Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Chapter 16

“Izzy, you weren’t answering my calls,” came Monica’s voice as she strutted toward her, teetering on impossibly high heels that clacked against the office floor.

In stark contrast to Izzy’s sleek black suit, Monica wore a tight, skimpy pink outfit that hugged her curves–a bit too well for

secretary. She looked more ready for a night out than a day at the office.

It was nine in the morning, the official start of the workday, but Monica’s focus seemed to be on her phone call rather than her actual job

“I was tired. Izzy replied calmly, setting her laptop on the desk. Strangely, her mind had been occupied by Liam’s reaction earlier, and talking to Monica was the least of her concerns. “I had an emergency project Calen wanted me to do as soon as possible.” She looked at Monica, unfazed. “Did you need something?”

“Izzy, how could you ask that?” Monica stomped further into the office, closing the glass door behind her with unnecessary force. “Did you call the bank yet? All my cards were declined. Every single one of them. Mom told you to call, didn’t she? So, what did they say?”

Izzy raised an eyebrow, unfazed by Monica’s impatience. She could see the desperation behind Monica’s overly dramatic act as she shifted on those towering heels, visibly flustered.

“I haven’t called the bank yet, but I’ll get to it as soon as I finish this,” Izzy said. She opened her laptop, her fingers already moving over the keyboard as she pulled up the day’s data sheets

She focused on her work, deliberately keeping her attention on the spreadsheet filled with numbers. The woman’s appearance somehow reminded her of the images of Calen and Monica that Liam gave her. It flickered in her mind, but she pushed them aside, channeling her energy into her work instead.

Monica leaned over her shoulder, frowning as she tried to make sense of the numbers on Izzy’s screen. “Mr. Weiss needed you earlier, by the way. He asked where you were.”

Izzy nodded without looking up. Inside the office, Monica had always addressed Calen as Mr. Weiss, never using his name. Izzy thought this was very respectful. Now, she wondered if this was some sort of a fetish or something. “I’ll get to him as soon as I’m finished here.” She kept her gaze on the screen, hoping Monica would take the hint and leave.

her eyes, meeting her cousin’s annoyed

leave last night, Izzy? I was forced to pay for

Do you need help asking Arianna to reimburse you? She was the one who invited

slightly, her posture stiffening. “I assumed we take care of it. You always do. I thought you’d said

you would.”

Izzy replied, her tone cool as she returned her focus to her laptop. “But I’ve been busy,

more visible by the second. Normally. Izzy’s immediate

isn’t like you,” Monica muttered,

looked at Monica, fury simmering beneath her calm exterior. How dare this woman

Chapter I

the gian she loved? For a fleeting moment, Izzy considered slapping her. But no–that would be too easy, too lenient. It wouldn’t give her the justice

frustrated sigh. “Galen hasn’t even done

disappointed. “Maybe

apparent shock.

leaning back and studying her cousin. Monica looked genuinely surprised, almost indignant on her behalf. The previous Izzy might have been fooled by her performance. She was certainly convincing–too

forced a tight–lipped smile. “Don’t worry about it. I just—‘

me you’ve been throwing yourself into work just to

concem.

so sympathetic while stabbing her in the back? Izzy wondered. The

Her silence was enough for Monica, who took it as permission to continue. “Then why not take some

chance to