Ch. 2001..2005

Chapter 2001

Chapter 2001 Both Max and the assistant director heard the strangely flirtatious tone in Decker's voice and turned to look at Isabel. Isabel scoffed, "It's hard to forget you. You hit my face so bad that it swelled up like a tumor was growing on my face."

In all her life, her parents had never raised their hand against her even once, then there was this man who had practically abused her!

Decker frowned and expressed wryly, "Isabel, you were the one who was too impulsive at the time. You almost ruined my carefully devised plan. | didn't have time to explain to you, so that's the only thing | could have done. | only wanted you to calm down."

Isabel nearly rolled her eyes back into their sockets. She might have lost her memory then, but she was no idiot! How dare he try to manipulate her again!

She said snappily, "I'm not in the mood to listen to your pathetic explanation. Why don't you let me just slap you in the face and then scram?”

Decker stiffened briefly.

Max, the assistant director, and the two assistants that came with Decker were entirely dumbfounded by this interaction they were witnessing.

They did not know what to do with themselves. Should they stay? Should they leave? Should they say something?

Decker cast a quick look at them and flashed a perfunctory smile. He addressed them at last, "Guys, I'd like to speak to Isabel in private for a moment. Would you two mind stepping out for a moment?"

"Oh. Sure, sure." Max and the assistant director were more than willing to oblige and went out of the box immediately. Both of Decker's assistants proceeded to head outside as well.

The door was closed with a gentle thud, leaving only Isabel and Decker inside.

Decker walked upto Isabel.

He observed Isabel's expression, then he pursed his lips. There was what seemed to be a tender glow in his eyes as he lowered his voice to a tired whisper, "Isabel, in these five years that I've been separated from you, I've been thinking about you every day."

Isabel frowned and felt physically repulsed. She asked," Decker, you were engaged five years ago. Shouldn't you be married by now?"

He said curtly, "I'm not married.”

"Okay, then you still have a fiancee." She crossed her hands in front of her body and asked accusingly, "Does your dear fiancee know that you came all the way to Westchester to see another woman?"

He said casually, "My private affairs are none of her concern." Isabel scoffed lightly, "You sure have some guts."

"| have the keys to the Rockwell business empire. If you come back to my side, | can give you everything you'll ever want," he said with an earnest tone in his voice.

If not for the blow across her face five years ago that opened her eyes to the truth, Isabel might have let herself be fooled by those puppy eyes of his.

"Oh yeah?" she asked just to amuse him. Decker smirked. "Of course."

She chuckled. "I want you to break off your engagement with your fiancee and then announce to the world that I'm your girlfriend. How about that?"

His expression sunk immediately. He explained unconvincingly, "Isabel, | can't break off the engagement with her just yet, but | can assure you that as long as you are with me, | will treat you better than her. If we have children in the future-"

Smack!

It was one thing for him to treat her like a common mistress, but how dare he even insinuate that they would have children? Disgusting! She could not listen to another word of this and swiftly delivered a powerful blow across his face.

She put so much strength into it that her palms went numb immediately. The slap felt exhilarating, and she could feel her nerves tingling with joy!

As Decker stood frozen, a cold and sharp gleam surfaced in his eyes as he hissed, "You hit me?" With that, his hands rushed forward like a viper, aiming at Isabel's neck. Isabel quickly drew a step back. "I'm going to do far more than that!"

With that, she grabbed the first opened bottle of wine she could see on the table and splashed its contents at him. Its bright red contents guzzled out and splashed on the man's face.

He closed his eyes. "Isabell" Then, he opened his eyes again, there was now a vicious glare in his eyes. Isabel had already thrown aside the bottle and was retreating outside.

She turned back to him and said with a vicious grin, ‘That's revenge for the grudge I've been holding for the last five years. See you never."

 

Chapter 2002

Chapter 2002 With that, Isabel prepared to open the door and leave. "I'll pull back the investment. Don't try me!" Decker said in a guttural growl.

She turned back to him, noticing the vicious look in his eyes. It looked like he was going to strangle her to death right then and there. She said dismissively, "We have more than enough funds, so we don’t need your money. Do whatever you want. | don’t care."

Decker took a deep breath and threatened her again with whatever he could come up with, "I will ruin your reputation and sabotage your career. Do you think | won't do that to you?"

