Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 43

"Sorry to keep you all waiting!" Caroline was the first to step into the private room.

"Ms. Foster!" The three women already seated at the table greeted her with playful laughter, using the formal title as an inside joke.

They were close friends; they dragged her into almost everything, except maybe hunting for guys at clubs.

Isabelle and Damian followed her in.

"Well, look who's back! And she brought a gentleman with her!" teased a stylish woman with long waves cascading over her shoulder.

"Hope you bring one tomorrow, then!" Isabelle shot back, awkwardly taking his hand to guide him to a seat.

"I'll pass on that kind of luck, thanks!" the staunchly single woman fired back.

"My friends love to joke. Hope you don't mind," Isabelle said, feeling a bit flustered. The apology felt like it covered her balcony mishap from the other day too.

"Not at all. I don't mind," Damian said, a rare, genuine smile touching his lips, making him seem like a different person from his usual stern CEO self.

"Good." She let out a small, relieved breath. "Let me introduce everyone."

"This is April Graf. She's a musician," Isabelle said, gesturing. The fashionable woman who had spoken first gave a little wave, which Damian returned with a polite nod.

"This is Vivian Smith. She's a model."

Vivian Smith had delicate, fine-boned features that gave her a unique, quiet charm. She simply offered Damian a respectful nod, which he returned.

"And this one," Isabelle said, taking a slightly deeper breath, "is Diana Williams. A fashion designer."

Damian's gaze first flicked to Diana, then settled intently on Isabelle.

Isabelle knew that with Damian's sharp mind, he'd probably already connected the dots.

Surprisingly, his expression remained mostly neutral, which threw both Diana and Isabelle a bit.

Diana had sharp, short hair, a lean face, and a tall, willowy frame. Her style was all designer.

"Hello, Mr. Cross," Diana said with a nod, her expression unreadable.

"Hello, Ms. Williams," Damian replied, mirroring her nod. After a brief pause, he added, "Thank you."

Diana pressed her lips together, her eyes darting from Damian to Isabelle. She didn't dare say anything else. See? I knew he was sharp. But what on earth is he thanking me for!

Isabelle just sighed and facepalmed, looking utterly resigned.

Luckily, the others didn't seem to pick up on the sudden tension.

The food arrived quickly. The conversation stayed lively. Damian chimed in here and there, but he spent most of the time quietly serving Isabelle, piling her plate with her favorite dishes and even deftly shelling the tricky lobster for her.

Watching his precise, effortless movements, Isabelle felt a strange, quiet flutter in her chest.

He thinks of everything.

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