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.”

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 off his jacket,

a response, Philip gestured for his assistant to help him out of the room. “I’ll

her seat, glaring at Liam, who had leaned back as though this entire situation were nothing

laced with sarcasm. “This just keeps getting better.” However, she couldn’t actually continue thinking about this matter forever, right? A year is a year. Since they are already married, there is no point in

Alcaraz. “Then….. shall we go

finally arrived at

Rest is the place where her grandfather’s

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

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Fri, Jan

Chapter 32

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

the center.

eyes twinkling with a familiar warmth, and the other, her grandmother, whose gentle smile always seemed to radiate love. A single

softening. The resemblance between them was undeniable–those same striking green eyes, the curve of the

voice as she composed herself. “I

a step behind her, his hands resting loosely in his pockets. He shifted slightly, stepping forward to stand beside her. “It’s been a long time,” he said, his voice steady but softer than usual. He glanced at the photograph, a

eyebrow, momentarily distracted by this revelation. “Grandfather?” she asked,

his gaze still on the picture. “He liked to spoil me when I visited. Always said I needed balance because Philip was too

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