Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Chapter 152

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“Why are you still here?” Izzy muttered, squinting as the bedroom door creaked open. The sunlight streaming through the curtains made her head throb, and she groaned, pressing a palm against her temple.

Liam stepped inside, holding a tray in one hand. “Good morning to you too,” he said, moving with that infuriatingly calm

stride of his.

Izzy’s eyes flickered to the clock on the nightstand. The glowing red digits read 9:12 a.m.

Almost immediately, she bolted upright, heart lurching. “Nine?! I’m late–Anna’s probably-”

Liam chuckled. Before she could fling the covers off, he placed a hand on her shoulder, pressing her back down against the pillows with ease. “Calm down,” he said simply. “I already called Anna. Told her you’d be taking a half–day since you’re not feeling well.”

Izzy sagged back, massaging her temples as the pounding in her head eased a fraction. “You what?”

Liam set the tray on the bedside table and pulled a chair closer, one brow lifting slightly. “You’re welcome,” he said dryly.

Izzy huffed, though the irritation was half–hearted at best. The dull ache behind her eyes made it impossible to muster any real annoyance. “Still… you didn’t have to do that.”

Liam didn’t respond immediately. He picked up a porcelain bowl from the tray, the soft steam curling lazily above the dark liquid. The scent was faint but comforting–ginger, dates, something earthy and warm.

Izzy squinted at the bowl. “What’s that?”

“Soup,” Liam said simply, sitting down at the edge of the bed. “For the headache.”

Izzy arched a brow, dubious. “Since when do you make soup?”

Liam’s lips twitched faintly. “Since China.”

Izzy blinked, momentarily thrown. “China?”

Liam nodded, stirring the soup slowly with a porcelain spoon. “I was there for a few months a couple of years back. Picked up a few things.” He scooped a spoonful, blowing on it lightly before holding it out to her. “Drink.”

Izzy eyed the dark liquid with suspicion but leaned forward cautiously, letting him tip the spoon to her lips. The taste was surprisingly pleasant–mildly sweet with a hint of warmth from the ginger, the slight bitterness balanced by something sweeter, maybe dates.

this?” she

easily. “A bit of dried tangerine peel. Helps with nausea and headaches. Ancient people like the emperors and his concubines use this a lot.”

impressed despite herself. “You sure you didn’t just buy

snorted. “I’d like to think I can manage something this simple,”

out again, the warmth spreading pleasantly with each swallow. The dull ache behind her eyes was slowly

glanced at him sideways, eyes narrowing slightly. “I’ve traveled to a lot of countries,

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Chapter 152

were always too easy ruding between sense for grandk “Barely took time to breathe,

half–heartedly. “Says the man who doesn’t even take

his eyes. He brought the spoon back to her

letting him feed her without complace le tek be too comfortable–too easy. But with the headache dulling and

rest after this. No phones or iPads, he said,

bossy,” she muttered. “This is just a hangover. I’m not sor anything.” This

back in the chair, arms folded loosely as he watched her with that

his.

eyes fluttering shut. “Thanks,” she

“For the soup?”

everything,” she admitted quietly. “For staying.”

hand shifted, his fingers brushing lightly over hers–brief, almost imperceptible. But enough

said

may I please have my iPad and phone?” she

and took her phone and iPad from her bag. To her surprise,

All from Calen. She scoffed softly and tapped the side of the phone, deliberating for half a second before locking the screen withou responding.

reached for her laptop instead, flipping it open with a click. The screen lit up, a sof glow filling the room as

clicked on

Anna’s message read,

pressed her lips together, curiosity and a faint sense of dread curling in her stomach.

quickly, and the headline splashed across the screen in bold,

Amidst Scandal – A Fresh Start for

the headline that made Izzy’s jaw tighten. It was the photograph right below

stood before a sea of reporters, looking smug and self–assured. Pamella Johnson was beside him, her arm looped

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Chapter 152