Chapter 102 The Taste

Isabella's words dripped with sarcasm, clearly aimed at Ray.

Ray chuckled, "My life's not that wild."

"Really?" She shot back, totally skeptical.

'Before we got married, he and those actresses...' Just thinking about it made Isabella feel sick.

The cramped car was filled with Isabella's elegant scent, wafting into Ray's nose and making his mouth dry.

He couldn't wrap his head around why he felt this way about a pregnant woman.

He questioned his own values and habits. If he hadn't been holding back, he might've had a physical reaction.

'What kind of woman is she, really?' Ray wondered, sneaking a glance at Isabella.

Just then, Isabella turned and caught him. "What are you staring at?"

'I don't want to die with you,' she thought.

"Are you divorced or pregnant out of wedlock?" Ray blurted out, not sure why.

Isabella was stunned by such a personal question.

"What's wrong?"

"Just asking. You don't have to answer."

Isabella snorted, "My husband is dead."

"Widow?" he asked, the word sounding harsh.

"Yes." She admitted, no ambiguity there.

"How did he die?" Ray pressed on.

Isabella really didn't want to answer. His curiosity felt twisted.

Seeing her silence, Ray laughed. "Just asking, no need to get mad."

"Not mad? Should I be happy instead?" She was speechless.

It was a truly unpleasant ride back.

After getting out of the car, Isabella thanked him, then shut the door and left.

Ray loosened his tie and unbuttoned his collar. The car still smelled like her, making his mouth dry.

He knew there had to be some connection between them, but he couldn't remember. Even if there was, it seemed pointless.

Lighting a cigarette, he picked up his phone and called his doctor. "Hey, Mike."

"Ray, it's late. What's up?" Mike had just finished an experiment.

"Check my head tomorrow," Ray said.

"Is the headache getting worse?" Mike asked, concerned.

Ray took a drag of his cigarette, rubbed his temples, and said, "I want to try the most extreme treatment."

Mike was silent for a moment. After a long pause, he said, "Ray, are you sure about this?"

"Do I have any other choice? I don't want to wait forever."

Mike sighed, "Alright, come over and we'll talk."

"Okay."

On payday, Isabella noticed her account had an extra two hundred bucks.

Thinking it was a mistake, she went to the finance department.

They told her it was for overtime and a bonus. She didn't question it further and used the bonus to buy coffee for her colleagues.

But these colleagues weren't as nice as she thought.

While drinking the coffee Isabella bought, they gossiped about her.

"Did you hear? Isabella went on a business trip with Ray last time. I bet they hooked up. She's buying coffee to keep us quiet."

"No way, Isabella's pregnant. No matter how desperate Ray is, he wouldn't sleep with a pregnant woman, right?"

"Pregnant women aren't the issue; it's a flirty pregnant woman that's the problem. Look at how Isabella's always hanging around Ray. Does she seem like a decent person? If she were, how'd she end up pregnant?"

"True, but if it's real, Ray's taste is pretty questionable, ignoring someone as gorgeous as Susan for a pregnant woman..."

"Men are all the same. They act all high and mighty, but deep down, they're the same. If a woman throws herself at them, why not? If I were a guy, I'd do the same."

The gossiping colleagues were so caught up in their chatter that they forgot to close the break room door.

Isabella, who had just walked up, heard them badmouthing her.

Isabella wasn't one to take crap from anyone, so she walked in, making the group look awkward.

She started with the colleague closest to her, taking their coffee cups one by one and tossing them into the trash. "This coffee tastes great, but it's not for trash like you. Sorry."

As Isabella left the break room, she gave the trash can filled with coffee a hard kick.

The rumors even reached Susan's ears.

One afternoon, Susan invited Isabella to a private club.

"Ms. Miller, is there something important? I have work this afternoon," Isabella said.

Susan didn't speak. She elegantly poured a cup of coffee, sniffed the aroma, and then, catching Isabella off guard, splashed the hot coffee at her.

Isabella couldn't dodge in time and screamed.

With the scalding coffee pouring down, Isabella covered her face and stepped back.

"Isabella, who gave you the guts to seduce my man on my turf?" Susan was furious, her anger palpable.

"When did I seduce your man?" Isabella said. Luckily, she wasn't hurt.

Susan glared at her venomously and said, "Still won't admit it? Isabella, killing you is as easy as squashing an ant for me. Do you really think Ray can protect you?"

"I won't admit to something I didn't do," Isabella glared back at Susan, her face red from the burn.

"Women like you never admit it. Do I need to provide witnesses?" Just as Isabella was about to speak, Susan sneered disdainfully, "You think you're worthy? Isabella, I called you here to remind you and warn you. It's impossible for you to take my man."

"I'm not interested in taking your man. If you can't keep your man, that's your own fault. Blaming others is beneath you." Isabella had had enough, thinking, 'I take her man? My man is taken, and I have nowhere to complain.'

As Isabella was about to leave, Susan grabbed her wrist and slapped her. "Do you think you're something? If you're not trying to seduce him, why go on a trip with him?"

Isabella slapped Susan back. "What you think is precious, others might not care for. Susan, even though I'm pregnant, you might not be able to handle me. Don't mess with me."

Susan staggered from the slap. She didn't expect Isabella, who looked frail, to have such strength. Her face burned painfully.