Chapter 9 Calling Off the Engagement
“Isabelle?”
+8 Pearls
Cody found the name vaguely familiar. Toby whispered a few words into Cody’s ear, which made Cody’s gaze toward Isabelle turn complex.
Soon, Toby contacted Tom Baxter, who was outside, and within minutes, Tom confirmed through a phone call that Isabelle wasn’t lying; she indeed had a room next door but also confirmed her identity.
“So, I wasn’t lying, was I?”
Despite noticing the odd expressions on the two men’s faces, Isabelle didn’t dwell on it.
“Isabelle, after being thrown out by the Powell Family, you think seducing me with this stunt will force me to marry you?” Cody’s tone was ice–cold.
Isabelle stared back in astonishment. “Who are you to think you’re that charming?”
“Let’s not play dumb at this point,” Cody’s voice hardened, his patience wearing thin from the medication’s side effects which were now kicking in. “Have you considered the repercussions if tonight’s events come to light? You’re a female celebrity; it could spell disaster for your career. Besides, aren’t you still a student?”
Isabelle perceived this as a blatant threat. Her expression darkened, “What do you want, then?”
No matter her intentions, Cody was convinced she was here to seduce him, and there was nothing she could do to change his mind.
Cody fixed his gaze on her. “Call off the engagement.”
“What did you say?” Isabelle thought she had misheard.
An engagement with this man before me?
She quickly sifted through the original host’s memories and, to her shock, discovered she indeed had a fiancé–the heir to Velkara Collins Corp.
Examining the man on the bed more closely, she finally matched him with the image in her memories. Since their engagement, they had barely seen each other. The marriage was arranged, a decision made when Cody’s grandfather, visiting San Visol, was saved by a young Isabelle.
Grateful, the elder had decided his cold and distant grandson might struggle to find a wife and impulsively chose Isabelle as a future granddaughter–in–law. At the time, Isabelle was too young to understand, but the Powell Family wouldn’t miss a chance to climb the social ladder.
Cody had never wanted the marriage but was pressured by his grandfather, unable to break off the engagement. The gifts from Velkara during holidays were likely not even from him.
“You think I’m pretending to have amnesia?” Cody’s growing dislike was evident.
Isabelle, infuriated, couldn’t help but laugh. “I just didn’t recall immediately. So, you’re my elusive fiance. I was wondering who could be that handsome. It seems I had quite the eye back then!”
Cody and his bodyguard found her difficult to look at. What is she even saying?
“Stop beating around the bush,” Cody frowned, seeing this as an opportunity to rid himself of an engagement he never wanted.
“Fine, I won’t beat around the bush,” Isabelle met his gaze squarely. “I agree to call off the engagement. Let’s pretend tonight never happened.”
She shouldn’t have climbed over to save someone, nor should she have stayed to watch the drama unfold.
“Are you serious about calling off the engagement?” Cody asked, leaning on the bed, his hand dripping blood.
“Is your hand injured?”
3:54 PM
Chapter 9 Calling Off the Engagement
“That’s none of your business,” Cody responded without even looking at her.
Isabelle scoffed, feeling her kindness was being wasted.
+8 Pearls
“What do you want?” Cody thought she was regretting her decision, attempting to show concern to close the gap between them.
“Me?” Isabelle pointed at herself. She had lived a life before; she sat down, ready to negotiate. “It depends on what you can offer.”
“I can provide you with resources in the entertainment industry,” Cody said, relieved by her posture.
“Wait!” Isabelle paused him. “The entertainment industry is just a phase. I’m leaving it soon.”
“You’ve thought it through?” Cody knew the industry was complicated.
“Yes, I’ve realized I should focus on my studies; the entertainment world isn’t for me.”
“What do you want then?” Cody asked, puzzled.
“I want to retake my SAT. Can you arrange that?” Isabelle thought of her film school with resignation.
“That’s simple enough. Where do you want to take the exams, San Visol?”
“I want to go to Velkara. If I’m moving there anyway, why go back to San Visol?”
“Coming to Velkara?” Cody was puzzled.
“I’m no longer a daughter of the Powell Family. I want to leave this place of heartache and study in Velkara. Is that a problem?”
Understanding her desire to start anew, Cody was still skeptical about her intentions.
“Are you confident you can get into a university in Velkara?”
“I’m confident about everything except my time in the entertainment industry,” Isabelle responded with a smile.
“I’ll help you. And I hope you’ll keep your word and not go to my grandfather with complaints after we sever the engagement.”
“Deal. You’re easy to talk to, and so am I.”
As Isabelle casually agreed to dissolve the engagement, Cody remained wary.
“Do we need to sign some agreement now? To avoid any doubts later.”
“No need. If you go back on your word, I have ways to handle it…”
His veiled threat didn’t faze Isabelle.
Isabelle said, “Don’t worry. You’re not my type. You may be handsome, but you’re as cold as ice. I prefer a cute guy, not a domineering type.”
Cody, unfamiliar with such terms, was only relieved she wasn’t interested in him.
“You can leave now,” Cody said, his body overheating, needing a cold bath, her presence only an impediment now.