Isabel broke out in amused laughter. "I don't believe you." He was certainly not the first one to try; many had tried and failed in the past.

Decker stiffened. He was abashed by Isabel's wild laughter and how confident she seemed, even when her career was being threatened.

This was not the same person he knew-the gentle, doting, and kind girl who was attached to him like a parasite. The one who provided unconditional care for him and was nothing but gentle to him...who could have known she had this side to her?!

Had her success over the past few years got to her head and inflated her ego? Was this the result of her amassed fame and influence?

Upon noting his silence, Isabel opened the door. That was when he growled again, "Isabel, aren't you afraid of me at all?”

Although she was a famous and successful celebrity, any of her contemporaries would have bent over backward to get on his good side because he was at the helm of the Rockwell family, hailing from Southboro. He was a successor to a kingdom!

Isabel pursed her lips. Afraid of him?

If it was five years ago when she have yet to recover her memory, she might have been intimidated, but now, she would be far more afraid of a rabid dog than this pathetic man.

She suppressed a sneer and said harshly, "Decker, just to remind you, Westchester is my territory. You'd better go back to your southern city.”

With that, she strode right out.

Max, the assistant director, and two of Decker's assistants were waiting in the corridor.

When Max and the assistant director saw Isabel emerging, they quickly went up to her and asked worriedly. "Isabel, are you okay?"

"Are you leaving already? Are you not going to eat with President Rockwell?"

Isabel waved her palms which were still tingling and pressed onward while answering Max, "The deal is called off. He's going to pull back the funds."

Max was dumbfounded. The assistant director exclaimed wildly, "What? How did the deal fall apart?”

Max pat him on the shoulder, hinting to him to drop the matter. He sighed and turned to Isabel, "Forget about it. These things happen."

It was rather clear to him that Decker was her ex-boyfriend, and that they had broken up on bad terms. The sole reason Decker proposed the investment at all was to have an excuse to see Isabel again.

His calling off the deal also meant that the two were unable to make up.

It was unreasonable to expect him to proceed with the hefty investment.

Isabel breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Max. "Max, we can continue running everything to your usual standards. If you need any funds, just say the word and I'll foot the bill.

Max smiled. "Don't worry about that. We have more than enough funds to manage. You don't need to pay out of your pocket."

"Good to know."

They had walked out of Elysian House.

Isabel looked at the time and offered, "Max, Director Marcus, why don't | treat you two to dinner? | know a place, and the food is just as good as what they have here."

Max accepted kindly. "Sure, let's grab a quick meal and then head home to get some rest." "Perfect." Isabel got into the car with them.

The car quickly swerved out of the parking lot.

Chapter 2003

Inside the private box overlooking the parking lot, Decker had just wiped his face clean of the wine Isabel had splashed on him. He stood by the window and watched silently as Isabel's car pulled out of the lot.

His eyes were dark and ponderous. He suddenly grinned and said to himself, "Isabel, you are full of surprises." He had been missing her day and night for the last five years.

The girl had cast a spell on him. In the past five years, he had got involved with countless beautiful women, all of them no less beautiful than Isabel. And yet, none of them managed to seize his heart the way she did.

Sometimes at night, when he was by himself at night, he would miss her to the point of losing his mind. Then, he found out that she was active in Westchester. He made time out of his busy schedule and came here to see her. The way he pictured it in his mind, he expected her shocked reaction upon seeing him to be a mixture of anger and sadness.

He thought that all he needed to do was to whisper some sweet-nothings and briefly cajole her, and that was all it was going to take for her to become his again.

It was a shock to see that she wore nothing but a scowl

along with the faintest trace of a smile. Her surprise upon seeing him barely lasted an instant.

Not only that, but her smile was vicious, haughty, and cold. It was nothing like the affectionate way she used to look at him. Such attitude was completely unprecedented, but to make matters worse, she had slapped him and splashed wine on him! She even threatened him, declaring that Westchester was her territory!

It was as infuriating as it was amusing.

He was interested to see what a common actress who survived on her looks could possibly do to continue to secure her position in Westchester!

Isabel took Max and Marcus to a private restaurant she frequented often.

Her mother had been dining at this place ever since she was a child. It was a place with a long-running history of more than two. decades by this point. Although it was a small and humble establishment, its decoration was comparable to Elysian House's.

The owner of the place recognized Isabel at sight. As soon as she entered, the owner greeted her politely and asked, ” Miss Isabel, the usual?"

