Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Chapter 32

“Huh?” Izzy frowned, trying to process what Miss Alcaraz had just said. “What–are you saying I have to stay married for at least a year or we’ll be sued for fraud?” She turned to Liam, her eyebrows knitting in disbelief.

“Yes,” Miss Alcaraz said, her expression sympathetic. “The clause was designed to protect Mr. Rossi’s integrity and hisassets. I did try to talk him out of it, but let’s just say.. he was very adamant.”

Izzy let out a dry snort and fixed her gaze on Liam. “Did you know about this?”

“How would I?” Liam leaned back in his chair, his smirk infuriatingly smug. It was clear he was enjoying her frustration.

“However,” Philip Horvath suddenly cut in, his tone deceptively calm, “I fail to see the problem with this clause. After all, it’s not fraud, is it?” He raised an eyebrow at Liam. “You two married for true love, didn’t you? There’s no reason to worry about divorce if this union is genuine.”

Izzy opened her mouth to respond but found herself momentarily speechless. It was clear Philip knew the truth about their arrangement, yet here he was, playing along, all while forcing them into an awkward corner. She shot a sideways glance at Liam, silently willing him to say something, but the man looked entirely too amused.

“Of course, Liam finally said, flashing one of his infuriatingly charming smiles. “Why should we worry? We married for love. Isn’t that right, darling?” He looked at her, his tone dripping with mock sincerity.

Izzy’s jaw tightened, but she managed to compose herself before speaking. “Absolutely.” Her voice was steady now. A year wasn’t the end of the world–just a temporary inconvenience. “I was just surprised that Grandfather didn’t tell me about this earlier.”

She turned her attention to Miss Alcaraz, her expression expectant. “Why didn’t you mention this clause when we signed the papers?”

Miss Alcaraz shifted in her seat, looking uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, Izzy. I thought it was better to address this later, given the old man’s… persistent demands. I didn’t want to complicate things at the time.”

Izzy let out a slow breath, nodding. “Thank you for explaining it now. And for coming on such short notice.”

Alcaraz nodded, standing as if eager to leave this awkward exchange behind. Meanwhile, Philip rose from his chair with a surprising amount of energy for someone his age. “Well, now that everything’s settled,” he said, brushing nonexistent dust

the room. “I’ll see you both next week. Do try not to kill

her seat, glaring at Liam, who had leaned

is a year. Since they are already married, there

then looked at Miss Alcaraz. “Then….. shall we go

arrived at the Celestial

the place where her grandfather’s

of permanence, as though it had always been part of the landscape. Inside,

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Chapter 32

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The interior was simple but beautifully maintained, with polished marble floors and a single wooden

the center.

his green eyes twinkling with a familiar warmth, and the other, her grandmother, whose gentle smile always

her grandfather’s picture, her gaze softening. The resemblance between them was undeniable–those same striking green eyes, the curve of the smile that hinted

quietly, a faint tremor in her voice as she composed herself. “I wanted you to meet Liam… again.”

than usual. He glanced at the photograph, a flicker of genuine warmth

by this revelation.

still on the picture. “He liked to spoil me when

Her grandfather always had a way of knowing when someone needed a little extra care, even if it came