chapter 8: The man devil didn't expect

For reasons Adrian couldn't quite explain, he wanted to know what would happen when they finally stood face-to-face.

The next morning, Isabella was arranging the restaurant's reservations when Nadia hurried into the office.

"Madam Isabella?"

Isabella looked up."What is it?"

"Mr. Blackwell is here."

The pen slipped from Isabella's fingers, for a moment, she couldn't move, then she rose slowly from her chair.

"Where is he?"

"At the entrance."

Isabella took a steadying breath and walked toward the front of the restaurant.

Victor stood near the doorway, dressed in an immaculate dark suit, his expression was calm, almost pleasant, but Isabella knew better than to trust it.

His eyes settled on her."There you are."

She stopped a few steps away.

"Good morning, Mr. Blackwell."

"Good morning, Isabella."

His gaze moved around the restaurant before returning to her.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"Is there something you need?"

Victor smiled."Straight to the point. I like that."

Isabella said nothing, he took a step closer.

"I've heard that you've found yourself a fiancé."

Her heart began to pound, but she kept her expression steady.

"not found because he just came back for me."

"How wonderful."His smile widened, though there was no warmth in it.

"And I thought it would be rude not to introduce myself to the man who intends to marry you."

Isabella felt the blood drain from her face, victor glanced toward the entrance.

"Tell me, Isabella."His voice dropped.

"Where is your fiancé?" She opened her mouth, but no answer came, Victor's smile disappeared.

"Don't tell me you've already started lying to me."

Isabella forced herself to look him in the eyes."He isn't here at the moment."

"Then call him."

Her stomach tightened, "Mr. Blackwell"

"Call him, Isabella."His voice was still quiet, but the command was unmistakable.

"I would very much like to meet the man who believes he can take my bride away from me."

Isabella stood frozen, knowing that one wrong answer could expose everything, and Victor was waiting.

"Or should I assume your fiancé doesn't exist?"Victor's question hung in the air.

Isabella struggled to respond, she couldn't call Adrian without knowing whether he was nearby.

"Is there a problem here?"

The familiar voice came from behind her.

Isabella turned.

Adrian stood a few steps away, dressed in a dark shirt and trousers, holding a beautiful flower.

His expression was calm as he approached them, for the first time that morning, Isabella felt relieved.

"Adrian," she said.

He glanced at her before turning toward Victor.

"Good morning."

Victor studied him from head to toe.

"So, you're the fiancé."

Adrian extended his hand. "Adrian."

Victor looked at his hand for a moment before accepting the handshake, without saying another word, Adrian pulled out the chair beside Isabella and sat down.

He then handed her the flower.

"For you."

Isabella stared at it in surprise, before she could respond, Adrian gently took her hand and kissed the back of it.

"Good morning, Isabella."

Her heart skipped, it was the first time a man had been so close to her, let alone kissed her hand.

She wasn't sure how to react, but she quickly understood that Adrian was playing along.

So, she decided to do the same.

"Good morning," she replied softly, Victor watched the exchange, his expression darkening.Adrian finally turned toward him.Victor looked directly into his eyes.

"I believe you've heard about me."

"Yes, I have."

Adrian paused. "I heard there's a man in Montclair called Victor Blackpool who wants to take over my fiancée's life."

Victor's expression changed.

"Blackwell. My name is Victor Blackwell."

Adrian gave a slight nod.

"Of course. Blackwell."

Isabella lowered her eyes, hiding her amusement, Victor knew the man had deliberately mispronounced his surname, and it irritated him.

"Do you understand why I wanted to meet you?"

"Not particularly."

Victor leaned back slightly."You're marrying a woman whose family owes me a considerable amount of money, I believe you should understand the situation before making such a commitment."

Adrian glanced at Isabella.

"Is that why you're here?"

"I'm here because I don't appreciate strangers interfering in my affairs."

"Isabella isn't your property, Mr. Blackwell."

The words were spoken quietly, but they immediately changed the atmosphere.

Victor's expression hardened."Be careful, young man. You don't know who you're dealing with."

"Perhaps you should say the same about me."

Isabella looked between them, surprised by Adrian's response, Victor leaned forward.

"Do you even know what you're getting yourself into? Her family has debts, and those debts won't disappear because you've decided to play the hero."

Adrian remained unmoved.

"I'm not here to discuss her family's finances with you."

"Then what exactly are you here for?"

"To marry her."

Victor let out a short laugh.

"And when will that be?"

Adrian didn't hesitate.

"This weekend."

Isabella's eyes widened, this weekend?That was only two days away, she hadn't expected him to announce their wedding date so casually, especially in front of Victor.

Victor stared at Adrian before forcing a cold smile.

"Then I'll be patiently waiting for that day."

He eventually turned toward Isabella.

"Interesting choice of fiancé."

She said nothing, Victor adjusted his jacket and looked at Adrian again.

"I hope you understand that this matter isn't over."

Adrian gave a slight nod.

"Neither did I expect it to be."

Victor walked toward the entrance but stopped before leaving.

"Enjoy your time together. Montclair is a small place, and secrets rarely remain hidden."

With that, he left, Isabella released the breath she had been holding.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

Adrian turned toward her.

"Was that the man you've been afraid of?"

She frowned."I wasn't afraid."

"Your hands were shaking."

Isabella quickly folded them.

"He's not someone I want to make an enemy of."

"Then perhaps you should stop allowing him to decide how you live."

She looked at him."You make it sound so easy."

"It isn't."

Isabella stared at Adrian as though he had just announced something impossible few minutes ago.

“This weekend?” she repeated.

Adrian calmly took a sip of his coffee. “Is there a problem?”

“Of course, there is! You just told Victor we are getting married this weekend. That's only two days away.”

“And?”

“And you expect me to organise a wedding in two days?”

“I thought you wanted a groom, not a wedding celebration.”

Isabella opened her mouth, then closed it again, he had a point, but that didn't make the situation any less ridiculous.

“I still need to inform Hannah. And Daniel. I can't simply disappear and return as someone's wife.”

“Then inform them.”

“That's your solution?”

“Would you prefer I cancel the wedding?”

“No!” she answered too quickly.

Adrian raised an eyebrow, Isabella looked away, embarrassed by her reaction.

“I mean, we have already made the announcement, Canceling now would give Victor exactly what he wants.”

“Then we proceed.” He said it so casually, as though they were discussing a restaurant reservation rather than marriage.

Neither noticed Victor's car still parked across the street.

Inside it, Victor watched them through the window, he picked up his phone.

"Find out everything about that man," he instructed, he paused, his eyes fixed on Adrian."I want to know who he really is."