Chapter 13

Isabella had been dodging Philip for days, not giving him a single chance to catch her alone.

That morning at work, Eric told Isabella that the partners were coming in to talk business and that they'd be having dinner together later. As the main designer, Isabella had to tag along.

"Since when do designers have to go out and schmooze clients?" Isabella asked,confused.

"Maybe it's a special case. Mr. Mitchell's trying new tricks to lock down the deal," Eric hadn't wanna reveal too much information.

However, Eric then still spilled some news. "Philip got chewed out at the headquarters meeting recently. They said his management style is old-school and he can't get the team to hustle."

"Alright," Isabella sighed, feeling uneasy. Her gut told her there was more to this.

After work, Isabella called Michael that the company wanted her to entertain clients tonight. Not sure when it would end. If it got too late, she would crash at the dorm.

"Doesn't the Johnson Group have anyone else? Why does a designer like you need to entertain clients? What about the PR team?" Michael asked,puzzled.

"Maybe because I designed the plan, he thinks it'll go smoother if I'm there," Isabella explained.

"Alright, be safe. Call me if anything comes up." Michael still felt something was off.

"Okay,got it. Hlanging up now!" Isabella replied.

Just as she was about to hang up, Michael added, "Come back home tonight. Don't make me come get you."

Isabella pretended not to hear and quickly ended the call. Since theygot married, this man always wanted to have sex with her. Every time she saw him,she was blushed.

At the dinner, it was just Isabella and Ivy from their department.

Philip specifically told Ivy, "Look after Isabella. If there's any issue,find me."

Ivy got the message and gave Philip a smile where Isabella couldn't see.

Isabella tried to steer the conversation towards the design plan. Ivy,meanwhile, was having a blast chatting with a female employee from the partner company about everything from fashion to skincare,leaving no room for anyone else.

Isabella, not one to join in the fun, sat there fiddling with her phone.

Ivy said, "Isabella, I'm sorry for what I said about your husband. I was just jealous."

"No need to apologize. I know what my husband is like; I don't need others' opinions," Isabella replied, unsure of Ivy's intentions.

"As long as you don't mind. Here, let me toast to you," Ivy poured herself a glass and then one for Isabella.

Ivy downed her glass in one go, while Isabella shook her head and said,"Sorry, I don't drink."

"Isabella, don't be so stingy. I'm sincerely apologizing, but you're stepping on my pride," Ivý said, looking hurt. Ivy took over Isabella's eup,pouring

half of wine to her cup and drank over.

Not wanting to make a scene, Isabella took a sip and said, "Alright, I drank. Let's focus on work from now on and not create unnecessary trouble for each other."

Ivy poured herself another glass, clinked it with Isabella's, and said."Deal!"

Then she downed her glass in one go.

Seeing Ivy was drinking from the same bottle, Isabella let her guard down and finished her glass.

Even though Isabella usually had a low tolerance, she loved drinking and had never found her limit. But something felt off about the wine.

Despite feeling extremely sleepy, her mind was clear. She used her remaining strength to turn on the recording function on her phone.

She clearly heard Ivy take her to an empty room next door,make a call saying it was done, and then leave her on the sofa,with the person on the other promising to come over after entertaining the clients.

Soon, a fat figure entered the room. Philip looked at Isabella lying on the sofa. "Isabella, didn't expect this, did you? You still ended up in my hands.If you had agreed earlier, I wouldn't have gone through all this trouble,setting up this situation and drugging you."

While saying this, he pinched Isabella's face with his greasy hand.

Isabella felt a wave of disgust but couldn't move.

Philip continued, "Isabella, wait for me. After sending the clients off, I'll come back to you. Your old husband can't satisfy you; I'll show you what real pleasure is."

Michael, at home, lost patience waiting for Isabella. He instructed his

assistant Aaron, "Check what kind of social event the branch is having.where it is, and why it's not over yet."

Soon, Aaron returned and reported, "MIr. Johnson, I found out Mrs.Johnson is at the hospital. But you might need to go to the police station first."

It turned out that after Philip finished entertaining the clients, the drug in Isabella's system had worn off a bit, giving her some strength.She could move her limbs and walk but still couldn't put up much resistance.

She faced two choices: escape and avoid this once, or make a big scene to eliminate all future troubles.

When she first joined the company, a female employee had accused Philip of sexual harassment. It escalated to the point where the police and the headquarters got involved, but due to lack of evidence, Philip got away scot-free.However, the female employee was labeled a false accuser,got fired, and was blacklisted in the industry.

Olivia, with her fiery temper, could only endure Philip's verbal harassment,saying, "He's the general manager with a lot of power and connections at the headquarters. What can we do but endure?"

Philip was a habitual offender when it came to sexually harassing female subordinates.

Isabella decided to solve the problem once and for all. She continued to lie on the sofa, pretending to be asleep.

Philip finally returned.

"Isabella, getting impatient? Tonight, I'll take good care of you and show you what a real man is. It's a pity you're so young and beautiful but married to an old man," he muttered as he picked her up and walked out.

Isabella,lying on his shoulder,endured the mixed smell of smoke.alcohol.and his body odor, observing the people around her.She saw a tall boy wearing a Crestwood College badge and grabbed his sleeve tightly.