Chapter 4

The moment the car door opened, Wynona closed her eyes and reclined slightly against the seat. The amber light of dusk passed through the window, casting a soft glow on her face and making her sleeping expression exude charm and grace.

Isaac paused at the sight of this. Reflexively, he lowered his head and went in for a kiss.

Sensing his breath, Wynona opened her eyes and yawned. She pressed a hand against his shoulder lightly.

Then, she drawled in a voice thick with drowsiness, "Man, I can't believe I actually fell asleep… Where's Ms. Stone?"

Isaac chuckled, playing along with her. He reached up and tapped the tip of her nose. "Don't mind her. She's long gone. Let's go eat somewhere else, alright?" He was calm again, with not a trace of his earlier fluster.

Wynona's eyes held a subtle chill, but she nodded.

As the car pulled away, she couldn't help glancing at the now-empty parking spot beside them.

She wondered if that man from before would keep his mouth shut. Then again, no one would dare casually gossip about the man helming Ark Group at the moment.

Wynona pondered this in silence, but her absentmindedness took on another meaning in Isaac's eyes. He felt a slight pang in his chest.

So, he reached over and held her hand. "Don't worry. Nothing is going on between Marilyn and me. Even if she still has feelings for me, my heart is yours."

Wynona's eyes flickered slightly as she nodded. Isaac couldn't read her emotions, and this unsettled him.

After dinner, he took her to a mall and bought her bags and clothes. He spent over two million dollars on her just to make things up to her.

Despite the jaw-dropping figure, that amount meant nothing to Isaac.

Upon reaching home, Wynona watched Isaac leave before kicking aside the pile of shopping bags on the floor and picking up her phone to message Tom.

"Did you get the scoop?" she texted.

The reply came quickly, "The story's up. Hit me up next time if you have such a sensational tidbit."

Wynona smiled and texted back, "Sure thing."

She switched back to her main account and opened a trending news app.

As expected, the gossip piece was out. Several photos of Isaac and Marilyn arguing and tugging at each other outside the restaurant had already been reposted over six thousand times within five minutes.

The headlines were interesting and dramatic.

"Ark Group's CEO Met up With Another Woman Late at Night! Is This a Sign of a Breakup?"

"Scandal in Lonmire! Ark Group CEO Caught Cheating!"

These articles swiftly surged to the top of Lonmire's trending list.

Wynona noted that her name hadn't been dragged into the mess. She gave the post a like.

Ark Group's PR team was famously quick to react. By now, Isaac must have seen the news.

This was just a test. Wynona didn't intend to push too hard yet. She just needed to gauge and see how much of an effect a scandal like this would have on Ark Group's stock prices if Isaac's long-maintained image as a devoted lover began to crack.

Isaac's three-year-long branding as a man who came to his beloved's rescue had inadvertently shackled him to being a loyal and loving man in everyone's eyes.

If he thought that he could enjoy all the perks and just walk away scot-free, he had better be prepared to pay the price.

…

At the same time, Isaac was on the phone with Ark Group's PR department. His phone was blowing up with dozens of messages and calls coming in nonstop.

His expression darkened. Instantly, he knew something had gone wrong.

"What's going on?" he asked.

The PR manager stammered in panic, "M-Mr. Zeigler, a paparazzo posted photos of you being intimate with a woman outside the restaurant. Everyone's saying that you cheated. The company's stock is tanking. What should we do?"

The story blew up so quickly and caused so much outrage that even their battle-hardened PR team was rattled.

How could Isaac be caught cheating? It was impossible! He was known for his unwavering devotion to Wynona.

Isaac frowned and quickly instructed, "Suppress the hype for now. I'll clarify this personally."

He hung up and whipped the steering wheel around, making a sharp U-turn.

Five minutes later, he pulled up outside Wynona's apartment.

As he got out of his car, the doors to the apartment lobby opened.

Wynona rushed out and said breathlessly, "Isaac, the internet's full of pictures of you and Ms. Stone."

Isaac pulled her into her unit and glanced around before closing the door.

Once they were inside, he held her shoulders tensely and explained, "Wynn, there's really nothing going on between us. Please believe me."

Wynona pushed him away and sat on the couch. Without saying a single word, she picked up her phone.

Isaac felt frustrated for a moment. He followed her and continued, "Marilyn was the one who kept clinging to me. She means nothing to me now. Please help me clear things up. Let's issue a joint statement—"

"Look at this." Wynona cut him off, holding up her phone.

It was dashcam footage. The video showed Isaac parking the car and the two of them walking into the restaurant hand in hand.

Isaac paused. "What is this?"

Wynona explained calmly, "We'll release the footage and say that we were on a date when we happened to bump into your past acquaintance. We'll say that you just exchanged a few words, and that there was absolutely no cheating. That way, the rumors will go away."

Isaac visibly relaxed. He hadn't expected Wynona to go along with the damage control so willingly, without him having to beg her to help.

While others might not know yet, Wynona was fully aware that Marilyn was his ex. But why wasn't she angry at all?

Isaac stepped closer and watched as she sent the footage to the PR department.

