down at the parking lot, spotting his sleek black car. “Damn it. We need to move. Now.”I felt a surge of hope. Emerson was here.But that relief was short-lived as the guards grabbed me by the arms. Their iron grips tightened as they started to drag me forward. I struggled, twisting and pulling against them. “Let me go!” I shouted, hoping Emerson would hear my voice. But the guards simply yanked me harder, dragging me along after Lilith and Eve.As we climbed the stairs, my heart pounded. I dug my heels in, fought with every bit of strength I had left, but the huge men barely seemed to notice. Eventually, I was being carried up the
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 171 - Femme Fatale
Isabel’s POVAs the footsteps drew closer, Lilith straightened her clothes with brisk, sharp movements. She quickly arranged her hair and stood taller, as if preparing herself for some grand entrance. Even with the guard’s hand covering my mouth, I couldn’t help but smirk. Of course, she was still trying to make herself look perfect. Emerson would show up any second, and she was primed to charm him into her grasp once again.Then, from the stairwell, I heard my name. “Isabel?” The voice was sharp and clear, but it wasn’t Emerson.The entire room seemed to hold its breath as we all looked, surprised, toward the staircase. Sarah stepped into view. Her face was calm and her gaze unwavering. The surprise was evident in Lilith’s eyes. The brief flicker of disappointment that crossed her face was quickly replaced by a sneer."Who the hell are you?" she snapped, her disdain palpable.Eve’s face paled, her mouth opening and closing wordlessly, as though caught between dread and some guilty a
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His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 193 - Unexpected Confrontations
Isabel’s POVMy hands clenched at my sides, my initial shock giving way to anger. “What are you doing here, Lilith?”“Oh, just taking a walk,” she said airily. “What a coincidence running into you two. You know how small the world is.”Her eyes glittered with malice, and I knew she wasn’t here by accident. Whatever game she was playing, it was only just beginning.Lilith turned to Caleb, her voice dripping with fake concern. “You should enjoy your time while you can. You wouldn’t want to end up like Sebastian.”Her words sent a chill through me, but before I could respond, Caleb stepped closer to her, his tone low and dangerous. “Leave. Now.”Lilith’s smug smile widened as she waved her smartphone in the air, its screen flashing faintly in the sunlight. “What do you think Emerson would say,” she purred, “if I told him about this little outing?”I clenched my fists, my annoyance bubbling just beneath the surface. “Lilith, enough with the games. This is Emerson’s cousin Caleb you’re try
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 192 - Swept Away
Isabel’s POV“Captivity, huh?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.“Exactly,” he said, his voice dropping to a dramatic whisper. “While the evil lord of the manor is away, I’m here to whisk you off to freedom.”His words were clearly meant as a joke, but I couldn’t ignore the subtle jab at Emerson. “And where exactly are you planning to whisk me off to?”“You’ll see.” Caleb’s tone turned mysterious. “But it’s somewhere you’ll love, I promise.”I hesitated. Spending time with Caleb felt like a risk. He had always been a wild card, unpredictable and charming in equal measure. And with the complicated web of tension between Emerson and me, getting too close to his cousin felt... inappropriate.“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” I said. “Besides, there’s Liam to consider. I can’t just leave him here.”As if summoned by my words, the maid came rushing out, taking Liam in her arms. She looked flustered, apologizing profusely for not hearing the doorbell.“It’s all right,” Caleb said with a sunny smi
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 191 - Mirror’s Deception
Isabel’s POVI forced a laugh, trying to brush off her comment. “I think you’re imagining things,” I said lightly, but the words felt hollow.The maid smiled apologetically. “Perhaps. I didn’t mean anything by it, miss.”At first, it felt absurd—laughable even. Liam was Emerson and Lilith’s child; that was an undeniable fact. But as the seconds ticked by, something darker, more insidious, began to creep into my thoughts.“That’s ridiculous,” I said aloud, though I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince her or myself.The maid gave me a sheepish smile, wringing her hands. “I’m sorry, Miss. It’s just something I noticed. His eyes, maybe? Or his smile? I didn’t mean anything by it.”Her apology only heightened my unease. “It’s fine,” I replied curtly, waving her off.But the seed was planted. My gaze drifted down to Liam, who sat in my lap, staring up at me with a toothy grin. His eyes sparkled with innocence, as if he was oblivious to the storm brewing in my mind.Could it be true?I sh
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 190 - Silent Night
Isabel’s POVThe stillness of the room pressed on me, amplified by the steady rhythm of Emerson’s breathing behind me. He still wasn’t asleep—I could tell by the occasional shift of his weight and the faint sighs escaping him.He had withdrawn his arm when I didn’t answer, but the proximity between us remained charged. Every so often, his body would shift, brushing against mine—a subtle, fleeting contact that sent ripples through my already frayed nerves. Was it accidental? Or deliberate? I couldn’t be sure, and the ambiguity only made it worse.My body, traitorous as ever, reacted in ways I hadn’t anticipated. The heat of his presence seemed to seep into my skin, igniting a tension I had no desire to acknowledge. It wasn’t fair—after everything, after all the anger and betrayal, how could some unintentional touch unravel me like this?I tried to suppress the swirling emotions, willing myself to focus on anything else. But the way my heart raced, the way my breath hitched in those st
