Chapter 87

As a Jackson, Austin got an invite to the Foster family dinner. He'd grown up with his grandpa, living a laid-back life. So, tonight, in a suit and tie,he felt like he was in a straitjacket. The tie especially-it was like a noose.

During the mingling, he snuck off to the break room, shedding his jacket to breathe a bit.

"What are you doing? Let go of me!" Isabella was struggling.

"What do you think I'm doing? You want me to let go now, but soon you Il be begging me!" Ryan was determined to have Isabella. Seeing people glance over, he smirked and said, "She's mygirl. She just likes to throw fits.Move along,folks!"

Hearing the ruckus, Austin stepped out just in time to see the scene and asked. "How come I didn't know she's your girl?"

Ryan's wrist, which was gripping Isabella, was suddenly grabbed,making him let go in pain and yelp.

Isabella looked gratefully at her rescuer, who turned out to be Austin.

Austin looked way different today. The last couple of times she saw him,he was in sportswear, exuding a relaxed and laid-back vibe. But tonight,he was a vision of sophistication in a sharp white suit, his hair slicked back immaculately, giving him an air of maturity and refinement.

"Who are you? Let me be clear: if you can't handle it, stay out of my business," Ryan said coldly, rubbing his sore wrist, his face dark.

"My name's Austin. Do I have the right to meddle in your business?"Austin said calmly.

"Austin? From the Jackson Family?" Ryan asked.

Austin snorted, ignoring him.

As a minor player in Silvercrest City's elite circle, Ryan had heard that the young master of the Jackson Family, Austin Roberts, was back in town. He didn't expect to meet him here. He quickly put on a flattering smile and said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Roberts. I didn't mean to offend you. I'll do whatever you say."

Austin regarded him with barely concealed disdain, his patience clearly worn thin, "Get lost!"

Ryan kept saying. "I'm leaving right now."

With that, he bolted into the crowd.

Austin sat down with Isabella on anearby chair.

It took a while for her racing heart to calm down.

"I didn't expect you to be so impressive, scaring him off with just your name," Isabella praised.

Austin blushed and quickly explained, "It's not me who's impressive. It's my family. I'm just riding their coattails."

Hearing this, Isabella laughed.

"By the way, Isabella, what are you doing here?" Austin asked.

Isabella replied, "I came with someone else, but I don't know where she went. What about you? You look very different today; I almost didn't recognize you."

"Really? I feel uncomfortable too," Austin couldn't help but complain."My hair feels like it's glued down. There's a chain around my neck, and in this suit, I can't move my arms or legs freely. The soles are also thin and hard with no flexibility."

He criticized his expensive outfit from head to toe. As he spoke, he angrily tugged at his tie.

Isabella chuckled softly, "The reason you're uncomfortable is largely because the tie isn't adjusted properly. The knot tightens the more you pull,so you can't breathe."

"Isabella, then... how do I fix this thing?" Austin asked, clearly frustrated with the tie around his neck. He yanked it off and held it out to her. "Do you know how? Could you help me tie it again?"

Faced with Austin's sincere request, Isabella hesitated, unsure whether to help him.

She didn't originally know how to tie a tie. However, after she married Michael, he insisted she tie his tie every time he wore a suit. At first,she tied it crookedly, but he didn't mind and went out like that. Feeling embarrassed, she spent a weekend practicing with Michael, and they ended up in bed. Since then, every time she tied Michael's tie, he couldn't help but take advantage of her.

To Isabella, tying a tie was'a very intimate act.

They stood there awkwardly for a moment.

Austin pleaded pitifully, "Isabella, can't you help me?"

Isabella,being soft-hearted,couldn't stand seeing someone in distress and reluctantly took the tie, saying, "Lower your head, and I'll tie it for you."

Just as Isabella raised her arm with the tie, Michael walked by and saw the scene. He immediately shouted, "Isabella!"

In the dim light, from his angle, it looked like Austin was leaning in for a kiss and Isabella wasreaching up to embrace him.

Isabella had never heard Michael yell at her like that and was startled.

Austin quickly held her shoulders to comfort her.

Isabella asked, "Michael? What are you doing here?"

Michael ignored Isabella, glaring at Austin's hand on her shoulder, even angrier that Austin dared to touch Isabella. He strode over, pulling Isabella to his side, holding her close, silently declaring his ownership.

"Don't hurt Isabella," Austin said, worried that Michael's anger would make him too rough.

"She's mnine. I know how to take care of her. You don't need to worry,"Michael snapped at Austin.

"But you, what were you doing just now?" he asked Isabella with a stern face.

Seeing his expression,Isabella knew he had misunderstood.

She quickly explained, "He was uncomnfortable with his tie, so he asked me to fix it."

She held out her hand, which was still holding Austin's tie, to show Michael.

Seeing the tie, Michael became even more agitated. He thought, 'Isabella dares to tie a tie for Austin. Did she know how sexy she looks when she ties a tie? Did she know that every time she tied my tie, I couldn't control my desire? She's driving me crazy!

"Can't he handle it on his own? Why does he need you to fix it? Where did you meet this guy? Why don't I know? Some people without a girlfriend need to learn to handle things on their own instead of always eyeing other people's wives."

Michael was so angry he was speaking without thinking.

Isabella tugged at his sleeve, whispering in his ear, "Michael, I need to explain this to you. Should we find a place to talk now, or wait until we get home?"

To Austin, Isabella's gesture looked like she was trying to appease Michael.He couldn't help but speak up, "My name is Austin. I met Isabella by accident. I'm still young, not old enough to have a girlfriend, and this is my first time wearing a suit. I haven't learned how to tie a tie yet.Don't blame Isabella."

"What's your name again?" Michael asked, thinking he might have misheard.

Austin replied, "I'm Austin."