Grazia and Ro’s engagement banquet was rtively simple, attended by their closest friends and family. Sophia and Leo also returned the day before.


    Watching Grazia and Ro holding hands, Isabe felt a heaviness in her heart. Emanuele was busy with socializing, leaving Isabe sitting in a corner, sipping champagne.


    Perhaps Grazia and Ro would genuinely be happy together. At least, at this moment, when Ro spoke to Grazia, his eyes held a gentle smile, appearing genuinely tender.


    After the second ss of champagne, Isabe felt difort in her stomach. It dawned on her that she hadn’t eaten tonight, and drinking on an empty stomach was making her uneasy.


    A burning sensation spread in her stomach, causing pain. Grazia noticed Isabe and left Ro to approach her, “Isabe, are you okay? You look a bit pale.”


    “I’m fine,” Isabe replied, her gaze fixed on Grazia’s face, noticing a hint of weariness beneath her makeup.


    Grazia wasn’t as happy as she pretended to be.


    “Grazia, I genuinely wish you happiness,” Isabe said.


    “I’ll be fine. Just like you and Emanuele, no one believed in you at first, but now it’s all good,” Grazia smiled at Isabe.


    Is it really good? It’s just a fa?ade.


    Isabe once thought marrying Emanuele would bring happiness, but he repeatedly reminded her that their rtionship was just a game. He desired her body, so he chose her, but he didn’t love her. This realization made Isabe gradually lose the will to love Emanuele; she didn’t want to be a loser in their game.


    However, she didn’t want Grazia to worry, so she kept these thoughts to herself.


    “I can see that Ro is much gentler than thest time we met. He’s taking good care of you tonight,” Isabe remarked.


    “Thank you,” Grazia smiled.


    After Grazia left, Isabe sat for a while, feeling increasingly ufortable. She found a restroom and rushed in to vomit.


    She emptied her stomach, even bringing up bile, relieving some difort. Weakly leaning on the sink, she turned on the tap, sshing water on her face to regain some rity.


    Her body still trembled, was she getting sick? Isabe stared at her pale reflection in the mirror, feeling a bit dazed.


    After a brief moment in the restroom, when Isabe felt she could manage, she slowly walked out.


    As she entered the banquet hall, her hand was grabbed by someone.


    “Where did you go? You missed the announcement.”


    Looking at the tall man in front of her, Isabe whispered, “I just went to the restroom.”


    She had no strength to struggle. Even the thought of leaning into Emanuele’s arms crossed her mind. She didn’t understand why her body suddenly felt so weak.


    Was it because she had been too worriedtely? Did her physical difort result from emotional stress?


    Her body was like this-no illnesses on ordinary days, but once her mood soured, serious physical problems would arise.


    Previously, when Chloe tormented her to the brink of insanity, she felt the same way. Now that Chloe was gone, she thought nothing could affect her anymore. But then, this happened.


    “Your face looks very pale, Isabe. I’ll take you to see a doctor,” Emanuele said, frowning with concern.


    Isabe shook her head, “I’m fine. I don’t need to see a doctor. I’m just too worried about Grazia.”


    Emanuele’s gray-brown eyes stared intensely at Isabe, filled with anger, and his face grew somewhat grim. “Isabe, do you not trust Grazia, or do you not trust me? Even in an arranged marriage, I wouldn’t just find any man for Grazia to marry. Ro is a good man, loyal, gentle, though somewhat suspicious. But as long as you’re by his side, he’ll do everything to protect her. He’s powerful, and with Grazia around, she won’t face the dangers here in Chicago.”Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.


    He felt angry that Isabe’s concern for Grazia led to her physical difort.


    Isabe was torn between belief and doubt. Grazia was her second-best friend, after Evelyn, and she genuinely wanted her to be happy.


    Soon, someone else approached Emanuele for a conversation. Isabe recognized him as Isidoro, the head of the Mexican Mafia.


    “My men just informed me that they’ve got information on Frederick.”


    “Let’s talk over there,” Emanuele said to Isidoro.


    He nced at Isabe, “Are you sure you’re okay?”


    “I’m fine.”


    After instructing Tony to take care of Isabe, Emanuele left. Isabe knew Emanuele had important matters to attend to. The person Isidoro mentioned, she recalled, was the Sicilian mob boss Emanuele had been looking for?


    Isabe remained seated in the corner, this time opting for water instead of alcohol.


    The banquet wasing to an end.


    “Hey, Isabe, long time no see!” A sunny voice came from beside her, making it feel like a delightful sunbath on the beach.


    Isabe turned to see rk.


    It had indeed been a long time since theyst met, not since the time they almost got married. Isabe nodded at him. She genuinely liked this sunny guy-more like the fondness between friends.


    Emanuele had mentioned they were both clerics, heads of criminal organizations, part of an organization formed to maintain peace between the world’s major crime syndicates.


    rk was the head of the Canadian Mafia. However, you couldn’t tell from him that he was a crime boss. He seemed so sunny and cheerful, giving off the vibe of a gentleman from some reputable family.


    In reality, the Campbell family had gradually whitewashed their image, establishing the Campbell Group. rk was the public face of the group, a young and sessful CEO who had even appeared in a few mainstream interviews.


    Thepany seemed entirely legitimate, with many employees graduating from respectable universities. However, behind the scenes, they used thepany’s facade tounder money discreetly.


    “I suppose I should address you as Mrs. Lombardi now,” rk teased Isabe.


    “Don’t say such things. It’s been so long; what have you been up to?”


    She hadn’t seen rk during Emanuele’s birthday banquet.


    “Why are you so concerned about me? Don’t let your husband find out,” rk joked.


    He hadn’t been around because he went back to Canada; there were some issues with thepany that needed his urgent attention.


    Isabe shrugged, taking a sip of water. She didn’t think Emanuele would be jealous just because she cared about rk. After all, he didn’t have any romantic feelings for her.


    “But, Isabe, you’ve be even more beautiful after all this time. Looks like Emanuele spoils you a lot.”


    “Don’t tease me. We even had an argument.”


    “Howe? I’m serious. Why did you quarrel with Emanuele?” rk was genuinely curious. He wasn’t joking; he did find Isabe more attractive.


    Before, Isabe was a lively young girl, full of youthful vigor. Now, alongside that youthfulness, she had gained a touch of femininity and a noble sense of solemnity.


    Her refined demeanor was more captivating to rk, but unfortunately, she was now Emanuele’s woman.