Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Lovely wife 216

What Can You Offer

"So... once we get divorced, he's supposed to just marry Cassandra?" Izzy asked after a few minutes. "How certain are you that he would even consider that?"

Olivier didn't even blink. "That is no longer your business."

"Sounds more complicated. I think you are trying to assume that your son is dumb." Azzy set the envelope back on the table and crossed her arms. "What happens if I don't

sign?"

Olivier stepped closer. "You already know that actions have consequences. You should know what will happen if you refuse."

Izzy smiled, not bothering to hide it this time. "Then you can all get out of here. I'm not signing it."

The reaction was immediate. Olivier stiffened slightly, the first crack in his collected appearance. Cassandra and Celeste exchanged a quick look. It was Celeste who moved first, stepping forward,

"Think carefully, Izzy," Celeste said. "You're not winning this. It's better if you step back before you get dragged down with him."

Izzy didn't flinch. She kept her gaze steady on them, saying nothing.

Celeste waited for a beat, but when Izzy didn't speak, she took another step closer.

"Izzy," she said, "women like us are supposed to make sure the men we love are comfortable. That's what strength looks like. Knowing when to step aside."

Izzy didn't move. She remembered having a conversation with Celeste once and already knew the kind of woman she was. Still, hearing her speak like that now almost made Izzy pity her. It made her want to say something, maybe even argue, but she stopped herself. Celeste was an adult. She had made her choice, and Izzy wasn't

about to waste her breath.

Celeste pressed on. "If you really love Liam, you should know this is the best outcome. He gets out before the day even ends. He can be back in the boardroom tomorrow, taking back control before the damage gets worse."

fine, and he gets a chance to rebuild everything without more scandal attached to his name, Without

the envelope lightly with one finger but didn't pick it

You know what they'll do if you stay. You know who will get hurt the

as she

is the part where I'm supposed

1/3

What Can Your Offer

"Yes,"

Celeste answered.

glanced up. "And what exactly am I winning? The joy of watching him smile on TV

Then she added, just casually enough to sound like a passing thought, "Because if that's all there is, I'm not

knew it," Cassandra suddenly butted in.

her

"You talk about love, about not signing because of feelings, but the truth is simple. You don't want

looked directly at Izzy, her expression

power through attachment. If someone offered you a better name, better money, and a cleaner path, you'd

her research, Isabella Rossi had always played the long game-her image carefully shaped to look effortless. But Cassandra had seen women like her before. Women who smiled pretty in public and calculated in private. And Isabella had always been after Liam Horvath's name,

Horvath.

conditional. Love,

she saw Liam. It wasn't in

at

event-three years ago. She had been wearing that dark emerald gown with an open back. Everything was perfect that night. The moment she

anyone, just existing with the kind of confidence that didn't need applause. She had never

was the moment

She would get him.

That was until that event a few weeks ago. Just as