Sweet Flash Marriage with the Restrained Tycoon (Isabelle and Damien) novel Chapter 496

Chapter 496 Setting a Trap

Chapter 496 Setting a Trap

“Did you do it?”

Harper paused, her fork hovering, her gaze shifting to meet Gary’s.

He asked again, “Was it you?”

Harper smiled slightly, took a few more bites of her food, then placed a piece of meat on his plate. “It wasn’t me.”

Gary nodded. “Alright. Good.”

Harper hesitated for a moment. “You believe me?”

“Should I have a reason not to?”

+10 Free Co

“Thanks.”

Gary didn’t press further.

Earlier, Gary had actually gone to pick Harper up and had overheard two chatty housekeepers who were just ending their shift. They recognized Gary and couldn’t resist gossiping about the day’s events.

No one was sure how it started, but the story about Isabelle being Gary’s ex had made the rounds among the staff. The prevailing theory was that Harper, out of jealousy, was the most likely saboteur.

Knowing Harper as he did, Gary seriously doubted she was responsible, but he’d still felt compelled to ask.

“Isabelle is pretty lucky to have someone like you who still cares/ Harper said after a moment. “I kind of envy that.”

Gary let out a soft, humorless chuckle. “No, running into me was probably the worst luck of Isabelle’s life. I’m sure she regrets it.”

Harper fell silent, simply continuing to add food to his plate.

She didn’t know the specifics of their past, but it clearly hadn’t ended well.

Gary offered no explanation, and Harper didn’t ask.

Earlier that day, watching Isabelle and Diana work diligently in that quiet room, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of respect. Especially seeing Isabelle, who was pregnant, focus so intently on the repairs.

There was a reason Gary had been drawn to her, and a reason a man like Damian had married her.

After dropping Diana off, Bruce drove Isabelle to pick up Damian.

Today, they didn’t dare waste a single minute, wary of provoking another bout of husbandly displeasure–boing even a moment. late would surely earn a lengthy, sulky lecture.

“Mrs. Cross, should we mention what happened today to Mr. Cross? Perhaps he could assist, Bruce suggested, glancing in the rearview mirror at Isabelle, who looked thoroughly drained.

10:52 am PPP

Chapter–496 Setting a Trap

sabette lifted her heavy eyelids. “I’ll tell him about it later.”

+10 Fres

These days, she made a point or keeping him informed about most things, big or small. But the birthday matter was its own awkward hurdle, so for now, Anthony would have to remain the convenient scapegoat.

The car pulled up in front of the Foster Group building. Damian opened the door and slid into the back seat beside her.

“Good timing today–right on schedule,” Damian remarked, his mood seeming lighter.

Isabelle couldn’t help but smile. “That pleased, are we?”

“It’s preferable to being forgotten, isn’t it?”

As if I could ever forget you.

“Did you nap this afternoon? I didn’t hear from you for hours.”

Damian removed his stuffy suit jacket–the dress shirt beneath was damp with sweat.

“I had to make an unexpected trip to Beatrice’s this afternoon. There was a minor issue with the order, but it’s been handled.”

“Does your husband need to step in? Or should I have Wilbur make a discreet call?”

“Not for now. If I don’t get the outcome I’m hoping for tomorrow, I’ll enlist your help,” Isabelle replied.

Damian resisted the urge to pull her close, aware he was sweaty, but seeing her evident fatigue tugged at him.

“Once you’ve finished Beatrice’s commission, I want you to stop taking on work. Just rest at home.”

Isabelle leaned her head against his shoulder. “I know.”

That had been her plan all along.

As soon as they arrived home, Damian headed straight upstairs to shower.

Isabelle was resting in the living room when her phone rang. It was Anthony

Anthony said, “He called me today. Mentioned some get–together and asked if I wanted to come.”

By “he“, Anthony meant Damian. He’d clearly seen through Isabelle’s ploy–using him as an excuse with Damian about planning a gathering for him, while telling Anthony she was organizing something for Damian’s birthday.

Isabelle laughed awkwardly. “I really couldn’t think of another cover story.”

“I don’t want to go,” Anthony stated flatly.

“Oh.” Isabelle’s disappointment was audible.

It wasn’t just about failing to help Damian; she felt she was letting Anthony down, too. She had hoped to somehow help them both move forward.

I’m sorry, Isabelle said.

“About the Lydia incident the other day… did it cause any problems for you?” Anthony asked, changing the subject.

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