Sweet Flash Marriage with the Restrained Tycoon (Isabelle and Damien) novel Chapter 249

Chapter 249 A Family Gathering

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He leaned close to Isabelle’s ear, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Can’t blame me for that. It’s all becaus my wife is just too beautiful…”

This guy really had no shame saying such things out loud.

Isabelle gave him a gentle push. If she kept listening, her ears might start burning.

“Alright, if we don’t leave now, we’ll be late.”

It was a family dinner today. Since the Cross and Foster families hadn’t made it to the previous evenings banquet, they had arranged this gathering at the Cross estate to celebrate properly.

It also served as the first official meeting between the two families since the engagement plans solidified.

She felt a flutter of nerves. The families had been coordinating wedding arrangements for the past two months. Even though she and Damian were already legally married and had been together for a while, th scale of a formal wedding still filled her with a mix of excitement and mild anxiety.

This dinner was again set up on the expansive lawn outside Cross Manor.

When they arrived, two long banquet tables were already in place on the grass. A few cozy picnic blankets were spread under the large oak trees.

Scattered across the lawn were vibrant fallen petals from the flowering trees nearby.

Staff were bustling about, preparing for afternoon tea and the evening meal.

The afternoon weather was pleasantly warm, and most guests had changed into short sleeves or lighter outfits.

Isabelle wore high–waisted jeans paired with a yellow chiffon V–neck blouse with subtle puff sleeves. Her slender waist looked impossibly narrow.

“Regina!” Isabelle got out of the car and immediately went to hug Regina.

Caroline approached from nearby, though she didn’t look entirely herself.

Isabelle let go of Regina’s hand and walked toward Caroline. “Mom, is everything okay?”

Caroline shook her head, offered a glance at Damian who had just gotten out of the driver’s side, and her expression seemed to soften slightly.

“Caroline,” Damian greeted.

“Damian,” Caroline replied with a small, weary smile.

“Mom, you…” Isabelle began, wanting to press further, but was interrupted by Theodore, who hurried over beaming.

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Chapter 249 A Family Gathering

“Well, well, look who’s finally graced us with their presence!” Theodore chuckled.

“Grandpa,” they both said in unison.

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“Have you two had lunch? If not, I’ll have the kitchen whip something up,” Regina said, still holding Isabelle’s hand.

“We ate before coming,” Isabelle replied warmly, though her concern for Caroline lingered.

Caroline was definitely holding something back. Isabelle knew her mother’s tells better than anyone.

It just wasn’t the right moment to ask, with everyone around. Even if she did, Caroline likely wouldn’t elaborate here.

“Dami, Theodore, Jessica, hello everyone.” The new voice belonged to a young woman, about twenty–tw a few months younger than Isabelle.

She was accompanied by Jonathan and Abigail.

This was Jonathan’s sister, Sophia Tucker.

She hadn’t been around at Christmas–having just graduated, she’d been on an extended post–graduation trip. Rumor had it she was academically bright, but her personality could be… challenging, to say the leas She was widely known as his father’s favorite child.

Caroline’s expression tightened almost imperceptibly upon seeing her.

Hearing the nickname “Dami“, Damian’s face immediately cooled. He didn’t bother with a verbal response

He simply shifted closer to Isabelle and asked softly, “Care for some dessert? Tiana sent over a selection at noon. I saw your favorite pistachio financiers in there.”

“No, thanks. I’m not hungry yet,” Isabelle said.

General greetings were exchanged around the group. With so many people, most didn’t pay close attention to whether Damian had acknowledged Sophia or not.

But Sophia certainly did.

Her gaze, having briefly rested on Damian, now settled assessingly on Isabelle.

In the few days since she’d returned, everyone had been preoccupied with wedding plans for the couple She’d heard countless things about Isabelle.

Seeing her in person now, the woman was even more striking than in photos. It wasn’t just beauty, there was a palpable aura of capability about her.

Sophia felt an uncomfortable twist in her gut.

At 5’7“. Sophia was willowy and attractive, never short of admirers. The one person who had ever remained utterly indifferent to her was Damian, which had always been a private sting.

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Chapter 249 A Family Gathering

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Their paths had crossed briefly at Jonathan and Abigail’s wedding years ago. Back then, he’d seemed `disinterested in everything and everyone. Now, with Isabelle by his side, he was a different man–softer. attentive. He even smiled freely.

Finding a quiet moment later, Isabelle guided Caroline to a secluded bench.

Caroline’s face now showed unmasked weariness.

“Mom, what’s going on? Please tell me,” Isabelle urged gently.

Knowing she couldn’t deflect, Caroline relayed the situation from beginning to end.

The essence was this–Christian, advancing in years, wished to step back from the day–to–day of the family’s tech conglomerate. He had drawn up his will, dividing his controlling shares in the company among the family.

Christian had no sons, only two daughters–Camellia and Caroline.

The will was explicit–Caroline, Camellia, Jonathan, Sophia, and Isabelle were each to receive an equal 15% stake. The documents had already been legally finalized and notarized.

Caroline hadn’t even wanted the shares. She desired only the quiet, uncomplicated life she had built for herself, the same freedom she had always valued.

Jonathan and Camellia had no objection to the arrangement.

Sophia, however, was bitterly displeased.

She viewed Caroline and Isabelle’s return as a blatant grab for the family fortune. Fresh out of her MBA, with her parents disinclined to manage the business and Jonathan pursuing his own successful venture, Sophia had operated under the assumption that the Foster empire would eventually fall solely into her hands.

Now, two newcomers had suddenly appeared and walked away with a combined 30% of the equity. Naturally, she was furious.