Chapter 74

Isabella watched Michael drive off with Lucy and asked, "You just sent Lucy away like that. Won't your aunt be mad?"

Michael shrugged, "Nah, they're used to it."

"You're something else!" Isabella said, "I wish I could be as chill as you."

Michael sat down next to her, looked her in the eyes, and said, "Isabella,with me, you can be. You don't have to be so on edge all the time."

No one had ever said that to Isabella before, and it touched her. Only those who were truly cared for could be so fearless. She wondered if she was that person for Michael.

After dinner, Michael said, "I gotta head out fora bit. Do you wanna come with me?"

Isabella shook her head; she preferred to stay home.

Michael changed his clothes and was about to leave when he turned back and asked, "Isabella, aren't you gonna ask where I'm going?”

He looked a bit hopeful, so Isabella played along,"Where are you going?"

"The bar," Michael said, almost like he was talking to himself.

"Oh, go ahead!" Isabella didn't seem too interested.

Michael sighed and left.

Isabella felt likesomething was off. Just as his car started, she ran out and shouted, "Mr. Johnson, you forgot something."

Michael paused, then rolled down the window, a look of mild curiosity mixed with a hint of exasperation on his face.

Isabella mimicked his usual style and kissed him, holding his head to deepen the kiss.

After thekiss, all of Michael's frustration melted away. He felt that Isabella just didn't know how to show her love yet, and he needed to teach her slowly.

Jerry drove Michael to the bar where Jeremy was waiting.

Michael got out of the car, and Jeremy rushed over, "Oh, Mr. Johnson, you're finally here. Vaughn's in bad shape, drinkinglike he wants to end it all."

Michael said, "Let him drink! If he doesn't drink himself to death, I'll beat him to death."

Michael walked into their usual private room and saw Vaughn, already drunk and barely coherent, "You...you are coming."

Michael stepped forward, grabbed Vaughn by the collar, and lifted him up,making him stand in front of the sofa.

Vaughn swayed like a reed in the wind.

Michael sat down on the sofa, not even looking up, and asked, "Why did you fire her?"

Vaughn slurred, "Didn't she... tell you?"

"She did," Michael said, "I want to hear your side."

"Did she say... that I ate something on the plane, had an allergic reaction...and threw up everywhere? I felt... embarrassed, afraid she'd...tell...so I...fired her!" Vaughn stammered, "But... she... really... kept her word."

Michael stood up, grabbed a glass of ice water from the table, and poured it over Vaughn. Then he asked, "So, what's the real reason?"

Half of Vaughn's drunkenness instantly sobered up.

Michael sat back down on the sofa, playing with a cigarette in his hand,and asked, "Ill ask again, what's the real reason?"

Vaughn smiled bitterly, thinking, 'Can I even say the real reason?'

Vaughn said, "Just take that as the real reason! Anyway, even if I didn't fire her, Grandpa and Qiana would have done it sooner or later."

Jeremy, who was listening on the side, turned pale when he realized that Vaughn had fired Isabella. He silently mourned for Vaughn in his heart,Vaughn, you're on your own now!

Michael stared at him coldly and said, "Who I like and who I'm with is my business. Neither Grandpa nor Qiana can interfere, let alone you!"

Vaughn felt weak and sat down on the floor, saying, "Yes, I have no right to question who you like. I'm just curious, why her? Are you planning to be with her forever, or are you just playing around?"

Jeremy snorted coldly and said, "You know him. How could Michael ever be serious about Isabella? He's just playing around with her. Otherwise,why hasn't he revealed his identity or taken Isabella home?"

Vaughn's eyes were red as he looked up at Michael and pleaded, "Michael,I've never asked you for anything since we were kids. Today, I'm begging you. If you're just playing with her, can you let her go sooner? Don't let her fall too deep. Or, can I ask for something more? Can you play with another woman?"

Michael was furious, thinking, 'Why does everyone think I'm just playing with Isabella? Can't they see how serious I'm about her?'

"He's drunk. Take him home. I'm leaving," Michael said to Jeremy.

With that,he stood up to leave.

Jeremy came over and pushed him back onto the sofa, saying, "You can't leave now. Can you do me a favor? My friends heard you were coming and want to see you. They're waiting outside! Even the young master of the Roberts Family is here. Don't you want to meet him?"

Michael sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation, "Jeremy,how much are you planning to sell me for this time?"

Jeremy smiled slyly. "You're priceless! Just sitting here and saying a few words will bring us a lot of business."

Michael thought to himself, 'If Jeremy put even half the effort into pursuing Qiana as he does into making money for the company, he wouldn't have to work so hard.'

"Let them in," Michael said.

Jeremy immediately went out to arrange it.

The young masters and heirs of the circle came over to greet Michael.Some young masters brought their female companions, who also gathered around Michael, flattering him but not daring to make a move due to the cold aura he exuded.

Lucy got the news that everyone was going to see Michael, and some even brought female companions, presumably hoping to curry favor with Michael.She thought of a way to make Isabella leave Michael voluntarily.

She went to Michael's villa and dragged Isabella to the bar where they were gathering,regardless of whether Isabella agreed.

Standing at the door of the private room, Isabella saw this scene: Michael was lounging on the sofa with a woman on each side. One was peeling an apple for him, while the other was lighting his cigarette. In front of him,a

woman was singing, and a group of women were dancing.

'How decadent' Isabella cursed silently in her heart.

"See, this is their usual entertainment, the real Michael," Lucy said, pulling Isabella.

"What does it have to do with me?" Isabella said with a stern face, pushed Lucy away and quickly left the place.

Isabella was mentally rolling her eyes at Michael's ostentatious spending habits as she quickened her pace, desperate to get rid of the hyperactive and overly loud Lucy.

Lost in her thoughts, Isabella accidentally bumped into someone.The person steadied her and gently said, "Watch out."