The Alpha's Contracted Mate

Chapter 11 The Awkward Discussion

Berg Assistant, noticing Isabelle's fatigue, offered his assistance. "Allow me to fetch you a cozy blanket so you can rest comfortably during the flight. It will provide you with some much-needed warmth and comfort," he suggested.

Isabelle appreciated Berg Assistant's thoughtfulness and acknowledged that he was merely carrying out Matthew's instructions. With a gentle smile, she replied,

"That would be lovely. Thank you for your consideration."

Berg promptly acquired a soft blanket from the flight attendant and handed it to Isabelle. "If you require anything else, please don't hesitate to call me," he said before departing.

After Berg Assistant left, Lindsay, seated beside Isabelle, leaned closer and pointed to a tweet on her phone screen. She whispered excitedly, "Ms. Morgan, it seems Sarah and Mr. Matthew are truly together, don't you think?"

Curiosity piqued, Isabelle glanced down at Lindsay's phone screen. As she read Sarah's tweet expressing her love in secret, Isabelle couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt, causing her to press her lips together.

Remaining silent, Isabelle's lack of response spurred Lindsay to persist. "Ms. Morgan, just confide in me. I promise not to spread the word," she prodded, unaware of Isabelle's marital status.

Isabelle averted her gaze, unfurled the thin blanket in her hands, and draped it over herself. She finally responded, "I genuinely don't know."

Observing Isabelle's closed eyes, Lindsay pouted. She acknowledged that her boss's reserved nature kept everyone at a distance.

Exhausted from the previous night's lack of sleep, Isabelle succumbed to deep slumber, undisturbed until the plane landed.

Once they disembarked at the airport, Isabelle hailed a taxi with Lindsay by her side.

In a hushed tone, Lindsay inquired, "Shouldn't we go and greet Mr. Matthew since he's here?"

Maintaining her focus on the taxis across the street, Isabelle responded coolly with a fabricated excuse, "I didn't spot him. Let's proceed to the hotel. That's our destination."

Lindsay sighed, acknowledging the unlikelihood of Isabelle's claim.

The journey from the airport to the hotel stretched on for about an hour and a half. The airport itself was situated in a remote location, and the hotel resided in the suburbs. Even with the expressway, the travel time couldn't be significantly reduced.

As Isabelle walked into the hotel lobby, she was greeted by an atmosphere of elegance and sophistication. The lobby was adorned with polished marble floors, crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and tastefully arranged furniture that exuded comfort. The walls were adorned with beautiful artwork, adding a touch of sophistication to the surroundings. The hotel had clearly been designed with attention to detail, creating a welcoming ambiance for its guests.

Approaching the front desk, Isabelle noticed a friendly and professional receptionist, wearing a smart uniform, ready to assist her. The receptionist had a warm smile and a genuine willingness to help, instantly putting Isabelle at ease. She approached the desk and greeted the receptionist, handing over her identification.

"Good evening," Isabelle said with a polite tone. "My name is Isabelle, and I have a reservation for two rooms."

The receptionist nodded and quickly located the reservation in the system. She glanced up at Isabelle and said, "Thank you, Miss. I see that you have a pre-booked room. We hope you have a pleasant stay with us."

Isabelle returned the smile and replied, "Thank you. I'm looking forward to it. Could you please let me know where my room is located?"

The receptionist reached for a set of keys and handed them to Isabelle. "Certainly, Ms. Thompson. You will be staying in Room 312, which is on the third floor while she will be staying just three rooms down yours.

Our elevators are just over there, on your left. If you need any assistance or have any questions during your stay, please don't hesitate to reach out to our concierge desk."

Isabelle thanked the receptionist and turned to head towards the elevators. As she made her way, she couldn't help but admire the attention to detail in the hotel's interior design. The lobby was beautifully lit, creating a cozy and inviting ambiance. Soft music played in the background, providing a soothing soundtrack to the hotel's tranquil atmosphere.

The hotel receptionist's professional demeanor and the hotel's luxurious surroundings left a positive impression on Isabelle. She felt welcomed and reassured that her stay would be comfortable and enjoyable.

She gave Lindsay the key to her own room and held hers in hand.

Isabelle made her way to the elevators, excited to settle into her well-appointed room for the duration of her stay.

As they rode the elevator to their respective rooms, Lindsay couldn't contain her curiosity. "Ms. Morgan, are we going to visit Hugh tomorrow?" Lindsay who had been quiet all along asked.

Isabelle confirmed, "Yes, we are."

Eager for more information, Lindsay probed further. "I heard that several media companies attempting to secure an interview with Hugh were turned down. Will we face the same fate?"

Isabelle replied indifferently, "It's hard to say."

Once the elevator doors opened, Isabelle led the way, locating her room and swiping her room card at the door.

"Lindsay, please bring me my change of clothes later," Isabelle requested.

Lindsay nodded and replied, "Of course, Ms. Morgan."

After settling into her room, Isabelle changed into comfortable slippers and headed straight for the sofa. She retrieved her tablet and resumed reading Hugh's emails, hoping to find a clue within his lifestyle.

According to the intelligence she had gathered, Hugh had a regular habit of playing golf every Friday afternoon, and tomorrow happened to be Friday.

