Chapter 242 Act as a Couple in Name
She couldn't cry; crying would mean a devastating defeat.
Isabella turned her face back and nodded, blinking back the tears and taking a big breath before saying, "Okay, I understand now."
Sebastian didn't want to witness her stiff resignation. To him, it made the marriage seem like a bargain.
Isabella showed no emotion. In the end, it was only he who was concerned and irritated over everything.
With even harsher words, he lashed out, "Isabella, my word is law. I decide who the other person is and I choose who goes free."
Isabella's thin frame shivered violently.
It wasn't just Sebastian who had shed pounds in the last four days. She had lost a few pounds even though she ate a lot for the baby's sake.
She was shivering now, as if she were about to pass out and collapse to the ground.
Sebastian spoke in a serious tone with cruel words, and they rung with an unforgiving reality.
She would've never crossed the boundary and would've protected her heart if he had said those things to her from the start or if someone had made Lynda's existence known to her.
Still, she now found herself in a difficult situation.
Isabella decided that this was enough, her thoughts suddenly crystal clear. She didn't want to hope any more.
She gave up, saying, "Well, we're just married on paper. I won't associate with Lynda anymore, and I won't contact you unless I need to. When the baby is born, I'll leave."
To be honest, Isabella was trying to say that she wanted to separate.
However, she couldn't afford to be careless because she still had her grandma to look after.
With growing anger, Sebastian sneered, "You're the one saying this, Isabella."
"Yes, I am," she firmly replied.
"For the second time."
"Yes."
"All right, I'll fulfill your request. From now on, we'll just pretend to be a couple. After our child is born, you're on your own."
Isabella lowered her head and grinned ironically, "This is how it should've been from the beginning."
"Hah." Sebastian laughed dryly.
Then, the door slammed shut and there was the sound of an engine starting up outside.
Afterward, silence came.
Isabella felt like she'd lost all her strength. The brave act she put on just now vanished completely.
She collapsed, leaning against the wall.
"Mrs. Lawrence, why in the world did you argue with Mr. Lawrence?" said the startled butler as he hurried to help. "Men are basically big kids; they just need a little coaxing."
Coaxing?
That's useless. After all, she'd already crossed Sebastian's boundaries.
However, this was a good thing. Everything was clear now, and her previous suffering would end.
She regained her composure and eased out of the butler's hold, clearly tired. "Please continue with your work," she said, exhausted.
Isabella went upstairs and did her daily routine, which was to take a shower.
Drops of water ran down her face, indistinguishable from tears.
Whether they were tears or not, Isabella smiled broadly as she left the restroom, rubbing her stomach while sitting on the bed and saying, "A new life is ahead of us, little one."
Sebastian left the Willowbrook Estate without going to the hospital. He arrived at the office by car.
Some workers kept putting in extra hours, although it was nearing nightfall.
At that moment, Sebastian arrived at the office, frowning gloomily. He got up to briefly greet before hurriedly dropping his head, trying to avoid the approaching storm.
He had no time to indulge in low moods.
Entering the CEO's office, he changed from the homely husband whose mental stability Isabella had upset, to Lawrence Group's composed and confident leader.
Sebastian had his job cut out for him with an accumulation of different tasks that had accumulated over the previous days, including earlier contracts that still needed meticulous reviews.
Thirty minutes later, the meeting room was blazing with light, and the executives raced in nervously. They looked at each other nervously, waiting inside.
Everyone felt chills run down their spines as they heard the door click.
Joshua appeared, despite Sebastian not informing him. His motivation sprang from his enthusiasm for the captivating scenario and his inability to return to Brittany.
By the time he arrived, Joshua saw the Foreign Affairs Manager being interrogated by Sebastian, who was glaring at the sweat-covered man who hadn't wiped his sweat, dripping onto the table in heavy droplets.
Afterward, The Head of Public Relations was called up and stammered through Sebastian's questions while everyone settled in.
Sebastian shot him an indifferent glance and went straight back to his paperwork, giving sharp retorts to the rambling responses.
Even Joshua was nervous, even though he was used to Sebastian's demand; it usually wasn't this sharp.
Joshua nudged Sebastian's leg.
However, Sebastian barely even flinched.
"I don't care how the film department manages it, but within a month, clear out the pile of movies that are older than a year."
"Yes, Mr. Lawrence."
After a brief pause, Sebastian continued, "Lastly, this Thursday, proceed with a financial audit."
"Yes, Mr. Lawrence."
Finally, the meeting was over, but nobody dared to move first. With a cold expression, Sebastian stood up, grabbed his coat, and led the way out.
Back in his office, Joshua reached out to stop Sebastian before he could close the door.
Ignoring the man, Sebastian told Kaine to schedule a flight to Washington, D.C. for tomorrow's business trip.
Joshua relaxed on the couch, fidgeting with his phone.
Eventually, he asked Sebastian after he finished giving instructions, "You look off that. Did you and Isabella fight? Did one of you leave dramatically?"
Sebastian gave him a look that made him appear like a complete moron.
"So, I'm right? Or are you just sexually frustrated?" Joshua asked.
Sebastian said, "Is that even possible?" as he leaned back in his executive chair and assumed a casual posture.
Joshua said, "Very likely,"
Sebastian remarked calmly, "It's just Isabella. It's not that important."
Reaching into the cupboard for a bottle, Joshua poured Sebastian a glass and gave it to him. "Seems like your scales have already tipped."
After swirling the wine in his glass, Sebastian put it down and took a drink. "They always have."
He had a cool, controlled manner, as though he was reciting the most common details.
Joshua lifted his own glass in a toast as he cast a quick glimpse at the drink, which had little fractures on its perfect surface. "Well, I hope so."
Sebastian, naturally, didn't linger on the subject. He moved forward to talking business.
"I need to dedicate a week to a project at the Washington branch. The majority of the work here at HQ has already been assigned. If you can, pay attention to the details."
Joshua gulped, realizing that he should've been the one going to Washington, D.C.
"Okay," was his prompt response. After giving it some thought, he said more earnestly, "You know, you don't have to wear yourself thin like that. Maybe it's time to choose a vice president."
"Unfamiliar, uncomfortable, unappealing, and untrustworthy," Sebastian listed his complaints with ease.
Joshua's Adam's apple bobbed. "There'll come a day when they fit right in."
Sebastian lifted his head, his frown turning into a scrutinizing gaze as he studied Joshua.
Joshua couldn't stand the intensity of that look; he got up, waving his hands dismissively as he said, "I'm going to get some sleep. You can enjoy your solitude."
Leaning on the table with his elbow, Sebastian pressed his fingertips to his forehead, remaining silent.
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