LOGINClaudia's chest heaved with anger, the fringe of her dress trembling. "You had an agreement with me. I helped treat Isolde's hands. How can you turn around and fund Ydoria? This is outright betrayal!""Betrayal?" Bruce gave a low, mocking chuckle. "When Your Highness used me as a shield, publicly revealed our relationship on your own, and forced me to play along in this charade… that wasn't betrayal?"He crushed the cigarette into a nearby sandstone ashtray, his movements measured yet heavy with unspoken pressure. "I'm simply learning from Your Highness' way of handling matters and returning the favor."Claudia fell silent, anger rushing to her face and threatening to break her composure.Through clenched teeth, she said, "Bruce, don't forget that Isolde's hands are still under my medical team's care. At my command, I could cripple her for life. If she becomes disabled, she'll suffer forever, and she'll hate you forever."This was her final and strongest bargaining chip.Bruce's
The madness and recklessness burning in Isolde's eyes made Claudia's heart tighten.The smug, provocative expression on Claudia's face faltered at once.No matter what Bruce was planning, the one-week agreement had not yet ended, and everything had yet to unfold. If Isolde lost all reason and caused a scene, all plans would collapse, and every prior effort and calculation would go to waste.The sense of being held by the throat, especially by someone like Isolde whom she had never taken seriously, was unbearable.Claudia's expression darkened, her face turning both pale and flushed, her arrogant composure nearly impossible to maintain. "Isolde, you only know how to act tough in front of me. Bruce has wronged and betrayed you like this, yet you don't even dare raise your voice at him?"She stepped closer, her gaze sharp. "Are you so in love with him that you've lost yourself, or… do you not love him at all, which is why you can endure this so calmly?"The two of you don't look lik
Inside the hot spring club, steam lingered in the air, carrying a faint, soothing fragrance.The private bath area lay in near silence, broken only by the soft sound of flowing water.The moment they stepped out of the car, Bruce, as always, lifted Isolde into his arms and carried her with steady ease to the soft sofa bed in the private lounge. He set her down with care."You're hurt. You shouldn't be soaking. Just sit here and let the steam warm you. It'll help." He draped a thin blanket over her legs, every movement precise and deliberate.Isolde studied his profile at such close range, her gaze conflicted.Considerate? He truly was.But if he were truly considerate, why bring her here?In the end, she said nothing and only nodded.At her quiet compliance, as she suppressed every trace of emotion, a dark undercurrent flickered in Bruce's eyes before he forced it down.He straightened, his tone even. "I'll go change."Only after he disappeared into the changing room did the
Isolde's polite smile was now almost impossible to maintain. 'This man really is… skilled at playing both sides. While flirting with Claudia, he still makes a show of caring for his wife.'Bruce seemed completely unaware. He picked up a piece of cut steak with his fork and, as if by habit, brought it to Isolde's lips. His voice dropped to a low, magnetic tone. "The steak here is quite good. Try it."Isolde did not want to eat. Every part of her resisted. Yet in this situation, reason compelled her to obey, and she opened her mouth.The meat was tender and full of juice, melting on her tongue. The seasoning was precise, the quality unmistakably top-tier.'It seems this star-rated restaurant isn't a place Bruce has visited only once.' The thought tightened her throat, and the delicious beef suddenly became difficult to swallow. Humiliation, anger, and exhaustion surged within her."My hand hurts." Isolde's voice was cold and emotionless. "I want to go back.""It hurts?" Bruce immed
Claudia looked at Isolde with clear blue eyes. Her delicate brows drew together, and a hint of gravity settled in her gaze.Their eyes met.Isolde's stare was chilly. 'What did you promise?'Claudia gave a barely perceptible shake of her head. 'I didn't know you'd come.'As if oblivious to the tension between them, Bruce sat down, picked up the decanter, and poured wine for himself and Claudia."Princess, thanks to you, Isolde's hands will heal." He raised his glass, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather. "She's always wanted to thank you in person."Claudia did not fully understand what was happening, but years of attending grand occasions had taught her composure. Even if a mountain collapsed in front of her, she would remain unruffled.She clinked her glass against his. "It's nothing."Bruce's next sentence nearly made her choke. "It's just as well to get familiar. You'll have to interact sooner or later. Better to get used to it in advance."'Later?' Clau
"That's too dirty," Bruce spat.Ezra opened his mouth to speak, but his throat tightened and no words came out. He had never seen Bruce like this.Bruce spoke of his own ugliness with stark honesty, saw his desires and weaknesses with unsettling clarity, and guarded a "light" he might never reach with something close to humility."But…" Bruce's fingers tightened around the railing. "I'm not willing to accept that. I still want to try one last time. If she still doesn't care at all…"He fell silent for a long moment, long enough that Ezra thought he would not continue.Then, slowly and faintly, Bruce tugged at the corner of his lips. "Then I won't struggle anymore. I don't believe… that there's truly not even a trace of me in her heart."…At dinnertime, a maid came instead of Bruce. "Ms. Vancrest, the Prince instructed me to bring you to the dining hall."Isolde had been staring out the window, lost in thought. At the maid's words, her lashes trembled slightly. "Where is he?"
The secretary watched in terror as the smile on Bruce's face froze into something icy."Prince, did Ms. Vancrest get back together with Alan?"Bruce's eyes hardened, and his voice turned firm. "She couldn't possibly reconcile with Alan."Walter strode in, his wrinkled face drawn with anguish. "Wh
Sandra was nothing more than someone Isolde had used and hurt."Stay home. I'll bring her back." Alan dropped those words and quickly slipped into another car, chasing after her himself.Sandra watched his car disappear, worry etched across her face. Only when the taillights vanished from sight di
"It's the same taste as before, but I'm sorry. My palate's been spoiled by Bruce. This is really… hard to swallow."Alan's pupils constricted, disbelief spreading across his face. "Bruce cooks for you?"'Isn't Bruce just someone who enjoys cooking? With skills like that, he must cook for himself e
"Isolde! Back so soon? How is the Prince?" Joan asked."He's awake, but his injuries are severe.""Then why aren't you staying with him at the hospital?" Joan pressed, confused. "It's not as if you're needed here. You aren't even hosting the press conference."Isolde lowered herself into a chair,







