Sweet Flash Marriage with the Restrained Tycoon (Isabelle and Damien) novel Chapter 232

Chapter 232 Worry Disguised as Indifference

Chapter 232 Worry Disguised as Indifference

Diana pressed her lips together. She’d gotten her verbal dig in, but there wasn’t any real malice behind it.

“What happened?” she asked.

Isabelle smiled innocently. “You really don’t want to know.”

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That only fueled Diana’s curiosity. Linking her arm through Isabelle’s, she walked with her further into the gala. “Seriously, what was it?”

Isabelle looked at Diana’s eager, gossip–ready expression, paused for effect, then said with feigned gravity, “Damian… put someone in the hospital.”

“Since when is him getting into a brawl headline news?”

“He hit Brian.”

Diana nearly stumbled in her stilettos.

She wanted to ask for details but felt it was inappropriate. Her breath hitched slightly, her chest rising and falling a little faster beneath her silk top. A keen observer might have noted the sudden tension in her posture.

“Anyway, forget it. Serves him right. Let him lie in bed for a few days. Even if his hand is out of commission, he won’t starve!” Isabelle said with a dismissive laugh.

Diana felt a knot of unease tighten in her stomach.

How did Brian and Damian end up in a fistfight?

Of all people, they shouldn’t be coming to blows!

They were practically symbiotic!

Especially back when they were both maneuvering around Isabelle–one playing the strategist, the other the executor. Their coordination was seamless, no script needed.

But Isabelle was talking about him being laid up for days, and her tone didn’t sound like she was exaggerating.

“What started the fight?” Diana probed, trying to sound easual.

“No idea. Damian was vague–just said it was ‘guy stuff‘ and told me not to worry. I didn’t push. But his right hand looked pretty messed up. He’s still at the hospital. I texted him, but no reply. Probably admitted. Who knows if he can even hold a fork right

now…”

Isabelle chattered on, and Diana absorbed every word.

Still at the hospital?

So it must be serious.

Diana’s mood plummeted.

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Chapter 232 Worry Disguised as Indifference

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She didn’t understand why, but a sharp, restless anxiety began to coil within her.

Isabelle, feigning perfect nonchalance, guided her toward the refreshment tables.

“What’s wrong?” Isabelle asked innocently.

Diana shot her a sidelong glance that spoke volumes

What’s wrong? As if she didn’t know.

Isabelle bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. She knew Diana was worried about Brian, too proud to show it.

“Stefan and his wife visited the studio today…” Isabelle deliberately changed the subject, not mentioning Brian again.

Isabel e was unusually talkative.

Diana couldn’t focus on a single word.

Isabelle noticed but wasn’t about to offer an escape. She kept up a steady stream of chatter about work and clients, acting as if Brian’s hospitalization was the furthest thing from her mind.

Diana snatched a glass of red wine from a passing server’s tray and drained it.

The alcohol only amplified her agitation, making the whirl of thoughts in her head louder.

“Look over there.” Isabelle nudged Diana’s arm, tilting her chin toward where Celeste stood with a small group across the room. “Confidence thicker than the city walls.”

Already in a foul mood, the sight of Celeste made Diana feel worse.

“I have to give Celeste some credit, though,” Isabelle said with a wry smile.

“Credit? For her sheer audacity?”

“No. For her relentless persistence.”

About halfway through the evening, Isabelle spotted Derek Lowe across the crowded ballroom.

second

Derek was a luminary in the design world who had returned just the previous week. He was ranked second on the international design charts; she held the third spot.

They’d been introduced briefly at a conference abroad.

One of her main objectives tonight was to connect with him. He had considerable experience with official ceremonial wear, and she wanted to seek his counsel on a few technical challenges.

Collin was originally supposed to handle this outreach. Derek was in his late fifties. While brilliant, he was known to be irreverent, blunt, and overly familiar in a way that often crossed lines.

Isabelle didn’t care for his personality, but his design expertise was undeniable.

After finishing a brief conversation with a few other designers, she decided to make her move.

At that moment, Derek was engaged in what looked like a deep discussion with Celeste and an older woman beside her.

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