Chapter 4

Sofia immediately sat up straight, pretending to be startled, and deliberately adjusted the strap that had slipped from her shoulder.

"Miss Isabelle? What are you doing here?"

A flash of panic crossed Antonio's face. He sat upright, straightened his suit, and then glared at me.

"Who gave you permission to come in?

"I've said it before. Without my permission, nobody is allowed to enter the study!"

"Marco said he had a document he needed me to deliver to you," I replied calmly.

He was the one who had sent me here. Yet now he was angry because I had come.

I truly couldn't understand him.

Antonio let out a cold laugh and pressed the intercom.

Less than a minute later, Marco hurried into the room.

"Did you tell her I wanted to see her?" Antonio asked coldly.

Marco glanced at Sofia, who was subtly signaling to him, and sweat immediately appeared on his forehead.

"I... I only told her that you were in the study."

"Ha."

As though he had caught me doing something wrong, Antonio turned toward me with a sneer.

"Is this really necessary, Isabelle?

"I thought you'd finally learned your lesson. What is it? You still can't resist spying on me?

"Should I install a camera in the study so you can feel at ease?

"Or would you rather come here in person and see exactly what kind of work Sofia and I are discussing?"

Before I could answer, Sofia gently interrupted. Her hand rested lightly on his arm as she spoke softly.

"Don Rossi, please don't be angry. Miss Isabelle only cares about you so much that she was willing to deceive you just to see you."

Then she looked at me with an innocent expression.

"Please don't be upset. My back was hurting earlier, and Don Rossi was only massaging it so I could continue working.

"We're both doing this for the family. Please don't misunderstand."

She said not to misunderstand, but the look in her eyes practically wished I would lose control on the spot.

Antonio, on the other hand, was still furious.

"Personal matters are personal matters. Rules are rules. Since we're at family headquarters, everyone follows family rules.

"Isabelle entered the study without authorization. As punishment, all of this year's profit shares will be forfeited, and she'll be confined to the estate for one week."

Marco couldn't help speaking up. "Don Rossi, Miss Isabelle actually—"

But Antonio cut him off with a wave of his hand. "Enough. I don't want to hear any excuses!"

I shrugged indifferently. "Fine."

Then I turned and prepared to leave.

"Wait."

Antonio stopped me.

Perhaps because he had already punished me, some of his anger had faded. His tone softened slightly, though it still carried an air of condescension.

"Isabelle, this isn't personal. Rules are rules. If I let you off simply because you're my fiancée, how am I supposed to maintain authority in front of everyone else?

"Since you're being so cooperative, five days of confinement is enough."

Sofia nodded in agreement.

"That's right, Miss Isabelle. Next time, if you want to enter the study, ask me first. I know Don Rossi's affairs better than anyone."

Antonio gave her an approving look before turning back to me.

"If you could learn even a third of Sofia's good sense, you'd be the perfect donna."

Learn from her?

To climb into Don Rossi's bed? To sow discord? Or how to take credit for someone else's accomplishments?

I let out a laugh and didn't bother arguing.

This was the third time today he had offended me, and I hadn't reacted fiercely.

A faint smile of satisfaction appeared on his face.

He probably thought I had truly become obedient.

Antonio walked over and reached out as though he intended to touch my face, carrying himself like someone bestowing a favor.

"I know all of this is just your way of getting my attention.

"You've actually improved quite a bit lately. As a reward, we'll go pick a wedding dress tomorrow and finally start preparing for the wedding."

After a pause, he added, "But don't get too excited. Marriage is only the beginning. You still have a lot to learn."

"Wedding?"

I took a step back, cutting him off, and let out a light laugh.

Then I pulled another document from my handbag and held it out in front of him.

"Antonio Rossi, our engagement is over. You signed the agreement yourself."