Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 83

He was furious! Humiliated! Consumed by resentment!

In the adjacent private room, Daisy stood silently, having overheard every word.

Isabelle... was nothing more than Damian's mistress...

"You think his money is any cleaner?!"

Gary gritted his teeth, a wild, desperate glint flashing in his eyes like a cornered animal.

Isabelle didn't want to provoke him further, but escape seemed impossible.

She could only discreetly send her location to Damian.

"Calling him again?!" Gary lunged forward and snatched the phone from her hand.

Isabelle had quickly locked the screen.

When Gary looked at the device, it showed no active call or message thread.

"Gary, Damian and I are married. I suggest you stop this now and spare yourself further embarrassment." She calmly, slowly took the phone back.

Gary stood frozen. He refused to believe it. He dropped to his knees in front of her, looking up with desperate intensity. "Isabelle, just wait for me. Once I marry Nicole, the Gale family will transfer the government contract to us. Then my father will secure my position. I'll have real power and money then, Isabelle. The agreement is already signed. After the marriage, Nicole won't interfere with us..."

Isabelle let out a soft, hollow laugh. Even with prior suspicion, hearing it confirmed brought a stinging wetness to her eyes.

"You truly are... a master of deception." She shook her head in disbelief. "Among cheaters, you are in a class of your own. Remarkable."

She hadn't expected their union to be built on such a transactional arrangement.

One willing to trade, the other willing to be traded.

Nicole had degraded herself for Gary, even accepting such a humiliating term.

And Gary still believed Isabelle would return to him.

He still thought she was his.

"Whether you agree now or not, once I have that power, once Damian grows tired of you..."

"Mr. Peterson's ambitions are... substantial."

In the dim light, the wooden door swung open with a soft creak.

A gaze as scorching as molten metal swept over Gary, still kneeling on the floor.

Gary scrambled to his feet, fear evident.

"Honey." Isabelle turned toward the man in the doorway, tear tracks visible on her cheeks.

Gary's intense stare fixed on her vulnerable expression.

She called him "honey".

Damian took a long stride into the room, the defined muscles of his legs evident beneath his tailored trousers. "Mr. Peterson, how many of your front teeth are still securely attached?"

Gary stiffened, his throat working.

"A joke, Mr. Cross. I was merely... catching up with Isabelle."

"Oh?" Damian moved to stand beside her, taking her cold hand in his. His icy gaze remained locked on Gary, heavy and intimidating. "Is that so?"

"My apologies." Gary shot a final, conflicted look at Isabelle, hardened his resolve, turned, and hurried from the room.

*****

"Are you hurt?" Damian looked down, his thumb gently brushing a lingering tear from the corner of her eye.

What is this feeling... A new awareness stirring.

Fortunately, the sharp pain had subsided.

*****

The banquet continued until nearly ten.

Isabelle sat on a plush chair in the main hall, sipping a glass of red wine.

Before her was the steak Damian had personally prepared at the grill station.

Damian himself had been pulled into a side room by Daisy's mother for a "chat".

"Isabelle."

Slightly drowsy from the wine, Isabelle turned to see Daisy approaching.

"Good evening, Daisy."

"Drinking alone?"

Isabelle noted the poorly concealed disdain in Daisy's expression. "Just waiting for him."

Daisy took a seat nearby. The sight of one steak plate with two sets of cutlery clearly irritated her. "Damian is discussing important family matters with my mother."

"I see." Isabelle took another calm sip of wine.

"You're very beautiful, Isabelle."

"Thank you." Isabelle's cool composure was beginning to wear on Daisy.

"I hope you'll be reasonable."

"Reasonable about what?" Isabelle set her glass down, refilled it, and politely topped up Daisy's glass as well.