Chapter 107
The mood in the private room instantly brightened.
Everyone exchanged knowing smiles, a teasing glint in their eyes.
Lyman had always been known for his composure, rarely betraying emotion in public.
“Looks like Mr. Etheridge is under strict orders from the wife tonight!” one
business partner joked, grinning broadly. “Never thought we’d see the day, eh, Mr. Etheridge?”
Lyman took it in stride, raising his teacup and taking a measured sip. His voice was calm, but there was a hint of amusement beneath it. “Honestly, it’s not so bad, having someone at home to keep me in check.”
Another partner lifted his glass, laughter in his voice. “So it was Mrs. Etheridge on the phone, was it? Well, let’s toast to Mr. Etheridge-wishing you a happy family and an even more successful career!”
Lyman tipped his glass in acknowledgment, his tone reserved but clearly pleased. “Thank you.”
After a few more rounds of drinks, the business at hand was nearly settled. Lyman took his leave soon after.
He was just about to head back to the office when his phone rang-it was Isabel.
Her voice was shaky, almost frantic. “Lyman, I… I think someone’s following me. I… I’m really scared…”
Lyman’s expression grew serious.
He considered sending Luther to check on her, but remembered he’d already assigned Luther to another task.
So he had his driver take him instead.
Isabel didn’t live far from the restaurant where he’d been entertaining clients. When Lyman arrived, he spotted Carole standing anxiously by the elevator.
She jumped a little when she saw him. “Mr. Etheridge.”
He nodded coolly. “What happened?”
In broad daylight, someone dared to follow her?
Carole hesitated, looking troubled. “Isabel’s been rehearsing a lot lately, and she keeps saying she feels like someone’s watching her. But whenever she looks around, there’s no one there. I was out negotiating a deal today, so I wasn’t with her. Who could’ve guessed something like this would happen…”
She sounded guilty. “Mr. Etheridge, could you please comfort Isabel for a bit? She’s never felt very safe, and today really shook her up.”
Lyman didn’t reply. He walked to the apartment door and knocked. “Isabel? It’s me.”
The door swung open almost immediately.
Before he could react, Isabel threw her arms around him, clinging tightly.
She was trembling, her fear palpable. The moment she heard Lyman’s voice,
relief washed over her, and she collapsed into his embrace.
Her lips pressed together, eyes red and rimmed with unshed tears. She buried her face in his chest, desperate for comfort.
The crisp, clean scent unique to him filled her senses.
If only this moment could last forever.
She wore a silk nightgown, her hair loose and damp from a recent shower, her face free of makeup and pale with distress. She looked heartbreakingly fragile.
She hadn’t bothered with perfume-just the faint, comforting scent of her soap lingered in the air.
Lyman stiffened, a slight frown creasing his brow, clearly caught off guard by her sudden closeness.
He looked down at Isabel, steadying her gently, his voice cool and distant. “Isabel, let go.”
But she only tightened her grip, her voice breaking as she tried not to cry. “Lyman, I’m really scared… That person just keeps following me, I… I don’t know what to do…”
“What exactly happened?” Lyman pulled her away from him.
Isabel hesitated, her eyes shining with tears. “Lyman, you… you never used to be like this.”
“Isabel, I’m married now. I need you to keep your distance from me,” Lyman said quietly.
It was as if lightning had struck her; she froze in disbelief.
What?
She must have heard wrong.
Lyman… married?
To whom? That woman, Effie?
Tears spilled down Isabel’s cheeks as she stared up at Lyman, wounded and disbelieving.
“Lyman, you must be joking, right? How could you get married so quickly? Was it because your mother kept pushing you, so you just found someone at random?”