Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 58

"Ms. Foster, didn't sleep well last night?" Damian asked, his gaze fixed on her puffy, swollen eyelids.

He had been radio silent all day, and his first words were a dig.

"Morning, I guess..." Brian mumbled from the side.

Eleanor, who was walking over, saw the two imposing figures next to Isabelle and looked terrified. She frantically pointed to a spot farther away, signaling for Isabelle to escape.

Isabelle wasn't surprised that Damian and Brian were sitting together. They had just returned from Solvenia and probably had other matters to discuss.

Damian said, "We'll be working overtime on year-end tasks these next few days. Don't expect to leave on time."

It was unclear if this was meant for Isabelle or Brian, but they both understood.

Brian quickly shoveled a few more bites of food into his mouth and made a hasty escape.

Isabelle didn't dare bring up last night. To her, it felt like a shameful memory.

"There was an urgent company matter last night, so I had to go out," Damian said, pausing with his utensils. "I probably won't be home for the next few days."

"Okay," Isabelle replied, pressing her lips together.

Is he... checking in with me?

A silence hung between them.

"Take your time, Mr. Cross. I'm finished, I'll head out first." She didn't know why she felt so flustered, but she hurriedly left the table. She had barely eaten anything.

Damian acknowledged her with a hum and continued eating, distracted.

*****

For over a week, Damian didn't return to the villa. Isabelle didn't know if he was avoiding her. She rarely saw him at the office either.

Over the weekend, Isabelle went to Theodore's tailoring shop.

She walked inside and saw Theodore. She was dressed casually that day, her hair tied up loosely.

Theodore, focused on his work, turned his head. It took him a few seconds to recognize her.

"Isabelle?!"

"Theodore!"

Isabelle stood beside him with a bright smile.

Theodore looked around but didn't see Damian. "Where is he?"

"Year-end. He's swamped," Isabelle said, picking up a measuring tape from his workbench.

Do young people these days play that rough?!

"See you, Isabelle!" Bonita said.

"See you tomorrow!" Isabelle walked out, got into her car, and drove away.

Back at the villa, the housekeepers had left. The large house felt empty and hollow again.

The next day, she got up early and went straight to Theodore's tailoring shop. For the next several evenings, she was busy there.

Sometimes she was still working after everyone else had left. Eventually, Theodore simply gave her an extra key.

On Friday, the two managers promoted from the branch offices—Justin Blake and Ashley—arrived, with Justin assigned to Public Relations and Ashley to Design.

Damian personally came downstairs to greet Ashley.

This was the first time Isabelle had seen Damian in two weeks. He was in his signature all-black tailored suit.

"Ms. Debose, your office is this way," Brian said, walking ahead. Ashley followed closely. Damian, looking utterly exhausted, trailed behind.

Brian stopped by her office. Ashley walked in, surveying her new space. Damian, however, stopped beside Isabelle's workstation and began fiddling with the plush toy on it.

Eleanor, who had just arrived, was startled. In her fluster, she turned and headed for the restroom.

Isabelle, returning from delivering files to Harrison, saw the man at her desk and froze.