Chapter 11

Isabella woke up the following morning to Xander's voice, a harsh, frantic whisper coming from his office. Without making any noise, she padded down the hall and stopped right in front of the door. He spoke in a clipped, abrasive, and irate tone.

"You mean the deal isn't working out?" Xander snarled. "In the following hour, I would like to call the board. Make it right. Right now.

Isabella felt a heavy heart. Something significant was going on here; this was not your average business setback. After considering whether or not to interrupt, she paused for a second before the door opened and Xander's icy gaze locked with hers.

In an attempt to calm the anxiety she could see building in him, she murmured softly, "I didn't mean to eavesdrop."

Although Xander's jaw tensed, he gave a small nod and motioned for her to follow him inside the office. His normally polished veneer crumbled under the strain of whatever crisis was brewing, and he appeared more worried than she had ever seen him.

Xander sank into his chair and rubbed his temples, saying, "There's been an attack." "Someone is attempting to destroy everything by focussing on one of my largest acquisitions."

Isabella scowled. "What sort of assault?"

Financial sabotage, bribery, and a slander campaign. Whoever it is is attempting to sabotage the entire transaction before it even happens. Anger was dark in his eyes. Isabella, I have adversaries in this world. However, this feels very personal.

She attempted to hide the worry that was churning in her stomach. "Is Vivian the culprit?"

Xander squinted his eyes. "This is not how Vivian pulls the strings. This degree of corporate warfare is not to her taste; she prefers direct manipulation.

However, isn't she involved? Isabella sat on the edge of his desk and pressed. "You mentioned it yourself—she is aware of things that could ruin you."

Xander leaned back in his chair and moaned. "It is feasible. I'm not sure if Vivian is responsible for this, but she always has a hand in it.

Isabella was about to reply when Xander's phone chimed once again. His face tensed as he looked at the screen. "I must leave," he replied suddenly. "This agreement cannot be broken."

As he passed her, Isabella took hold of his arm. "Allow me to assist you. Since we began our arrangement, I've gained a lot of knowledge. You are aware that I am not merely a trophy wife.

Xander stopped and looked into her eyes. He nodded after a long pause. "All right. In an hour, we will meet with the legal team. But there will be repercussions for both of us if this doesn't work out, Isabella.

As Xander's top executives and legal team gathered around the big mahogany table, the meeting room was chilly and tense. Despite the almost impossible stakes, Isabella sat next to him, determined to make a contribution.

As the conversation went on, it became evident that the attack on Xander's business was not a haphazard act of sabotage but rather a deliberate, well-planned strategy designed to target him where he was most susceptible. Key figures were turning against him, partners were being influenced, and rivals were being bought off.

One executive whispered, "They're trying to bleed us dry." "This goes beyond the transaction. The goal here is to defeat Xander Blackwood.

Isabella could see the storm brewing behind Xander's eyes, but his countenance stayed calm. He was a man in charge of everything, but things were quickly getting out of control.

With a firm and icy tone, Xander declared, "I don't care what it takes." "We thwart every attempt. Whoever is pursuing me, whether it's Vivian or someone else, will regret it.

Isabella's chest constricted as she looked at him. She had married Xander Blackwood, a vicious, strong man who would destroy anything and anybody who stood in his way. She had, however, caught a glimpse of something gentler, something human, beneath that tough veneer. And the speed at which he could switch between the two frightened her.

Isabella stayed in the room as the discussion came to a conclusion, and Xander left to answer a phone. Her thoughts were racing with all the possible outcomes as she leafed through the notes on the table. Getting ahead of the person responsible for this attack must have been possible. However, how?

She was interrupted by a voice she recognised. "Darling, you're looking a little out of your depth."

When Isabella turned to see Vivian standing at the doorway with a cunning smile on her lips, her heart skipped a beat.

"Why are you in this place?" Isabella's voice was harsh as she asked.

Vivian's heels clicked on the shiny floor as she walked inside the room. Just like you, I have a stake in Xander's affairs. However, let's face it, one of us is much better prepared to deal with this kind of situation.

Isabella stood, refusing to be intimidated. "Vivian, I am aware of what you did to him. And I will not allow you to harm him once more.

Vivian's eyes stayed frigid, but her smile grew. "Xander isn't the kind to get injured, sweetie. It is he who causes the pain. You ought to keep that in mind.

Isabella tightened her hands, but she made herself remain composed. "Vivian, what do you want?"

"Easy," Vivian remarked, grinning as she leaned on the table. What's mine is what I want. And eventually, Xander will see that I'm the one person who can help him preserve what he's created.

Isabella straightened her shoulders, but her breath caught. "You're not correct. He is not in need of you.

Vivian's eyebrows arched. "We'll check on that."

Isabella was about to reply when Xander returned to the room, his face stiffening at the sight of Vivian.

"Vivian, what are you doing here?" Anger and disdain were mixed together in Xander's icy voice.

Vivian gave him a quick smile. "I arrived to provide my assistance. Ultimately, it appears that you have put yourself in a difficult situation.

Xander squinted his eyes. "I don't require your assistance."

His rejection didn't disturb Vivian, who shrugged. "Obviously, you don't. Feel free to contact me if you change your mind.

Now she turned around and walked out of the room, leaving a thick wall of silence behind her.

Xander's jaw was clenched as he gazed at Isabella. "Remain apart from her."

Isabella whispered, "She's trying to get under your skin." But Xander, she's mistaken. You're not by yourself in this.

Xander's eyes briefly flashed with something raw and vulnerable. But as swiftly as it had appeared, it was gone, to be replaced by the seasoned man Isabella had grown to know.

"Let's resume our work," Xander stated firmly.

Isabella couldn't get rid of the sensation that this struggle was just getting started as they sat in the silence of their apartment that night. She was caught in a risky game, just as Xander had been. However, one thing became evident as the boundaries between personal and professional life continued to blur: despite the growing darkness of the storm surrounding them, they were stronger together.

Isabella knew that she would face whatever happened next with Xander at her side, even if it meant defying the forces that had moulded their lives as he drew closer and reached for her hand.