I need to go, he said, heading for the door.
Henry Isabella called after him. Do you love her? Is that it? Have you fallen in love with your wife?
The question stopped him in his tracks. Did he love Sophia? The answer should have been simple–a firm, immediate no. But the word stuck in his throw unable to come out.
Without answering, Henry walked out, leaving Isabella stating after him with growing alarm.
Shortly after Henry left, Nancy entered the room carrying an extra pillow. She found Isabella sitting rigidly in her bed, her face tight with anger.
Simple question for you,” Isabella said the moment Nancy closed the door. “Do you think I’m prettier than Sophia?
Nancy carefully set down the pillow before answering. “Miss Isabella, if you want the truth, you are certainly more beautiful than Mrs. Harding.
Isabella’s expression softened slightly. “Go on.”
“But,” Nancy continued cautiously, “Mrs. Harding has a healthy glow that you lack. If Mr. Harding has normal taste, he would naturally be drawn to a healthy woman rather than one who is ill.”
Isabella’s eyes narrowed dangerously, but Nancy wasn’t finished.
“In terms of family background, you might have a slight advantage over Mrs. Harding, but she has Old Mr. Harding’s support. Most importantly, Nancy paused, watching Isabella’s reaction, “Mrs. Harding has given Mr. Harding a son. Compared to that, you have nothing to offer him.”
To Nancy’s surprise, Isabella didn’t erupt in anger. Instead, she studied Nancy with newfound
You are indeed capable,” Isabella finally said. “But you missed one detail.
Nancy tilted her head, curious. “What’s that, Miss Isabella?”
Isabella’s lips curved into a bitter smile. “You saw the lipstick on Henry’s collar, didn’t you? Sophia saw it too.”
“I did notice,” Nancy admitted. “And I saw Mrs. Harding notice it as well. If you have video evidence, it might be effective to send it to her.”
Isabella laughed, but there was no joy in the sound. “Henry didn’t touch me last night. When I took off my clothes and pressed myself against him, he didn’t even look at me twice. He helped me get dressed again.”
3
Her voice broke slightly. “A man’s body doesn’t lie. If Henry loved me, he would have desired my body. But last night, even when I threw myself at him, completely naked, he didn’t even look at me twice.”
Nancy watched as the vulnerability on Isabella’s face transformed into cold determination.
“It doesn’t matter,” Isabella said, wiping away a tear. “I recorded everything anyway. With some special editing, Sophia won’t know what really happened. This time, I’ll break them for good.”
Nancy gave her an approving nod. “Indeed, only you and Mr. Harding know the truth about whether he touched you or not.”
“Just wait, Isabella promised darkly. “Sophia won’t/have any good days ahead.”
I was heading to the cafeteria with a group of co–workers when, at the last moment before the elevator doors closed, a hand shot out to stop Henry stepped in.
The conversation among my colleagues immediately died as they took in the handsome man who had joined us. Henry barely acknowledged them, his intense gaze fixed directly on me.
“Isn’t he handsome?” one of my colleagues whispered, not quite quietly enough. “Do you know him, Sophia?“
and
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Chapter 137
No, I answered firmly, keeping my eyes on the elevator doors. “I don’t know him at all.”
I could feel the heat of Henry’s stare, but I refused to meet his eyes. The elevator descended in awkward silence.
Henry cleared his throat deliberately. “Sophia,” he called, his voice deep and commanding. “Come here.*
My colleagues‘ eyes widened, heads swiveling between Henry and me like spectators at a tennis match.
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