All Chapters of The CEO’s Contract Bride: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

ETHAN’S POVI was in the hallway outside the conference room when I heard her name."Isabella handled that presentation brilliantly," one voice said. I recognized it as Richard Chen, senior board member at Moretti Luxe. "The way she broke down the revenue projections, accounted for market volatility, even addressed seasonal fluctuations. That level of detail is rare.""She's sharper than I expected," another voice replied. James Warren, I thought. "When she presented the partnership terms, she had answers for every objection before we could raise them. That's preparation."I stopped walking, standing just outside their view."Samuel tried to corner her with that conflict of interest question," Richard continued. "But she turned it around completely. Made him look petty for even suggesting it.""Because he was being petty. ISMARA generated forty million euros last year. That's a legitimate business.""Exactly."Richard's voice lowered slightly. "Between you and me, I think she's going

ETHAN’S POVThe joint planning meeting was scheduled.I arrived early, positioning myself near the back of the conference room where I could observe without being obvious.Isabella walked in exactly on time, Lucia half a step behind her. She wore a charcoal suit, minimal jewelry, her hair pulled back in a way that was both elegant and severe. Professional armor.She acknowledged my presence with a small smile, then moved to the head of the table and began setting up her presentation.Three investors filed in. High-net-worth clients I had personally invited. They greeted me first, then turned their attention to Isabella."Ms. Moretti," one of them said, extending his hand. "Richard Chen. I've been following ISMARA's expansion. Impressive work.""Thank you, Mr. Chen." Isabella shook his hand once, firmly, then released it. "I appreciate you taking the time to meet with us today."No lingering touch or flirtatious smile. Just professional courtesy.I watched her move through introduction

ETHAN’S POVIsabella’s phone rang on the table. The screen lit up. The caller ID was strangely saved; a bold letter B with double hearts.“I have to take this,” she said, walking out the door.I stood there in silence for a moment before realization set in.B as in Beaumont?She had saved his name discreetly.I walked out, searching for her, then I heard her voice through the half-open door.I stopped.Her tone was different. Softer. Warmer than I had ever heard it. Not the cold professional voice she used in meetings. Not the controlled politeness she gave me.This was different."I miss you too," she continued. "I can’t wait to see you and wrap my arms around you," she said in a hushed tone.My hands clenched into a fist. Something snapped inside me.All the doubt from the past week, all the questioning, all the moments where I had started to believe maybe I was wrong about her. it all shattered.This was it. The proof I had been looking for.She was exactly who I thought she was. A

ETHAN’S POVMy wrist still burned where she had pulled free. My cheek still stung from her slap. My entire body felt charged with adrenaline and something else. Something I did not want to name.It was someone I love. Someone I miss desperately. Someone I would do anything to protect."Is it Laurent? Someone else? How many men are you stringing along while playing the professional businesswoman?"The accusation tasted wrong even as I said it.But I could not stop myself.She tried to slap me again, but I caught her wrist in time."Who is it?" I demanded."It doesn't matter who, because you'll make it about whatever narrative lets you keep hating me.""I don't hate you.""Yes, you do." Her voice broke slightly. "You've hated me since the moment you woke up next to me six years ago. And nothing I do will ever change that."Something snapped inside me.Maybe it was the pain in her voice. Maybe it was the way she was looking at me like I had already destroyed her. Maybe it was the jealous

ETHAN’S POV I did not sleep.I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, trying to convince myself the other night had been nothing more than another mistake.It did not work.Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her. Felt the way she had kissed me back with the same fury I had poured into her. Heard her breathing, uneven and unsteady.The anger had been real. The accusations had been real.But so had everything else.I had crossed a line I could not undo. I had accused her of prostitution, then kissed her.And she had let me.I got out of bed at five and went to my office. I pulled out the reports again. Evidence that proved nothing except my own paranoia.I had been wrong.Her words replayed in my head.You destroyed my life. You cost me my inheritance.I accessed the Moretti Luxe shareholder records from six years ago. Isabella’s name appeared with substantial holdings. Shares that had been transferred to Albert before they fully vested.I had always assumed she sold them. Cashed out and