Chapter 10

For the following days, Michael has disappeared.

Isabella doubted whether she was married or not. She was bored that she went to the company in advance.

After the incident, Michael seemed to have vanished. He hadn't made a single phone call or sent a message. If it weren't for living in his villa,Isabella would almost doubt whether he really existed at all.

On her first day back at work, Isabella sensed something was off as soon as she stepped into the office. Her colleagues were huddled together,whispering. When they saw her, they quickly dispersed, pretending to be busy with something else, their faces awkward and strained. The way they looked at her was strange too, as if they were hiding something that had to do with her.

Olivia spotted her and immediately dragged her into the stairwell.

"Olivia, what's up?" Isabella asked.

Olivia looked at her with worry. "Isabella, I need to tell you something,but please don't get mad. There's a rumor going around that John left you because you were involved with an older man before the wedding."

Isabella squeezed her hand and said, "Let them gossip all they want. I don't care."

Seeing Isabella's indifferent demeanor, Olivia grew even more worried. "Isabella, you didn't really... marry an old man,did you?"

Isabella chuckled at her worried face. "Olivia, he's not old. He's actually young and handsome. When he comes back, I'll introduce you two."

Thinking of Michael's kind and handsome face, Isabella couldn't help but

smile, her face lighting up with happiness.

Seeing Isabella so happy, Olivia felt a bit relieved.

Back in the office, Isabella handed out gifts to everyone.

Her colleagues accepted them politely and thanked her.

Only Ivy Price sneered, "Still got the guts to hand out gifts here? If it were me, I'd hide after doing something so shameless."

Isabella ignored her and kept distributing the gifts.

When she reached Serenity Powell, Serenity pulled out a box.

Isabella opened the box to find two dolls. One was dressed in a suit with gold-rimmed glasses,looking a bit like Michael, and the other had big eyes,

red lips, and a long veil, resembling Isabella.

Isabella smiled, "Thank you, Serenity. I love them."

"Playing mistress for someone, acting like it's a real wedding," Ivy scoffed.

"Ivy, spreading rumors can get you in legal trouble," Olivia shot back,having recently brushed up on her legal knowledge.

"Rumors?" Ivy said smugly, "This is what her ex-fiancé John told me himself."

Seeing her colleagues' eyes on her, Ivy took a sip of water and continued,"Before Isabella's wedding, the old man gave John ten million dollars to call it off. The old man is rich and powerful, so John had to go along with it."

Olivia snapped, "He's lying. He cheated before the wedding, and Isabella caught him. She was so mad she called it off. He's just bitter and spreading rumors. Ivy, do you believe everything you hear? You've worked with Isabella long enough to know what kind of person she is."

Ivy tilted her head, looking at Olivia with disdain. "Even if it's just a rumor, John's spreading it. I've got a recording. If you can show Isabella actually married the old man and wasn't just kept byhim,I'll apologize to her myself!"

Olivia's face turned red with anger. "Why should we have to prove anything? You're the one accusing Isabella, so you need to provide the evidence!"

"I'm just sharing what I heard about a colleague. What evidence do I need?It's just talk. But rumors don't come from nowhere. As for the truth,what does it have to do with me?" Ivy said, fixing her hair in a mirror. "Whether you're married or kept, it has nothing to do with me. I'm just chatting."

With that,Ivy walked away smugly.

Olivia chased after her, ready to argue more, but Isabella held her back. "Let it go, Olivia. We can't control what people think. We know the truth and just need to live our lives well."

Olivia said, "Isabella, I can't stand this. You should throw your marriage certificate in her face and give her a good slap."

"Olivia was right!" The colleagues chimed in.

"Everyone seems very idle!" A deep male voice came from the door.

"Good morning, Mr. Allen!"

Seeing it was their supervisor Eric, everyone quickly returned to their seats.

"Isabella, Olivia, come here for a moment," Eric instructed.

The two exchanged a glance and followed him.

Eric said, "Isabella, the design I asked you two to work on before your

wedding leave needs to be submitted by tomorrow morning at the latest.

We can't delay this bid."

"No problem, Mr. Allen. We'll definitely get it to you on time," Isabella assured him.

"Mr. Allen, I think plan A already meets the bid requirements. Why do we have to do a plan B too? Are you deliberately making things difficult for us?" Olivia was very angry that Eric insisted on having a backup plan for the design.

Eric ignored Olivia and said to Isabella, "Also..."

Eric paused for a moment, deciding to give a reminder. "If personal matters affect the company's reputation, it's best to clarify them."

Isabella nodded and left with the still disgruntled Olivia.

Before they knew it, it was past nine in the evening, and they were still discussing the details of the plan.

Olivia stretched and pushed her computer away. "I'm done with this crappy job. Eric, I quit!"

"Alright, Olivia, take a break. I'll handle the rest." Most of the work had been done by Olivia while Isabella was away getting married, and Isabella felt guilty about it.

"Isabella, let me tell you something to wake you up," Olivia leaned in close to Isabella and said, "You know Eric and I were college classmates,right?He has that attractive face that charmed so many girls. I saw it once myself.

We were working late, and a girl who had a crush on him wanted to go home with him. She said, 'Eric, let's go together.' Eric said, 'It's not on my way.' The girl wouldn't give up and said, 'My driver is picking me up.Anywhere is on the way.' Eric said, 'If I go die, is that on your way too?'The girl didn't sây anything. I couldn't stand it and said, 'Miss, Eric may

not have agreed to go home with you,but he invited you to die with him.Wow,such high-level romance, I'm moved to tears."

Isabella laughed, "I bet you ended up offending both of them,right?"

"Don't mention it. Who would've thought Eric would become my boss and always have it in for me." Olivia was frustrated whenever she talked about Eric.

The supervisor's office door opened, and Eric came out, saying to them, "It's getting late. Let's call it a night and continue tomorrow."

Olivia and Isabella exchanged a glance, hoping he hadn't heard their conversation.

Olivia nodded at Isabella, indicating she wasn't afraid since she was telling the truth.

Eric walked them downstairs and asked, "Are you heading back to the dorm? I can give you a ride. It's on my way."

Isabella knew Eric's intentions and quickly waved her hand, saying,"I'm heading west. I already texted my husband to pick me up. You take Olivia."

With that, she turned to say goodbye.

The streetlight ahead was out, and the road conditions were poor. Isabella stepped into a big, dark pothole and almost fell,but Eric quickly helped her up.

After confirming Isabella was okay, Eric and Olivia drove off at her urging.Isabella stood by the roadside, calling for a ride on her phone.

After booking a ride, she planned to wait on the nearby street since it was too dark in front of the office building.

She had just walked a short distance when a car doorsuddenly opened.and a tall man quickly got out and caught up to her from behind.grabbing her arm.

Isabella was terrified, standing still and screaming loudly with her hands over her head.