Chapter 46

With Eric's help, Isabella and Olivia got all the initial data sorted and laid out neatly on the table.

Isabella stretched, grabbed her phone to check the time, and realized it was already 10:30.

It had been an hour and a half since her 9 o'clock meeting with Michael!

Isabella rushed to the window and saw the familiar black business car parked out front with its low beams on, casting a warm orange glow.

"Mr. Allen, Olivia, Michael's waiting for me downstairs. I gotta go. Mr.Allen, can you take Olivia back to the dorm?" Isabella said.

Eric nodded, and Isabella grabbed her bag and dashed to the elevator.

As the elevator descended, Isabella's mind was racing. 'How am I gonna explain this to him? I'm so late. Is he gonna be mad?' she thought.

Before she could come up with an excuse, the elevator reached the first floor.

As soon as Isabella stepped out, Michael walked up, took her bag, and held her hand. "Is the work done? Are you tired?" he asked.

Isabella's eyes sparkled, and she smiled proudly. "Of course, I'm tired, but super happy. With Mr. Allen's help, Olivia and I had to give it our all not to let Mr. Vaughn Johnson down."

Michael felt a bit uneasy. He helped Isabella fix her hair and couldn't help but ask, "Do you care about his opinion that much?"

"Absolutely," Isabella said. "In a way, Mr. Vaughn Johnson values us. Our

project proposal was ditched by Mr. Mitchell, but he found it and gave us another shot. Even if we're not that impressive, Mr. Johnson did us a solid.Future promotions, raises, and bonuses all depend on him!"

Michael couldn't help but see Isabella in a new light. He hadn't realized how ambitious she was.

He thought he should definitely transfer her to the headquarters under his supervision, so she'd be grateful to him. Otherwise, with Isabella's work ethic, he'd often be left alone.

The car passed by Crestwood College.

Isabella saw the restaurant she used to love during her school days.

"Michael, I want pizza," Isabella tugged at Michael's finger.

"Let's eat at home. Let Ava make it for you," Michael didn't catch Isabella's hint.

"Michael," Isabella shook his arm with one hand and pointed out the window with the other. "I want pizza from over there."

Michael immediately had Jerry turn around and head to the pizza place Isabella pointed out.

Michael felt that he, usually so indifferent, had changed because of Isabella.

The small shop was tucked under a street tree, its sign completely hidden behind the tree's canopy, making it hard to find unless the customers knew it was there.

Before Jerry could open the car door, Isabella jumped out and ran into the shop.

The small shop was warm and clean, with a row of neatly arranged tables covered with beige tablecloths, not a single grease stain in sight. An elderly

couple with white hair was busy inside.

"Willie, Elara," Isabella called out before even stepping inside.

Willie and Elara Reed stopped what they were doing and looked outside.

When they saw Isabella's face clearly, they smiled and came out to greet her. "Isabella, is that you? Willie, look, it's Isabella!"

"Willie, Elara, it's me. I've come to see you," Isabella said excitedly, holding Elara's hand.

"Willie, hurry up and make Isabella her favorite ham pizza," Elara said."Isabella, come inside and sit."

Isabella paused and said, "Elara, I brought someone with me today."

Michael walked up, holding Isabella's hand, and Isabella introduced him,"Elara, this is my husband,Michael."

Elara looked at Michael with tears in her eyes, saying repeatedly, "That's wonderful. Isabella, you've grown up and gotten married."

Elara invited them inside, and Willie had already made the pizza and brought it to their table.

Michael looked at the pizza ina front of him; it looked delicious.

Michael had never eaten in such a small restaurant before.

Usually, he either ate food prepared by his family's chef or ordered directly from a hotel's kitchen.

This was his first time sitting in a roadside restaurant, eating pizza.

Michael watched Isabella, who looked like a little fox enjoying her food.

Before long, the pizza was gone.

Seeing Isabella so satisfied, Michael couldn't help but try a slice himself.

Despite having eaten countless gourmet meals, Michael couldn't describe the sensation in his mouth at that moment. This pizza was unlike any he had ever tasted.

Isabella sat across from him, resting her chin in her hands, watching him eat with such elegance. It was as if he were dining in a five-star hotel, not a small roadside shop.

Isabella thought this must be Michael's dining etiquette.

After finishing, they got up to leave. Willie and Elara watched them get into the car before supporting each other back into the shop.

"Michael, do you know? The first time I came here for pizza, I envied Willie and Elara's relationship," Isabella said, watching the elderly couple busy in the shop. "They never argue. Wilie always saves the best food for Elara. Willie isn't in good health, and Elara never lets him do heavy work.For a long time, I thought a happy family was like this. So, whenever I felt wronged at home, I would come to Elara."

Michael held Isabella's hand tightly and hugged her. He finally understood that Isabella didn't care about money or wealth; she cherished the warmth of ordinary life.

Although he had no experience, Michael prided himself on his strong learning ability.

He planned to turn Willie and Elara's pizza shop into his little canteen and learn from them how to be a good husband.

Michael said, "Isabella, once I get things arranged, I'll introduce you to Grandpa and Qiana."

Michael felt warm inside. He realized he was becoming greedier, wanting

all of Isabella's love and the warmth of ordinary life.

"But what if Grandpa and Qiana don't like me?" Isabella worried.

"You're my wife. As long as I like you, that's all that matters.You don't need to please them," Michael pinched Isabella's cheek and said seriously.

Isabella was stunned, her face turning red. She mustered the courage to look up at him, thinking, 'Does he love me?'

Michael didn't say anything. He lowered his head and kissed her lips,answering with his actions.