Chapter Five: She Really Does Have Double Standards

Adrian crashed to the floor, clutching his nose, staring up at Lucas in disbelief. "You actually dared to hit me?"

Lucas gave a cold laugh. "You've been acting like a snake this whole time. You were asking for it."

Adrian, furious, opened his mouth to curse. Lucas picked up his suitcase and walked out.

Outside the manor gates, he hailed a carriage and checked into an inn nearby.

For the next few days, he didn't contact Isabella or the boys. He traveled to the quiet town of Harrowmere to clear his head.

The weekend happened to be the Royal Academy's centennial celebration, so Lucas hurried back to Lumenreach a day early to attend with Gabriel.

After speaking with several of the Academy's leaders, Gabriel excused himself to find the restroom. Lucas went looking for some fresh air. When he turned around, he saw Isabella in a sharp, elegant business suit, every inch the capable woman.

He stood rooted to the spot, certain he had mistaken someone else for her.

Didn't she say she wasn't coming? From the way she laughed and chatted with the school leaders, she had clearly been invited. Why did she never tell me?

A hundred questions rose at once. A man beside him followed his gaze and smiled. "President Sterling is beautiful and remarkable, isn't she? She's a renowned entrepreneur we invited personally. She made a very generous donation to the Academy this year, too."

"But don't get any ideas. President Sterling is already married. That's her husband beside her, see?"

Lucas snapped out of his daze, and only then noticed Adrian standing next to Isabella.

His lips twitched in a bitter smile. So that's why she hid it from me. She wanted to attend with Adrian.

The man beside him raised a hand and greeted Isabella. She walked over with Adrian, and her eyes landed on Lucas at once.

She paused for the briefest moment, then, without a trace of panic, turned to greet the people around her.

They showered her with compliments, then turned to Adrian. "Is this President Sterling's husband? He's even more handsome in person than in the photographs. You two make such a perfect couple!"

Even with such a mistake hanging in the air, Isabella didn't deny it. She let it stand, as though she quietly approved.

Adrian smiled and thanked them, then slid a smug, provocative glance toward Lucas.

Lucas lowered his eyes. His chest tightened, and something cold flashed through them.

When the crowd drifted away, he looked at the two of them and said, dripping with sarcasm, "What a perfect couple. Should I congratulate you in advance?"

Isabella heard every drop of it. She frowned. "Can't you speak properly? There's simply no need to explain things to outsiders. You know I hate unnecessary trouble."

She looked him up and down. "And what are you doing here?"

Lucas almost laughed. Explaining that you're a couple is troublesome. But letting people think you're husband and wife is not?

Isabella really did have double standards.

"Does it matter why I'm here?" he said flatly. "If I hadn't come, I would have missed this wonderful show."

Isabella's temper flared. "Do you have to talk like that?"

Lucas raised an eyebrow. He saw nothing wrong with how he spoke.

Seeing the air turn tense, Adrian stepped in smoothly. "Izzy, didn't you say you'd introduce me to Professor Wells from the Department of Arcane Computing? Let's go say hello."

Isabella swallowed her anger, and her voice softened as she answered him. "Then wait here. I'll go find Professor Wells."

"Okay."

The moment she left, Adrian's expression shifted, and he began to taunt Lucas. "Izzy would rather be misunderstood than admit you're her husband. You know she thinks you're a disgrace, right?"

"Lucas Hale, you have remarkable patience. You're wearing the cuckold's crown for the whole world to see, and you still won't divorce her."

He paused and leaned in close, his voice full of provocation. "I've been staying with Izzy these past few days, and I've done everything I wanted to do..."

He never finished. Lucas clenched his fist, wasted no more words, and drove it straight at his eye.

Adrian, caught off guard again, staggered back two steps, covering his face.

The people nearby gasped. A commotion broke out as they hurried away, afraid of being caught in the fight.

Lucas rolled his wrist, his expression dark, ready to strike again. Then Isabella rushed over and slapped him without a word.

His face snapped to the side. His cheek burned, but his heart turned to ice.

Isabella glared at him. "Have you lost your mind? Who gave you permission to raise a hand? Lucas Hale, if you keep this up, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

He lifted his head, about to ask exactly how ruthless she planned to be, when she spoke again.

"You're too impulsive. You aren't fit to keep working at the company. Take some time off and go home to reflect on your behavior! When you realize your mistake and apologize to Adrian, I'll consider letting you return."

Given how Lucas was now, Isabella didn't expect him to apologize at all.

With that, she left with Adrian, fussing over the injury on his face as they walked, her manner tender and intimate.

Adrian smiled and said he was fine. As they passed Lucas, he shot him another smug look.

Lucas stood motionless, watching the two figures walk away. A bitter taste rose in his throat, and he laughed quietly at himself.

People nearby came to ask if he was all right. He came back to himself and said he was fine.

His phone rang. He glanced at the name on the screen and answered immediately.

A few minutes later, Lucas stood before Professor Wells with a clear red handprint on his cheek, which made the old man furious.

"You threw away your talent to become a lowly employee at the Sterling company," he said in exasperation, "and now you cling to Isabella Sterling's side all day like a house-husband. And on top of that, you start a brawl at the Academy's centennial! What are you doing? Aren't you famous enough already?"

Lucas puffed out his cheeks and laughed without a care. "Professor, I know I was wrong. I've decided to return to this field. Please don't be angry, or you'll make yourself ill."

Professor Wells glared at him. "You brat. So you do know how to worry about me."

Lucas soothed him a few more times, then said, "Actually, I've been doing research on my own all these years. I can't match the latest technology of the big firms, but I haven't fallen behind."

The professor's expression eased.

Lucas was the finest student he had ever taught: quick-witted, a born scholar of the craft. Now that he was willing to return, the old man was delighted.

He softened his tone but kept his face stern. "From today, study hard for the Academy's graduate entrance exam and continue your research under my guidance. I'll reserve a place for you."

Lucas had been thinking the same thing, so he agreed.

They talked a while longer, and soon it was nearly lunchtime. "I've arranged lunch with the other professors," said Professor Wells. "Gabriel is coming too. Why don't you join us?"

Lucas agreed. Halfway through the meal, he stepped out to the restroom. As he passed a private dining room, he suddenly heard Isabella's voice.

"Just kiss me. What are you afraid of?"

He stopped. He looked up and peered through the gap in the door, which hadn't closed all the way.

Isabella and Adrian sat side by side. And after speaking those words, Isabella leaned in and kissed Adrian herself.