Her Revenge, His Plot

Chapter 8 A Weird Offer

Isabelle was savoring a lavish breakfast.

She had been staying at Nicholas' villa for several days, and the chef should have nailed her tastes, yet the breakfasts still remained as elaborate as they were on day one.

"Madam, Mr. Carter has chosen some new evening gowns for you. Please pick one for tomorrow's dinner."

Nia, the stylist Nicholas brought in, presented a selection of stunning dresses to Isabelle.

Once again, it was decision time. Isabelle sighed and pointed at a black backless gown without much consideration.

'I can count on Nicholas. He always has a knack for picking gorgeous dresses.'

"Nah, Izzy. It's not my knack. You'd look great even in a potato sack." Nicholas had chuckled when she complimented him that day.

His words still lingered in her mind and made Isabelle blush.

Every morning, like clockwork, Nia would show up and go through the new additions Nicholas had arranged for her, which were then meticulously stored away by the maid.

She got designer labels from the day before yesterday, and expensive jewelry yesterday...

By now, Isabelle had lost count of all the outfits and accessories Nicholas had bought her, but she accepted them all. After all, she was Nicholas Carter's fiancée now, and it made sense to dress the part.

And the future? Those pieces would belong to the real Mrs. Carter...

Her phone buzzed with a call from an unfamiliar yet vaguely recognized number.

"Hello?" Isabelle answered the call.

"It's me, Alex."

Isabelle furrowed her brows, thinking, 'Why is he calling me instead of recuperating at home with his wife?'

"Isabelle, got a minute this afternoon? I'd like a conversation with you."

*****

Alexander scheduled their meeting at a café.

When Isabelle arrived, Alexander was already there.

The bandage was gone from his head, but the scars were still visible.

"Hey, Alex, when did you arrive? Didn't keep you waiting, did I?" Isabelle greeted him with a sweet smile.

"Nope... I just got here," Alexander said, his gaze fixating on Isabelle's captivating smile.

Her outfit today was a stark contrast to her usual sexy looks—a white cotton gown that oozed elegance and innocence.

The low neckline accentuated her long neck and smooth skin.

'Damn it! Why can't Selena pull off a look like that?' Alexander's eyes lingered resentfully on the glimpse of her exposed chest.

Isabelle instinctively brushed a few loose strands of hair behind her ear, revealing sapphire earrings that matched her eyes.

Alexander's gaze darkened as he spotted the earrings. They were from an auction years ago where Nicholas had snagged for a hefty sum, with Alexander in attendance.

'No worries. It's just a case of Uncle Nicholas meeting her first,' Alexander told himself inwardly.

Under the table, Alexander clenched his fist, a new-found resentment towards Nicholas creeping in.

"Alex...?" Isabelle snapped her fingers in front of the distracted Alexander. "What do you wanna talk to me?"

"Oh, right... There's a dinner tomorrow night, and I was hoping you'd be my plus one."

"Your plus one? Won't you take Selena with you?"

His proposal struck Isabelle as odd. Isabelle knew Selena too well that she wouldn't pass up a chance to show off as Mrs. Carter.

Anticipating the question, Alexander quickly crafted his response. "As you saw, things got pretty heated with Selena at the police station the other day..."

"I apologized, but she's been kinda paranoid, not really in the mood for social scenes. So, I'm hoping you can step in and be my date."

Alexander pleaded earnestly, hands clasped together.

Isabelle saw right through him—this slick guy was still playing his games and trying to use the dinner party to get cozy with her!

But his persistence also meant he was completely hooked...

"I'd really like to help out... but it feels a bit off," Isabelle said, knitting her brows in a show of concern. "How are you gonna introduce me? 'Here's my plus one, also my uncle's fiancée?' That's just too weird."

Alexander's plan was a gamble Isabelle wasn't willing to take.

What was more, she wouldn't attend the dinner party with anyone other than Nicholas.

'Jeez! There it was again, his uncle's fiancée!'

Hearing that term made Alexander's skin crawl, his frustration simmering just below the surface.

'Well, if that's how it was going to be...'

"Yeah, you're right. It is kinda weird."

Alexander's disappointment was evident, but a dangerous look flickered behind his eyes. He subtly gestured with a hand behind his back.

Soon after, a waiter brought over a slice of exquisite cake and placed it before Isabelle.

"Lady, this is a special treat from the house. Please enjoy."

After rejecting Alexander's offer, Isabelle made a small talk with him. She was searching for an out when a sudden dizziness overtook her.

'So weird, my head is spinning, and my vision is blurring...'

A sudden warmth surged in her abdomen, and Isabelle rubbed her legs uncomfortably, realizing something was amiss.

She glanced up, catching Alexander's smug smile.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I'm just too captivated by you," he said.

Before Isabelle slumped, Alexander scooped her weak body into his arms while deeply inhaling the scent of her hair.