Chapter 21

"Michael, I heard that you broke up with that model. Is it true?" Jeremy asked eagerly.

"You're quite well-informed." Michael didn't even bother denying it, so it had to be true.

Jeremy grinned, "That's awesome! I always thought Stella wasn't right for you. Sure,she's pretty, but her crowd is a mess. They'd do anything for money. Guys like us should stick to traditional girls."

Michael frowned at Jeremy's rambling. "Jeremy, has anyone ever told you that you talk too much?"

Jeremy, unfazed, replied, "I'm older than you, so it's my job to look out for you. As your future elder, it's what I should do."

Half a year ago, when Michael brought Stella home,Jeremy already had a bad feeling about her. He tried to keep Michael's grandpa,Wesley Johnson,from meeting her, but Michael insisted on introducing Stella.

Michael even held her hand and declared his love for her in front of Wesley. Wesley was so mad that he threw his cane at Michael's back.Qiana was so upset that she got sick and was bedridden for days.

Those were hectic days for Jeremy. He had to calm down the furious Wesley, take care of the sick Qiana. He also had to keep an eye on Michael,making sure he didn't just idly take Stella to visit Wesley. Without him,the family would've fallen apart.

Thinking about it, Jeremy felt the weight on his shoulders grow heavier.He needed to know why they broke up to explain it to Qiana.

"Qiana told me. She asked me to ask you. Weren't you head over heels for Stella? How could you just break up like that?" Jeremy asked, genuinely

concerned.

Michael ignored him, furiously tapping on his phone like he wanted to break the screen.

As someone who grew up with Michael, Jeremy knew this was a bad sign,but his curiosity got the best of him. He leaned in again. "Michael, just tell me,why'd you break up?"

"Get lost!" Michael opened the car door and shoved him out. Jerry drove off without missing a beat.

Jeremy watched the car disappear. "If you won't tell me, I'll find Stella."

Determined, Jeremy pulled out his phone and contacted his friends in the entertainment industry to get Stella's contact info.

Jerry drove straight to the branch office.

It wasn't closing time yet, so Michael handled some business while waiting.

He waited until most people had left the building and finally saw Isabella and Eric coming out. Isabella walked in front, with Eric half a step behind,looking like he was holding her waist from Michael's angle. He ignored Olivia beside Isabella.

Seeing Isabella chatting and laughing with Eric, Michael felt a surge of jealousy. He wanted to pull Isabella away and hide her at home, not letting anyone see her. But his rational side told him that it would scare her and giveothers an opportunity. In this critical moment, he had to stay calmn and not act impulsively.

After getting in the car, Isabella couldn't stop talking, "Mr.Johnson,I think Philip's issue involves Mr. Allen."

"Oh? Why do you think that?" Hearing her still talking about Eric, Michael suppressed his jealousy and asked.

"Because he didn't seem surprised by any of it, like he expected everything,

" Isabella said, a hint of admiration in her voice.

Michael replied coldly, "Eric's dad, Victor, is one of the major shareholders.It'd be weird if Eric were surprised. That guy's always been slick,fooling girls left and right."

"Mr. Johnson, can I ask you a favor?" Isabella didn't pay attention to Michael's sarcastic tone; she had more important questions to ask him.

"What is it?" Michael was secretly pleased that Isabella was asking him for something.

She clasped her hands together in front of herchest and asked him with a look of earnest devotion. "Our department is organizing a visit to the orphanage this weekend, and we can bring family members. I want you to come with me."

Olivia had told her that Eric might have a crush on her. She wanted to reject him, but Eric hadn't said anything outright. So, she thought of bringing Michael to show Eric that she was happily married to a handsome man, but worried Michael might overthink it since there was no concrete evidence. She could only vaguely express her hope that he would go with her.

Michael was itching for a chance to show up Eric, and now it had fallen into his lap. But seeing Isabella pleading so sweetly, he decided to milk it for some extra perks.

"Sure, but I have conditions," Michael said, pretending to think deeply.

"What conditions? As long as you agree to go with me, I'll agree to anything," Isabella said eagerly.

"Why do you want me to go so badly?" Michael wondered if there was some hidden reason behind Isabella's sudden eagerness to show him off to

her colleagues.

Isabella's heart skipped a beat, and alarm bells went off in her mind;Michael was not someone who could be easily deceived. "Every time after work, it's either Robert or Jerry picking me up. They either think my hubby is an old man or that he's ugly. They don't believe me when I explain. So I want to take you to show them."

Jerry glanced at himself in the rearview mirror, thinking, 'I'm not ugly.

Maybe not as handsome as Mr. Johnson, but decent-looking.'

Robert, busy at home, sneezed out of nowhere.

Michael was pleased by Isabella calling him "hubby," a sensation that stirred something in him, leading to thoughts that were decidedly inappropriate for the moment. "Alright, I'll go with you, but you have to agree to my condition."

Isabella urged, "What condition? Just tell me."

Michael replied, "No rush. I'll tell you tonight."

Isabella was overjoyed,humming and singing all the way home. She even helped Robert with his small garden and assisted Elodie Turner in the kitchen. Everyone in the villa caught her good mood, and the air was filled with happiness.

However, Michael didn't mention his condition even after dinner. Instead,he went straight to thestudy.

Isabella felt a bit anxious. He wouldn't have forgotten, would he? She went to the kitchen and carefully prepared a glass of fruit and vegetable juice before heading upstairs to find Michael.

UD