Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Chapter 29

The dining room was nothing short of majestic, even with the changes Izzy noticed immediately. The last time she’d been here, the table stretched almost the entire length of the room, seating twenty or more. Now, it had been replaced with a smaller, more intimate table, crafted from polished mahogany with a stunning centerpiece of fresh white orchids.

The opulent chandelier above bathed the room warmly, its crystals sparkling like stars. The walls were adorned with artwork -classic oil paintings of pastoral scenes framed in gold.

At the head of the table, Philip Horvath, Liam’s grandfather, silently sliced into his steak with the precision of a surgeon. His movements were deliberate, the faint sound of his knife meeting the plate the only noise in the room. The silence was familiar, almost nostalgic.

It triggered a memory in Izzy, one of her own grandfather sitting across from Philip at this very mansion, both men enjoying their meals in shared silence before retreating to the garden with cups of steaming tea.

In the past, Izzy and her grandfather would sometimes visit the old man during weekends and holidays.

izzy glanced toward the large glass windows, catching a glimpse of the garden she remembered so vividly. It was still there, its hedges perfectly manicured, the fountain in the center softly illuminated. She wondered if Philip still took his tea there after meals.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Liam slid a plate toward her. The steak had already been expertly sliced into neat pieces, the pink center of the meat glistening under the light. She gave him a small smile, grateful for the gesture, and picked up her fork to start eating.

“Why did you agree to marry Liam?” Philip’s voice suddenly cut through the silence like a knife.

Izzy’s fork froze mid–air. She hadn’t expected the question to come so bluntly. She set it down slowly, glancing at Liam, whose face was unreadable. He leaned back in his chair, watching her as if curious how she’d handle the question.

Izzy straightened, meeting Philip’s sharp gaze. “It was… a practical decision,” she said carefully, trying to gauge his reaction. Izzy wanted to say she had fallen for Liam, but she knew that the old man would immediately know they were lies.

Philip didn’t respond immediately. He finished chewing a bite of his steak, wiped his mouth with his napkin, and placed it neatly beside his plate. “Practical. That’s an interesting way to describe a marriage,” he said. This time, he stared at her as if trying to read her face.

“Practicality…” he mumbled.

“That and because he is handsome,” Izzy said. She wasn’t surprised when she saw the old man’s eyebrow lift. Izzy continued, “It’s easier to be with someone good–looking for the rest of your life.”

“Ha…” the old man started to chuckle. “It seems that you are becoming more and more like Augustus,” he said.

Augustus Rossi.

Izzy’s paternal grandfather, an old friend of Philip Horvath, was known for his bluntness. He was never one to sugarcoat his words or feign a smile. Wasn’t this the very reason Izzy disliked him in the past? The old man had never hidden his disdain for both Amalia and Monica and to a young Izzy, that was reason enough to resent him. As she grew older, she spent less time with him, largely because he refused to allow Monica to accompany her.

Izzy realized it had

“Augustus would have laughed so hard if he heard your answer but he would agree. After

said nothing. Her grandmother died before she was even born.

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Thu, Jan 2

Chapter 29

In fact, Izzy’s grandfather never remarried after his wife died.

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This time, he turned

me why I married her?”

the old man shook his head. “I knew

Liam’s face turned

beautiful, accomplished woman. You two suit each other,” the old man calmly said. “So,

to?” Liam asked.

eyebrow. “You plan to keep this marriage a secret…

to steady her. He quickly handed her a glass of water, which she drank in a

without hiding the nonchalance in his voice. “At least half of it. Now that you are married, you should probably know the other

half?”

As

a finger at Liam. “You come too. You’ll brew the tea. I’ve had enough

seat.

as he exited

door, then back at Liam, still processing what

a hand down his face. “He’s been obsessed with this idea since I botched a pot of tea two years ago. Keeps bringing

her eyes. “A part of me knew you would be

muttered, cutting another bite

‘other half‘

set his knife down and finally met her gaze. “I have no idea what he’s talking about. Your grandfather and mine–let’s just say they had a habit of keeping secrets. Wouldn’t be