Ch. 2036..2040

Chapter 2036

Her eyes sparkled, and she told the driver to stop immediately.

Ben the driver promptly stopped the car. The two bodyguards hastily got out of the car as well to follow Isabel. Upon getting out of the car, Isabel tiptoed like a thief and wanted to sneak up on Roland.

She was going to spook him. When she was within arms reach, she drew her hand forward and wanted to tap him on the shoulder.

She barely managed to graze the fabric of his shirt when he turned around in one swift motion and seized her wrist. In one practiced gesture, he somehow managed to grab her other wrist and lock her hands behind her back, effortlessly subduing her.

Not only did she fail to spook him, but she got caught like a thief as well.

She groaned in pain and yelped, "Roland, it's me."

Roland's murderous gaze instantly softened, and he quickly let go of her.

His expression was suddenly wrought with guilt and concern. He inspected her wrist and asked, "Are you okay?” Isabel glared at him. "What do you think?"

He was so violent that he could have broken her wrist!

Roland hesitated for a moment, then he took her wrist into his hands and massaged it softly.

He said worriedly, "I don’t think | would have sprained your wrist. | didn't apply too much force back there.”

In truth, it was just a mild ache for Isabel at best.

However, she decided against stopping him since it felt nice with him massaging her wrist.

Upon noticing her relaxed expression, Roland stopped worrying as well. It was then that he noticed the two muscular men following her and asked with a sharp frown,” Who are they?"

Isabel said, 'They’re my bodyguards." Roland's expression darkened slightly, and he did not ask more questions. He continued massaging her wrist nonetheless.

Isabel looked at the gate of Roland’s apartment complex, which was only a mere walking distance now, then she turned to the bodyguards. "You two can head back now. Get some rest.”

The two bodyguards left immediately.

Roland asked, "Are you being harassed again?"

"No, they were just hired as a safety measure ”

Roland pursed his lips and continued massaging her wrists.

His movements and touch were light and gentle, a sharp contrast to the otherwise distant and indifferent expression he wore on his face.

Isabel still did not bother to stop him since it was comfortable. Soon, Roland asked at last, "Does it still hurt?" Isabel came back to her senses. "No, much better."

Much better?

Roland eyed her. "Would you like me to continue?"

“Um, no need, maybe next time."

Besides, they had been standing by the sidewalk for a while now. It was about time to head home and rest. Roland slowly let go of her wrist.

Isabel pursed her lips, then she walked into the apartment with him.

It was a quiet and cool night, and a gentle breeze caressed their skin.

The light from the street lamp cast from above drew the shapes of their shadow on the pavement, two figures walking side by side.

For some inexplicable reason, she felt more at ease with Roland than with her two bodyguards.

Two days later, the shooting for "Legend of the Goddess" commenced.

Isabel joined the crew first thing in the morning and began their first briefing for what was going to be a grand project. Later that evening, they went to a five-star hotel to celebrate the official commencement of the shoot.

Every member of the crew showed up, including the show producer.

 

Chapter 2037

Isabel arrived with several actors and the director. Just as she was about to greet the producers, she noticed Decker standing with them. He was wearing an expensive suit and smiled handsomely at everyone.

All of the female staff of the hotel and the film crew could not take their eyes off of him. Even some of the actresses were immediately obsessed with him as well.

Isabel frowned. What was this scum of a man doing here? Meanwhile, the director and the actor who played the male lead went to greet the producer.

The producer promptly gestured at Decker who was standing with him and introduced him to everyone, "This here is Mr. Decker. He is the biggest investor of the show."

The director and the male lead instinctively darted a glance at Isabel before wiping away the look and greeting Decker politely.

It was public knowledge that Isabella had, at one point, tried to steal the female lead role of the "Legend of the Goddess" from Isabel. Additionally, rumors of Isabella being connected to Decker were slowly spreading online as well. It was not hard for one to connect the dots and figure out that Decker was the one who was backing Isabella with his influence.

This left them to wonder why would Decker bother to continue investing in the show now that his plans had been foiled and Isabel had taken back the female lead.

As curious as they were, they knew better than to ask unnecessary questions. After greeting Decker, they went to the producer again and darted a tactful glance at Isabel.

They were eager to see how Isabel would greet the rumored benefactor of Isabella who had tried to steal the female lead role from her.

