Chapter 62

In the morning, Michael dropped Isabella off at work.

Just as Jerry parked the car, Isabella was about to hop out, but Michael grabbed her wrist. She turned back, and he gave her this innocent look.

"What's up?" Isabella asked, thinking he had something to say.

"Isabella, you're just gonna leave like that?" Michael asked.

Isabella thought she might've missed something, so she pulled down the mirror to check. But her makeup was fine.

"I'm heading out. See you tonight!" Isabella said, waving goodbye to Michael.

Michael held onto her hand, not letting go. "Isabella, did you forget something?"

Isabella looked down and rummaged through her bag. Phone, keys,everything was there. She reassured him, "It's all good. No overtime today.I'll be back as soon as Iget off work."

Then she leaned in and gave Michael a gentle kiss. He held the back of her head and deepened the kiss.

It wasn't until Isabella was out of breath that Michael let her go. He looked at her full red lips, totally satisfied. He personally opened the car door for her to let her get in.

Michael watched Isabella walk into the office building and was about to get back in the car.

"Michael,is that really you?" Vaughn exclaimed, surprised.

"Why are you just getting to work?" Michael complained, thinking Vaughn

was slacking off. As the general manager, Vaughn was arriving later than the employees.

Vaughn thought Michael was criticizing him for not beingdiligent enough and quickly explained, "Michael, after learning that Global Innovators Inc was acquired by our headquarters, I found several similar companies nationwide last night. We can discuss potential partnerships with them."

"Okay," Michael responded indifferently. "Handle the branch office matters as you see fit."

Vaughn said, "Michael, no matter how the board treats me, I'll work hard to manage the branch well and not let you down."

Michael nodded and drove away.

Vaughn felt reinvigorated, suddenly full of energy.

He wanted to secure more partnerships so that by the end of the year,the branch's performance would be excellent. HIe wanted to show the board and Michael that he hadn't let Michael down.

As soon as he got to the office, Vaughn called Isabella in for a talk.

Isabella knocked and entered, asking, "Mr. Johnson, what can I do for you?

11

Vaughn sat in his chair without looking up and ordered, "Pack your things.This afternoon, you're going with me to Evergreen Valley for business."

"So soon?" Isabella hadn't expected to go on a business trip so quickly.

Vaughn said,"Business is like a battlefield; the sooner, the better. I've already booked the tickets. The flight is at 2 PM, and we'll leave at 1."

"But you told me there was a possibility of going out of town. I haven't prepared anything," Isabella said anxiously.

"What's there to prepare? Just bring a few changes of clothes. You don't even need to bring anything; just go. It's not like we're going for ten days or half a month," Vaughn said impatiently.

"I haven't told my husband yet," Isabella árgued softly.

Vaughn said, "Isabella, I've told you before, you married him, but you didn't sell yourself to him. He doesn't let you work overtime and go on business trips. Why does he let you work at all? He might as well have you stay home as a full-time housewife. Men these days can't support their wives but still want them to revolve around them. No wonder companies prefer to hire unmarried people who can fully commit to their work, unlike you, going on a business trip and telling me all this. If you want to do this job, do it. If not, go to HR and resign!"

Hearing the word "resign," Isabella was startled and immediately apologized to Vaughn, "I'm sorry, Mr. Johnson. I'll go pack my things and get ready to go with you."

Isabella ducked into the restroom to call Michael.

"Hello..." Isabella started,but a voice on the other end cut her off.

"Who are you? What do you want with my baby?" The girl's voice was super cute.

"Is this Michael's phone?" Isabella asked, clearly annoyed.

"Yeah, my baby is Michael! Who are you? The caller ID says... Bunny.Who has a name like that?" Lucy Kim replied.

"Baby? How could he be your baby? Are you kidding me?" Isabella said,getting angry.

"Why can't he be my baby? If he wasn't my baby, why would his phone be with me?" Lucy said,sounding all proud.

"Lucy, you're fiddling with my phone again! Put it down!" Isabella recognized Michael's voice.

Lucy whined, "Baby, you're scolding me again. Can't you be nice?"

"Tve told you a million times, don't touch my stuff!" MichaeI's voice again.Lucy called him baby, and he didn't deny it.

Isabella thought, 'Lucy called him baby, and he didn't deny it. He has a girlfriend. Should I just step aside? But why does this hurt so much?'

Isabella's mind went blank. She didn't know how long she stayed in the restroom. When someone else came in, she realized she was already in tears.

She quickly washed her face, pulled herself together, and went back to the office to hand over her work to Olivia.

Olivia noticed something was off and asked, "Isabella, you okay?"

Isabella said gloomily, "I'm fine, just got hit with a sudden business trip.It's annoying."

Olivia hugged her and said, "I get it. If I got hit with a sudden trip, I'd be annoyed too."

Isabella leaned on Olivia's shoulder and said softly, "Olivia, you're the best."

Isabella thought, 'Friendship is solid. It doesn't bring the crazy drama like love, which just makes me anxious.'

She was startled by her own thoughts. 'Is my feeling for Michael love? I always thought if he found someone he liked, I'd step aside. But now why does my heart hurt so much?

Olivia sensed something was up and thought Isabella was just upset about the trip. Olivia ašked, "Isabella, do you want to talk to Mr. Allen and ask

him to go instead?"

"Oh. Mr. Allen! I need to ask Mr. Allen for leave. I haven't packed my stuff yet!" Isabella suddenly remembered and rushed to Eric's office.

Olivia sighed, thinking, 'Vaughn is really too much, sending Isabella on a trip and separating the newlyweds. Isabella is so out of it.'

"You're going on a business trip?" Eric was surprised. "Our department doesn't have any business that requires a trip."

"It's Mr. Johnson. He wants me to goto Evergreen Valley for business,"Isabella explained helplessly.

"Doesn't he have a secretary?" Eric frowned.

"He said his secretary wouldn't understand how things running there,"Isabella sighed.

"Does Michael know you're going on a trip?" Eric asked.

"No." Isabella replied.

"You haven't told him yet? Are you afraid he won't agree?" Eric asked with concern. Ever since Michael became his rumored boyfriend, Eric couldn't help but worry about his affairs.

"What right does he have to disagree? I don't control him;why should he control me?" Thinking of the phone call, Isabella said angrily.

"What? Did you two have a fight?" Eric asked with concern.

Isabella realized she had lost her temper, which was so unlike her. What was wrong with her?

She quickly apologized to Eric, "I'm sorry, Mr. Allen. I didn't mean to snap. We didn't fight; I'm just in a bad mood because of the sudden trip."

Eric smiled knowingly. "It's okay. I get it. I'd be in a bad mood too if I had to go on a sudden trip."

In his heart, he silently prayed for Vaughn, 'This guy, just keep pushing his luck. In the end, he won't even know what hit him.'