"Yes, bring two bottles of your best beer for my two good friends." "Alright."

Isabel entered a private room with Max and Marcus.

The two of them looked around as soon as they entered.

Marcus, the assistant director had grown up in Westchester. After surveying his surroundings, he asked Isabel tentatively, "Isabel, is this the private restaurant run by the successor of the legendary chef from way back then?"

"| think so." Isabel recalled some of her conversations with the owner. She remembered him talking about his family hailing from a line of legendary chefs.

Marcus continued, "I heard they only serve their regulars. They also say that the owner only serves people he approves of; no amount of money can buy you entry."

Max flashed a surprised look, then he turned to Isabel with a queer look as if to seek clarification.

Isabel nodded candidly. "I’m a regular here."

The assistant director looked at her and probed carefully, "| also heard that all of the clients here are some of the richest folks in the city."

Isabel immediately sensed the implication in his voice.

Due to the rapid growth of her career combined with her reputation of rejecting advances from people in the circle, rumors had been going around that she had a wealthy benefactor backing her.

Marcus wanted to probe to see if the rumors were true because he suspected something along the same lines as well. Isabel steered the conversation playfully. "Director Marcus, do you think I'm not rich enough for this place?"

Marcus chuckled dryly and said, "Of course not. You're the hottest star right now. How could you not be loaded?"

The owner showed up with beer along with some other dishes.

Isabel poured them the beer herself, and then swiftly changed the subject.

This was the best beer the two directors had ever had in their life, and they drank one glass after another. The food was just as noteworthy.

Isabel ordered two more bottles of beer as well as some additional food, and they dined until midnight. The beer went down smoothly without any drag, thus they ended the night comfortably sober.

After paying the bill, Isabel said goodbye to them and went home on her own. She got into her car and drove back to her place.

 

Chapter 2004

Chapter 2004 There was hardly any traffic at this hour. Before long, they were nearing Isabel's residence.

She sat by the window and looked outside, her mind wandering. At one point, she spotted a handsome and familiar figure walking down the street, illuminated by the faint glow of the streetlights.

"Slow down, Ben," she said to the driver.

The driver slowed down as he was told.

Isabel lowered the window to get a better look.

The young man was trotting down the street by himself, donned in a fitted suit. He stood tall and handsome, his stride steady.

On a night such as this, his melancholic figure looked like a prince that had been banished from his homeland and was. wandering, looking for a place to belong. He exuded a fine charm around him that was entirely captivating and unique.

Isabel wondered if she had drunk a little more than she thought. She continued to lean out the window the longer she stared at the man until nearly her entire head was hanging out.

The car drew closer to the person.

Isabel recognized him.

"Roland?" she called out his name.

Hearing his name, the man turned around and looked at her.

When their eyes met, Isabel cried out in shock, "It is you! Why are you here?" Roland remarked, "I just got off the bus.”

Isabel leaned out the window with a puzzled expression." You don't drive?"

He was paid a more than respectable salary for his position and had a private driver assigned to him. Even if he did not want to buy a car, he could simply use the company car.

He explained briskly, "It's more convenient to take the bus."

Their place was just a short distance from the main office. Commuting by bus, one only needed to pass through a handful of stops.

However, waiting for the bus took time, and there was still a roughly five hundred meters walk to get to his place after being dropped off at the bus stop.

How could it not be more convenient to drive? Isabel could not figure out the logic behind this choice, but since it was his choice to make, she figured to leave him be. The car stopped beside Roland.

Isabel was still leaning outside the car window. She asked out of curiosity, "Working till late today, aren't you? Are things that busy at the office?"

Roland answered with a blank expression, "This is pretty much my regular hours except during the weekends." Isabel suddenly felt a jab of guilt, as if she had been inadvertently called out.

Was he indirectly casting blame on her for neglecting his duties and leaving him to take care of everything?

She pinched her nose and laughed dryly, "Well, I'm actually quite busy as well. Otherwise, I'd offer to help out a little." “Busy drinking?" Roland asked suddenly.

Isabel's eyes flashed with guilt, and she blurted out, "How could you say that? When have | been drinking?”

Roland was standing on a sidewalk that was slightly elevated than the concrete road. The street lamp cast its light directly across Isabel's pinkish face.