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 189 - A Promise in the Dark
Isabel’s POVSitting on the kitchen table, Emerson still looming over me, my mind spiraled with guilt. Sebastian was locked up, possibly suffering, all because of me. He’d been trying to help me, to protect me, and now he was paying the price. I clenched my fists in my lap, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions.“Isabel.”Emerson’s voice broke through the haze. His sharp gaze fixed on me. His head tilted slightly as if studying a puzzle. “You’re quiet. You look… off. Do you know something you’re not telling me?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.My heart skipped a beat. Did he suspect? Could he somehow see through me, past the walls I’d painstakingly built?I met his eyes, masking the turmoil within. “No,” I said, forcing a small, almost casual shrug. “I’m just tired. It’s been a long day.”He didn’t seem entirely convinced. His piercing gaze lingered on me longer than I liked. I bit my lip, weighing my options. If Emerson knew the truth about Sebastian’s private investigation and
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 188 - His Audacity
Isabel’s POVI turned to Emerson after Caleb left. Exhaustion was weighing on my shoulders like a lead blanket. “I’m really tired, and I have work tomorrow,” I murmured, taking a step toward the stairs. The tension from dinner and everything Caleb had implied was still twisting in my chest. I just wanted to escape. To drift off into blissful ignorance.But before I could get far, Emerson swept me off my feet—literally.“Emerson! What are you doing?!” I protested, squirming against his firm grip as he carried me effortlessly back to the kitchen.Without so much as a word, he placed me on the kitchen table as though I weighed nothing. I struggled to slide off, but his hands settled on either side of me, caging me in.My heart raced, but not entirely from rage. There was something about the way his eyes locked onto mine, unflinching and determined, that threw me completely off balance. I hated how he could do this—how he could ignite a whirlwind of emotions with just a look. How he made
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 187 - Whispers of Suspicion
Isabel’s POVCaleb strolled into the room as if he owned the place. A wide grin was plastered across his face. “Are you two done whispering sweet nothings yet? Or should I come back later with popcorn?”Emerson groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Caleb, do you have a radar for bad timing, or is it just a natural talent?”“I like to think of it as a gift,” Caleb quipped, leaning casually against the doorframe.I stifled a laugh despite the tension, my lips twitching into a small smile. Caleb always had a way of breaking even the heaviest silences with his antics.“Come inside,” Emerson said with an exasperated sigh. “If you’re going to interrupt, you might as well eat with us.”The three of us made our way to the dining room, where a simple but elegant dinner awaited. Caleb, ever the opportunist, immediately dug in. He complimented the meal with exaggerated enthusiasm.“This roast? Perfection. I’ve been abroad for so long, I forgot what a proper home-cooked meal tastes like. Kudo
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 186 - Threads of Distrust
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s hand clamped firmly over Caleb’s mouth. Caleb’s muffled protests only made the moment more absurd. I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow. “Really, Emerson? This is your grand strategy? Silencing him like a five-year-old?”Emerson shot me a look, his expression a mix of irritation and weary amusement. “You’d be surprised how much trouble this one can cause when left unchecked,” he muttered.Caleb, never one to miss an opportunity, wriggled free with an exaggerated gasp. “Admit it, you missed me,” he said, his grin wide and cheeky.“Missed you?” Emerson arched an eyebrow. “I’m considering sending you back abroad.”Caleb clutched his chest dramatically. “Ouch. Such gratitude for saving Isabel’s life. You’re lucky I have a forgiving nature.”At the mention of the accident, Emerson’s expression softened. His irritation ebbed, replaced by something quieter, almost regretful. His gaze shifted to me, lingering with a kind of intensity that made my chest tighten.“Are
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 185 - Stirring the Pot
Isabel’s POVI stared at Caleb, my mind still struggling to process what he had just said. A surprise for his lover? Emerson had said nothing about this, not even hinted at it. The idea clawed at me, a cruel whisper of betrayal I didn’t want to entertain.Recently, his long hours and late nights had seemed justified—he was supposed to be focused on finding Sebastian and Margot. He had painted himself as a man weighed down by duty, by the chaos of the military’s reshuffling. But now? Doubt slithered into my thoughts like a cold wind, chilling my resolve. What if he wasn’t just busy with military upheavals? What if he was lying?I bit my lip, trying to dismiss the growing unease. I didn’t want to believe it. I didn’t want to believe that Emerson, for all his faults, could betray me in this way. But hadn’t I learned the hard way not to trust him blindly? My heart and mind were locked in a bitter tug-of-war.Caleb leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. His expression softened a
