Sweet Flash Marriage with the Restrained Tycoon (Isabelle and Damien) novel Chapter 200

Chapter 200 Confronting Shadows of the Past

+10 Free Coins

“Who said anything about having a baby with you… she mumbled under her breath, though inwardly, a secret warmth bloomed.

Damian reached over and took her hand, his thumb stroking slow circles on her palm, sending a wave of tingling warmth across her skin.

“If not with me, then with whom?” He shifted closer, placing her captured hand on his thigh, and dropped his voice to a murmur. “Unless you just want to wait a few more years?”

Damian really had a way of steering a conversation.

Isabelle felt her cheeks grow warm. She tried to tug her hand back, but he held it fast, not yielding an inch.

A soft smile touched Damian’s lips. He lifted her hand and pressed a light kiss to its back.

“Whether you’re thinking about it or not, I certainly am. But the ‘when‘ is entirely up to you. You’re still young–we have plenty of time, whenever you feel ready,” he said, his tone gentle yet matter–of–fact.

“You’re utterly shameless sometimes.”

Isabelle’s lips curved into a small smile as she turned to watch the endless stream of city lights flowing past the window.

Damian gazed at her softly. The kaleidoscope of neon and streetlamp glow filtering through the tinted glass played across her features. He held her hand firmly, his expression one of unguarded tenderness.

Isabelle sensed his stare and turned her head, meeting his eyes.

“If you weren’t my husband, I swear I could sue you for public disturbance. Being this distractingly handsome is practically a hazard,” she teased, reaching out to pinch his cheek playfully.

Damian found the affectionate gesture deeply pleasing and simply continued to watch her in comfortable silence.

“What? No comeback? Why do you keep looking at me like that?” Isabelle gave his cheek another gentle pinch.

in swiftly and placed a fleeting kiss at the corner of her mouth.

In response, he leans

OO 23

OR G

O

1/4

11:11 Sat, May 23 M.

Chapter 200 Confronting Shadows of the Past

75

+10 Free Coins

Isabelle was taken completely by surprise. It felt like a tiny, electric spark had grazed her lips.

She quickly straightened up, deciding it was safer to stop provoking him. “Anyway,” she said, shifting the subject, “why didn’t Celeste come tonight?”

She had noticed Celeste’s absence; a different executive had taken her place.

“I wasn’t around headquarters much for the past couple of years. Celeste used that time to plant quite a few of her own people in key positions. I only started piecing it together after getting more involved these last few months.” Damian’s tone was serious, his eyes steady on hers.

Isabelle hadn’t realized the extent of Celeste’s ambition. She’d thought her interest was primarily fixated on Damian, but it turned out she’d been building her own power base within the company all along.

While Damian was away, Celeste had been the de facto face of leadership. Many assumed she was the leading authority at Cypher Group, and she never bothered to correct that impression–instead, she’d seamlessly stepped into the role.

For nearly two years, Damian’s focus had been on Cross Group, managing headquarters business remotely or through Brian, visiting only occasionally,

As for Celeste’s performance, it was impeccable–efficient, capable, leaving grounds for complaint.

Her competence, undoubtedly, was real.

And that, perhaps, was what had made her bold.

no obvious

Even the people she’d brought in weren’t mere dead weight; they were, in fact, highly skilled.

That was precisely why Damian hadn’t been able to force her on leave earlier. This time, when she casually mentioned her foot was bothering her, he simply enacted a mandatory leave policy.

“Earlier, I overheard you talking about switching the investment. Was that sudden change also because of Celeste?”

“Yes. The investment pipeline she championed has some… reliability issues,” Damian confirmed. “We need to lock in a solid alternative tonight, before she returns. Otherwise, it gets complicated.”

“Are you that wary

of her?” I asked carefully.

023

OORG

2/4

11:11 Sat, May 23 DOM

Chapter 200 Confronting Shadows of the Past

+10 Free Coins

Damian chose his words with precision. “She’s a senior executive with deep ties to most of the company’s major projects. She’s highly capable. The play is to secure a stronger investment than her original pick, sever her connection to the project entirely, and then I can find a clean way to transition her out.”

“You’re going to let her go?” Isabelle couldn’t hide her surprise.

“My girl doesn’t like her. So, she has to go.

“Making money isn’t my sole priority. What matters is my girl’s peace of mind. Of course, if I can secure the deal and keep her happy, that’s the ideal outcome.”

Isabelle shot him a sidelong glance. “Smooth talker.”

“You know perfectly well whether I mean it or not,” he replied, a lazy grin spreading across his face.

Isabelle didn’t dignify that with a response. His flair for cheesy lines seemed to be growing by the day.

The car rolled to a smooth stop in front of the grand villa entrance.

Damian stepped out first, then turned and offered his hand back into the cabin. Isabelle placed hers in his, allowing him to guide her out gracefully.

In that moment, he carried an almost cinematic elegance–a true gentleman, polished and poised.

Once she was standing beside him, her eyes remained fixed on his profile, as if she wanted to memorize every

detail. A sharp, possessive feeling surged within her, sudden and intense.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify