Bryan explained, "I need her cooperation. Just like you believed I had truly changed my heart, I have to make her believe that I genuinely want to marry her. My parents and sister are very smart; they can spot even the slightest flaw."
Henry asked, "Don't you think what you're doing will cause Victoria immense pain? Regardless of her past, whether she worked as a hostess or has many lovers, at least in name, she still holds her innocence. When you publicly marry her, making her friends and family envious, only to later abandon her, have you considered what tragedy might befall her?"
Bryan replied, "Her entire life has been about money. For a woman like her, money can heal all emotional wounds. Besides, over the past six months, despite my fervent pursuit and reaching the point of discussing marriage, and even getting the marriage certificate yesterday, I have never touched her. After the wedding, I'll let her name her price, ensuring she leaves with enough money to satisfy her. If she wishes, she can continue being supported by my father. I can't see how this wedding would cause her significant harm. Moreover, I am fully aware of her relationships with Erick, Charles, and other men, and she knows I know. When I make her leave the Davis family, she won't have any grounds to complain."
Henry shook his head, "Victoria doesn't seem like a foolish woman. Don't you think she has sensed that you're just using her to achieve some goal?"
Bryan explained, "I don't touch her because I pretend to be impotent in front of her, and I deliberately use a powdery substance to make her think it's a drug. She believes my addiction to that stuff far exceeds my interest in women. So, she never thought I didn't touch her because I disliked her or found her dirty, let alone that I was using her. Besides, dreaming is human nature. Since we have a marriage certificate, what does she have to doubt?"
Isabelle finally understood Bryan's true intentions and chose to believe everything he said. The previous disappointment and resentment vanished without a trace, and a long-lost radiant smile reappeared on her face.
Henry, however, was displeased. His secret love for Emily was one thing, but giving up on Isabelle was something he couldn't accept. He asked Bryan, "So, why did you call me here today?"
Bryan said, "First, I wanted to tell you that Isabelle is my woman. I heard you offended her but also saved her, for which I am very grateful. If you need anything, just ask, and I'll fulfill your wishes. Second, I don't want you interfering in my marriage with Victoria. I was puzzled before, wondering why you would force Victoria to leave me and marry Erick if you liked Isabelle. Isabelle just told me the real reason: you wanted to punish Victoria and Erick. If that's the case, you can delay it. Even if you wait until my wedding night to break into my bridal chamber and make Victoria fulfill her promise to you, that's fine."
Henry asked, "Why should I do that?"
Bryan smiled faintly, "Name your price. Ten million or a hundred million?"
Isabelle's heart leaped with joy when she heard Bryan was willing to spend ten million or even a hundred million for her.
Henry, however, said calmly, "Leave Isabelle."
"What?" Bryan didn't understand.
Henry said word by word, "I can follow your plan, but only on one condition: you leave Isabelle."
Isabelle was stunned. Usually, as a woman, she would love to have more men vying for her affection. But this was different. Bryan was the man she admired most in her life. Now that she understood Bryan's feelings, she didn't want anyone, including Henry, to disrupt their relationship.
"Henry..." Isabelle wanted to ask why but swallowed her words. She didn't fully understand Henry but knew how terrifying he could be when angry. If she said the wrong thing, Henry might cripple Bryan on the spot, and she wouldn't be able to undo it.
Henry looked coldly at Bryan, his peripheral vision catching Isabelle's expression, which made him feel a bit heartbroken and desperate.
Bryan's gaze also turned cold. "Henry, I can understand you liking Isabelle. Which man doesn't like beautiful women? And which beautiful woman doesn't have several men liking her? But if you think you can snatch food from my mouth, it's not that easy. Don't think that just because you handled Charles and Nathan, you can disregard me. Do you know how deep the waters run in Harbor Springs? Do you know the influence of the Davis Family Group in Harbor Springs? If you kill me, you'll be executed the next day. But if I kill you, it's no different than squashing an ant."
Seeing Bryan's face turn cold and his tone harden, Henry's interest piqued. This was exactly the state he had been waiting for. Otherwise, he wouldn't have had a reason or excuse to act in front of Isabelle.
"Bryan," Henry sneered, "why don't you try?"
Bryan suddenly stood up from his chair. Unlike other rich kids, Bryan, who stood at 6'1", was taller than Henry by a few inches. Not only was he handsome, but he was also well-built. What outsiders didn't know was that, being the only son, his parents had sought out famous masters to teach him martial arts. When it came to martial arts, Henry might not know more than him. However, Bryan was low-key and usually used money to solve problems, so few people knew he was a hidden martial arts expert. Even Isabelle didn't know this.
He believed that one punch could turn Henry into a vegetable, and he had the strength to back it up, provided his punch landed on Henry's head.
But as he stood up, he froze. Henry had also stood up, and in a flash, had drawn a Desert Eagle from his waist, pressing it against Bryan's forehead. Henry didn't say a word, but his gaze told Bryan that if he moved, Henry would indeed shoot. Henry's eyes were cold, determined, and filled with killing intent. Bryan had never seen anyone so murderous as Henry.