Chapter 55

Chapter 55

Isabella's face turned slightly pale, her fingertips clenched tight, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Actually, some of what these people said wasn't wrong. She really didn't fit in here, and honestly, if it weren't for William, she would never attend a party like this in her entire life.

Precisely because of this, she knew her status was too low to stand beside an outstanding man like William, which was why she had repeatedly rejected his pursuit.

But even though she had mentally prepared herself, being mocked and belittled so bluntly still made her feel suffocated.

This kind of class-based contempt wasn't something just she couldn't handle—any ordinary person would feel the same way.

Isabella suddenly felt a bit grateful.

Grateful that she hadn't accepted William's confession back then.

But she also suddenly felt regret.

Regret for agreeing to come to this party with William.

Just as Isabella's heart was racing with anxiety, almost unable to breathe, a warm and strong hand suddenly covered her waist.

The grip was steady, carrying an undeniable possessiveness. With a gentle pull, he drew her entire body into his embrace, holding her tightly against his side.

Isabella froze, looking up at William with shock in her eyes.

Had William lost his mind? Actually putting his arm around her waist in public?

William's expression remained indifferent, his deep eyes sweeping over those who had just been gossiping, his gaze cold as ice, carrying an intimidating pressure.

Though he said nothing, the powerful aura radiating from him instantly silenced those who had been whispering moments ago.

The people who had mocked Isabella turned pale, hurriedly looking away, not daring to make another sound, afraid that one more word would displease William.

William was someone even their parents wouldn't dare offend, let alone them.

The surroundings fell silent. William looked down at Isabella's pale face in his arms, his thin lips curving slightly, his voice low and clear, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear perfectly.

"My person is not for anyone to comment on."

One simple sentence, powerful and absolute, showing his dominance and protectiveness.

At this moment, not just Isabella, but everyone else's eyes were filled with shock and disbelief.

Who didn't know William?

As the head of the Brown Group, young and accomplished, ruthless in his methods, worth billions, he was someone the entire business world had to be wary of.

He was cold by nature, never close to women, had never had any woman by his side, let alone publicly holding a woman like this and defending her, with such an intimate attitude.

And yet, this woman was just a secretary?

This scene shattered everyone's understanding.

Isabella's heartbeat accelerated, her nerves almost suffocating her.

But at this moment, leaning against William's solid chest, listening to his steady and strong heartbeat, feeling the warm touch from his hand on her waist, with his crisp scent lingering at her nose, Isabella's originally panicked and anxious heart miraculously calmed down.

Since childhood, only William had ever firmly protected her.

How could she not be happy?

Isabella's eyes grew slightly warm, a complex emotion welling up in her heart.

There was surprise, there was anxiety, but most of all, there was gratitude she couldn't hide.

She was truly grateful to William, but... they were from two different worlds after all. Between them, there could be no future.

Isabella lowered her eyes, hiding the fleeting loneliness in them.

She almost instantly composed her emotions, returning to her usual fawning manner, leaning close to William's ear and whispering.

"Mr. Brown, thank you for helping me out!"

A faint smile appeared in William's deep eyes.

"How do you plan to repay me?"

Isabella was stunned.

Repay?

She had only come here because of William, and now William wanted her to repay him?

So her earlier gratitude was for nothing.

Isabella pouted and said nothing.

Just then, a small commotion came from the banquet hall entrance. Two figures walked in slowly, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

Isabella looked over with everyone else and saw the man in front with an upright posture and rugged features, his eyes carrying a casual coldness—it was Stanley.

So this was the man Saskia liked?

At the bar before, she hadn't seen him clearly, but now it seemed Stanley was indeed handsome.

And beside him was Amelia.

As soon as Amelia entered, her gaze fell directly on William, her eyes flashing with determined affection.

But when she saw Isabella held tightly in William's arms, her expression instantly darkened, jealousy and disgust openly showing on her face.

That bitch Isabella was still clinging to William! It was absolutely disgusting!

"William, I didn't expect you'd come to this party."

Amelia walked forward with a smile, yanking Isabella aside while trying to link her arm intimately with William's.

But before she could touch William's hand, he calmly avoided her.

A trace of impatience flashed in William's eyes.

"I'm not here because of you, I'm here because of Stanley."

The smile on Amelia's face instantly froze, resentment showing in her eyes.

Isabella had been pulled by Amelia and lost her footing.

Just as Isabella steadied herself and looked up, she noticed Stanley looking her up and down with cold eyes. Those beast-like eyes carried undisguised hostility and scrutiny, as if looking at an intruder who didn't know her place and was trying to climb up the social ladder.

Isabella felt uncomfortable under his gaze and instinctively wanted to step back. The next second, William put his arm around her shoulders.

William tightened his grip, calming her emotions. Only then did Isabella relax.

William was right here—what did she have to fear?

Seeing William so cold to her yet so protective of Isabella, Amelia's jealousy burned even fiercer. She immediately raised her chin, looking down at Isabella with a sharp, bitter tone.

"William, the Martinez family's party isn't for just anyone to enter. How could you bring a secretary here?"

Amelia deliberately said this loudly, her eyes contemptuously sweeping over Isabella's dress, full of disdain.

"Dressing like this and daring to come to the Martinez family's party—I bet you can't even afford a decent piece of jewelry, right? Look at yourself and your status. Do you really deserve to stand beside William?"

Isabella's face turned slightly pale, but she didn't argue back. She just stood quietly beside William, eyes lowered, saying nothing.

The dress was chosen by William. Amelia's words would only displease William.

Besides, she didn't need to defend herself. Arguing with Amelia in this setting would only make her more of a joke in everyone's eyes, the more she said.

And she didn't want to cause trouble for William.

William's expression instantly darkened, the pressure around him dropping sharply, his deep eyes bone-chillingly cold.