Considering Decker's significant status, they assumed that even someone of Isabel’s temperament would greet him perfunctorily, at least just for appearances.

As for Decker, he had his sights locked on Isabel since the moment she stepped into the venue. He smiled provocatively at her the entire while.

Isabel threw him a sideways glance. When she noticed the director and the male lead actor approaching the producer, she quickened her pace and went up to the producer to greet him, "Good evening, Malone.”

Malone was the name of the producer who was quite famous in the industry.

"Good evening.” Malone returned a quick greeting while gesturing at Decker, "This is-"

Before he could finish his sentence, Isabel had walked past him and gone elsewhere.

Malone was speechless.

The rest of them who were curious to see how Isabel would interact with Decker were equally baffled. The atmosphere suddenly thickened.

Malone quickly gathered himself and hurriedly apologized to Decker, "Mr. Decker, Isabel probably has something important to attend to and didn't notice you. | apologize to you on her behalf."

Decker smiled faintly. "It's okay.”

Malone was startled by his benevolence and heaved a sigh of relief. He was not expecting such a reaction from Decker. Isabel was acquainted with many other actors in the show.

After her brief exchange with Malone, she started mingling with the other actors.

Shortly after, the director approached her to tell her, ‘Isabel, dinner is about to start. Come and sit with me."

Since she played the female lead, it was only natural that she would sit with the director and the producer of the show. Isabel was aware of this as well, so she obliged and went to their table.

On the way there, the director cautioned her in a hushed whisper, "Isabel, | know you don’t get along very well with Mr. Decker, but he is the biggest investor in the show.

Malone told me to inform you to at least keep up appearances later and make sure you don't embarrass Mr.

Decker."

Isabel frowned. She was not afraid to offend Decker, but she had to consider the director's and the producer's positions. The director was telling her this because they were afraid of upsetting Decker unintentionally.

With this in mind, she assured him, “I understand. I'll keep that in mind.” The director smiled and breathed a sigh of relief.

Decker was already seated when Isabel and the director arrived. He was seated on the right edge of the table, directly across from Malone.

The other actors and crew members had taken their seats as well. There were two empty seats next to Decker, and those were the only empty seats left.

Isabel was annoyed by the mere sight of Decker and unsurprisingly opted to not sit next to him. She was one step ahead of the director and chose the empty seat that was not directly next to Decker's, leaving a gap between her and Decker.

The director did not seem too bothered by this. After all, it was nothing out of the ordinary for the director to sit with a major investor of the show.

 

Chapter 2038

Chapter 2038 Malone gave a brief speech to commence the dinner party. Everyone present at the large venue held a glass of wine in their hand and gave a toast to celebrate the occasion.

Things were very rowdy at Isabel's table. First, the director and Malone the producer toasted Decker one after the other. Then, it was the actor's turn to start toasting him.

Decker, the director, and the producer were the central focus of the table.

Members from other tables started to crowd toward their table and give them a toast as well. Isabel herself had several crew members and fellow actors come upto her as well. Everyone exchanged toasts for a while.

After that, they began eating. In the middle of her meal, Isabel felt the director brush her arm under the table. She looked at the director with a puzzled expression.

The director coughed to signal something, and even Malone who was seated across from Isabel winked at her. They were hinting for her to give Decker a toast.

Isabel promptly turned her attention back to her food and continued eating, pretending to not understand their blatant hints.

Sitting at the same table as Decker was already pushing her limit. Now they even wanted her to give him a toast? Never ina billion years.

Malone and the director grimaced upon seeing her reaction.

Meanwhile, Decker was just coming off some small talk with several actors who came to greet him. He noticed the director and producer shooting looks at Isabel from the corner of his eye and promptly turned around to steal a look at Isabel as well.

Isabel had her head buried in the plate, appearing like she was enjoying the food.

He smiled and hatched an idea. He raised his glass to her." Miss Isabel, may | propose a toast?" Isabel almost spat out the food when she heard his voice.

This caught the attention of everyone at the table as well.

None of them expected Decker to be the one to propose a toast. It was usually the other way around. This was completely unheard of!

Isabel did not share their surprise. Instead, she felt nothing but irritation, and she even despised his audacity. He was doing it on purpose!

