All Chapters of Bound by a Billion Dollar Marriage: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Despite the internal fireworks going off, Isla kept her expression perfectly composed respectful, obedient, no trace of foul play whatsoever.But her eyes were a little too bright, a little too satisfied.I had the perfect alibi ready I stirred it right in front of everyone, so there's no way I could've slipped anything in. And that wasabi packet is already buried in the trash. No fingerprints, no evidence, nothing.He'll never suspect a thing.Grayson didn't look up. He kept flipping through the documents with one hand and reached for the cup with the other.Just as he lifted it, his hand clipped the edge of the coaster, and the cup tilted sharply.Isla lunged to catch it but hesitated, worried touching the rim would make him ask for a replacement cup entirely. Instead her fingers grazed the body of the cup itself. The coffee had cooled some, but the ceramic was still scalding, and the whole mess had been stirred vigorously with her own fingers moments ago.Her grip slipped. The whol

Isla understood exactly what he meant by that particular jab.And there's genuinely no good move here. Can't set it down. Can't keep holding it either.She sat there stiff and pale, choking down whatever retort she wanted to make, forcing a strained smile instead."Mr. Vale, you didn't just call me into this car so you could make fun of me, right?" Isla said, a bad feeling already creeping up her spine.Though honestly, at this point, I have no idea if "bad feeling" even covers what's coming.Serving under a man like this really is like handling a tiger. So why did I climb in this car after one sentence, no questions asked?!She glanced sideways at him. His profile was, as ever, unfairly elegant sharp jaw, soft skin, dark eyes bright with quiet mischief that never quite reached the surface.Isla's smile had gone rigid from strain, and Grayson still hadn't bothered replying at all.Just... completely ignoring me now. Great.She turned away, gently setting the paper bag down at her feet

Isla didn't dare look up for the rest of the meal, spending every bite in a low-grade panic.She was starving, but wouldn't touch anything without inspecting it first even the water got a cautious lick before she committed to drinking.Twice now, this man has ruined dinner. First he bankrupted me. Now he tried to poison my taste buds. Never again.Nothing good has ever come from eating with this man."Mr. Vale, it's getting late I should head home. Thank you for dinner." Isla wiped her mouth, considerably steadier than the mess she'd been minutes ago.Dancing with a wolf requires nerve. And apparently a lot of self-control.Since he hadn't brought up the wasabi disaster directly, she decided to pretend she didn't suspect a thing either.She set down her napkin, hands folded on her knees, blinking up at him with practiced innocence."Mm." Grayson's response came low and even. He set down his utensils, picked up a napkin, and wiped his hands with unhurried precision. Clean, elegant fing

Grayson looked down at the woman in his arms playing dead, three visible tension lines forming on his forehead.After a beat, he simply carried her inside the estate.Isla kept her hands clenched tighter and tighter against her chest as they moved.This is dangerously close to disaster. If anyone suspects a thing, I am completely finished. I need to sell this performance.She forced her lashes still, steadied her breathing, and committed fully to the role.The butler stepped out to greet them, momentarily startled at the sight of Grayson carrying Isla inside then recovered his composure fast."What happened, Madam?""Twisted her ankle. Fainted." Grayson's tone was cold, clipped, done with the whole ordeal."Thank you for personally seeing her home safely, sir.""This way, sir."Listening to the exchange, Isla's anxiety spiked dreading what Grayson might say next, or worse, that the real Grayson Vale might want to see her.She felt herself being carried up the stairs. Oh no. Is he actu

Isla used the document delivery as cover, handing a colleague a bag of clothes draped with a silk scarf, claiming it was paperwork prepared for the CEO.Once the drop-off was done and she heard the good news that the Great Demon King was away on business, pure relief flooded through her.Today is going to be a good day.Back at his desk, Bradley barely settled in before wandering over to find her."Translator Bennett, about that favor from before I'm actually free today," he said, all smiles.His gaze had turned distinctly warmer since the last conversation."Sir, Mr. Vale's away on business today, not sure when he's back," Isla said, standing respectfully, keeping her voice soft.Bradley blinked, surprised. "On business? Word travels fast we hadn't even heard yet."His fond expression deepened.Something about that warmth sent an uneasy chill down her spine she flashed back to the whole coffee-and-wandering-hands debacle in the meeting the day before.Everyone's drawing their own con