His voice grew tender as he said, "Wynn, you don't need to pretend to be so calm. It's okay to throw a little tantrum and admit that you're jealous."

An icy glint passed through Wynona's eyes. She smiled gently and said, "I'm not jealous or angry."

Isaac frowned and skeptically asked, "Really?"

If someone truly loved another, jealousy was inevitable. They would want to possess that person wholly and completely. Wynona had loved him deeply for years, so how could she not be envious of Marilyn?

Wynona merely turned and poured him a glass of water. "Of course. Even if there was some lingering attachment, I get it. You loved her once. So, it's understandable. Don't worry."

Isaac accepted the glass but set it aside, feeling slightly miffed.

Wynona's indifference at the moment was likely because he had maintained a spotless image over the past three years. He had spoiled her into thinking that he'd never leave.

Little did she know that in two months, he would break off the engagement and give her the surprise of her life.

Isaac narrowed his eyes.

"It's all good now. You have nothing to worry about." Wynona smiled as she showed him the video Ark Group's PR team had posted.

From the comments, it was clear that Isaac's image had been salvaged.

"Told you! Mr. Zeigler loves Wynona too much to cheat on her."

"The media is just desperate to fish for clicks. That's Isaac Zeigler we're talking about! He's the man who'd give up anything for his fiancee! Their love is unshakable."

Isaac smiled absentmindedly, his gaze lingering on Wynona. She had changed into silk loungewear after getting home. Her fair, delicate skin glowed softly under the indoor lights.

In all these years, no matter how close they'd gotten, Wynona had never slept with him. Isaac thought that it felt like such a waste to let her go without ever having a taste of her.

Isaac swallowed hard, and his gaze burned with lust. "Wynn, you look so beautiful tonight."

Wynona picked up on his intent immediately and reminded him, "The company's stock price is fluctuating. Maybe you should check in at the office."

"No." Isaac leaned back on the couch and tugged at her wrist. "I'll stay here with you tonight, okay?"

Wynona didn't move. Her faint smile almost faltered as she said, "I told you. We won't have sex until after we get married."

"Does it make a difference at this point?" Isaac argued, unwilling to let it slide. "Once your father's better, we'll set the date. It's just roughly half a month more till then. It's been years, Wynn. Don't make me wait any longer."

Wynona's smile vanished, and her lips pulled into a taut line. "You've waited for over three years. Can't you wait half a month more?"

She looked down at him, emanating the naturally chilly and distant air that she always had about her.

Isaac's intentions were laid bare, causing his expression to sour with frustration. He yanked Wynona's hand forcefully, and she tumbled right into his arms.

Isaac whispered in her ear in what he presumed was a coaxing and enticing voice, "Let's not fight, Wynn. Let me have you."

Wynona turned her head away and shoved him. "Don't do this. Let go…"

"Hush. If you love me, don't say no."

Isaac clutched her waist and yanked at the tie of her robe. As her robe loosened, he expected to see her bare skin. But underneath the robe, there was a snug camisole.

Wynona took the chance to push him off and quickly retie her robe. She remained firm as she turned him down. "Not tonight, Isaac. I hope you can respect my wishes."

Isaac's appetite for intimacy was thoroughly whetted. The more unattainable she was, the more he wanted her. The way she resisted so adamantly only fueled his need to conquer her.

He went to embrace her from behind, ignoring her words. "I'll be gentle. I won't hurt you. Okay?"

Wynona's expression hardened. "Didn't you hear me? I said no."

The tenderness in Isaac's eyes vanished. He pursed his lips and pressed, "Why wait? I love you so much. I'm dying to marry you. What's holding you back?"

"I said no. Can you not understand plain words?" Wynona's tone turned sharp. It was the first time in the past three years that she had openly clashed with him.

Isaac was so shocked that he was rendered speechless.

A shrill ringtone broke the tension. The phone on the table buzzed furiously as a call from a shareholder came in.

Ark Group's stock had dropped for the first time in three years. The entire board was shaken.

Isaac picked up the phone with much annoyance.

Wynona stood up and moved away. She glanced toward the keypad lock on the door and thought that it was high time to change the code. She foresaw that this kind of situation would repeat itself in the next two months.

"Alright. I'm coming."

Isaac hung up on the call and looked up. Only then did he notice the genuine look of indignance on Wynona's face. He realized that he'd gone too far in his desperation.

He stood up, grabbed his coat, and reached for her. "Wynn…"

Wynona backed away, avoiding his touch with evident distrust in her eyes.

Isaac felt a pang of guilt. "I have to go to the office. You were right. Now's not the right time. I lost it for a moment. Don't hold it against me, okay?"

Wynona didn't want to see him for another second. Fighting down the disgust that bubbled in her chest, she said, "Go."

Isaac gave her one last look and took his keys. Finally, he left.

The apartment fell silent.

Wynona smoothed out the wrinkled couch and tossed the glass he used into the trash. Ever since she learned of Isaac's true character, every second of her being in his presence made her skin crawl.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

She assumed that Isaac had returned for something. But when she opened the door, she was greeted by Yolanda's beaming smile.