Love Burns Without a Trace

A week before Isobel's planned departure, Sasha suddenly visited her as Anthony's secretary.

Crossing her arms, she haughtily marched up to Isobel. "Stop faking it, Isobel. You know that Anthony has been cheating on you.

"Did you really think that he loved you? He would never marry you—a girl from a family in decline—if it weren't for your high-profile relationship.

"Stop dreaming of marrying into wealth and leave the city, Isobel. It's less humiliating than getting dumped.

"I'm carrying Anthony's baby. As for you, you probably cannot conceive. Am I right?

"You shouldn't blame Anthony for two-timing, though. He's a beast in bed with me, but he's probably not that interested in your body."

Isobel kept her emotions under control. She set her cup of tea on the table and went up to slap Sasha across the face.

Sasha held her cheek and gasped, "How dare you!"

Ignoring Sasha, Isobel was about to call security when Anthony barged in.

Sasha immediately behaved when she heard his voice. Head hung low, she said tearfully, "Ms. Sutton, what exactly is it that you hate about me? I'm just here to pick up some documents for Mr. Johnson. Why would you hit me?"

Anthony went through many emotions when he heard that. He stared at Isobel with panic.

"Belle, what's—"

"Yeah. I slapped her. Anything wrong with that?" She stared back at Anthony.

"N-Nothing. I'm sure you had your reasons." He walked over to Isobel before yelling at Sasha, "Did anyone ask you to enter her office? How dare you cry when you're the one who upset Belle!"

"Antho—Mr. Johnson, I…"

"Get lost right now! You're barred from coming into Belle's office again!"

After the security escorted Sasha out, Anthony hesitated to speak to Isobel. He wanted to ask why she slapped Sasha.

Isobel made up an excuse. "Well, she said my office decor was in poor taste."

Yet, he believed in that amateur lie. Hugging Isobel, he said, "Oh, she deserved it, then. Belle, you always have great taste."

She snickered silently. After all, she wouldn't have fallen in love with Anthony if she had good taste.

After Anthony made sure that Sasha wouldn't say anything out of line, he left quickly, claiming that he was needed at work.

Isobel followed him closely. As she expected, she saw Sasha waiting for Anthony not far away.

He kissed the spot where Sasha had been slapped. It took him a while to soothe her before they entered the car lovingly.

Isobel felt numb to it all. As she rubbed her tired eyes, she quietly went home.

…

Two days later, Anthony called a press conference to announce the launch of the candy flagship store by the river in Halthorne City.

On that day, he would show up with his lover, Isobel, to officiate the launch.

When Isobel saw the news, she looked at the birthday gift she handed to Anthony, thinking, "Anthony, I won't be going to the launch as your plus-one. I hope my birthday gift comes as a surprise to you."