Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Chapter 196

11

“It’s Cassandra Sarano and him, having coffee…” Maria said. “I know I shouldn’t get involved in something like this, but the- the one behind Miss Cassandra is someone–or at least the son of someone who used to work with your grandfather. If you want me to investigate something-”

“It’s fine,” Izzy said. She zoomed in on the photos again, her finger pinching the screen tighter. “Damn it,” she muttered under her breath.

The image was blurry. The angle was too low, and the light behind the window ruined the outline of their faces. Even she had to admit, it could’ve been someone else entirely. The posture was familiar, and the jacket was similar–but the face? It’s not clear at all. And Cassandra? That could’ve been any brunette with sharp cheekbones.

Still, seeing that headline and Liam beside another woman, blurry or not, made her irritated.

She exhaled slowly, then repeated, “Ignore it, Maria. It’s nothing.”

There was silence on the other end before Maria asked, “Did you two fight?”

Izzy didn’t answer right away. She tapped the screen of her tablet and then locked it. “I have something to do,” she said.

Without another word, she ended the call and set the tablet down.

She leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling. She knew this was all part of the plan–keep things looking distant, make their enemies think she and Liam were drifting apart. The whole thing was a show. But that didn’t make it easier.

Her jaw tightened. She couldn’t afford to let her emotions get in the way. Not now.

She had to focus. She needed to know exactly who was on her side and who was just pretending. No more assumptions. No more giving people the benefit of the doubt.

If she wanted to survive this, she needed to know her enemies–and that meant trusting no one.

With that, she got up and went into the car where Anna had been waiting. The two then drove towards the venue of the engagement party.

The car pulled up to the venue’s entrance. Flashbulbs popped in the distance, though none were aimed at her. Not yet.

could feel it–the tension. Heads turned. Conversations paused. Eyes scanned her outfit, her expression, her alone arrival. Many must be wondering why Isabella

She smiled.

slowly, deliberately, offering a polite nod to a few familiar faces. Some nodded back. Others

could make it to her assigned seat, a hand

Cecil Weiss.

“Izzy,” she said.

weeks, not since the scandal broke. Now, the woman looked thinner. The sharpness in her cheekbones was more defined. Her skin is paler. The dark circles under her eyes were lightly masked by makeup, but the signs were there. The toll of an FBI investigation

a once–over and smiled. “You look well. For

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Chapter 196

here?” she asked, ignoring

asked, brushing her coat

didn’t move. “Stop

it? I thought it was charming.”

welcome

*89%

into parties. That’s not my

on Izzy’s arm remained firm but controlled.

need to leave,”

to your already growing file? Don’t tell me you are going to

I’m

of a lot… but unfortunately, you’ve already used most of it digging your own

her clutch, and her heels didn’t make a sound on the marble floor. Even now, when she

next, Cecil? Are you planning to call security?

to provoke me,” Cecil said. “But it

force Cecil to drop her hand. “You should be more careful with your threats. Especially when your name is still part of an ongoing federal case. Would hate to have something

stayed, but her