CHAPTER 28

Chapter 28

Penny gritted her teeth. Without looking at Yvonne, she said loudly, “We’re here to pick a bone with Yvonne. Habella didn’t Lay a finger on Yvonne Yvonne roughed herself up to frame Isabella, and she forced us all to be witnesses‘ She pointed at Zachary and added, “When that man showed up and saw Yvonne on the ground, he joined us in admonishing Isabella, too”

Zachary’s face reddened.

Clayton glanced at the crowd and sneered. “You’re all a bunch of idiots. He lowered and asked Isabella, Is everything settled on your end?

Isabella shook her head. 1 still need the internship form”

Clayton nodded. “Let’s go then”

e crowd

He put his arm around Isabella’s shoulders and led her out through the i

James was sweltering with panic. “Mr. Murray, you’ve yet to see the other faculties.

“We haven’t dropped by the computer lab, Mr. Murray Henry said, hurrying after Clayton

“You can contact my assistant after you’ve straightened things out here Clayton said to james and Henry. Johnny, go and get Isabella’s internship form. I’ll head back to the company first” He led Isabella away with his arm around her and did not look back.

James and Henry exchanged a look, then turned to Johnny in unison. “Johnny, what

Johnny lightly coughed into his fist. “Mr. Laurier, where can I get the internship form **

Henry quickly had Josh bring forward the internship form “Johnny, regarding Rayson Internacional’s donation for the computer center. he began anxiously.

Johnny took the form which Josh carefully handed to him. “Is there anything else to register?”

Henry hurriedly waved a hand. “No. We’ll take care of the registration.”

Johnny addressed the anxious–looking James, Henry, and the others present, “Mr. Murray has always been particular about these things, so 1 suggest you look into the incident earlier and clear Mrs. Murray’s me before we discuss anything else. This is Mrs. Murray’s alma mater, after all, and her feelings are of utmost importance to Mr. Murray”

Henry was going to say something, but James stopped him

Thank you, Johnny. Please tell Mr. Murray that we’ll handle this matter with fairness and strive to create a healthy school environment where the students uphold strong principles and values, James promised solemnly

Johnny thought James sensibility and understanding made him a fiuing principal. He certainly spared Johnny from having to give lengthy warnings, Johnny made a mental note to put in a good word for James later.

In actuality, the project in question had been decided a long time ago, and the funds were ready, too. However, Clayton’s sudden visit today had complicated matters. Johnny sighed at the thought of the computers

A student stared at Johnny and asked, “Who’s he?”

Henry snapped, “He’s from Rayson International! The CEO visited today after deciding to donate a new computer lab and the latest computer models to our school”

James‘ expression was grave. “Mr. Laurier, be sure to deal with these students accordingly

Meanwhile, Zachary ran downstairs after Isabella. “Isabella!” he cried.

Isabella stopped but did not look back

Clayton turned around with a smirk. “How can we help you, Mr. Winslow?”

Zachary avoided Clayton’s gaze. “Are you really going to marry him, Isabella?” he asked, not at all noticing the tremor in his voice.

“How’s your pregnant lancée doing. Mr. Winslow!” Clayton asked, chuckling.

“My personal affairs are none of your concern,” Zachary bit out icily.

Clayton shrugged and said, “You’re right about that, by Isabella’s business is mine. Now that she’s my wife, I’d appreciate it if you stay away from her in the future. I tend to get a little jealous,”

Zachary glowered at Clayton, but the latter’s gaze was so vicious and icy that he was forced to look away. Focusing on Isabella’s back instead,

4:51 PM

Chapter 28

Zachary demanded. “Why are you being so stubborn. Isabella? Come home with me and we can get married right away”

labella turned around and looked at the man she once loved. She found it ironic that Zachary had chosen to believe others and forced her to apologize when she was being publicly ostracized earlier, only to turn around and emotionally blackiroil her after learning she was with another man. “Sorry, but I’m already married” she said coolly “Allow me to introduce my husband, Clayton Murray”

Zachary’s expression shifted. “Isabella, you don’t love him at all! Are you doing this just to spite me?

Isabella’s gaze fell on Clayton and save her reflection in his eyes. “Don’t fatter yourself, Mr. Window. I wouldn’t throw the rest of my life away just in spite you. Clayton and I met through a chance encounter, yet he’s always shown up for me whenever I need him. I can grow to love him after marriage.”

Clayton beamed. He liked that Isabella said she could grow to love him after marriage.

