Chapter 56 Can This Money Buy Your Smile?

George held a glass filled with ashes and cigarette butts, sneaking up behind Micah.

Micah tried to stand, but George pushed him back down by the shoulder and placed the glass in front of him. "Our employees at Spencer Group were out of line. If they offended you, Mr. Hughes, please accept this 'wine' as an apology on behalf of Isabella."

Everyone stared in shock at the glass, feeling anxious for Micah. Some colleagues were secretly pleased, barely hiding their smirks.

Micah's face darkened, but he knew he had no choice but to drink it.

Cursing his luck, he wondered how he had run into George.

"Mr. Spencer, I..." Micah hesitated.

"Mr. Hughes, respect is a big deal to me. You wouldn't turn me down, would you?" George's tone was icy.

"Of course, I'll drink it!"

In front of everyone, Micah picked up the glass, closed his eyes, and drank it all.

Everyone, including Isabella, was stunned.

Afterward, Micah took the chance to leave, and Caleb dismissed the design department folks.

The private room was left with just George and Isabella.

George stayed silent, and Isabella, wanting to speak several times, held back when she saw his dark expression.

After about half an hour, Isabella couldn't hold back anymore. "Are you angry?"

George glanced at her, his gaze complex, leaving Isabella unsure of its meaning.

"George, are you really angry? I wanted to leave but didn't get the chance. I wouldn't let anyone take advantage of me. Even if he tried to hit me, he might not succeed. You don't need to worry about me. George, I really..."

Before she could finish, George stood up and walked out. She hurried after him, saying, "George, are you really angry? I had no choice. I wasn't hurt..."

Caleb opened the car door, and George got in. Isabella squeezed in too.

George stayed silent, his face grim. Isabella tried to hug his arm but shrank back when he glared at her.

"Why are you mad at me? It's not like I wanted to go. Why are you angry with me?" Isabella felt more aggrieved, her eyes welling up with tears. "The design department insisted I go, saying the client wanted to discuss design issues with me. Do you think I enjoy socializing? Why are you giving me the cold shoulder? If you don't want to see me, I'll leave."

Isabella knocked on the partition. "Please stop."

The driver didn't dare stop without George's command.

Isabella, agitated, kept knocking on the partition. George gripped her waist, pulling her onto his lap.

Isabella tried to push him away but couldn't break free.

"Why are you so moody?" George asked, which only made Isabella angrier. "I'm moody? George, you're the one being moody. Why are you mad at me? I didn't do anything wrong."

"Is that why I'm angry?" George held her waist and hands, saying, "This family doesn't need you to support it, so don't force yourself to do things you hate."

"How was I supposed to know Micah was so disgusting?" Isabella shot back.

George looked at her angry face and gently held her chin. "Running out of spending money?"

He gave her $200,000 every month, but she never spent it.

"Why are you asking this now?" she asked.

"I'm worried you don't have money to spend, so you feel compelled to do this." George took out a black card and placed it in her hand. "Take it."

Isabella felt comforted, her face clearing up. "Can I spend it freely?"

"Spend it freely," he said.

"Can this money buy your smile?" she asked playfully.

George smiled, lowered his head, and kissed her, releasing her after a long while. "You don't need money for that."

Isabella blushed. "Oh."

"Why do you blush so easily?" he asked, loving her look.

His fingers gently caressed her face, kissing her repeatedly, unable to control himself.

Noticing George's phone flashing, Isabella gently pushed him. "Someone's calling you. Shouldn't you answer?"

"Wait a moment."

"It's been flashing for a while. It might be urgent," she insisted.

George reluctantly stopped and picked up his phone, seeing it was Patricia calling.

"Hello? On my way home, got it."

Isabella was about to ask why Patricia called when George kissed her again before she could speak.

In the cramped back seat, they made love.

The driver drove around Stellar City Avenue twice before heading back to Spencer Manor.

Before getting out, Isabella carefully tidied her appearance, but the scent of their lovemaking still lingered.

"Do you think Patricia will notice?" Isabella asked, worried.

As George's wife, she needed to be dignified and reserved, not wanton.

"Go to your room first." George kissed her hair.

Isabella nodded.

George went to Patricia's room. She had just returned from church but didn't look well.

"Patricia, are you looking for me?" George asked.

Patricia looked at him and called him over. "George, I need to ask you something."

"What is it?" he said.

"Today, when I returned to Stellar City, I met Juniper." Patricia spoke softly, fearing his anger.

George's face darkened immediately, looking at Patricia as if asking why.

Patricia quickly explained, "I didn't go to see her. She stopped my car, and we just talked for a bit."

"What did she say?" George asked.

"She said she had a child with you. Did you know about this?" Patricia was half-believing.

George calmly asked, "Do you believe her?"

"Believe? Not entirely. Besides, my preferred daughter-in-law is Isabella. Even if Juniper had your child, it would be illegitimate. But George, even an illegitimate child is still your child. What I mean is..."