Chapter 179

Emily was a bit taken aback. "Is she really pregnant?"

"It's just a bastard!" Sebastian snapped, clearly annoyed.

Emily was surprised. Even if Sebastian didn't like Isabella, she didn't think he'd say something so harsh.

Sebastian scoffed. "She probably doesn't even know who the father is!"

Sebastian was a stickler for cleanliness, especially in relationships.

From what Emily knew, the baby wasn't Matthew's or Sebastian's.

So, Isabella must've been with other men too.

No wonder Sebastian was upset.

Emily dismissed her doubts, clutching her handkerchief. "Sebastian, you don't have to pretend in front of me."

Sebastian's eyes narrowed. "Pretend?"

"Yeah. I know you're using me."

Sebastian was caught off guard.

He didn't expect Emily to figure it out.

So, all the drama with Isabella was pointless?

Not entirely, since Charles's people were watching the villa.

Last night's and this morning's act would be reported to Charles.

But Emily knowing still surprised him.

Emily smiled. "Actually, Charles met with me before you did."

Sebastian frowned. "He wanted to make a deal?"

"Yep." Emily nodded. "Charles was furious about Matthew's imprisonment. He said he wanted to take back everything he gave you and make you pay. He wanted me to ruin your relationship with Isabella. If I succeeded, he'd have you marry me and make me the young mistress of the Landon family."

Sebastian laughed. "He's really full of of himself. He never gave me anything."

Sebastian had built the Landon Group from scratch.

In fact, Charles had tried to sabotage him early on.

Now, Charles claimed he wanted to take back what he never gave.

Besides his life, Charles hadn't given him anything!

"Charles is a control freak. Sebastian, I shouldn't have gotten involved between you and Ms. Miller, but I couldn't help it. I refused Charles. I was afraid he'd find someone else, so I came to you."

"I was going to tell you, but last night at the hotel, I saw Ms. Miller."

"I knew you were acting, so I played along. This morning, when you asked me to be your assistant, replacing Ms. Miller, I agreed."

"I don't know what you're planning, but I'm on your side."

"As long as I can protect you, I'm happy."

Emily's words were heartfelt, and even Sebastian, who'd seen a lot, was moved.

He said softly, "Thank you, Emily."

"You're welcome." Emily smiled.

She glanced out the window. "Pull over up ahead. I called a car, and it's on its way. You should go back and comfort Ms. Miller. What you said was pretty harsh."

"Okay."

Sebastian had the driver pull over, then headed back home.

Isabella was having breakfast when she heard the car and froze.

Isabella jumped up and ran to the window. She saw Sebastian getting out of the car, looking cold as he walked into the house.

She rushed to the door. "Why are you back?"

Before she could finish, Sebastian pulled her into a tight hug.

Isabella was stunned and tried to push him away. "Where's Miss Lopez?"

"She went to the company on her own."

Isabella was shocked. "How could you let her go alone? We just had a fight, and now you're back. She'll get suspicious!"

Seeing her panic, Sebastian laughed.

"Oh, come on! You need to go," Isabella insisted, pushing him.

Sebastian suddenly picked her up and placed her on a cabinet. It was three feet high, and Isabella, being pregnant, was scared and clung to his hand.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Not pushing me away now?"

Isabella looked nervous. "Put me down, it's too high."

Sebastian held her securely. "Calm down and listen to me."

Isabella blinked and met his calm eyes, feeling a bit more at ease.

Sebastian said, "Emily knows we're acting."

Isabella's heart skipped a beat. "How does she know? Was our act for nothing? What do we do now?"

Sebastian stroked her back gently. "Listen to me."

Isabella looked at him anxiously.

"Charles approached Emily for cooperation, but she refused. She's willing to go along with our act now, so we don't have to try so hard in front of her, just enough for Charles to see."

Isabella was confused. "So she's helping us?"

"Yes."

Isabella sighed in relief, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Then what I said to her earlier was really too much."

"It's okay." Sebastian squeezed her fingers, comforting her. "She didn't take it to heart. She even asked me to come back and be with you."

Isabella was touched. "Miss Lopez is really a good person. Put me down, it's too high."

Sebastian smirked. "Call me 'husband.'"

Isabella blushed but said, "Husband."

Sebastian pushed further. "Praise your husband."

Isabella was speechless.

"I'm not good at praising people."

Sebastian asked, "Are you sure?"

Before Isabella could answer, he pretended to let go. "Should I let go?"

Isabella quickly grabbed his hand. "Don't let go. I'll fall!"

"Then hurry up and praise me."

Isabella, on the verge of tears, mustered her courage and said, "Husband, you're so handsome."

Sebastian shook his head. "Too half-hearted. Say 'Husband is great, husband is awesome, and I love husband to death.' Say it three times, and I'll let you down."

Isabella sighed. "You might as well kill me."

Sebastian raised an eyebrow and pretended to let go.

Isabella knew he wouldn't really let go. It was just a playful game between them.

Though embarrassed, she played along and said it three times.

"Husband is great. Husband is awesome. I love husband to death."

After that, Sebastian let her down.

But he didn't let go of her. He pressed her against the door and kissed her passionately.