She felt a swell of anger rising up her chest. Her first instinct was to tell him to scram, but she noticed the director and producer's pleading expressions from the corner of her eye. After all, she had promised them she would not embarrass Decker in front of everyone.

She swallowed her irritation and strained her voice to say," Sure.” She raised her glass. Awaiter suddenly came up and poured more wine into her glass.

She did not think much of it. Her glass was nearly finished anyway, and the waiter was merely being attentive and filled up her glass for her.

After her glass was filled with wine, the waiter stepped away.

She raised the glass towards Decker and took a standard sip.

Decker smiled and drank from his glass as well, fixing his eyes intently on her the entire time.

After getting the bothersome task out of the way, Isabel went back to her food.

The others at the table went on with their drinking as well. The mood quickly returned to its previous lively state. For some reason, Isabel started to feel her body pulsing with heat. She felt very jittery and out of it.

Did she drink too much?

She would consider herself a good drinker. Besides, she did not have too much to drink yet. She was beginning to space out, and her body was burning up. It was so hot that she wanted to take off her clothes.

She rose from her seat without a second thought and made a beeline to the washroom immediately to splash cold water on her face.

The cold water did nothing to reduce the heat inside her. It only made things worse, and she was burning on the inside. She looked up and noticed her completely reddened cheeks in the mirror.

What was going on? She tugged at her collar and considered splashing water around her neck, hoping that it would help.

It was then that she noticed the reflection of a tall figure suddenly showing up behind her.

 

Chapter 2039

Her expression tightened abruptly. "Decker?1

She turned around and glared at him. "This is the women's washroom. What are you doing here?"

Decker stood near the foot of the door with a wicked smile." | came to find you."

As Isabel frowned, her gut feeling was telling her something was wrong. She asked icily, "Did you spike my wine?" "As expected of my favorite Isabel, you’re as smart as | thought." With that, he took a step towards her.

Isabel immediately cried out, "Stop! Don’t you dare come here!"

Decker smiled wickedly and continued pressing on toward her. He was tall and imposing.

Isabel had witnessed firsthand how strong he was that other night outside her house when he had pinned her to the wall. There was no way she could fight him off.

Her two bodyguards were outside the hotel, and they were not going to be there to help her any time soon. The effect of whatever Decker spiked her drink with was making her lose control of her body and her senses. She clenched her hands tightly, then she cried out for help," Help! Someone help me!"

Not only was Decker completely unfazed, but he even began to laugh heartily. "Isabel, you can cry all you want but nobody will hear you. I’m in control here."

As soon as he said that, he lunged at her. Isabel clenched her jaw and shoved him away with all her strength. She wanted to create an opening to run away. Alas, it did not work. He seized her hand the moment she tried to shove him. With one swift jerk, he pulled her into his arms.

Her entire body tensed up as she glared at him with reddened eyes. "Decker, I’d advise you to let go of me right now, or else things will end very badly for you!"

Decker continued to hold onto her tightly, and his voice was as soft as a feather. "Isabel, | know you hate me for getting engaged to another woman, but | had no other choice. | know you don’t think of anyone but me. You only left because you couldn’t bear being a mistress. Don't worry, | never blamed you and | will make things right tonight. After tonight, you don’t have to keep blaming yourself for what happened. Just be with me and don’t worry about a thing.”

He hugged her tightly around the waist.

Isabel wanted to wring herself free but her body would not obey. She did not know what he spiked her drink with, but it was making her lose control of her senses. She was afraid that her body would throw itself brazenly at him if she tried to move a muscle.

She clenched her hands with every muscle in her body tense and hissed at him through her gritted teeth, "Decker, | have already decided that things were over between us since the day you got engaged five years ago. It’s been five years and | have completely forgotten about you since. There is no way | would ever have any feelings for you again!"

Decker suddenly stiffened while he stared at her. Isabel grimaced and regarded him with hostility.

Even in her current vulnerable state, with her cheeks flushed with red and in a daze, there was still a clear flash of contempt inside her eyes when she looked at him. There was not a trace of affection within them.

Decker frowned, and his demeanor stiffened. "It seems that | have neglected you for five years, but | will be sure to pamper you tonight."

He carried Isabel in his arms and walked out. Isabel cried anxiously, "Decker, put me down right now! | promise you | will make you regret this!” He was hardly listening. Soon, they came to an elevator. It looked like he wanted to take her to a hotel room upstairs.

