Chapter 19

In Silvercrest City, there weren't that many luxury cars, and the license plate looked familiar to Eric, but he couldn't quite remember who the owner was.

Seeing Eric staring at the car like that, Olivia thought he was up to no good again.

"Mr. Allen, I get it. Isabella's gorgeous, sweet, and super talented. It's hard not to like her, but," Olivia said, getting all serious, "she's married and she's not planning on getting a divorce. Don't mess up her marriage."

Eric looked at Olivia like she had two heads. "Where did you get the idea that I'm trying to mess up Isabella's marriage?"

"Eric, I know it's tough to accept that Isabella's married. Even though you knew her before her husband, feelings don't work on a first-come, first-served basis," Olivia said, sounding disappointed. "Plus, you're way too passive in relationships. If you'd just told Isabella how you felt, maybe you'd be the one married to her now. But you missed your chance. Don't blame Isabella; blame yourself."

Eric's expression got darker and darker. He pinched Olivia's chubby cheeks and said through gritted teeth, "Olivia, I want to crack open your skull and see what's inside!"

Olivia, wincing in pain, broke free and yelled at him, "I'm just trying to help you! Don't be so ungrateful."

With that, she ran off without looking back.

Eric watched her go,sighed, shook his head, and walked away.

As soon as Isabella got into the car, Michael pulled her into his arms and kissed her like there was no tomorrow. He knew that Eric was watching

from outside, so he deliberately acted close to Isabella, as if to assert his claim.

Isabella had a lot to say to Michael, but he kept kissing her, making her anxious. She pushed him away.

Michael frowned. "Why'd you push me away? Afraid he'll see?"

Isabella looked puzzled."What? Afraid of who will see?"

Michael quickly realized Isabella probably didn't know about Eric's crush on her and changed the subject. "I thought you were shy, afraid Jerry would see."

Jerry, catching on, quickly raised the partition.

Isabella blushed deeply, wanting to explain something but feeling shy.

Michael held Isabella close, wanting to keep kissing her. But Isabella put her hand on his lips, her eyes sparkling like a mischievous little fox. "Mr.Johnson, listen to me first. Didn't I tell you this morning that Philip got arrested? I was shocked to find out he was up to so much shady stuff."

Seeing her animatedly talk about Philip, Michael's previous gloom lifted,and he felt like everything he had done was worth it.

Seeing Michael staring at her intently, Isabella asked nervously, "Mr.Johnson,did I say something wrong?"

"No, I think your story is fascinating!" Michael said sincerely. He truly believed that the way Isabella talked about the same things was far more interesting than the black-and-white text on a document.

He should just take her to his office and have her readI the documents to him; that would be a kind of fun.

Michael's mind started to wander again.

Isabella said, "By the way, there's something today that I need to thank Mr.Allen for."

That sentence snapped Michael back to reality like a thunderclap. "Mr.Allen? What did he do that deserves special thanks?"

Michael asked with a hint of jealousy, feeling a small flame of envy reignite in his heart.

Isabella explained that someone had sent their proposal to a competitor,and when everyone thought she was the culprit, only Eric believed in her.

Michael couldn't stand hearing Isabella praise another man, especially one who had a crush on her. He couldn't help but belittle Eric. "If Mr. Allen,as a supervisor, couldn't even see through this and wronged you,he shouldn't be a supervisor."

Isabella noticed that Michael was clearly unhappy when she praised Eric.She also thought about how Michael wasn't yet an employee of the Johnson Group, and concluded that it must be because he was too capable;they probably feared he would overshadow the chairman's grandson,which was why he hadn't been allowed into the Johnson Group.

She felt a pang of sympathy and comforted him, "Mr. Johnson, you're really impressive. You deserve more than just a supervisor role; Being a vice president at the Johnson Group would be beneath you. But I believe you'll achieve great things outside the Johnson Group too."

Michael was pleased by her sincere comfort and couldn't help but pull her onto his lap. He wrapped one arm around her waist and used the other to support the back of her head, kissing her deeply. Isabella clumsily responded under his guidance, their heartbeats gradually syncing.

Suddenly, a phone ringing interrupted their escalating passion.

Isabella jumped off Michael, distancing herself and sitting by the car door,

her face flushed.

Michael held Isabella's hand with one hand and answered the phone with the other.

"Michael, did you promise Vaughn to meet him this afternoon?" Jeremy's voice boomed from the other end.

"Yeah, let him wait. I'm outside," Michael's voice was low, his breathing heavy.

"What are you busy with? Running?" Jeremy sensed something was off.

Vaughn, a seasoned player in love, knew what was happening and didn't dare disturb Michael again. He snatched the phone from Jeremy's hand and said, "Michael, you go ahead. I'm not in a hurry."

With that, he quickly hung up the phone.

Jerry drove to the entrance of a members-only restaurant called the Ivy Haven Clubhouse.

Isabella had heard of it; it was known for recreating old famous dishes,and its interior was styled after centuries-old court designs, elegant and refined. As a designer, she had always wanted to visit, but it wasa members-only place with high entry requirements, needing introductions from old members and the owner's approval. Despite John's efforts,they couldn't get in.

"Are we eating here?" Isabella's eyes sparkled with excitement, her enthusiasm evident in every word.

Michael nodded.

"Then let's go!" Isabella reached for his hand.

It was the first time Michael saw Isabella so interested in something, so he

asked, "Do you like this place?"

"Yes. I've liked it for years, but could never get in." Isabella nodded obediently and said eagerly, "Let's go!"

Michael smiled wryly. "I can't move right now; my legs have gone numb."

Isabella was anxious and moved closer to Michael, raising her small hands.

"Numbness is due to poor blood flow. My grandma used to get numb legs too, and rubbing them would help a lot. Let me give you a massage; it really works!"

As she said this, she placed her small hands on his thigh and began to knead gently but firmly.

Michael felt like something inside him had snapped!

Using the last bit of his self-control, he grabbed Isabella's mischievous hands. "Do I have to spell it out for you?"

Following Michael's gaze, Isabella saw his pants bulging high at the crotch.

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