The Alpha's Contracted Mate

Chapter 7 The Unspoken Truth

Matthew and Isabelle locked eyes, a dominant smile playing on Matthew's face. It seemed Matthew had correctly guessed the reason behind Isabelle's visit. Isabelle had grown up with Mathew and knew his temperament well-he always retaliated for any perceived slight.

As Isabelle locked eyes with Matthew, memories flooded her mind, taking her back to a time when their lives intersected with an opposed businessman also a son of an Alpha, someone who had once been a fierce competitor to Matthew's company. Years ago, this rival had engaged in a ruthless game, plotting and defaming Matthew in an attempt to tarnish his reputation and cause his company significant harm.

She remembered clearly the days when the business world was abuzz with rumors, whispers of deceit and underhanded tactics. The rival businessman, driven by envy and a desire to dominate the industry, embarked on a relentless campaign to bring Matthew down.

He fabricated stories, manipulated information, and spread false rumors about Matthew, hoping to turn clients against him and secure lucrative deals for his own company.

It was a calculated move, one that aimed to exploit Matthew's vulnerabilities and undermine his hard-earned success. The rival businessman's tactics were insidious, carefully designed to cause Matthew's company to lose a multi-million dollar deal. And unfortunately, his efforts had succeeded, plunging Matthew and his team into a crisis.

However, Matthew was not one to be defeated easily. Known for his resilience and determination, he refused to let himself be destroyed by the rival's underhanded tactics. Matthew vowed to uncover the truth behind the rumors and expose the rival businessman for the manipulative schemer he was.

Through meticulous investigation and the support of his loyal allies, Matthew unraveled the web of deceit that had been woven around him.

He gathered evidence, piecing together the puzzle of how the rival businessman had orchestrated the campaign against him. It became clear that the rival had not only sought to defame Matthew but had also engaged in illegal activities to gain an unfair advantage in the industry.

Armed with this knowledge, Matthew devised a plan to strike back with full force. He confronted the rival businessman head-on, exposing his misdeeds to the public, the media, and relevant authorities. The truth, laid bare for all to see, shook the industry and shattered the rival's carefully crafted image.

Matthew's retaliation didn't stop there. He utilized his network and resources to initiate legal proceedings against the rival, ensuring that justice would be served. The legal battle was fierce, but Matthew's determination remained unwavering.

He fought with every ounce of his being, seeking retribution not just for himself but for the countless individuals affected by the rival's unethical practices.

In the end, justice prevailed. The rival businessman's company was brought to its knees, facing severe financial and reputational repercussions. The once-formidable empire crumbled under the weight of its own deceit, while Matthew's company emerged stronger than ever.

As Isabelle reminisced about those events, she found herself worrying more about the day's event.

Today, Rose had unintentionally embarrassed Matthew, and Isabelle was worried that he might take it out on her. Taking a deep breath, she tried to adjust her stance and leaned slightly forward, saying softly, "Rose didn't mean it today."

Matthew's voice dropped, husky with curiosity, "Oh?"

Uncomfortable in her pinned position, Isabelle attempted to free herself, but Matthew's grip tightened around her waist. Chuckling, he said, "Call me... Matt."

Isabelle closed her lips, realizing Matthew was intoxicated. She remarked, "You're drunk."

Ignoring her comment, Matthew buried his head in Isabelle's neck. Stiffening, Isabelle prepared to push him away, but Matthew's phone rang, breaking the moment. He released her and answered the call, moving to the sofa.

"Hello, this is Matthew's speaking," he greeted, his voice taking on a professional tone.

On the other end of the line, a confident voice responded, "Good evening, Matthew. This is Richard from Harrison Corporation. I hope I'm not catching you at a bad time."

The silence in Matthew's apartment was so vivid that Isabelle could hear their conversations on the phone.

Matthew leaned back in his chair, signaling his full attention to the conversation. "Not at all, Richard. I'm always available to discuss business matters. How can I assist you today?"

Richard proceeded to explain the purpose of the call, discussing a potential collaboration between their companies. The conversation revolved around the details of a joint venture, exploring the potential benefits and risks involved. They discussed market trends, projected growth, and the alignment of their respective goals.

Matthew listened attentively, occasionally interjecting with insightful questions or observations. His sharp business acumen was evident as he analyzed the possibilities and evaluated the potential synergies between the two companies. He exuded confidence and authority, commanding respect through his knowledge and expertise.