As Isabelle engaged with her tablet, using a stylus to navigate, a knock resonated from the room door.

Assuming it was Lindsay, Isabelle walked over in her slippers to answer it.

To her surprise, as Isabelle swung the door open, her eyes fell upon Matthew, who leaned casually against the wall just outside. Her eyebrows twitch involuntarily, momentarily taken aback by his unexpected presence. However, she quickly composed herself and greeted him with a polite, "Mr. Matthew."

In that fleeting moment, Isabelle couldn't help but take notice of Matthew's attire. He was impeccably dressed, exuding an air of refined elegance. His suit, perfectly tailored to accentuate his broad shoulders and lean physique, spoke volumes about his taste and sophistication. The play of light on the fabric added a touch of subtle charm, enhancing his already striking appearance.

For an instant, a flicker of desire stirred within Isabelle, an undeniable attraction ignited by the sight of Matthew looking his best. She caught herself momentarily captivated by his magnetic presence, her thoughts momentarily drifting toward forbidden desires.

However, with resolute determination, she quelled those thoughts, reminding herself of their complicated circumstances and the boundaries they had set.

With his slender fingers casually twirling his phone, Matthew asked, "Won't you invite me in?"

Suppressing her inner turmoil, Isabelle swiftly collected her composure and stepped aside, gesturing for Matthew to enter. With a composed voice, she invited him in, "Please come in."

Matthew, ever observant, noted the momentary flicker of emotion in Isabelle's eyes. He couldn't help but be aware of the effect his presence had on her, even if she tried to conceal it.

A subtle smile graced his lips, a glimmer of satisfaction shimmering in his gaze as he accepted her invitation and stepped into the room.

Isabelle surveyed the corridor to ensure her assistant was not in sight, then turned and walked back into the room. "Would you like some water?" she offered.

Following her inside, Matthew's long strides brought him effortlessly to her side. "No, thank you," he declined, his hand naturally resting on the back of the sofa.

Isabelle and Matthew had always shared a taciturn nature, and their communication had diminished further since their marriage.

Observing Matthew's disinterest in water, Isabelle resumed her seat on the sofa, picking up her tablet once more.

Matthew cast a brief glance at her before taking a seat beside her, his hand nonchalantly resting on the back of the sofa behind her. Curiosity got the better of him as he inquired, "What has captured your attention?"

Isabelle answered honestly, "I'm reviewing Hugh's file."

A faint chuckle escaped Matthew's lips as he quipped, "Planning to entice Hugh out of retirement, are you?"

Isabelle nodded, affirming her intention. "Yes, that's the idea."

Matthew's well-defined fingers began tapping on Isabelle's shoulder as he commented, "That's a clever plan."

Isabelle noticed the restless motion of his fingers and met Matthew's gaze. "Have you been idle lately?" she asked.

With a flicker of amusement in his eyes, Matthew hooked his finger on her collar and inquired, "Just a little. Why do you ask?"

Isabelle averted her gaze, choosing to ignore his gesture. "I heard Alex recently secured two significant projects. Your grandfather seemed pleased," she remarked.

Matthew's eyebrow raised in intrigue. "Are you worried that I'm losing favor?" he questioned.

There was a trace of sarcasm in Isabelle's eyes, but her expression remained composed and sincere. "We are husband and wife, after all. Your honor reflects on me, and your success is mine as well," she replied.

Matthew didn't entirely believe Isabelle's words, but the mention of 'husband and wife' struck a chord with him, it felt sincerely good.

"I purposely allowed Alex to take on those two projects," he confessed.

Isabelle's fingers, scrolling on her tablet, halted momentarily as she raised her eyelids. Her voice deepened as she asked, "Did you sabotage him?"

Matthew's hand, which had been teasing Isabelle's collar, paused. His tone took on a serious note as he replied, "Does it matter to you?"

Isabelle responded firmly, "No."

Upon hearing her resolute answer, Matthew chuckled cynically. "I'm curious, what is it about Alex that you like?"

Isabelle raised her head, meeting Matthew's gaze head-on. "And what do you like about Sarah?" she countered.

For a brief moment, the atmosphere froze as the newlyweds broached the subject of their respective affections. It was an unusual topic for any couple to discuss.

After a few seconds of intense eye contact, Matthew was the first to break the silence. "Her outgoing nature! I appreciate her extroverted personality," he revealed.

Isabelle's ruby lips parted slightly as she responded, "His reserve. I admire Alex's reserved character, and..."

Matthew, intrigued by Isabelle's hesitation, prodded, "And what?"

Isabelle pursed her lips, momentarily reluctant to continue. However, realizing the depth of their conversation, she felt compelled to share.

"During my university days, the financial support I received from the Ace family was quite meager. Despite working part-time and being frugal, there were times when it simply wasn't enough. When Alex discovered this, he discreetly slipped money into my bag," she confessed.

Matthew's hand, previously toying with her collar, froze in place. His voice carried a hint of gravity as he inquired, "Is that why you fell for him?"

Isabelle nodded, her gaze steady. "Yes, it was one of the reasons," she admitted.

With a teasing smile, Matthew continued, "What if it wasn't him who provided you with financial aid?"