Chapter 13 Now ? I thought … bellas voice betrayed her anxiety .
Do I need in prepare anything special Nah , Lucas said , rifling through the wardrobe .
A moment later , he pulled out a dark green silk dress and handed it to her .
Put this on .
The color suits you .
Isabella book the dress , feeling its cool texture between her fingers .
Why do you have womens clothing in your room ? Lucas raised an eyebrow at her question , I had it prepared specifically for you .
What Were just business partners , remember ? wrong … Jealous ? || Isabella replied coolly , turning toward the bathroom to change .
She didnt see the complex emotion that flickered briefly across Lucass face When she emerged wearing the dress , Lucas was standing by the bookshelf and leafing through a finance magazine .
] Sunlight outlined his tall profile , his eyes behind those glasses focused and sharp nothing like the careless playboy everyone described Do you actually know finance ? Remembering the well worn books shed noticed earlier , Isabella couldnt help asking Lucas closed the magazine , instantly slipping back into his asun cocky dimer .
Just for show .
How else would I trick investors out of their money ? The family dinner was more oppressive than Isabella had bugined At the head of the long table sat the Montgomery patriarch , ha hate totopletely white , but with a gaze sharp as a blade that cut across Isabella the moment she appeared The rest of the table was filled with relatives , each one with a plastic sanile and a knife hidden behind their words .
heard Miss Bennett was Domine Hintons fiance before ? Lucass aunt anded over her wine glass .
How did you end up suddenly marrying our Lucky instead ? At these words .
Isabellas fuck scraped loudly against her plate .
Though strangely , she felt relieved inside What was coming had to come eventually : | She plastered on a smile , about to answer when Lucas suddenly took her hand Looks like Aunties memory starting to slip Isabella and I have been together for a while .

Certain people just butt in He turned to Isabella , his eyes paddenly soft and voice tinged with vulnerability .
Right , lather ] ] The unexpected babe sent an odd tremor through Isabellas heart but she played along , leaning against his shoulder .
Thats right , but its all in the past now .
After dinner .
Isabella returned to their room exhausted || This hadnt been a dinner it was a gladiaturial arens .
Cipe moment of inattention and those people would be to her to shreds || Lucas had been s summoned to his grandfathers study , leaving Isabella alone by the window .
Some time later , die door opened quietly as Lucas entered , rocking of whiskey : || Nok bad , he said , loosening his te Grandfather was impressed with Isabellat you.- ] around , notidag Lucass face was alarmingly pale with beads of sweat dotting his temples You drank too much tonight .
|| Atdirmer , apart from the few blies of food shed passed him , his glass had never been empty mad Lucas replied with a bitter smile .
He unbuttoned the top of his shirt finally catching his breath || If I didnt drink to satisfied them , I wouldnt have gotten away tonight .
As he spoke , Lucas stumbled .
Isabella rushed forward to steady him .
The moment moment she touched him , she felt his muscles tense beneath his shirt , radiating unusual heat .
Lucas ! Youre burning up with fever ] Lucas tried to wave her off , but instead collapsed forward .
Isabella barely managed to guide him to the hed She yanked his shirt open , and her breath caught in her thront .
His back was covered in purple braizes , some one already darkening to black What the hall happened to you ? Her voice thook with disbelief .
The injuries were horrific who would dare do this to someone of Lucers status ? || Lucas kept his eyes closed his tone eerily casual .

Follow new episodes on the CrushnovelS.Com

Tamily discipline , Grandfather wasnt exactly thrilled with my recent investment strategies .
pabella quickly retrieved a first aid kit and carefully treated his wounds .
Lucass entire body tented under her touch, muscles locking tight .
But he didnt make a sound ] Why do you put up with this ? she asked softly .
Youre nothing like your public image1 Lucas suddenly opened his eyes , his gaze startlingly dear for someone drunk .
And what image is that ? What do you think 1 should be like ? Isabella thought about the financial books on his shelves , his effortless night during dinner discussions , and now these wounds on his back Youre putting on an act … | The realization was dawning on her , though she still couldnt understand why .
All that playboy behavior is just a performance .
Laras pushed himself up , studying her face from inches away .
Clever girl .
] ] He traced her cheek with his fingertips .
What about you ? Have you really let go of point ? | Isabella didnt pull away from his touch .
When I discovered our seven your relationship was nothing but a substitution game , my heart died- || Something shifted in Lucers Eyes at her words || He stood and walked to his desk , retrieving a fe from the drawer .
Since were partners , we should be honest with each other .
[ Tabella opened the document , her breath catching as she took in its contents .
It was an ownership structure diagram for our of Montgomery Groups investment compantes , showing Lucas holding a 95 % stake .
Thats not the only one .

[ Lucas said , leaning against the desk .
I control three tech companies and hold shares in r traditional industries , but Im positioning for future markets .
| So youre pretending to be a fuckup ….
Exactly .
This facade lowers everyones expectations .
nyo libtech firms .
Grandfather wants me to take over the familys Luchs finished her thought .
Jaduding Grandfathers , When I make my real moves , I face less resistance .
[ He approachord Isabella , Jearing down to meet her eyes .
Now you know my secret , Mrs.
Montgomery , Isabella gazed into his penetrating eyes , her heart suddenly racing , Why tell me all this ? [ Because .
[ Lucyss Lucass eyes traveled over her face without reservation | Ive realized were the same .
Both using different methods to escape others expectations and control .
Night had fallen deep , moonlight spilling through the window across them both .
And in that moment , Isabella inalized this contract marriage might be far more complicated than an shed I imagined .