Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Chapter 35

“Alright, I think we’re all set here.” Izzy closed the research file her team had just handed her. The crisp sound of the folder snapping shut echoed in the boardroom. “I believe we’re ready for the presentation.”

Anna stepped forward swiftly, taking the folder from the table with her usual efficiency. She hovered behind Izzy.

“May I know what we’re going to do next?” Sherry asked, her curiosity evident. “I mean, the presentation’s on Friday, and it’s still Tuesday, so…”

Izzy gave her a reassuring smile. “Anna and I will handle the rest from here. Thank you for your hard work. As always, your research is impeccable.” She nodded toward the door. “You can head back now. I will ask Anna to call you once she needed something done.”

With that, Izzy rose, her heels clicking against the polished floor as she left the boardroom. Anna followed a step behind, her arms laden with files. They walked through the corridor, past–the quiet hum of office chatter, and back to Izzy’s office.

“Get me some coffee, please,” Izzy said, pinching the bridge of her nose as she sat down. Fatigue had been weighing on her. Sharing a bed with Liam was a restless endeavor she hadn’t yet adjusted to. Sadly, she has to do this until the renovation on Liam’s house is done. Add the revisions she’d had to make to the presentation, and it was no wonder she was running on fumes.

Anna nodded and disappeared, leaving Izzy alone with her laptop. She opened the device, scrolling through the reports she needed to review. Then she glanced at the files that needed her signiture. A sighed escaped her lips.

Asharp knock and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee interrupted her stupor.

“Thanks,” Izzy said, taking the cup.

“Uh… there’s also this,” Anna said hesitantly, placing a brightly decorated lunch box on the table. “The guard-”

“Yeah, I know,” Izzy interrupted, her eyes falling on the box. It was cute, excessively so, with little patterns on the lid that screamed Liam’s meddling. “Thanks, Anna. Just leave it here. Go have your lunch.”

Anna nodded and left, leaving Izzy to glance at the clock. It was already one in the afternoon. She let out a sigh, realizing how easy it was for her to lose track of time and, consequently, meals. Picking up her phone, she sent a quick text to Liam:

for the lunch.]

grumble, and she shook her head at her own negligence. She took the first bite and immediately smiled. As

through, she sent another message:

of

her phone buzzed with a name she hadn’t expected to see: Cecil Weiss–Calen’s mother. Izzy’s brows knitted in surprise as she hesitated. Cecil rarely called without a reason.

you have time for dinner later?” Cecil’s voice was as warm as ever, though tinged with urgency. “Later?” Izzy frowned. Cecil Weiss was a New York socialite turned San Francisco staple after marrying Calen’s father. She was nothing if not precise about her social calendar, which made this last–minute

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Chapter 35

asking Calen about you and thought you were abroad. And, to make matters worse, Calen didn’t even tell me you were back! I didn’t send you an invitation because I thought you

her connection with Cecil had always been cordial, even bordering. on friendly. The older woman had a way of making

was a member of the once–illustrious Rossi family, which had moved from Italy decades ago. The invites weren’t exactly because she wanted to know Izzy better. It was because of Izzy’s last name. However, Izzy had no reason to decline the older

about. Moreover, she wanted to know if Calen

pleased. “Wonderful! Alphie will send you the details shortly. I can’t

up. See

She stared at her phone for a moment, then turned her attention back

head. What she had assumed would be a casual dinner was, in fact, a grand affair,

she told Anna to cancel the rest of her

glow over the crowd of elegantly dressed attendees. “I wasn’t expecting you’d get me an invitation to

think it would be this grand either.” Of course, Monica didn’t bother mentioning that she simply took the invitation off Calen’s desk. It had been sitting there for days, unattended. If he really cared, he’d have

sharp tuxedos and women in flowing evening gowns moved gracefully, champagne glasses in hand. Arianna’s short cocktail dress was striking, but in the wrong way–it screamed nightclub rather than gala. Monica,

think Liam Horvath will be here?” Arianna whispered, her