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

her favorite dishes carefully arranged inside. The sight made her stomach grumble, and she shook her head

she sent

of your

instead of Liam’s response, 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

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

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Chapter 35

something important I think you might be interested in. I have been 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 were still out of

thoughts flickering to Calen Their relationship was strained enough without Cecil pulling her into these unexpected social maneuvers. Still, her connection with Cecil had always

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,

know if Calen had told Cecil about their current ‘disagreements.’

“Wonderful! Alphie will send you the details shortly. I can’t wait to catch

up. See

call ended before Izzy could second–guess her decision. She stared at her phone for a moment, then turned her attention back to her lunch. The delicate flavors of the meal were suddenly less satisfying, her thoughts

details of the dinner party, including the dress code. She snorted, shaking her head. What she had assumed would be

told Anna to cancel the rest

The chandeliers glittered above them, casting a soft glow over the crowd of elegantly dressed attendees. “I wasn’t expecting you’d get me an invitation to something like this.” She smoothed her dress nervously. “I think we’re underdressed.”

handed me the invite, but I didn’t 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

wrong way–it screamed nightclub rather than gala. Monica, on the other hand, had dressed strategically in a

will be here?” Arianna whispered, her eyes scanning