Chapter 38

Isabella clutched the property deed, her hands trembling like crazy.

"Why are you doing this? I'm not worth it!" Tears streamed down her face.

Michael closed his eyes for a moment, gently rubbing her hand with his fingertips. "I told you before, whether it's worth it or not, that's for me to decide."

His gaze was so intense, it felt like it could melt her.

'There are still people who care about me in this world. They want to push me into the abyss, but it's not that easy.' Isabella thought, feeling deeply moved as she held the deed.

Michael could tell, even though she wasn't saying anything, that her eyes were filled with growing affection.

As he stared at her, Isabella's face turned red. She stammered, "You're too domineering, but you shouldn't spend money like this. We don't need such a big mansion."

Michael felt a rush of happiness. Her words showed she was willing to be with him.

"Michael, I appreciate the mansion and putting my name on the deed, but I can't accept it. Don't try to fool me with the lottery story. Big wins always get reported, and no one mentioned this one. So don't lie to me." Isabella looked up at him seriously.

Michael smiled. She was worried about him.

"What if I told you this money means nothing to me? A mansion is just another number in my assets." He smiled at her. To him, it was just another addition to his wealth.

"Don't deceive me. Even as a senior employee at the Williams Group, it would take centuries to buy a mansion in Everglow City, let alone for a middle-level employee like you." Isabella rolled her eyes. Her parents still lived in their mansion thanks to the Williams Family's secret support.

Michael knew he needed a convincing reason. Frowning, he thought for a moment and then said, "Actually, I got it cheap because it's supposedly haunted and no one wanted to buy it."

Isabella blinked, "Really?"

Michael nodded, "Yeah. The first owner died tragically, and the murderer was never caught. Later owners claimed they heard a woman's screams every night and saw crimson liquid flowing from the pipes. But I checked, and there's nothing like that."

He told a cheesy ghost story, trying to sound mysterious. But instead of being scared, Isabella looked amused.

"Aren't you afraid? It's a ghost," Michael said, making a ghostly face, which only made her laugh.

"I'm not afraid. What's scarier than ghosts is human nature. Isn't Bianca more ruthless than any ghost?" Isabella smiled.

Michael knew she felt wronged. He held her hand again, gently comforting her. "You're brave. That's good because you can protect me. I'm afraid of ghosts."

Isabella rolled her eyes, finding Michael's current look pretty cute.

She held the property deed, biting her lip. A voice in her head screamed that she was about to announce her engagement with John, and she couldn't accept such a valuable gift.

But then she looked up at Michael's deep features and felt a profound love from him. In that moment, she suddenly wanted to live. Tears welled up in her eyes again.

Michael cupped her face with both hands, affectionately asking, "Why do you cry so much? You should have a lot in common with the ghost in that haunted house."

Playfully pushing his hands away, Isabella retorted, "You coward, you should have something in common with those ghosts too."

Watching her playful reaction, Michael felt his heart melting. He instinctively leaned down and gently kissed her forehead.

Blushing, Isabella gently pushed him away, creating some distance. "I should go back. I've been away too long, and Mason will be looking for me."

Shyly turning around, she quickly walked away.

Her legs felt weak, and she feared that if she stayed any longer, she would fall back into Michael's arms.

Isabella's mind was filled with Michael's face. He had a damn charm she couldn't forget, leading her to bump into John, who was walking towards her.

Seeing the blush on her cheeks, John thought she was blushing because of him and sarcastically remarked, "Is it my charm that's making you unable to resist me again?"

When Isabella saw John, her good mood vanished instantly. She didn't want to interact with the jerk. She chose to walk past him expressionlessly. However, before she could take a few steps, John grabbed her.

"Let's end this game. When are you going to announce our marriage, and when are you going to divorce?" John impatiently asked.

Isabella was like an angry cat, forcefully breaking free from his grip and glaring at him with fierce eyes.

"John, stop acting so self-righteous. I once thought you were an excellent and ambitious nobleman, but since I got married, I've realized that you don't even come close to measuring up to my husband!" Her eyes were fierce as she spoke coldly to him.

John might have more money, connections, and business savvy, but in her eyes, Michael was a devoted husband who always put her needs first.

John was just a fool deceived by Bianca!

Isabella spoke her mind, ignoring the fact that her words might have angered John.

Angered, John grabbed her by the neck and pushed her against the wall. Isabella grabbed his hand, biting her lip, staring at him defiantly.

Furrowing his brows, John coldly spoke, "Are you trying to provoke me this way? A nobody dares to compare to me? Stop pretending. You know it won't work on me, don't you?"

She forcefully hit his arms, feeling dizzy. The lack of oxygen made her lungs feel like they were about to burst.

Crossing his arms, John smirked and leaned closer, "You seem good at pleasing my family. How about pleasing me?"

The suffocating fear, coupled with his words, pushed Isabella into complete anger. She raised her foot fiercely and kicked towards his crotch.