Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 61

At eight o'clock, Theodore was picked up by James, while Isabelle got into her car and headed toward the Twilight Bar.

But she hadn't even made it far when luck turned—she got rear-ended.

And the driver who hit her was none other than Collin.

While his assistant handled the insurance and exchange of information, the two of them stood waiting on the sidewalk.

"Where were you headed?" Collin asked. He was dressed in athletic wear, looking as upbeat and energetic as ever.

"Department dinner," Isabelle replied, briefly pressing her lips together before checking the time on her phone. "I should really get going. I've already called roadside assistance."

"Alright," Collin said with a slight smile, not adding anything else.

She grabbed a tweed blazer from the passenger seat, picked up her handbag, and quickly switched into a pair of white heels.

With a quick nod toward Collin, she hailed a passing cab and left.

"Mr. Dorfman," his assistant remarked once she was gone, "that's got to be at least a hundred thousand dollars in damage, right? And she just... left like it was nothing."

He couldn't help but voice his amazement at how casually the wealthy could turn a fender-bender into a passing encounter.

"Did I spend your money?" Collin replied with a light chuckle.

*****

Fortunately, she arrived just in time—any later and people might have thought she was putting on airs.

Ever since returning from Solvenia, she'd been careful about everything, trying not to give anyone a reason to talk.

Inside the private room, the noise level was high—everyone had already started drinking.

She scanned the space; it was fairly large, with nearly everyone from both departments already there.

She found an empty spot and took a seat.

"What's that you've got there?" Harrison suddenly appeared beside her, peeking into her bag. "Whoa, luxury designer piece! Ms. Foster, I didn't know you were loaded. This must be worth thousands. Is this for your blazer? A jacket like that could easily go for over ten grand..."

Isabelle took a small sip of her cocktail and lowered her voice. "Not everything that looks expensive is, you know."

She opened the bag slightly to show the tweed piece she'd been wearing earlier.

When Harrison leaned in for a closer look, she gently pulled it back.

"Hey now, a lady's belongings aren't for public display—unless you want to risk a jinx," she said playfully.

"Alright, alright," Harrison backed off, not seeming too suspicious.

After all, in everyone's eyes, Isabelle was just a regular salaried employee—not exactly the type to casually wear pieces worth tens of thousands.

For the first half of the evening, most people made a point of mingling with Justin and Ashley. Isabelle joined in as well, raising her glass for a few toasts.

By the second half, the atmosphere had loosened up even more, especially between the marketing and design teams—they were blending right in.

Isabelle didn't get too caught up in the crowd. Instead, she stayed toward the side, singing karaoke with a few women from marketing.

"Ms. Foster." Oliver Walker, the finance manager, came over and gently interrupted her song.

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