Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Christopher was implying that he had finished his meeting a while ago but didn't disturb Isabella because she was asleep.
He was suggesting that Isabella was unfairly accusing him.
Isabella's face showed a hint of embarrassment. She stood up and walked over to him. "Mr. Harrison, I wanted to ask what's wrong with this proposal?"
Amy, who had always been friendly to her, was uncharacteristically cold today.
Isabella quickly understood that Nexus Technologies' higher-ups were giving Amy a hard time because of Vertix Atelier's proposal, and Amy was taking it out on her.
If the project with Nexus Technologies went wrong, it wouldn't just affect Chloe and Hannah; it would also impact Vertix Atelier.
Without waiting for Christopher's reply, she continued, "Mr. Harrison, if it's me who's giving you a bad impression of Vertix Atelier, you can say so. I can leave the project, but please don't make things difficult for Vertix Atelier because of personal reasons."
Christopher's deep eyes fell on Isabella, his voice carrying a chilling coldness. "Leave? Like you did two years ago, without a word?"
Two years ago?
Isabella's heart sank. Two years ago, he had said such harsh words, yet he could still bring up the past so casually.
Seeing Isabella not respond, seemingly lost in thought, Christopher angrily stood up and approached her. He grabbed her chin firmly, his eyes blazing with an anger that seemed capable of consuming her.
"Isabella, the Nexus Technologies project must be handled by you. If you leave this project, Vertix Atelier will suffer a devastating blow because of you."
The sun had long set, and the streetlights outside were gradually lighting up, casting a dim glow. The autumn chill finally seeped into Isabella's heart through her limbs.
Just as she was about to speak, her phone rang.
Isabella took out her phone, and Benjamin's name lit up on the screen.
Before Isabella could answer, Christopher grabbed the phone and pressed the hang-up button.
The large office returned to silence.
"And I don't like that guy. But if you have time, you can ask him if he likes the air in Eldridgeville."
Christopher's tone was calm, as if he was casually discussing what he had eaten today.
But Isabella heard the threat in his voice. It turned out Benjamin was sent to Eldridgeville because of her.
She looked up at Christopher's remarkably handsome face. Yes, this was the Christopher she knew.
Arrogant and aloof, no matter how politely he pretended to be, the malice in his bones couldn't be hidden.
Isabella smiled inwardly, her cold eyes falling on Christopher's face, speaking formally.
"Mr. Harrison, rest assured, I will follow through with the Nexus Technologies project. But please keep your promise not to make things difficult for Vertix Atelier, nor for Benjamin. If there's nothing else, I'll be going."
Isabella's words were polite and appropriate.
But it seemed to drain all her energy.
She relied on her willpower, stubbornly maintaining eye contact with Christopher.
Christopher heard the full protection for Benjamin in her words.
That was just a cheap man, yet he was worthy of such care from her.
Christopher said nothing and walked straight out of the office.
As the sound of his footsteps faded, Isabella finally let go of her strength, nearly collapsing.
When she left Christopher's office, Lena was watching her like a hawk.
Isabella didn't have the energy to deal with her, so she headed straight for the elevator.
After leaving the company, Christopher arranged to meet Earl and Joseph Miller at a bar.
When Earl and Joseph walked in, Christopher was lounging on the sofa with a half-empty bottle of liquor beside him.
Earl laughed and sat next to him. "Hey, Christopher! We've been trying to get you to come out for drinks, but you've been busy. What's up today?"
Christopher glanced at him and downed his drink. "Just had some free time. Maybe I should try acquiring your Brown Group?"
"Alright, alright, I apologize. Can't even joke around," Earl quickly refilled his glass, pleading with a smile. "With Nexus Technologies soaring, Brown Group doesn't stand a chance. Don't mess with us. But if there's a good project, don't forget us."
Joseph laughed too. Known as a playboy in their circle, he wouldn't settle for simply drinking.
He went out and brought back some hostesses.
Joseph pushed two heavily made-up hostesses toward Christopher and took two others to the adjacent sofa, his fingers wandering over their waists, laughter filling the room, turning the private booth into a lively scene.
The two hostesses beside Christopher clearly knew the rules of such occasions. They sat close to him, the scent of their perfume enveloping him.
It was a cloyingly sweet, cheap perfume mixed with the smell of alcohol, hitting his nose.
One of them, wearing a short off-shoulder dress, deliberately rested her elbow on Christopher's arm, her soft body pressing against him, her voice flirtatious.
The other picked up a glass of liquor from the table and brought it to Christopher's lips, her fingertips brushing his lips.
In the past, Christopher might have gone along with their flirting, even wrapping his arm around their waists, doing something more outrageous.
But today, as the woman's hair brushed his neck, Isabella's cold eyes flashed in his mind.
Christopher wanted to destroy the coldness in those eyes.
Like two years ago, make her eyes filled with desire, completely submitting to him.
He tugged at his tie and took the glass, downing the strong liquor, his voice hoarse. "Leave."
The two women were stunned, not sure what had displeased Christopher, then looked to Joseph for help.
Joseph pushed away the women beside him and sat next to Christopher, teasing. "Why so unhappy today? Looks like you're drinking to drown your sorrows."
"What do I have to be unhappy about?" Christopher replied.
"True," Joseph nodded, thinking seriously. "With Nexus Technologies thriving and your family relations harmonious, it must be about a woman?"
His words seemed to hit a nerve with Earl.
Earl jumped up. "What woman? You can't mean that woman, right?"