Chapter 10

"So, you're going to show up at Arzo Corporation with a swollen cheek tomorrow morning?" Dominic asked a little sarcastically.

"I'll put ice on it when I get home, and I'll cover it with makeup tomorrow," Isabel said.

"Do you want me to hold your hand and pull you inside the house, or will you come in yourself?"

Isabel's temples throbbed. Once again, she gave in to Dominic's oppression and chose to head inside the villa herself. She knew he was the type who could walk the talk.

After entering the villa, the butler, Glen Johnson, brought over an ice pack that he'd prepared beforehand. Dominic pointed at Isabel with his jaw. "Give it to her."

She took it. "Thank you."

Glen smiled. "You're welcome."

Then, he read the room and hurried off with the maids, giving Isabel and Dominic space.

Isabel held the ice pack to her cheek as she secretly thought of ways to get out of there.

"When are you getting divorced?" Dominic suddenly asked, making her stiffen.

He narrowed his eyes slightly as his lips curved into a small sneer. "Don't tell me it hasn't crossed your mind. Where'd you find the nerve to get involved with me when you're still undecided?"

"There's a cooling-off period before the divorce is finalized." Isabel continued holding the ice pack to her cheek. "And you're mistaken about something, Mr. Zimmerman. We agreed that if I lost the wager, I would join your architectural design team. I'm honoring the bet and keeping my promise. How is that considered getting involved with you?"

"Fair point." Dominic nodded casually, dragging out his words again. "But it's not like you don't know that I like you."

Isabel's gaze flickered, a little unsettled by his words.

He continued, "Well, take your time with the divorce. I don't mind being your other man."

She was stunned by his shameless words. "Do you even know what you're saying, Dominic?"

Amused, he smiled at the sight of her being so panicked that she was calling him by name. "Scared already? Make quick work of this, then. It's just a divorce—it won't kill you."

Isabel almost wanted to roll her eyes. "Gee, thanks for that."

Dominic laughed, his shoulders shaking slightly. "You're welcome. I only want you to be free of suffering as quickly as possible."

She felt like she would lose control of her expressions if they continued in this vein. He was so frosty and aloof around everyone else, so why did he act like a frivolous pervert with her?

She stood up. "Thank you for your ice pack, Mr. Zimmerman. It's late, so I should head home to rest."

"Alright. I'll drop you off."

"It's fine," she quickly said.

However, he'd already gotten to his feet. He looked down at her and said, "This is my chance to show you an alternative route here. It'll be much easier for you to come to me in the shortest time possible when I want to see you."

That sounded wrong, but Isabel didn't say anything. She followed Dominic silently.

The path he took her down wasn't the main road that stretched beyond the villa's gates. Walking along that path would bring them to Premiero Estate's west entrance, which was the closest to them. It would take six or seven minutes on foot at most.

However, the path they were taking was a narrow one that wasn't exactly hidden or open to the public.

Why wasn't it hidden? Because it was lined with ground-level lights that shone brightly in a long strip. On both sides of it were leisure areas—something of a small park that was essentially part of Zeeson Manor's grounds.

Premiero Estate's north side appeared before them at the end of the path. Isabel remembered that there wasn't a gate there—it was too close to Zeeson Manor, so no entrances or exits had been allowed when the place was designed.

But under Dominic's lead, Isabel discovered a small gate. It even unlocked by fingerprint recognition!

He waved a hand before her, dragging her out of her reverie. He smiled and asked, "Remember how to get here now, Isabel?"

She was still dazed as she pointed at the gate. "But I thought…"

"I built this place, so I can do whatever I want, wherever I want," Dominic spoke with an arrogant swagger that only someone who was obscenely rich could pull off.

Isabel had no words. One could be as arrogant as they wanted when they had money. Besides, Premiero Estate had the strictest purchasing rules in the whole of Jeriton.

Why? Because it was up to Dominic to decide.

He said, "Come here. Register your fingerprint."