Chapter 64

Chapter 64

The moment Isabella heard William's words, she froze in place as if struck by lightning, unable to move.

The next second, her cheeks flushed bright red at a visible speed, spreading from her ears all the way down to her neck. Even her fingertips felt slightly hot from embarrassment.

She never expected that the expensive necklace she was so sure William had sent wasn't from him at all. Instead, she'd made William think she had another admirer!

This was so embarrassing!

Isabella felt overwhelmed by a huge wave of awkwardness. For a moment, she couldn't even speak properly and could only wave her hands frantically.

"Mr. Brown, no! You've completely misunderstood! I have no idea who sent this necklace. I just assumed... assumed it was from you, so I came to return it. I don't have any admirers, and I certainly didn't reject you because of someone else!"

Her voice carried a barely noticeable tremor, and she spoke so quickly and urgently, terrified that William would actually believe what she'd said in anger earlier.

William pressed his thin lips together, casually closed the jewelry box, and looked up at Isabella. His deep eyes churned with intense jealousy and a hint of barely detectable hurt.

He admitted he'd been deliberately mocking her just now, but seeing Isabella's flustered state didn't ease the irritation in his heart—it only grew stronger.

"Not from me, but you don't have any admirers either?"

William slowly stood up, his tall figure approaching Isabella step by step, his oppressive presence tightening around her, his cold aura wrapping tightly around her.

"Isabella, this necklace is from a top international jewelry brand, a limited edition, worth a fortune. How could it just appear on your desk for no reason? Do you think I'd believe that explanation?"

His voice was low and magnetic, yet carried a bone-chilling coldness. With each step closer, Isabella's heartbeat went wild.

Isabella instinctively backed away until her back hit the cold wall. There was nowhere left to go.

William's crisp pine scent lingered at her nose, and her palms were already sweating from nervousness.

Was William really angry?

What if he got so mad that he fired her?

"Mr. Brown, it really was just a misunderstanding. Please don't overthink it."

Isabella continued to explain, but the emotions William had been suppressing for so long had completely erupted.

He didn't want to hear any more explanations, nor did he want to restrain his feelings anymore.

Right now, he just wanted Isabella to understand how genuine his feelings for her were.

Almost instinctively, William extended his long arm, pressing one hand against the wall behind Isabella, pinning her against it.

Isabella froze. Before she could react, William's cool fingertips touched her cheek.

The next second, William kissed her without hesitation.

Isabella's pupils contracted sharply, her mind went completely blank, and all her thoughts became chaotic.

In that moment, time seemed to stand still.

She could clearly feel William's warm breath on her face, could even see her own panicked expression reflected in his deep eyes.

No, they couldn't do this.

They weren't from the same world, and there would be no future for them. She absolutely couldn't have any more intimate contact with William.

Finally, reason won over chaos. Isabella bit her lip, sharply turned her head away, and pushed hard against William's chest.

William stumbled, and before he could steady himself, Isabella took advantage of his dazed moment to turn and run out of the office.

As if afraid that one more second would mean being completely devoured by him.

William stood frozen in place, a flash of disbelief in his eyes, quickly replaced by regret.

He'd been too impulsive just now.

He knew Isabella was sensitive and insecure, had been deliberately avoiding their relationship, yet he still couldn't control his possessiveness and ended up scaring her away.

William slowly withdrew his hand. His fingertips still carried Isabella's lingering scent, and his expression showed a hint of helplessness.

It seemed that from now on, no matter what, he'd have to restrain his heart.

Meanwhile, Isabella ran out of the CEO's office, past the corner, gasping for breath. She had to lean against the cold wall to catch her breath.

Thinking about that kiss just now, her heartbeat was still ridiculously fast, and her cheeks were burning hot.

Crazy, this was crazy.

Not only had William lost his mind, but she had too.

Had she actually wanted to keep kissing?

If she hadn't come to her senses in time, her relationship with William would have spiraled out of control.

Isabella bit her lip, raised her hand to cover her face, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into. She cursed herself inwardly.

Isabella, have you never seen a man before? Getting this flustered?

Then Isabella forced herself to calm down. Suddenly remembering something, she pulled out the box she'd grabbed in her panic as she ran out, feeling increasingly confused.

If it wasn't from William, then who would send her such an expensive gift?

Just as Isabella was puzzling over this, her phone suddenly vibrated with an incoming message.

It was from Joseph.

"Isabella, did you receive the necklace I sent you? I specially picked it out for you. I hope you like it. Also, are you free tonight?"

Joseph?

Isabella froze for a few seconds.

So it was from Joseph. She'd actually mistaken it for a gift from William.

But why would Joseph suddenly send her such an expensive gift?

Isabella looked down and quickly typed a reply.

"Joseph, thank you for your kindness, but the gift is too expensive. I should return it to you."

Joseph replied quickly, too, with just one short sentence.

"You're worth it."

Isabella's mind immediately went into turmoil, unable to figure out Joseph's intentions.

Why was Joseph being so good to her?

She didn't know if it was her imagination, but she felt Joseph was being too familiar with her. His concern seemed to go beyond that of ordinary friends.

Isabella sighed.

No matter what, she should find a chance to return this gift. She didn't like Joseph anymore, so naturally she didn't want to owe him any favors.

With that thought, Isabella turned to go back to her desk, and William happened to walk out of his office just then. They ran into each other, making the atmosphere somewhat awkward.

"You..."

William frowned and had just opened his mouth when Isabella, like a startled rabbit, hurried back to her desk, as if William were some kind of demon.

William rubbed his forehead, his expression growing more helpless.

From now on, he absolutely couldn't let today's situation happen again, or he'd scare Isabella away again.

Just then, Chase walked over, carrying some files.

"Mr. Brown, you have another meeting coming up. Here are the materials you need."

William rubbed his temples and gave a light instruction.

"I have something to take care of. You'll chair the meeting for me."

With that, William left the Brown Group and headed straight to Serenity Haven Retreat.