Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Chapter 194

Izzy wiped her tears away before she walked inside a bar. She wasn’t crying because she got hurt. She was crying because she was too angry. She wanted to hurt someone, and that someone happened to be her father–in–law. Well, she shouldn’t be calling that man her father in law. He simply doesn’t deserve it!

She had already booked a boxing session with a gym that she knew, but that wasn’t enough. She let out a sigh.

The bar was quiet, almost sterile in the daylight. No blaring music. No crowd. Just the faint hum of the refrigerator behind the counter and the flick of the bartender’s rag as he wiped down glasses. Sunlight filtered in through the windows, catching dust motes in the air. It wasn’t the kind of place meant for midday visits, which was exactly why Izzy had chosen it.

She pushed open the door with more force than necessary, her jaw tight, her eyes still burning. Her heels clicked against the floor as she walked to the counter and slid into a seat without a word.

The bartender looked up. “Something light?”

Izzy didn’t hesitate. “Whiskey. Neat.”

He raised an eyebrow but didn’t ask questions. He poured the drink and set it down in front of her.

She didn’t bother with a thank–you. She grabbed the glass and took a long drink, the burn grounding her just enough to keep her hands from shaking.

Her phone vibrated again. The screen lit up with Calen’s name.

She turned it over.

It vibrated again. Persistent. She let it ring until it stopped. Then again. Still him.

She picked it up briefly, hit “Cancel,” and dropped it back on the bar like it had personally offended her. She told him she was sick this morning. He should’ve left her alone.

She took another sip, this one slower, letting the silence sink in as her thoughts spiraled.

Olivier Horvath.

She hated the way his words replayed in her mind. The smirk on his face. The way he spoke about Liam was like he was some product of rot. Like Izzy hadn’t seen the man he became. Like Liam hadn’t clawed his way out of something foul just to breathe clean air.

She set the glass down hard.

Liam. God.

says that about

Liam looked that night–drunk, hollow. It made sense now. Olivier had put those words in his head. And worse, he meant them. He wasn’t just being

been in front of her now, she would’ve punched that smug, punchable

sip. Her gaze dropped to her

saw the kid who lingered around her grandfather’s office every chance he got. She saw him fixing up shelves or listening to

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Chapter 194

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he’d been there. Even when she hadn’t.

Corrupt. Just like the man who raised him. But he hadn’t. He grew up

the glass and finished the rest of the whiskey.

the empty glass down she noticed the door behind her opened but was too busy on her

is a coincidence,” he said. “I’m starting to think

and slowly turned,

Frederik.

asked. She didn’t expect that the first one

the day?” He chuckled and sat on the stool next to her. “What made you so

of your

on the stool, his fingers tapping the counter. “I have to admit, I didn’t

raised his hand, signaling the bartender. “I’ll have whatever

supposed to mean?”

at her, then shrugged. “Liam Horvath made it clear he didn’t like me.

let out a quiet snort and waved

continued, “But I didn’t think Mr. Horvath himself would go so far. Targeting me directly? Is he really that insecure? Or…

at him. “What does any of this have

He took a sip without hesitation, then set the glass down. “I don’t appreciate being ambushed. Especially by people I barely

her lips together, then finally spoke. “Whatever