As the conversation progressed, Matthew's voice remained calm and composed, but there was an underlying assertiveness that hinted at his determination to secure the best possible outcome for his company. He negotiated terms, proposed innovative solutions, and sought clarification on key points to ensure a mutually beneficial agreement.

Engrossed in their conversation, Matthew requested, "Turn on the light."

Isabelle obliged, turning on the living room light. Matthew's gaze landed on her collar, which he had pushed aside earlier. He smirked, then resumed his call with a mocking tone, seemingly unimpressed by the person on the other end.

Richard, equally adept at navigating business discussions, matched Matthew's professionalism and engaged in a thoughtful exchange of ideas. The two of them explored various scenarios, weighing the pros and cons of different approaches, and ultimately striving to find common ground that would serve the interests of both parties.

Throughout the conversation, Matthew's tone remained polite but firm, maintaining a sense of authority and control. He conveyed his confidence in his company's capabilities, emphasizing the value they could bring to the proposed collaboration. At the same time, he listened carefully to Richard's input, demonstrating his willingness to consider alternative perspectives.

As the conversation neared its conclusion, both parties expressed a shared optimism and eagerness to move forward. They agreed to further explore the details of the collaboration, scheduling subsequent meetings to delve into specific aspects and iron out any remaining concerns.

Matthew concluded the call with a note of gratitude, "Thank you for reaching out, Richard. I appreciate your time and the opportunity to discuss this potential partnership. I look forward to our continued dialogue and the possibility of working together."

Richard reciprocates the sentiment, "Likewise, Matthew. It's been a pleasure speaking with you. I believe we have the foundation for a fruitful collaboration. Let's keep the momentum going and see where this takes us."

With the call concluded, Matthew ended the conversation on a positive note. He took a moment to reflect on the discussion, the potential opportunities it presented, and the impact it could have on his company's growth. Satisfied with the progress made, he turned his attention back to Isabelle.

Isabelle, wanting to discuss Rose with Matthew, went to change her shoes at the entrance and then sat on a nearby single sofa, patiently waiting. Matthew appeared flamboyant and dismissive, holding a lit cigarette while talking on the phone.

Isabelle took out her phone and messaged Rose and Ethan, instructing them to go home early while she dealt with Matthew. Ethan responded with a simple "ok," but Rose seems remorseful.

Isabelle warned her, "Damn it, aren't you afraid Matthew will harm you? He's known for his unpredictable behavior."

Rose expressed regret and concern, fearing Matthew might use the incident as an excuse to retaliate. Isabelle found amusement in Rose's message and was about to reply when Matthew's shadow fell over her.

Glancing up, Isabelle noticed Mathew looking at her phone screen. He raised an eyebrow in question. Isabelle faltered, unsure how to respond.

With a smug expression, Mathew leaned closer to her ear, his voice dripping with seduction, "Want to give it a try? I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Isabelle's eyes twitched, and she retorted, "Not interested."

Matthew turned to face her, a playful glint in his eyes. "No interest?"

Sincerely, Isabelle maintained her stance. "No interest."

Matthew's attractive eyes narrowed as he challenged her, "How do you know you're not interested if you don't give it a try?"

Isabelle, feeling a sense of rebellion, turned to meet his gaze, her lips slightly parted. "Your skills are too poor. I remember it very clearly."

A surge of emotion passed through Matthew's narrowed eyes, surprising Isabelle, she had never seen Matthew looked so emotional. At that moment, she regretted her impulsive words. Why couldn't she remain calm?

Just as Isabelle thought Matthew would grow angry, he straightened up and smirked. Rolling up his sleeves, he deliberately misinterpreted her words, saying, "It's been three months since that happened. I thought you had long forgotten. I didn't expect you to remember so clearly."

Knowing she couldn't win an argument with words, Isabelle chose to remain silent, remembering a valuable lesson learned while growing up in the Ace family.

Matthew glanced at her, realizing she had nothing more to say. He stretched his legs and leisurely made his way to the sofa, where he sat down. He spoke lazily, "Make me a meal... There are ingredients... in the fridge."

Isabelle stood up and walked toward the fridge, aware of their lingering eye contact. The open kitchen design allowed them to maintain a visual connection.

