Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Chapter 196 11 "It's Cassandra Sarano and him, having coffee..." Maria said. “I know I shouldn't get involved in something like this, but the- the one behind Miss Cassandra is someone-or at least the son of someone who used to work with your grandfather. If you wantto investigate something-" "It's fine," Izzy said. She zoomed in on the photos again, her finger pinching the screen tighter. "Damn it,” she muttered under her breath.

The image was blurry. The angle was too low, and the light behind the window ruined the outline of their faces. Even she had to admit, it could've been someone else entirely. The posture was familiar, and the jacket was similar-but the face? It's not clear at all. And Cassandra? That could've been any brunette with sharp cheekbones.

Still, seeing that headline and Liam beside another woman, blurry or not, made her irritated.

She exhaled slowly, then repeated, "Ignore it, Maria. It's nothing." There was silence on the other end before Maria asked, “Did you two fight?" Izzy didn't answer right away. She tapped the screen of her tablet and then locked it. "I have something to do," she said.

Without another word, she ended the call and set the tablet down.

She leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling. She knew this was all part of the plan-keep things looking distant, make their enemies think she and Liam were drifting apart. The whole thing was a show. But that didn't make it easier.

Her jaw tightened. She couldn't afford to let her emotions get in the way. Not now.

She had to focus. She needed to know exactly who was on her side and who was just pretending. No more assumptions. No more giving people the benefit of the doubt.

If she wanted to survive this, she needed to know her enemies-and that meant trusting no one.

With that, she got up and went into the car where Anna had been waiting. The two then drove towards the venue of the engagement party.

The car pulled up to the venue's entrance. Flashbulbs popped in the distance, though none were aimed at her. Not yet.

Izzy stepped out of the vehicle with Anna close behind. The moment she entered the lobby, she could feel it-the tension. Heads turned. Conversations paused. Eyes scanned her outfit, her expression, her alone arrival. Many must be wondering why Isabella Rossi- Calen's ex- would actually come. Was she here to cause a scene? She smiled.

She walked slowly, deliberately, offering a polite nod to a few familiar faces. Snodded back. Others just stared. Yet, no one approached her.

Before she could make it to her assigned seat, a hand lightly grabbed her arm.

Cecil Weiss.

"Izzy," she said.

Izzy turned to face her. She hadn't seen Cecil in weeks, not since the scandal broke. Now, the woman looked thinner. The sharpness in her cheekbones was more defined. Her skin is paler. The dark circles under her eyes were lightly masked by makeup, but the signs were there. The toll of an FBI investigation wasn't easy to hide. Izzy gave her a once-over and smiled. "You look well. For someone currently being investigated by the FBI." 1/3 11.24 mu, 10 Apr Chapter 196 Cecil didn't blink. "Why are you here?" she asked, ignoring Izzy's sarcasm.

"Didn't Pamella tell you?" Izzy asked, brushing her coat sleeve back into place. "She personally invitedCecil's hand didn't move. "Stop that smile. It's infuriating." Izzy tilted her head. "Is it? I thought it was charming." "You're not welchere." *89% "I have an invitation," Izzy said. "I don't sneak into parties. That's not my style. You think security would letin without it?" Cecil's jaw tightened. Her grip on Izzy's arm remained firm but controlled.

"You need to leave," Cecil said.

Izzy stared at her for a moment, then smiled again. "Or what? You'll add another complaint to your already growing file? Don't tellyou are going to attackin front of everyone? That's a bit... too violent, isn't it?" "You have no idea what I'm capable of," Cecil said.

Izzy leaned in slightly. "That's the problem, isn't it? You're capable of a lot... but unfortunately, you've already used most of it digging your own grave." Cecil didn't move. Her back stayed straight. Her posture was perfect. Her hair was styled immaculately, as always. Her lipstick matched her clutch, and her heels didn't make a sound on the marble floor. Even now, when she clearly wanted to explode, everything about her screamed control.

Izzy nodded slowly. "So what's next, Cecil? Are you planning to call security? Haveescorted out? That would be a scene." "You're trying to provoke me," Cecil said. "But it won't work." "Wouldn't dream of it. I'm here to celebrate Pamella and Calen's engagement. Like any polite guest would." Izzy stepped back just enough to force Cecil to drop her hand. "You should be more careful with your threats. Especially when your nis still part of an ongoing federal case. Would hate to have something new cup." Cecil's expression didn't shift. Her smile stayed, but her eyes had turned colder.

Izzy smiled again and adjusted the strap of her purse. "Actually, you'll be happy to know Pamella didn't just invite me. She askedto join the wedding party." Cecil's expression didn't change immediately, but her eyes widened for half a second. That was enough.

"I received the official invitation two days ago," Izzy continued.

"Bridesmaid. Isn't that cute? She said she wanted to keep things modern. Bridal parties, dress fittings and bachelorettes. Sounds exciting, right?" Cecil stepped slightly closer. "What are you up to?" Izzy's smile didn't fade. “Up to? You make it sound like I'm here to ruin something." "You're trying to ruin your ex-boyfriend's wedding and everyone here can see that.”

Izzy scoffed. "Ruin? I didn't crash the party, Cecil. I was invited. You think I'd be shameless enough to show up here without an invitation? Besides... our circle is pretty small. Isn't it normal to have one or two exes around?". Cecil's jaw flexed. She glanced at the nearby guests, then back at Izzy. She looked like she was calculating something, but couldn't find a number that added up.

2/3 1124 Thu, To Apri Chapter 196

Izzy tilted her head slightly. "Relax. I'm not going to ruin anything, I sincerely hope Calex and Pamella haye a happy marriage. A good, long-lasting one. With lots of children, if that's what they want? Cecil's fingers tightened around her clutch. The simile on her face was still there, but her neck had gone stiff, her chin set in a way that suggested she was holding something back.

Izzy gave her one last nod. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I should probably go find my seat/Wouldn't want to be late for the toast." Then she walked off, not giving Cecil a chance to respond.

mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1