Chapter 149
Isabella picked up her phone, surprised to find it was Samuel calling.
The last time she spoke with Samuel on the phone, she distinctly recalled the awkwardness, as he was in the midst of a meeting.
Isabella touched the tip of her nose with embarrassment, took a deep breath, and answered the call.
Then she noticed Samuel’s handsome face, with its charming eyes, a high nose, and thin lips.
Isabella’s eyes darted away as Samuel asked, “What are you doing?”
Samuel had dropped his cold facade and looked at her tenderly. Her beautiful face felt like a gentle breeze that swept away his fatigue.
Isabella snapped back, smiled, and said, “Just finished work. Are you done for the day?”
As she spoke, she saw Samuel pick up a cup of coffee from the desk and take a small sip. Isabella frowned and asked, “Why are you drinking coffee this late?”
Samuel paused briefly and slowly put the coffee cup back on the desk. With a slight smile, he said, “Yeah, I still have some contract details to go over.”
Isabella closely observed Samuel, noticing the signs of fatigue on his face.
She subconsciously squeezed her phone a bit tighter, and her earlier embarrassment disappeared as she said, “Don’t stay up too late. It’s not good for your health.”
Samuel kept his eyes on Isabella, his gaze growing softer, as he gently replied, “Okay.”
He picked up his coffee without thinking, but recalled Isabella’s words and put the cup back on the desk.
Isabella smiled slightly. They were much closer now than before. She took her phone and walked towards the walk–in closet.
Isabella placed her phone on the jewelry cabinet and suddenly remembered something. Looking at Samuel, she said, “About that trending topic a few days ago, Jayden and I just happened to meet by chance.”
Isabella felt it was necessary to explain it to Samuel.
Samuel was her husband, and she was keen to prevent others from sowing seeds of distrust between them, viewing this as a way to honor their marriage.
Samuel’s fingers paused slightly on the desk as he softly replied, “I know.”
Even though Samuel was constantly on business trips, he always kept track of what was happening in Draxenport.
Besides, he trusted Isabella.
Now Isabella explained everything to him made him trust her even more.
Isabella nodded and didn’t say anything more on the topic.
She turned around while grabbing the clothes she would wear after showering and asked Samuel, “When are you coming back?”
Samuel’s business trip had been quite long this time.
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Although they hadn’t been together for long, Isabella felt a sense of uncase when coming home at night without Samuel’s
presence.
Samuel glanced at Isabella as she picked up her clothes, responding with a slight smile, “It’ll take some more time. I need to finish this project.”
Isabella nodded knowingly and replied, “Alright.”
Samuel leaned back in his chair, his beautiful eyes fixed on Isabella. He asked tenderly, “How about the bodyguard I arranged for you? Are you getting used to her?”
Isabella put down her clothes and nodded at Samuel with a smile, saying, “Yeah, she’s great.”
Rachel was young but very skilled.
Although quirky, her honesty endeared her to Isabella. Yet, Isabella felt uneasy about admitting to Samuel that she’d stopped taking Rachel along recently, as she’d been feeling quite safe on her own.
Samuel smiled slightly and said, “As long as you like her. If she’s not enough, I can arrange another one.”
He always thought that just having one person around Isabella wasn’t enough protection.
If something unexpected were to occur, he wouldn’t be able to protect her due to the distance.
Isabella shook her hands repeatedly and said, “No, one’s enough. Rachel is quite excellent.”
Samuel noticed Isabella seemed a bit annoyed. With indulgence, he said, “You’re different. Other women would love to have
out.” more people with them when they go
This was their
way
to elevate their status in the eyes of others.
However, Isabella thought it was a hassle to bring many people along.
Isabella looked at Samuel and said, “I want to go out alone, but unfortunately, you won’t agree.”
Isabella was accustomed to going out alone, so having Rachel with her was an odd experience. Just as she began to get used to it, the idea of accepting another bodyguard became unacceptable to her.
Samuel chuckled and shook his head, declining, “I’m not comfortable with you going out alone. The Stout family is still fixated on you. Who knows what they might do?”
Isabella propped her chin with one hand, watching Samuel on the screen, and gently reassured him, “Actually, whatever the Stout family does can’t harm me.”
She knew Samuel was worried, so she didn’t refuse to let Rachel stay around her.
Samuel stopped smiling, looked at Isabella intently, and said boldly, “If Hudson had hurt you, the Stout family would have been ruined.”
Samuel could help Isabella get what she wanted easily.
However, Isabella liked to take things step by step, so he patiently followed her lead.
Isabella looked at the confident Samuel on the screen and said with a smile, “I know.”
Being protected like this felt pretty nice.
Isabella’s words lightened Samuel’s mood.
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Chapter 149
He looked into Isabella’s eyes and said seriously, “I don’t mind if you rely on me a bit more.”
Isabella seemed slightly flustered by his words. She quickly dropped her hand from her face, sat up straight, and glanced
aside.
She said, “I’m going to take a shower now. Don’t work too late.”
Samuel sighed softly, understanding that Isabella was reserved with her emotions. He wasn’t in a hurry to get her answer. He nodded and replied, “Sure, go ahead.”
Isabella picked up her phone, her finger hovering over the end call button. After thinking for a moment, she whispered, “Good night, Samuel.”
Samuel smiled, joy in his eyes. Before he could respond, Isabella had already hurriedly ended the call.
Isabella gazed at the dark phone screen, inhaling softly. Samuel’s advice to depend on him more resonated in her thoughts.
She smiled as she flipped the phone facedown on the jewelry cabinet and headed to the bathroom with her clothes.
Things were different now. She wasn’t alone anymore, but this new feeling didn’t make her uncomfortable. Instead, it seemed like she wanted to rely on Samuel.
Isabella couldn’t erase the image of Samuel from her mind–tall and clad only in a towel post–shower, with his chest and abs on prominent display.
Suddenly, Isabella snapped back to reality and immediately raised her hand to pat her cheeks.
She couldn’t believe her own thoughts. Just the other day, Isabella had teased her friend for drooling over a guy’s muscles.
Isabella’s face turned red faster than she could notice. She took a deep breath, quickly calmed herself down, and returned to her bed.
She closed her eyes tightly, but kept tossing and turning. She had no idea when she finally fell asleep.
****
Isabella had a great weekend, and soon it was Monday morning, time to go to work.
It was a sunny day, as the first ray of sunlight hit the Riverside Villa, Isabella was already up, standing on the balcony stretching.
She took a deep breath, feeling much more refreshed.
Just as Isabella finished getting ready and was about to head downstairs, her phone rang.
She turned to look at her phone still on the cabinet in the room, walked over to pick it up, and answered in surprise, “Connor?”
From the other end of the line, Connor spoke anxiously, “Dr. Lovett, Master Xavier’s condition seems to be relapsing. Could you please come and take a look?”
Isabella frowned slightly, wondering, ‘How could Xavier have a relapse?‘
While puzzled, Isabella quickly responded, “Okay, I’ll come over right away.”
Connor was stunned, not expecting her to agree without hesitation.
Then Connor respectfully said, “Dr. Lovett, Master Xavier is at the office. Could you come to the company?”
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Connor instinctively glanced at Xavier beside him, only to meet his cold gaze.
Connor quickly turned around, and at that moment, Isabella replied, “Alright.”
After ending the call, Isabella promptly gathered her belongings and headed downstairs.
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In the living room, Rachel was already dressed and looked at Isabella with bright eyes. She asked, “Mrs. Howerton, do you need me to go with you today?”
