Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Chapter 178

Chapter 178

“You should eat more,” Liam said as he pushed a small plate toward Izzy. On it was half of the sandwich he had just finished making from the corner of the table–thick slices of tomato, eggs, cheese, and a light smear of mustard between toaster bread.

Izzy glanced at the plate, then at him. “Thanks,” she said simply, picking it up with both hands

He nodded and grabbed the other half for himself. They both took a bite at the same time as if it was normal to be sharing food at a table like this.

Seeing this. Philip didn’t react. He turned a page of his newspaper and took another sip of tea as if nothing was happening in front of him.

Then Margarette looked at them briefly glancing away, adjusting her utensils even though she wasn’t eating. Her hand hovered over her cup but didn’t lift it. There was a tightness in her posture.

Meanwhile, Olivier hadn’t touched his breakfast since the tea exchange. His eyes were locked on Liam, flicking occasionally to Izzy as if the sight physically irritated him. When Liam reached over and wiped a crumb from the corner of Izzy’s mouth, Olivier’s knuckles turned white around his knife.

They ate in silence for a few more minutes as Izzy leaned into her chair, chewing slowly, still holding the sandwich Liam made. Then he poured her a glass of water from the pitcher without asking, set it beside her plate, and then poured one for

himself.

She smiled at him again, quietly.

The clink of silverware and the faint hum of conversation between the maids in the hallway were the only sounds.

Then Olivier set his cup down–loudly. It wasn’t slammed, but it was hard enough to break the rhythm in the room.

“Are you ever going to apologize?” he asked, eyes fixed on Liam.

The quiet stopped completely. Margarette froze mid–reach. Even Philip paused, though he didn’t look up.

Liam didn’t answer right away. He placed his cup back on the saucer and looked across the table.

“For what?” he asked. His voice was calm, but the shift in the air was obvious. Even Izzy had stopped chewing. Her sandwich lowered slightly in her hand.

leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp. “You know what

slower this time, but still didn’t

I am pretty smart, but I

“You-”

just tired. He–he wasn’t able

Margarette was not done yet. She quickly added, “Last night, your

she said quickly. “The one you were reading about last

She continued, turning slightly toward Philip. “Father, didn’t you say something about the

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Chapter 178

Olivier’s proposal made sense. What do

finally folded the newspaper and set it beside his place. He adjusted his chair slightly and looked at Olivier. “What’s the

Father, Philip wouldn’t even look at the file. Now, just because Liam was

be a small copper operation, shut down decades ago,” Olivier began. “But lat year, a geological survey team working with

didn’t interrupt. He

fluctuating, but they’re expected to spike again with demand in battery production,” Olivier went on. “If we secure the lot and do our own private testing, we can either develop it

raised an eyebrow slightly. “How much

Olivier said. “But that’s just to get into the bidding pool. The number might go higher depending on interest. Most of the interest is coming from mid–tier firms. No major players yet, but that could

“And the infrastructure?”

rail line ten miles out, inactive but still usable. Roads are decent. It’s not perfect, but it’s not remote either. The area’s stable.

he didn’t drink. He tapped the

eyes still on Olivier. “Sounds risky,” he said. “But so are most resource bids.

attention to Philip. “If we act now, we secure the position before outside investors catch wind of it. The market’s volatile, but that’s where the margin is. We don’t have to develop it immediately. Just getting the rights would put us ahead if the survey

could be worth it. Especially with everything moving toward green energy and battery storage.”

had pushed toward him earlier and finally

this idea, Izzy?” Philip suddenly asked while reading the documents.

why are you asking Isabella about this?” Olivier couldn’t help but

assume she knows ho read beyond just the mineral potential.” He turned another page. “I want to hear