Chapter 87
Isabella's voice was light and brisk as she replied to Marina, "It's none of your business, but if you want details, I can tell you. I'm just not interested."
Marina's expression froze instantly, her cheeks flushing with annoyance. "You—"
"Isabella."
Vitale wrapped his arm around Isabella's shoulder and said to Marina, "Marina, Isabella needs to rest. The flight was exhausting."
Marina opened her mouth to say something, but Vitale had already turned away, leading Isabella with him.
Judy stood a few steps away, taking in the whole scene.
Before boarding the plane, Vitale had been cold toward Isabella. Judy even thought that the rumored blonde accountant who had supposedly captivated Vitale had fallen out of favor.
But after the one-hour flight, everything had changed.
The way Vitale looked at Isabella was possessive.
It seemed Isabella's position was more secure—and more dangerous—than Judy had imagined.
By the time the group arrived at the hotel in the Vesperia countryside, it was already evening.
Henley went to the front desk to check in but returned quickly, looking a bit embarrassed.
He whispered to Vitale, glancing at Isabella, "The front desk says Mr. Rossi booked all the rooms, but our reservation was somehow missed."
Vitale's expression didn't change, but Isabella noticed the muscles in his jaw tighten.
He strode to the front desk, with Isabella, Marina, and Judy following behind.
A blonde woman stood behind the counter and greeted them in fluent Eldorian, "Good evening, sir. How can I help you?"
Vitale responded in Eldorian, "We reserved three rooms."
The blonde woman typed on her computer for a moment before saying, "I'm very sorry, sir. The hotel is fully booked tonight. Mr. Rossi has reserved the entire estate for an event, and all rooms are allocated to invited guests. I don't see your reservation in our system."
Isabella frowned and leaned in to whisper to Vitale, "Is this party such a big deal? They're even making trouble over our rooms?"
A cold glint flashed in Vitale's blue eyes. "Damn, Blake. He deliberately didn't book rooms for us. He wants to test my reaction, to see if I'll get angry over something small like this or just give in."
Marina crossed her arms, her gaze sweeping over Isabella. "No, I think he's just trying to mess with Isabella."
Judy nodded, her voice calm. "Yeah, Mr. Rossi doesn't like being questioned in public, especially by a young female accountant."
Isabella's heart sank. "So this is revenge?"
Vitale didn't answer. He pulled a business card from the inner pocket of his suit and slid it across to the blonde woman.
"Check again. Use this card."
The woman looked down at the card, unable to hide her panic.
She picked it up, her fingers trembling slightly, and turned back to the computer.
A few seconds later, she looked up with a forced smile. "Mr. Luca! I'm so sorry, I didn't recognize you earlier. Yes, we do have your reservation! Three suites, all ready, with the best views overlooking the vineyard and sunset."
She quickly prepared the key cards and handed them over with both hands, her eyes landing on Isabella. "And this miss is...?"
"Isabella," Isabella answered for herself. "Mr. Luca's executive assistant and chief accountant."
The woman glanced at Vitale, as if waiting for confirmation.
"She's with me," he said.
The hint of threat in Vitale's voice made the woman lower her head immediately. She made another key card and handed it to Isabella with both hands.
Isabella took the card; it felt cold in her hand.
She held it up, a sarcastic smile tugging at her lips. "Mr. Luca is really something. One business card, and suddenly there are rooms. Good thing we're not sleeping under a bridge."
Vitale narrowed his eyes and suddenly reached out, pulling Isabella closer.
He took the key card from her hand and, to everyone's shock, slipped it into the cleavage of her chest.
His lips brushed near her ear as he whispered, "I hope you stay beautiful tonight."
Isabella felt a rush of heat spread from her chest through her whole body.
"I will."
"I hope tonight you'll come to my bedside on your own and sing me a lullaby."
Isabella's face instantly burned red.
Her body felt weak, her knees trembling slightly—not from fear, but from desire and a strange kind of excitement.
Just then, a voice rang out.
A voice so familiar it sent a chill down Isabella's spine and froze her blood.
"Vitale! Old friend!"
The voice came from the hotel entrance, carrying the warm, distinctive tone of an Eldorian native.