He observed her briefly and said, "| can see it on your face. You've been drinking.” Isabel instinctively touched her cheeks which were cool to the touch.

She took out a small mirror from her bag to inspect her reflection, and that was when she noticed her ruddy cheeks glowing a shade of red.

She pursed her lips and quickly tucked away the mirror before stating defensively, "It's for work. | just had a little to drink."

Roland ignored her, he turned around and continued walking.

Isabel called out after him, slightly upset, "Roland, where are you doing? Don't you believe me?"

He continued pressing onward at a leisurely pace as if he did not hear a word of what she had to say. Isabel hurriedly turned to Ben, "Drive. Catch upto him.”

Ben accelerated.

Soon, they caught up to Roland.

Isabel stuck out her head again and called after him,” Roland, I’m talking to you. Can't you hear me?" Roland stared straight ahead. He was completely ignoring her, refusing to acknowledge her existence at all. Isabel took a deep breath and turned to Ben again. "Stop."

The car stopped.

She opened the door and got out of the car, then ran up to Roland in a few strides.

"Roland!" she called out again.

He continued to ignore her.

She had no choice but to step in front of him to cut off his path.

 

Chapter 2005

Roland stopped and turned to Isabel with a glitter of light in his eyes.

Isabel crossed her hands across her chest and asked haughtily, "Do you have anything against me?"

"No," he muttered.

"Then, why have you been ignoring me?"

He did not answer.

Isabel wanted to get angry at him but could not make herself hurl more insults at him when she saw how handsome he looked.

She took a breath and said, "It's not like | want you to stay this late at the office every day. You can assign some of the work to the people under you."

Why was he trying to handle everything by himself? There were a lot of competent employees at Carter Corporation. Roland cocked an eyebrow at her. "Do you think I'm anything like you?"

Isabel's eyes flashed, and she seemed ecstatic to finally have something to call him out on. "See! | knew you have something against me!"

Why else would he say something like that if he felt otherwise?

He must have been used because she had left him to take care of everything.

Roland pursed his lips and made it as if he wanted to explain but was questioning if it was even worth the effort at all.

After a few seconds, he confessed, "Yes, | do have a problem with you."

Isabel sighed. "It's not that | want you to do everything for me. | just can't find time for the moment,” she expressed remorsefully. He let her vent, then he asked, "Do you have time right now?"

“Now? What are you thinking?" she asked curiously.

Roland had a firm expression as he said, "Several important things have been going on lately, and | wanted to brief you about them."

Isabel immediately regretted asking at all. She should have minded her own business! Her whole demeanor suddenly changed, and her shoulders drooped. "It's getting late now. Why don’t you go home and get some rest first?”

"I’m not tired yet."

She parried, "But | am."

"In that case, let's just get it over with quickly.”

She wanted to flee while she could, but Roland's firm voice stopped her. "You don't have to say anything. Just listen.” That was all she needed to do?

That seemed enough to convince her. She breathed a sigh of relief and gestured. "Alright then, go on."

They continued walking as they talked.

Roland began, "Two days ago, we launched a new project in Durstland. We need to send some technicians...”

His voice sounded like a lullaby in Isabel's ears.

They were barely near her place yet, but she was already getting tired. She had yawned more than a handful of times during their walk. At last, they finally reached her apartment.

It took all her effort to keep her eyes open as she turned to him. "This is me. Let's talk about the rest next time. Make sure you get home and get some sleep."

Roland pursed his lips.

Isabel walked toward her apartment nonchalantly.

Suddenly, she saw a hand stretched in front of her.

Before she could react, she had smacked her forehead directly into it.

She was startled by the impact. It was only then that she realized she would have walked into a wall if not for Roland guarding her with his palm.

The sensation of her forehead pressed against the warmth of his palm felt strangely nice.

Silence.

After a while, she heard Roland’s concerned voice from behind. "Are you... are you alright?”

She stumbled a step backward.

Roland promptly drew away his hand that was cushioning Isabel's forehead from the concrete wall.

Isabel darted a glance at him, he looked as calm as usual. Looking at him, she felt her restlessness dissipating as well. She chuckled. "I'm fine. | just almost fell asleep."

Roland muttered, "Okay."

“Well, I'm going in."

"Sure."

"Bye-bye."

She trotted into the apartment.

Roland looked at her figure sheepishly retreating into the apartment and smiled to himself.