“Mr. Murray, could you grow to love me as well! Would you be willing to let me in here?” Isabella asked as she put her hand on Clayton’s chest, tears shining in her eye

Clayton said with a smile as he clasped her hand. “You’ve always been in Isere, silly, and you always will be. It only has enough room for you.” He leaned down to kiss her temple and added, “Come on, let’s go

Zachary clenched his fists as he stared at their backs. He had sensed the change in Isabella; she was no longer the young lady whose world entered around him. He couldn’t stand the idea of it. He wondered when the little girl who had obeyed his word since young slipped out of his control How can I expand Avid Ventures Real Estate and get my hands on the Ingram family’s fortune without her he ssked himself. He dismissed that thought, convinced that Isabella was only acting out of anger. That made him wonder when she had started getting angry with him. That’s rightt li was when she saw that video at the engagement party! he concluded. Zachary then considered if tabella had not been the one who played the video at the ceremony, and if that was when she had learned of his relationship with Scarlett Is lubella upset about my relationship with Scarlett Does Scarlet’s presence bother her he pondered. Zachary considered sending Scarlent away for the time being, but she was pregnant.

Regardless, he had to come up with a way to win Isabella back. However, Isabella had Clayton now. While Zachary new labella was naive and gullible, Clayton certainly was not Zachary could not let Isabella stay with Clayton any longer or things could end up badly for him. He decided in was time he had Nathan summon Isabella home. That being said, Zachary thought it was highly unlikely that Clayton would fall for Isabella. Hr figured Clayton only saw her as a new plaything whose inheritance was the only thing that might make her with his while.

In the car, Isabella curled into herself and buried her face in her arms, then cried When she was being ostracized earlier, she had been sure she would never dear her name. Her heart tightened at the thought of Yvonne’s smug expression and Zachary’s disgust and annoyance. She didn’t know how to get them off her back. All she wanted was peace.

She had moved out after her family made it clear that she was unwelcome, but even then, she had chosen to leave in a dignified manner acceptable to them. “What more do they want? she asked herself. She couldn’t fathom why they wouldn’t let her go even after she had endured and compromised repeatedly.

Clayton drew her close and pried her arms away. “Hey, what’s wrong? Why the tean?” he asked gently.

Isabella remained curled into herself. She cried relentlessly, her body shaking with each quiet ab.

With a sighs, Clayton pulled her onto his lap and rubbed her back soothingly. There, there, Don’t cry. I’m sorry I didn’t protect you from all that has happened”

He had assumed that she was living the life of a heiress, and that he would need to work hard to become powerful before he could see her again. Little did he know how much she had suffered by the time he found her. He blamed himself for this. Had be known this would happen, he would have kept her by his side. They could have braved through hardship together and it would still have been better than her lone suffering

Tabella finally looked up at him and clutched his shirt. “Why did you believe me when I couldn’t even prove my own innocence?”

Clayton chuckled and gently brushed away her tears. I would have believed anything you said

She stared at him evenly. “Why?”

“Because I love you,” he said, placing her hand on his chest. “As I said, you’ve always been in my heart”

A bitter smile tugged on Isabella’s lips. She figured this must be love at first sight. Unfortunately, she was so hurt that she doubted she could ever love again. She looked at her hand and his, then finally met his gaze. “I was planning on leaving alone today”

Clayton nodded calmly, I know, which was why I used visiting the campus as an excuse to look for you. I won’t let you leave me

Isabella’s eyes widened at this.

Clayton put her hand to his lips and nipped at it.

She squirmed at the ticklish sensation and drew back her hand. Thank you, Clayton,” she said softly, her eyes on him.

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Chapter 28

He smiled, “You’re welcome. Mr. Murray”

She bit her lip and said decisively. “Let’s date”

Nodding, he pointed out, “We’re already dating, but sure, whatever you want

“But I don’t know how to date. I don’t even know if I can fall in love after squandering my love away all these years” Isabella lowered her head, She had loved Zachary, and that had been a miel joke in hindsight

Clayton eased her back into her seat and stroked her hair, “Little girl, let nature take its course and just be happy,” he murmured indulgently.

Isabella’s teardrops fell on the front of her shin. No one except her grandfather had ever stroked her hair and called her “little girl like this.

“What’s wrong?” Clayton wiped her tears with a tissue.

She shook her head as she took the issue from him, saying sofily, I miss Granddad”

Clayton stopped stroking her hair for a second. His heart broke for her as he pulled her into his arms. “I’ll take care of you from now on, We’ll be happy.”

Isabella nodded against his warm chest. At least for now, she felt loved protected, and happy.

When Kayson heard the elevator doors open, he looked up and froze. He gaped at Clayton as the latter walked out carrying a wornan in his arms.

“M–Mr. Murray… Kayson stammered.

Clayton glared at him, then glanced at the woman asleep in his arms.

Kayson wisely shut his mouth and opened the door to the CEO’s office. He closed the door after watching Clayton carry the woman in, then returned to his own seat and tried to calm his racing heart.

He was dying to share this bombastic development with someone, but Johnny was out of the office, and Weston and Hendrix were attending an executive meeting in the conference room downstairs.

Kayson glanced at the office door every now and then, practically buzzing in his seat