Isabella's muscles tensed up instantly.
Isabella wished time would stop, wished it was just an illusion.
But the footsteps approached, steady and calm.
Vitale sensed the change in Isabella.
His arm around her waist tightened, and his other hand lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. "Isabella?"
She didn't answer.
Her gaze moved past his shoulder, toward the source of the voice, and her pupils suddenly contracted.
The man walked in.
Time seemed to have been especially kind to him.
He was just as handsome as Isabella remembered.
He wore a tailored light gray suit, no tie, with the top two buttons of his shirt undone, revealing tanned skin and a strong chest.
He looked like a model straight out of a fashion magazine or the kind of charming villain in a movie that makes you fall for him at first sight.
But what Isabella saw wasn't charm—it was terror.
That alley behind the university library, where he pinned her against the wall, his hand covering her mouth, his breath reeking of alcohol.
The shirt he tore as she struggled.
The pressure of his knee is forcing its way between her legs.
And that helpless, suffocating fear.
If Chris hadn't happened to pass by, shouting that he'd call the police and rushing over, she might not have had her first night to give to Vitale.
She might have lost something precious to her in that damp, garbage-stinking alley, taken by this man through violence.
Ali Paul opened his arms wide and gave Vitale a hearty slap on the back.
"Long time no see! When I heard you were coming, I specifically asked Blake to let me handle the arrangements!" His voice was full of warmth. Then he turned his head, his gaze landing on Isabella's face.
"Isabella? My God, is it really you?"
Isabella felt her knees tremble.
She forced herself to stand tall, forced herself to breathe, but her chest still felt tight.
Ali reached out toward her, as if to hug her.
Instinctively, Isabella stepped back, hiding behind Vitale.
Vitale felt the trembling of her body, the coldness of her fingers, her silent fear.
He shifted sideways, using half his body to shield Isabella, his gaze locking onto Ali's face. His blue eyes narrowed, a predator-like sharpness flashing in them.
Vitale's voice carried a clear warning. "No need to be so friendly."
Ali paused for a moment, then raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Sorry, sorry! I'm just so surprised."
"I was Isabella's professor back in university. Seeing her here, I'm just thrilled. It's been so many years, and she's still as beautiful as ever, isn't she?"
He paused, his gaze shifting to Marina and Judy, his smile widening. "You ladies are beautiful, too."
Judy's cheeks flushed slightly.
Ali did have that kind of charm that could make a woman's heart race.
But Marina just let out a cold laugh, crossing her arms, her eyes moving between Isabella and Ali.
There was no surprise on her face, only a knowing indifference and a hint of pity.
She looked at Isabella like she was watching prey caught in a trap.
Vitale ignored Ali's compliments.
He tilted his head slightly, lowering his voice so only Isabella could hear. "What happened? Do you know him?"
Isabella forced herself to let go of the grip she had on his shirt.
She took a deep breath and stepped out from behind Vitale, standing by his side, her shoulder lightly brushing against his arm, drawing a small sense of security from it.
"It's nothing," her voice was steadier than she expected. "I'm just a bit tired. The flight, and the time difference."
Ali smiled, a smile that to Isabella looked like a snake baring its fangs. "Mr. Luca, Mr. Rossi asked me to bring you over. He's hosting a small wine tasting in the cellar, and a few important guests are there."
He looked at Isabella, his amber eyes gleaming. "I'm handling the contract negotiations on Mr. Rossi's side. I heard Isabella is managing yours? That's great! We can work together directly. What do you say, Isabella?"
Isabella told herself not to be afraid.
She remembered Aria's words: "Look the devil in the eye, Isabella. Fear is what feeds them."
She raised her head and looked straight at Ali.
"Yes," her voice was clear. "But there are issues with your contract. You haven't fixed the terms I pointed out last time. If you keep it as is, our collaboration might not go so smoothly."
Ali was taken aback for a moment, then laughed even more cheerfully.
He stepped forward, reaching out as if to pat Isabella's head, like a teacher with a student.
"You're still as serious as you were back in school."
"Don't worry, I'll make the changes. And I'll show them to you first, okay?"
Just as Ali's hand was about to touch Isabella's hair, the devil inside Vitale began to stir.