Chapter 22

"Weren't you there?" Isabella turned her head to look at the chair, only to find another man sitting there.

Isabella immediately froze. "Mr. Jose?"

Zaire, a long-term partner of the Landon Group, was also a good friend of Sebastian's. He didn't come to the company often, but Isabella had seen him from afar a few times. Isabella remembered him because of his outstanding appearance.

She had said so much, but she had been talking to the wrong person?

Was it all useless?

Sebastian held some documents in his hand. It looked like he had just finished a meeting. His gaze fell on Isabella's face, and when he saw that her eyes were red, he felt like something was tugging at his heart. He immediately turned his gaze to the man sitting in the chair and frowned. "Did you say something to her?"

Zaire raised his hands. "You've got me all wrong. I haven't said a word."

Sebastian obviously didn't believe him and looked at Isabella inquiringly.

Isabella couldn't hide her embarrassment and hurriedly said, "He didn't do anything, Mr. Landon. I misunderstood..."

Misunderstood?

"Were you looking for me?" Sebastian asked her, unconsciously softening his tone.

"Yes. Mr. Landon. did I cause any trouble today? I'm sorry..." Isabella bowed her head.

Sebastian frowned as he looked at her, saying, "No."

"Really?" Isabella still wasn't reassured.

Sebastian softened and nodded, "Yes. The contract has been signed, and we still need to follow-up with Mr. Williams's team, but just don't be absent next time."

"Next time?" Isabella was stunned. There would be a next time?

Sebastian smiled. "I'll forgive you this time."

"Thank you, Mr. Landon!" Isabella was pleasantly surprised and almost bumped into the door on her way out.

Sebastian couldn't help but smile as he watched her. When he turned around, he met Zaire's thoughtful gaze. "Do you like that kind of girl?"

Sebastian resumed his indifferent expression and placed the documents on the table. He went to pour himself a glass of water. "Why are you here today?"

"I came to ask you for a favor."

Sebastian's expression turned wary. "What?"

"My sister." Zaire scratched his head helplessly. "You know, she likes you. She knows she can't ask you out herself, so she's begged me for to help her ask you out for a long time. Would you consider meeting her once? What if you suddenly become interested in my sister?"

Sebastian glanced at him calmly. "I can't date my friend's sister."

"I don't mind." Zaire put his hand on Sebastian's shoulder, not hiding his calculating smile. "If you become my sister's husband, my parents will approve. Our whole family will welcome you. How about it?"

Sebastian put down his glass and calmly removed Zaire's hand from his shoulder. "I'm not interested."

"Please, do me a favor. Otherwise, she'll keep pestering me when I go home. I can't stand it anymore."

Sebastian's expression remained unchanged. "I can't help you."

"Why? Give me a reasonable explanation."

Sebastian paused and said, "I already have a girlfriend."

Zaire immediately said, "That's impossible! You'll swat a mosquito if it touches you. How could you have a girlfriend?"

"Believe it or not, it's true."

Zaire pondered for a while as he saw Sebastian's serious expression which was completely unlike his usual joking self. "Do you really have a girlfriend?"

"Yes." Sebastian didn't even lift his head and answered decisively.

"Was it that shy assistant from earlier?" Zaire pointed to the door.

Sebastian frowned. "No."

"Then who is it?" Zaire was very curious.

"You don't know her."

Zaire walked out of the office with a perplexed expression.

"Mr. Jose." Laura walked over enthusiastically. "I'll escort you out."

But Zaire shook his head and pointed toward a corner. "She can escort me."

Isabella had suddenly been called out, drawing the attention of the crowd. She pressed the elevator button and went down with Zaire.

As the elevator doors closed, Zaire asked, "What's your name?"

"Isabella."

"You're quite beautiful."

Isabella glanced at Zaire and said, "You're... quite handsome too, Mr. Jose."

"Haha," Zaire laughed. "You're really polite."

Isabella remained silent, her eyes fixed on the changing numbers in the elevator.

"Hey, let me ask you a question." Zaire seemed like he wasn't going to change the subject. "Do you know who slept with Mr. Landon?"

Isabella's heart skipped a beat. "No... I don't know."

"You really don't know?" Zaire stood beside her, looking down at her face. "Why are you trembling so much?"

He leaned closer to her and lowered his voice. "Could it be... you?"

Isabella's widened and gripped her sweaty palms guiltily.

Ding!

The elevator arrived on the first floor and the doors opened.

Isabella regained her composure. "You're very funny, Mr. Jose."

Zaire put his hands in his pockets and looked at her blushing face. "I don't think it's you. From what I know about Sebastian, he likes sexy women. And you... are too shy."

Isabella fell silent.

Why did that sound so awkward?

At the company entrance, Isabella bent down to the car. "Goodbye, Mr. Jose."

Zaire smiled slightly. "Until next time."

After watching Zaire drive away, Isabella turned around and headed back to the company. As she passed through the lobby, a familiar voice suddenly called out to her. "Isabella?"

Isabella paused and turned her head to see Samantha walking toward her.

"Isabella? Is that really you?" Samantha's face was filled with disbelief as her gaze swept over Isabella. "I thought I was mistaken, but I didn't expect it to be you. You have a new job at the Landon Group, right?"

Isabella noticed the resume in Samantha's hand, but she didn't want to exchange pleasantries with her. She nodded and said, "I have something to do, so I have to go."

"Hey, Isabella..." Samantha caught up with her. "Um, which department are you in?"

Isabella pressed the elevator button and turned her head. "What does it have to do with you?"

Samantha hesitated for a moment. Isabella was being unusually cold to her. "Isabella, are you still angry at me because of Matthew? I know this situation has caused you some pain, but... but Matthew and I truly love each other. You know, we can't control our feelings. I understand that what we did hurt you deeply, and I'm not asking you to forgive me, I just hope you won't hate us."

"I don't hate you," Isabella said calmly.

"Really?" Samantha's face lit up with joy, and she immediately reached out to grab Isabella's hand. "I knew you were the best, Isabella."

Isabella glanced at Samantha holding her hand, frowned, and pulled her hand back. She looked into Samantha's eyes and calmly said, "I don't hate you, I just think you two are disgusting."

Samantha froze.