Isabel bit her lower lip tightly.

The pain was the only thing that could keep her lucid. She could not let him force her into a room with him! Absolutely not! "Decker, my dad is Car-”

Ding!

Before she could her sentence, the elevator door already opened.

There were several occupants inside, and they were all men in suits.

The man standing in front, who was indescribably handsome with that unmistakable indifferent expression, was Roland! Isabel's eyes blazed as if she had seen the Messiah himself. She immediately cried out without a thought, "Roland, save me!" She stretched her arms out and begged for help.

Roland, who was just about to step out of the elevator and intruded upon this expected scene, immediately scowled. His already icy expression sharpened into something more menacing.

He walked out. Isabel tried to reach for him, but Decker immediately backed away from Roland.

She heard Decker's startled voice crying out, "Roland?”

 

Chapter 2040

Chapter 2040 "What are you doing here?” Decker asked with his face wrought in apprehension.

Roland stepped out of the elevator and ignored his question. He looked at Isabel who was in his arms and said in a deliberate, harsh voice, "Put her down."

Decker narrowed his eyes. "She's my woman. What goes on between us has nothing to do with you. | advise you to mind your own business and get out of here."

He hugged Isabel tightly like she was a prized treasure.

Isabel continued to stretch her hands out desperately at Roland. She could feel every cell in her body burning, but the only thought that occupied her mind was to cry out for Roland's help. She asserted firmly, "Roland, nothing is going on between me and him! He's my ex-boyfriend. | broke up with him a long time ago!"

Roland's expression tightened as he looked at Decker coldly and repeated, "Put her down!"

Decker lowered his voice to a dangerous growl, "Roland, you have no right to order me around. Get out of the way." Roland was done trying to negotiate. He started stepping toward Decker with Isabel in his arms.

Decker was startled by this, so he hurriedly backed away.

Roland had already come in front of Isabel.

Isabel immediately grabbed his shoulders. In one swift motion, Roland took her around her waist and tried to jerk her away from Decker.

Decker was relentless. He held onto Isabel tightly and refused to let go.

Isabel was caught between the two men tugging at her from different directions. She twisted her body and kicked one of her legs at Decker's stomach.

Decker was caught entirely off guard, so he winced from the pain and let go at last.

Isabel clung to Roland like an octopus.

Roland held onto her protectively and took several steps back, away from Decker.

The two young men who came out of the elevator with him immediately stepped forward to dissuade Decker from charging him. Decker glared at him viciously. "Roland, she’s mine!"

Roland shot him a disinterested glance, then he walked out of the hotel with Isabel in his arms.

Roland stood tall like a statue, his grip firm and strong. On top of it all, he was blessed with indescribably good looks.

After finally wringing herself free from Decker, Isabel let her guard down entirely, and with it, her sense of reason as well. She twisted around in his arms and pressed herself to his

body.

"Roland..." she called his name tenderly.

Roland, who was urgently pacing outside, suddenly stiffened awkwardly.

Isabel hugged his neck tightly and planted a kiss on his lips.

Roland froze. He was stiff with shock. He immediately pried Isabel away from him and pressed her head into his chest. Isabel seemed like she wanted to pull her head up but could not manage with his hand pressing her snugly into his chest, burying her into his warmth.

He was so strong that he managed to effortlessly support her entire weight while keeping her face buried into his chest so she could not wring herself free at the same time.

The only thing she could do was whimper, "Roland, | feel awful! At least, let me kiss you..."

The only form of response she got was Roland quickening his footsteps.

Shortly after that, he threw her into the backseat of a car. It was a spacious backseat, but it was quite hot compared to the chilly night outside.

Isabel was already feeling hot as it was. The moment she entered the car, she pulled off her coat and threw herself on Roland's body. She hooked her arms around his neck and kissed him again.

Roland grimaced faintly underneath the faint lights.

He promptly pried her away and held her steady in the backseat with his hand on her waist so that she would stop trying to crawl on top of him.

Soon, the previous two men approached the car. They were probably his assistants. "Sir, should we send you two home?" one of them eyed Isabel and asked suggestively. Roland did not seem impressed and practically roared, ‘To the hospital!"

Isabel, who was still wriggling, around murmured, "Don't... don't go to the hospital. | can't go..."