Chapter 15
Brooklyn Arts Center.
Isabella mod froze before an abstract painting
The canvas was dominated by fractured shades of blue–lice a shattered ocean. But if you looked closer, it resembled eyes crying!
She wore a simple beige hartleneck with straight–cut jeans today, the snowflake diamond on her left ring finger etching the gallery lights in brilliant flashes.]
“Good taste. It’s called ‘Spilled Water.
Isabella turned at the voice to find Lucas suddenly beside her, holding two cups of coffee.]]
He wore a dark gray hurtleneck that accentuated his sharp festures, with a bit of a smile behind his glasses.]]
“What are you doing here? Didn’t you have a meeting?
Isabella accepted the coffer. Her fingertips accidentally brushing against his–warm and dry]
Lucas shrugged. “Wrapped up early. My stant mentioned you were here. Thought you might need this.
He pulled a card from his pocket. There’s a small muction after the exhibition. If you like the painting, buy it.”
Isabella shook her head That’s too much.-||
Lucas tilted his head, eyes gleaming as he pushed the card closer. []
“Consider Itu wedding gift. He leaned closer to her est, his warm breath tickling her earlobe. Besides, dont forget–we’re the perfect couple now.”
His voice carried a leasing note. But Isabella noticed he wasn’t wearing cologne today, just the dean scent of aftershave
It felt more affecting than any performance he’d ever put on
Well, at Mrs. Montgomery anjoying herself-||
A sharp voice cut through their moment
Chloe strumed toward them ontfour inch heels, each step making a staccator click against the floor. Her red dress sliced through the quiet gallery like an open wound
Tabelle’s body visibly teased at the inund of Chloe’s voice. [
Lucas subtly stepped half a pace forward, positioning himself between them. “Miss Winslow. Didn’t expect in see you here.“]]
“Oli, It’s not a coincidence. I came specifically for her, she polested a crimson tipped finger straight at laabolta.
“Whers wrong? Too good to see me now that you’ve married a new rich husband?”||
Her to cut through the quiet gallery, drawing glances from several visitors
Isabella took a deep breath and stepped out from beland Lucas
“What do you waar, Chloe?”
Chlor’s gaze med over Isabella. Then she let out a sharp laugh
“Oh, drop the innocent ad Everyone knows Donate got tired of you, so you found yourself a new sugar daddy, I bet Mr. Montgomery here doesn’t know that you spent seven years with Dominie Hell, you even know his favorite facking positions in–||
SLAP
The crack of the slap dined through the gallery, Isabella’s hand hovered in the ale, still trembling from the impact[]
Chine dutched her check, eyes wide with shock. “You.. you hit me?“]
* right cld. That slap was to teach you what manners are
Dominic and I are over. So please stay the fuck out of my way.
foe’s eyes flashed with fury. She raised her coffee cup and flung its contents toward tabella [
Laras reacted with lightning reflexes, pulling Isabella aside. The entire cup of coffee splashed across his own clothes instead.
“Security”
Lucar’s authoritative command brought two guards running immediately
Lucas stood protectively in front of Isabella, careful not to let the coffee–stained shirt touch her. But his protective stance made their intimacy clear to everyone.
Though his voice wasn’t loud, it carried enough for everyone nearby to hear clearly. “Escort this woman out, and notify all Montgomery Group properties Chloe Winslow is permanently banned“]
Chloe’s face went sheet white. You can’t do that”
“Why not?
Lucas removed his coffee stained glasses with casual indifference. Been too busy to keep up with the news, Chlor?
Without his glasses, his sharp gaze cut right through her ||
This morning, the Montgomery Media Group successfully acquired thiny percent of your Esther’s company shares.”
He cleaned his glasses as he continued. “Oh, and by the way
Lucas lowered his voice, but kept it just loud enough for Chloe. Those vacation photos from the Maldives last year–you looked absolutely radiant. That geodeman with you looked rather familiar too. Mr, Brnoon, wasn’t it?
All color drained from Chloe’s face. Lucas hadn’t explicitly stated anything, but she understood perfectly.
The “Mr. Brockton he mentioned was a married man.
“You how did you. 7“]
If Lucas new shout this, what else might he know?
Chloe didn’t dare contemplate is further. But the next moment, security guards appeared at her sides ||
“Take her out.”
Lucas put his glasses back on, the picture of civilized composure with a slight smile playing on his Lips. The security guards immediately escorted a struggling
Chloe toward the exit.
Overwhelming panic drowned her Chloe fought against their grip and screamed. “Isabella! You think he really gives a shit about you? He’s just–1
The doors closed behind her, putting off her words mid sentence.
As Isabella recovered from the shock, she realized she’d been clutching the hom of Lucas’s sweater the entire time. She quickly released it, noticing the fabric had been wrinkled in her grip
I’m sorry….
Lacas reached for her trembling and instead. “Dont worry about it.
He looked toward the “Spilled Water” painting. “Do you like it
Isabella nodded, then immediately shook her head. The too sad..
“But honest,” L
Lucas replied. He raised his hand, signaling to a staff me. “After the exhibition, send it to my address.”
Neither felt like continuing through the exhibition ||
Do the drive home, Isabella remained silent. Lacas didn’t press her. He simply turned up the heat in the car.
The car came to a stop in front of the mansion. Isabella finally asked. “Those photos.. do you actually have them?|
What she really wanted to know was whether Chlors affair was real
Lucas turned to look at her, his expression complex. “Does it matter whether I do or non-
silence filled the car, broken only by the soft ucking of Lucas’s wristwatch.
“No,” bella said, meeting his gaze.” just wanted to thank you.”
Lucas kept his eyes on her, a hint of something dark flickering in his gaze.
You should understand something. Even if our marriage is a business arrangement, the title of ‘Mrs. Montgomery isn’t. It’s not just for show.”
isabella caught the faint scent of coffee still lingering on him
Trom the moment you put on that ring nobody fucks with you.”
The gavity in his voter made bell book up, finding herself caught in Lucas’s intense gaze.
There was more of his usual mockery there. In the dim light of the car, his eyes held something dark and
Tabella’s palms grew damp, and she unconsciously leaned back
But the car door was right behind her–there was nowhere left to retreat
Liss gare darkened before he looked away, his practiced carefree smile returning to his face
There’s a charity gala tought I’ve had adress delivered for you. Till pick you up at seven
Tabella nodded her eyes tracking him as he walked around the car to open her door.
I unreadable. [
As the passed in, as leaned in. The photos are real. Not just Mr. Brockion. There’s also Chairman Smith, the young Mr. Brown…
Brabelling head snapped up finding tucs’s expression calm to the point of coldness
If you want those files ca be on every media editors desk by tomorrow morning I
