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Chapter 170 - Web of Deceit
Last Updated:
2024-11-09 17:12:52
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Isabel’s POV“No, I came alone,” Sarah said firmly as we hurried through the dim parking lot to the car waiting outside. Her face was calm, but I could see a flicker of urgency in her gaze. She took a quick look over her shoulder, then lowered her voice. “I’ll explain everything later. For now, let’s just get out of here before they decide to come after us.”I nodded, a shiver running down my spine as I imagined Lilith or one of her guards charging down the hall after us. The thought sent my pulse racing, and I quickened my steps to match Sarah’s.Once we were inside the car, away from Lilith’s twisted games and out of her reach, I felt a rush of relief. As we pulled away, Sarah let out a breath, and her face softened. “Isabel, I’m sorry for putting you through all of this,” she said, a touch of regret in her voice. “This was never supposed to happen. Emerson asked me to come get you when he realized where you’d gone.”That caught my attention. “Wait, what? Emerson asked you?” My che
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Isabel’s POVThe night pressed in, filling the car with a thick, heavy silence as Sarah drove. My thoughts drifted back to that night Emerson had come home hurt. His face had been pale and his sleeve soaked in blood. I knew now that he had met with Alistair. There was a subtle tension that ran through his body every time the man’s name came up, a wariness that made Emerson—normally so controlled—seem vulnerable. And now, that same tension clawed at me as I pieced things together.“Thanks for telling me this, Sarah.” I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "I have to make a phone call."She nodded, an edge of concern in her expression. “Of course, Isabel. Whatever you need.”I dialed Michael's number. My heart pounded as I listened to the rings. He didn’t answer. I swallowed hard, feeling panic rise in my throat. What was going on? Did Alistair get to Michael too?But then, a few seconds later, my phone rang. “Isabel? Sorry for missing your call. Is everything okay?” Michael’
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Isabel’s POVThe sight of Emerson, lounging casually behind his desk with a half-smoked cigar in hand, stopped me cold. He looked so at ease, as though he hadn’t a care in the world. My heart was still racing from the sprint up here. I couldn’t decide if I was more relieved to see him safe or furious at his calm, almost comical expression. If only he knew the nightmare scenarios that had been running through my mind.At the sight of me, Emerson’s expression shifted from surprise to mild concern. He quickly snuffed out the cigar in the ashtray. "Isabel?" He stood up, scanning me as if looking for injuries. “Are you alright? Did something happen at the meeting?”The calmness of his tone was almost too much. “Am I alright?” I repeated, trying to keep my voice steady. “Do you have any idea what kind of state I was in when I got here? I thought you—” I caught myself, unable to finish the sentence. I wasn’t about to tell him that I’d pictured him injured or worse. Not with how dismissive h
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Isabel’s POVAs Emerson stood there, in the middle of his massive office, a conflicted look crossed his face. He sighed, then finally admitted, “It’s true. I met with Lilith’s father, Alistair, to make a deal.”I felt a flash of dread ripple through me. This was worse than I’d thought. But there was something else in his expression. A wariness, as though he were about to reveal something that might push me over the edge.I crossed my arms, my voice steady but tense. “A deal? What did he want?”Emerson looked away. His hesitation was almost palpable. “He… asked me to agree to a condition.” His eyes flicked up to meet mine, full of unspoken conflict. “He wants me to go public with my relationship.”The air between us thickened. “Your relationship… with who?” I asked, my jaw clenched, though I already suspected the answer.“With Lilith,” he said quietly, his words laced with regret. He barely finished the sentence before glancing away. As though he was unable to face the look in my eyes.
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Isabel’s POVEmerson’s head turned slowly back toward me. The red outline of my hand was still visible across his cheek. He looked more stunned than hurt, his eyes wide with shock. For a split second, my heart fluttered with regret. But no, he’d brought this on himself. My pulse pounded with every beat as I faced him down, unflinching, daring him to say something. Anything.But instead, he blinked, focusing on my hand. “Are you okay?” he asked softly, as if he hadn’t just pushed me to the edge. “Your hand… does it hurt?”I almost laughed at his calm response, incredulous. “Are you seriously worried about my hand?” My voice shook, but I wouldn’t let it falter completely. “You just told me you agreed to go public with Lilith, and you’re asking me if I’m okay?” His concern seemed absurd, almost surreal. How could he pretend to care about me while putting me through this endless charade?He took a step toward me, hands open in a placating gesture. “Isa, it’s not what you think—”“Not wha
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 177 - A Truth Too Late
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s gaze dropped to the floor, and I saw the answer in his eyes. He’d known. For how long, I couldn’t tell. But he had known enough to piece it all together.My heart twisted as I looked at him, feeling both a painful familiarity and a hollowness that seemed to swallow the air between us.He swallowed hard, lifting his eyes back to mine. “Isa,” he murmured, his voice strained, “I thought if I could keep you out of it, I could protect you… It was all for you.”I stared at him, his words little more than an echo in the emptiness. “Protect me?” I shook my head, unable to mask the incredulity in my tone. “All this time, you’ve been holding me at arm’s length, spinning your version of the truth, and calling it protection?” The words spilled out, sharp and cold. “I hope you realize… You’ve done more harm by keeping me in the dark than any danger you think you were shielding me from.”The flicker of pain that crossed his face did nothing to soften me. “You’re the only pe
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Isabel’s POVAs I felt the grip of Emerson’s arms tighten around me, a chill ran down my spine. His touch was rough, but there was a desperation to it that I hadn’t seen before. “Let me go,” I said, my voice low and unsteady. I pushed against his chest, trying to twist free. But his hold only grew more insistent.“Where are you going?” he murmured, his tone almost mocking. “Is there someone else waiting for you? Robert, perhaps? Or maybe Sebastian?”I stopped struggling. His words hung heavy in the air between us. “What are you talking about?” I replied, incredulous. “Why are you even bringing them up?” The frustration in my voice didn’t faze him—if anything, it seemed to amuse him.“Isabel,” he said, his voice darkening, “you think I don’t know? You run around, putting yourself in danger, and then expect me to just sit back and let it happen. I’m not that foolish.” His eyes narrowed, searching mine. His jaw was clenched in some unspoken battle.I could feel my anger building, but b
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