As Isabelle stepped into Matthew's kitchen, she was immediately struck by its elegant and luxurious design. The room was spacious and well-lit, with large windows that allowed natural sunlight to flood in during the day. The walls were painted in a soothing pale blue, complementing the gleaming white marble countertops and pristine stainless steel appliances.

Though married to Matthew, this was the first time he had requested of her to cook for him, in his own personal apartment.

The kitchen was fully equipped with the latest gadgets and tools, showcasing Matthew's passion for food and delicacies. A state-of-the-art oven, a professional-grade stove, and a massive refrigerator adorned the walls, indicating Matthew's dedication to culinary endeavors.

As she scanned the room, Isabelle couldn't help but notice how stuffed the kitchen was with an abundance of food ingredients. The refrigerator was overflowing with fresh produce, dairy products, and various condiments. The shelves were lined with an impressive array of spices, herbs, and sauces, meticulously organized and neatly labeled, a testament to the loneliness and unusage of the kitchen.

However, amidst the bountiful display of fresh ingredients, Isabelle also spotted some items that had gone bad. A container of strawberries had turned moldy, a half-empty carton of milk had expired, and a bag of spinach had wilted beyond redemption. As she took in the sight, she couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "Ah, Matthew."

Without wasting any time, Isabelle donned a pair of disposable gloves and set to work disposing of the spoiled food items, she had determined not to spend the night in Matthew's apartment. She carefully separated them from the fresh produce, ensuring that the kitchen would be free from any potential health hazards. Matthew's otherwise immaculate kitchen was now clean and ready for her to create a delicious meal.

Turning her attention to the stove, Isabelle decided to prepare a savory pasta dish. She filled a large pot with water and set it on the stove to boil. As she waited for the water to heat up, she gathered the ingredients she would need for the sauce.

Isabelle found fresh tomatoes, garlic, onions, and basil among the supplies. She skillfully diced the tomatoes, minced the garlic, and finely chopped the onions, all the while reveling in the vibrant colors and enticing aromas filling the air. Next, she plucked some fragrant basil leaves from a potted plant on the windowsill, adding a touch of freshness to the dish.

With the water now boiling, Isabelle added a generous amount of salt and a splash of olive oil to the pot before dropping in the pasta. As the pasta cooked, she turned her attention back to the sauce. In a separate pan, she drizzled some olive oil and sautéed the garlic and onions until they turned golden and aromatic.

Once the onions were translucent, Isabelle added the diced tomatoes to the pan, letting them simmer gently. The kitchen was now filled with the delightful aroma of the tomato sauce mingling with the fragrant basil. Isabelle couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction as she stirred the sauce, watching the flavors meld together.

As the pasta reached the perfect al dente texture, Isabelle drained it and added it to the pan with the tomato sauce. She tossed the pasta until it was thoroughly coated with the rich, velvety sauce, the vibrant red hue contrasting beautifully with the ivory-colored pasta.

To add a touch of indulgence to the dish, Isabelle grated some fresh Parmesan cheese and sprinkled it over the pasta. The nutty aroma of the cheese filled the kitchen, making her mouth water in anticipation. Finally, she garnished the pasta with a few extra basil leaves, adding a burst of color to the already tantalizing dish.

During a lull in the cooking process, Isabelle glanced toward Matthew, who was engrossed in reading an email on his tablet. She said, "Matthew."

Raising his gaze to meet hers, he asked, "Want to talk about Rose?"

"Yes," Isabelle replied.

Matthew shifted his attention back to his tablet, his voice lowered. "Rest assured, you are my mate after all. I will give you that face."

Feeling a sense of relief, Isabelle lowered her head and continued with the cooking.

With the meal now ready, Isabelle plated the pasta and carried it to the dining table. The savory aroma wafted through the air, inviting Matthew to join her for dinner.

Hearing the clattering sound, Matthew stood up and joined her at the table, observing, "Only one portion and one plate...?"

Isabelle responded, "There's more in the pot."

Matthew pulled out a chair and sat down, his gaze downcast. He spoke softly, "Go and get your cutlery, and join me."

After a brief contemplation, Isabelle decided not to argue. She, too, hadn't eaten dinner that night. They silently ate their meal, each lost in their own thoughts.

Once they finished, Matthew wiped his mouth with a napkin and leaned back

in his chair. He looked at Isabelle, his voice softening, "Do you still like Alex?"

Surprised by his question, Isabelle hesitated for a moment.