Sweet Flash Marriage with the Restrained Tycoon (Isabelle and Damien) novel Chapter 84

"How much do you want?"

"How much do you think Damian is worth? A few million? Or a few hundred million?"

Daisy hadn't expected Isabelle to possess not just a striking face, but also a tongue sharp enough to draw blood—every word seemed designed to cut deep.

She wasn't like the typical, placid arm candy.

Isabelle finished the wine in her glass in one smooth motion, her tongue darting out to catch a stray droplet at the corner of her lips.

Daisy couldn't deny it was a seductive gesture.

If she were a man, she might have been drawn to a woman like that, too.

"When Damian and I got together, he was the one who got down on his knees."

That single sentence left Daisy speechless.

Damian—that untouchable, icy pillar of restraint—getting on his knees to beg someone?

It was true. That day he had asked Isabelle to be with him, one knee resting on the couch, his expression uncharacteristically vulnerable.

"Whether it's ten thousand or twenty thousand a month, I can earn that easily on my own. How long could your pocket money possibly sustain me?" The last threads of her patience frayed. "So, Daisy, if you want to win Damian over, relying on your parents or your trust fund won't work. You need to possess something that makes him utterly obsessed.

"Or, bring Damian here in front of me. Let him tell me himself to leave. If he does, I'll vanish without a word. But if he's unwilling... well, I'm afraid I'll be clinging to him for a very long time."

"And what exactly do you have that makes him so devoted?"

Daisy was beginning to realize the woman before her was no simple opponent.

It seemed Isabelle didn't have a clear answer herself.

They had only been together once, and he seemed to like...

"He likes it when I call him 'Honey' in bed."

Isabelle rested her chin on her hand, leaning sideways against the chair with a deliberately coy look.

Even as she said it, she felt her own cheeks grow warm.

Daisy, flushing with a mixture of anger and embarrassment, stood up abruptly.

At her core, she was rather conservative and proper, and she couldn't bear to hear such brazen talk.

"You really are shameless!"

"I prefer the term 'direct'."

"How could someone like Damian ever fall for someone like you?!"

"Can't be helped. He seems to enjoy it." She offered a faint, knowing smile.

"If it's money you want, I can introduce you to other suitable gentlemen."

"How generous. But wealthy men are a dime a dozen. It's the exceptional ones who are rare."

"You're utterly indecent..."

Too furious to continue, Daisy turned and stalked away.

Fortunately, the hall was otherwise empty, or Isabelle wouldn't have dared to provoke her so openly.

Well, that should handle the unwanted admirer, shouldn't it?

She let out a quiet sigh of relief. Finally, some peace.

She poured herself another glass of red wine, swirling it gently.

She took a bite of steak, followed by a sip of wine.

Bliss.

This entire scene was overheard in full by Damian, who was leaning casually against the doorframe just outside.

A faint, amused smile touched his lips.

Daisy, stepping out, saw him there and flushed crimson.

"Mm."

She struggled to push herself up, her hands gripping his shoulders as she pulled her head back to look at him.

She studied his expression with drunken seriousness.

"So what do you like about me?"

Damian carefully set her back on her feet as they waited near the curb for the car.

"I like it when you call me 'Honey'..."

His eyes darkened intensely, his voice turning gravelly.

He cradled the back of her head with one hand, his other arm wrapping firmly around her slender waist.

Then he captured her wine-scented lips in a deep, possessive kiss.

Isabelle had no time to think. Her breath was stolen instantly, leaving only heavy, shared gasps.

She pounded weakly against his chest.

He refused to release her, only tightening his hold.

Without her heels, Isabelle was forced to balance on the tops of his leather dress shoes.

James, who had just pulled the car up, exchanged a glance with Tiana in the passenger seat. They promptly averted their eyes and rolled up the partition window.

Both retreated into silence—one scrolling through his phone, the other putting in earbuds—carrying on as if they had witnessed nothing at all.

After years as a chauffeur, James truly believed he had seen everything now.

Damian was full of surprises.

A man of such iron discipline and restraint... to think he had this side to him.

When Damian finally pulled away, a silvery strand still briefly connected their swollen lips.