Chapter 6

Facing Isabella's pressure, John kept his mouth shut. He couldn't betray Bianca, not when he loved her so much.

Mason, sharp as ever, picked up on John's silence. He quickly figured out the truth, likely close to what Isabella had hinted at.

"Have you two slept together?" Mason suddenly asked, eyeing John.

John shook his head right away. Bianca was still recovering, and he hadn't been with her like that.

Mason's face softened a bit. He drummed his fingers on the table and said, "Since you two haven't slept together, it means things are still early between you. I've seen how Isabella feels about you over the years. She really likes you. I hope you feel the same."

Isabella's face changed. She was already married and had planned to tell Mason about it.

"I'm not getting involved in your issues. You young folks need to sort this out yourselves. Once you do, I'll set the wedding date. Let's wrap up today's dinner." Mason said, getting up and leaving the room.

As soon as Mason left, John grabbed Isabella by the neck.

"You witch, what are you trying to pull? Think you can take me on just because of my grandpa? Don't forget, you're just an outsider, and I'm his real grandson." John's eyes blazed with anger.

Isabella struggled to breathe under John's grip. Her hand brushed against a bottle on the table, ready to grab it, but she let it go, tears streaming down her face.

Seeing her cry, John thought she was scared. He sneered, "Weren't you all high and mighty just now? What's the matter, scared now?"

Suddenly, there was a whooshing sound behind John, followed by a sharp pain in his back.

John let go of Isabella, falling to the side as the pain made him cry out.

"Mr. Williams," Isabella cried, hiding behind Mason.

John was shocked to see Mason back and blurted out, "Grandpa, why are you back?"

Mason was shaking with anger. He gripped his cane tightly, raised it high, and brought it down on John.

"If I hadn't come back for my phone, were you planning to strangle your fiancée?" Mason yelled, hitting John with each word.

Isabella felt a rush of satisfaction, like drinking ice-cold water in a scorching desert. Every scream from John was music to her ears.

After about twenty strikes, Mason's swings slowed. Isabella, noticing he was getting tired, rushed to help him sit down.

"Mr. Williams, calm down. Don't let this get to you." Isabella said, pouring him a glass of water.

"Sorry, Isabella. I didn't think that jerk John would pull something like that. You head home first; I need to teach him a lesson." Mason patted Isabella's arm and had his bodyguard escort her out.

Isabella didn't argue. She just reminded Mason to go easy on John before happily leaving the room.

On her way out of the restaurant, Isabella asked the bodyguard about John's uncle.

"Unfortunately, he left before you got here," the bodyguard replied.

Feeling great, Isabella declined the bodyguard's offer to take her home. She wanted to enjoy a walk instead.

Just as she stepped out of LuxeHaven Retreat, she spotted a familiar face-Michael. He saw her too and waved.

"Hey, what are you doing here? Grabbing dinner too?" Isabella ran over, grinning.

To her surprise, Michael just stared at her, frowning like he was deep in thought.

"Do you know who I am?" Michael asked, looking her straight in the eyes.

Isabella nodded, and Michael's expression darkened.

"Aren't you just a company employee? Is your company having a get-together here?" Isabella looked around, curious if she could spot any of Michael's colleagues.

Michael kept his eyes on her, trying to figure out if she was lying.

"Do you really think I'm just a lowly employee?" Michael lowered his head, his sharp gaze cutting through her.

Isabella tilted her head, studying him. Finally, she leaned in and whispered, "I've always thought you had this aura that doesn't fit a regular company employee."

Michael raised an eyebrow, clearly interested in what she'd say next.

"You have this vibe like a high-ranking exec or a movie star. I haven't seen you on TV, so you're not an actor. You wouldn't happen to be a top stripper at some club, would you?" Isabella asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

Michael's face turned dark. He was now sure Isabella had no clue about his real identity, but he definitely wasn't a stripper!

"I'm just a regular company employee who works out a lot, so I might seem different. But I'm definitely not a stripper!" Michael said seriously.

"Okay, okay, I was just kidding. I actually think you're a big star." Isabella shrugged.

Michael furrowed his brow, sensing a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"Ms. Taylor, there's something I need to tell you. Let's cancel our engagement and finalize the divorce tomorrow." Michael's words made Isabella freeze.