Chapter 145

Hearing this answer, Emilio wasn't too disappointed; it was the response he had expected.

He understood Isabella and knew she was still entangled in her feelings for Michael, but how long could a marriage that wasn't approved by her family last?

He was confident that day would come, when she would move on and welcome someone new into her life.

"It's okay. Besides, that time was just a game, I didn't take it seriously, so why should you?" Emilio's gentle voice easily soothed Isabella's unease and anxiety.

"Emilio, you're still so kind." Looking at the understanding Emilio in front of her, and then thinking of the domineering and controlling Michael, Isabella felt a pang of sadness.

How could Emilio understand and care for her, while Michael couldn't?

Just as she was thinking this, her phone in her bag suddenly rang.

Isabella picked it up and saw it was Michael. Her heart tightened instantly.

Could Michael read minds? She had just thought of him, and his call came right after.

She didn't want to ruin the quiet dining atmosphere with Emilio, but the phone seemed relentless, its piercing ringtone continuing.

She closed her eyes, pressed the answer button, and put the phone to her ear.

"Where are you?" Michael's brief words carried a strong commanding tone.

Isabella's heart tightened, she glanced at Emilio in front of her, and thinking of Michael's warning, decided not to tell the truth. "I'm working overtime at the office, what's up?"

All she heard from the other end was a low, cold laugh, after which there was silence.

Just when Isabella thought Michael had hung up, a large hand took her phone and held it, naturally sitting beside her.

Seeing Michael appear in front of her in an instant, Isabella's eyes widened in shock. "Michael, what are you doing here?"

Michael leaned back, tilted his head to look at her, a sarcastic smile on his lips. "Your so-called overtime is actually a date with other man? Isabella, you're getting bolder and bolder, how should I punish you?"

The last sentence was whispered in Isabella's ear, only audible to the two of them.

Though it was a tempting and intimate whisper, to Isabella it sounded like the devil's murmur.

At this moment, she deeply regretted saying she was "working overtime."

And being caught by Michael on the spot, it was really extremely awkward.

If she had known he was here, she would have said she was out with colleagues for dinner, anything but this. But she had chosen the one thing that would make Michael furious.

Compared to Isabella's unease, Michael showed no sign of discomfort.

He handed her phone back to her, chuckling. "Are you so surprised to see me that you don't even want your phone?"

Isabella glanced at him, took the phone, and pursed her lips without speaking.

At this moment, Michael's gaze had already shifted to Emilio sitting opposite, his eyebrows raised as he looked at the candle unique to the couple's set.

His expression was intriguing, naturally picking up Isabella's wine glass and swirling it in front of him.

Just when Isabella thought he was about to get angry, Michael chuckled lightly and said slowly, "Mr. Blair, how does it feel to share a candlelit dinner with my wife?"

His words were calm, but the meaning was clear.

Isabella was his wife all the time, and not someone Emilio could take away.

But Michael's condescending tone, treating Isabella as his possession, provoked Emilio.

He hated most that Michael didn't cherish Isabella after getting her.

If he didn't like Isabella, he could have chosen to break off the engagement back then. Why keep her by his side for three years, torturing her? Michael was not worthy of Isabella's goodness.

Emilio raised an eyebrow, and under Michael's provocative gaze, gracefully picked up his wine glass and clinked it with Michael's, which made a crisp clinking sound.

He took a sip of wine, looked at Isabella gently, and said softly, "Isabella, I didn't finish what I was saying earlier. Your uncles don't just think I'm a suitable match for you, but they intend for me to be your marriage partner. They recommended this place for us to get to know each other better."

Isabella's mind went blank, she couldn't hear what Emilio said next.

What were her uncles thinking? Didn't they know Emilio was her friend? If this continued, they wouldn't even be able to remain friends.

Emilio, however, looked directly at Michael, unceremoniously saying, "Mr. Brown, I think you should see your place clearly. Everyone knows the state of your marriage with Isabella, you have no right to sit here and declare your sovereignty as her husband. Isabella is excellent, she has never been anyone's possession, she has an independent personality, and besides...."

Emilio sneered. "Even her uncles support me being with Isabella, what do you have to oppose us?"

These words shocked Isabella, and every word Emilio said was hitting Michael's nerves.

But when she turned to see Michael's complex expression, as if he had eaten a crow, Isabella felt a great sense of satisfaction, thinking someone could put Michael in his place finally.

Emilio, her good friend, had delivered a powerful blow.

But the next second, she couldn't smile anymore.

Michael laughed coldly, leaning closer to her, his gaze contemptuously sweeping over Emilio. "Mr. Blair, you also know we just have marital problems. Everyone in Evergreen City knows Isabella and I haven't divorced yet. You're eager to take the homewrecker's place, don't you think your actions are too much? And, Uncles just have some misunderstandings about me. Once the misunderstandings are cleared, everything will return to normal. So, I advise you not to speak too soon, to avoid embarrassment later."

Michael didn't take Emilio seriously at all. The only one who could make him feel threatened was Nolan. Emilio dared to speak arrogantly in front of him, who did he think he was?

"Really?" Emilio remained calm. "But I think the timing is just right, you two will divorce soon, I can wait."

"Say that again!" Michael narrowed his eyes; Emilio's words were like a knife, deeply provoking him.

Emilio raised an eyebrow. "Otherwise, Mr. Brown, why do you think you can hurt Isabella for three years and a few good words will make it up? Isabella endured it because she loved you, but we don't. Her uncles and I have been waiting for this day. Just a reminder, a week has already passed, time is running out, I wonder what you are still holding on to?"