CHAPTER SIXTEEN: THE WIFE THEY UNDERESTIMATED

Isabella stared at the three dresses spread across her bed.

For the first time since marrying Alessandro, she wanted to go shopping without Maria or the guards following her everywhere.

It wasn't that she disliked their company. She simply wanted to do something ordinary by herself.

Alessandro had left early that morning for an important business meeting, and she had decided to use the opportunity.

She picked a simple floral dress, tied her hair into a ponytail and took the black card Alessandro had given her.

Before leaving, she sent him a message.

I'm going shopping. I'll be back before dinner.

His reply came a few minutes later.

Take the guards.

She smiled.

I will.

---

The shopping mall was one of the most expensive in Milan.

Isabella had visited it once with Alessandro, but that day she had barely paid attention to the shops. She had been too busy trying to keep up with him.

Today, she wanted to take her time.

She entered a designer boutique and approached a saleswoman standing behind the counter.

"Good afternoon. I'd like to look at some dresses, please."

The woman glanced at her from head to toe.

"Do you have an appointment?"

Isabella blinked.

"An appointment? No. I just wanted to shop."

The saleswoman exchanged a look with her colleague.

"Perhaps you should try another store."

Isabella frowned slightly.

"Is there a problem?"

The woman gave a forced smile.

"This is an exclusive boutique. Our collections are quite expensive."

"I understand. I'd still like to have a look."

The saleswoman sighed.

"Madam, I don't think you understand. These aren't ordinary clothes. Perhaps there's a more affordable shop downstairs that would suit you."

Her colleague chuckled.

Isabella felt her cheeks grow warm.

"I didn't ask how much the clothes cost. I only asked to see them."

The saleswoman folded her arms.

"And I'm politely suggesting that you shop somewhere else."

Isabella looked around the beautiful boutique.

Other customers had begun watching them.

She wished she had never entered.

Still, she refused to leave without at least trying to explain herself.

"Could I speak with your manager?"

The woman's expression changed.

"Why? Are you planning to complain because we won't give you free clothes?"

Her colleague laughed louder.

Isabella's eyes stung.

"I never said anything about free clothes."

"Then perhaps you should show us that you can afford what you're asking for."

Isabella took out Alessandro's black card.

The saleswoman snatched it from her hand.

She examined it briefly before handing it to the cashier.

"Let's see."

The cashier inserted the card.

A few seconds later, the machine beeped.

TRANSACTION DECLINED.

The saleswoman burst into laughter.

"Oh, dear."

Isabella stared at the machine.

"That's strange. It should work."

"Of course it should. If it were real."

Her colleague leaned against the counter.

"Did you steal it?"

Isabella's head snapped up.

"No!"

"Then where did you get it?"

"My husband gave it to me."

The saleswoman laughed.

"Your husband?"

"Yes."

"Well, tell your husband to buy you a proper card before you come here pretending to be wealthy."

Isabella reached for it, but the woman pulled it away.

"Give it back, please."

"Not until we verify this thing. We could call the police. Possessing a fake bank card and attempting to use it is fraud."

"Please, listen to me. It's not fake."

"Then explain why it was declined."

Isabella felt tears gathering in her eyes.

She tried calling Alessandro, but the saleswoman interrupted her.

"You have no business making calls here. Leave before we have you arrested."

"Please, just let me speak—"

"Security!"

Two security officers approached.

The saleswoman threw the card onto the counter.

"Take her out. She's disturbing our customers."

Isabella picked up the card with trembling fingers.

She had never felt so humiliated.

Without another word, she walked out.

Behind her, the women were still laughing.

---

Outside the mall, Isabella found a quiet bench near the entrance.

She sat down and stared at the black card in her hand.

Alessandro had given it to her so she wouldn't have to worry about money. Yet the first time she tried using it, she had been accused of being a fraud.

She wiped her cheeks.

Perhaps the card had been blocked for security reasons. Perhaps she should have called Alessandro.

But she couldn't bring herself to go back inside.

She was still trying to control her breathing when a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Isabella Rossi?"

She looked up.

A man stood a few feet away, staring at her with surprise.

She recognized him immediately.

"Daniel?"

His face broke into a smile.

"I can't believe it! Is that really you?"

Isabella stood.

"Oh my goodness!"

Daniel laughed.

"It's been years!"

They hugged briefly, both laughing at the unexpected reunion.

Daniel had been one of her closest friends in high school. They had lost contact after graduation, and she had never expected to see him again.

"How have you been?" he asked.

"I'm doing well. What about you?"

"Busy with work. I actually moved back to Milan recently."

They began catching up, talking about old classmates, their teachers and the ridiculous things they had done as teenagers.

For the first time that afternoon, Isabella forgot about the boutique.

She laughed when Daniel reminded her of how she once fell asleep during an examination.

"I did not!"

"You absolutely did. I had to wake you up!"

Isabella covered her mouth, laughing.

"You promised never to tell anyone that!"

Daniel grinned.

"Some secrets deserve to survive, but that one doesn't."

Neither noticed the black car pulling into the parking area.

Inside it, Alessandro had just finished his meeting.

He glanced towards the mall entrance, expecting to find his wife.

Instead, he saw her sitting on a bench, laughing with a man he had never seen before.

His expression changed.

"Marco."

"Yes, sir?"

"Who is that man with my wife?"

Marco followed his gaze.

"I don't know, sir."

Alessandro watched as the stranger said something that made Isabella laugh again.

His jaw tightened.

"Find out."

Then he opened the car door.