Chapter 107: Isabe''S Counterattack


    Chapter 107: Isabe''s Counterattack


    Standing in front of the dressing room mirror, Isabe gazed at herself in a white chiffon dress


    adorned with light blue floral patterns. It was a sleeveless dress that managed to be modest while


    entuating her waist perfectly. The lower part hugged her curves down to her knees, revealing her


    slender, straight legs.


    Isabe had paired the dress with ck high-heeled shoes, diamond earrings, and a ne. She


    had elegantly coiled her hair into a bun, and her makeup was subtle, enhancing her overall beauty.


    At least, standing beside Emanuele, no one would think she wasn''t worthy of him.


    "Isabe, you look beautiful," Emanuele suddenly appeared behind her, wrapping his arms around


    her waist. Isabe''s waist was indeed delicate and soft, making him not want to let go.


    Isabe, however, swatted his hands away. "Don''t touch me. You''ll mess it up."


    "You''ve be quite particr," Emanuele chuckled.


    Nevertheless, he didn''t heed her words and instead nted a kiss on her exposed corbone.


    "You truly are beautiful," Emanuele praised again.


    Isabe noticed Emanuele''s intense gaze and felt the kiss he''d left on her skin growing warmer. His


    emotions seemed deep, like vodka, making her feel precious to him. But on the other hand, she


    couldn''t help but think of the game rules Emanuele mentioned from time to time, which made her


    doubt his love for her. Love should be consistently felt, not on and off. This made her feel insecure.


    Of course, she wouldn''t bring this up with Emanuele. If she did, he''d only wear a smug grin and tell


    her she had lost in their game. Isabe didn''t want to face that kind of humiliation; it would be too


    hard to bear.


    Seeing Isabe''sposed demeanor, Emanuele smirked and, with a sudden pull, brought her


    closer into his embrace. He buried his head in the crook of her neck, his nose nuzzling her skin as


    he took a deep breath.


    Isabe felt like Emanuele wanted to devour her.


    "Isabe, why are you acting so cold toward me now?" Emanuele asked.


    "I don''t want to lose in our game," Isabe replied.


    Though Emanuele''s actions had ignited her passion and made her want to embrace him and nestle


    in his arms, she couldn''t help but fear that if she fully fell in love with him, he would use that love to


    threaten and control her. If she became the loser in their game, would she be at his mercy?


    Isabe dared not think further. When facing Emanuele, she had to remain calm.


    Emanuele continued to hold Isabe. "Well, Isabe, your idea is quite good."


    Isabe picked up her handbag and headed out. "Aren''t we runningte? Let''s go."


    After getting into the car, Emanuele gantly helped Isabe fasten her seatbelt and left a kiss on


    her lips. They appeared just like any other newlyweds, sweet and happy, but only Isabe knew


    about the underlying power struggle between them.


    She felt anxious about whaty ahead, as this was not just Emanuele''s birthday party but also their


    first public appearance as a married couple.


    Emanuele was surrounded by a lot of guards, so she didn''t need to worry about her safety. Her


    main concern was being under the scrutiny of so many people; would her nervousness cause her to


    make mistakes?


    She had always been an ordinary girl before, seldom participating in suchrge gatherings.


    Moreover, Chloe was present.


    Her uncle''s family had arrived, and before heading out, Isabe took an estazm to brace herself.


    She was afraid that encountering her aunt and Chloe might cause her emotions to spiral out of


    control.


    Even though she didn''t want to like Emanuele, she didn''t want to appear crazy in front of so many


    people either.


    Emanuele seemed to sense Isabe''s nervousness as he held her hand. "Nervous?"


    "A bit."


    "It''s okay. You can still do whatever you want, just like before. If you''re really afraid, you can stay by


    my side. It''s just a simple gathering; having fun is what matters most."


    Emanuele''s words rxed Isabe a bit. However, the anticipation of what was toe, especially


    Chloe''s presence, made her anxious.


    Soon, they arrived at the estate. Everything appeared the same as when Isabe hadst visited. It


    seemed that during this time, even when Leo and the others were overseas, there were still people


    taking care of things. However, the guards had significantly increased.


    Emanuele led Isabe into the hall, where the air was filled with people''sughter, ssical music


    resonating throughout the room.


    Seeing familiar faces in the living room, such as Leo, Sophia, and Grazia, brought Isabe a sense


    of nostalgia. But thoughts of Andrew, who always used to apany Grazia, making jokes and


    enlivening the atmosphere, now being absent made her feel deste.


    The atmosphere felt as though it had reverted to the past, yet some individuals were forever


    missing.


    In the gathering, Emanuele had many friends, but Isabe didn''t see rk. Honestly, it was better


    he didn''t show up, preventing an awkward encounter. Of course, rk had thick skin, and he was


    never short of femalepany, so he might not feel awkward.


    Many of her rtives had alsoe. Isabe noticed her uncle''s family. Her uncle and aunt were


    chatting with Sophia and Leo, and she spotted Chloe socializing nearby.


    After not seeing her for some time, Isabe felt Chloe''s impact on her had somewhat diminished.


    Seeing her didn''t make Isabe want to turn and run away, although she still felt a bit on edge.


    Emanuele looked at Isabe. "Aren''t you going to say hello to your uncle, aunt, and cousin?"


    Isabe snapped back to reality and headed towards them.


    "Isabe, I never expected you to marry Emanuele. I was actually nning for Chloe to marry him."


    Madelyn said. She even hugged Isabe and continued, "It seems like I was prevented from


    introducing Chloe to Emanuele due to Emanuele having a liking for you. I find it quite surprising that


    Emanuele, who''s so lively, would be attracted to someone as in and quiet as you, Isabe."


    Madelyn''s words and tone were clearly meant to mock Isabe, making her feel ufortable. It


    was apparent that Madelyn was displeased because Chloe didn''t marry Emanuele while Isabe


    did.


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    "That''s not entirely true. It was Emanuele''s choice, and Isabe is pretty," Sophia chimed in with a


    smile.


    Isabe felt ufortable under Madelyn''s scrutinizing gaze, both explicit and implied. Facing


    these people, she was still a bit nervous and scared, but not as panicked as before. Her time with


    Emanuele had helped her mature a lot.


    "What are you implying, Aunt? Are you suggesting that Chloe isn''t as attractive as me, and


    therefore couldn''t gain Emanuele''s favor?" Isabe countered her.