Chapter 70 You Kissed Me First

Marlowe might have a bit of a temper, but man, she can whip up a mean meal.

With Marlowe in the kitchen, dinner turned out to be a feast.

Once the three of them sat down, Ivan was like, "How about some red wine?" and dashed back to his place to grab a bottle.

While Ivan was off fetching the wine, Marlowe and Isabella started chatting.

"So, what does Ivan do for work?" Marlowe asked, trying to sound casual.

Isabella saw right through her and chuckled, "He's a doctor, and a damn good one. You got a thing for him?"

Marlowe's face went red. Isabella had never seen her blush before and was so shocked she just stared, "Marlowe, you're toast. You totally like him."

"No, I don't," Marlowe said, awkwardly tucking her hair behind her ear.

"Yeah, you do," Isabella teased, throwing an arm around Marlowe's shoulder and laughing, "Nothing to be embarrassed about. You and Ivan are a great match."

"Shut up, what are you even saying?" Marlowe replied, all flustered.

When Ivan came back with the wine, Isabella and Marlowe were cracking up, and he was like, "What's so funny?"

Isabella shot a look at Marlowe, who just shook her head and said, "Oh, nothing, just talking."

"This wine's from my private stash. Let's enjoy it tonight," Ivan said, pouring half a glass for both Isabella and Marlowe.

The wine smelled amazing and tasted even better. Marlowe, who knew a thing or two about wine, could tell it was top-notch just from the aroma, "This is some good stuff."

"You know wine?" Ivan asked, surprised.

Marlowe, a bit shy, replied, "Just a bit."

"Ivan, Marlowe knows more than a bit. Her family owns a massive vineyard. It's huge," Isabella chimed in with a grin.

Ivan took a good look at the short-haired girl, realizing she was pretty impressive.

"Really?" he asked.

Marlowe didn't want to talk about herself, so she switched topics, "Isabella, your birthday's coming up. What do you want?"

"You're getting me something?" Isabella said excitedly, linking her arm with Marlowe's and nuzzling her shoulder.

"What do you want?" Marlowe asked again.

Isabella wasn't into bags or watches. After thinking for a bit, she said, "How about a set of art supplies?"

Marlowe rolled her eyes and teased, "That's it?"

"They're not cheap, you know," Isabella replied.

"You're something else," Marlowe said, shaking her head.

Isabella wrinkled her nose playfully, "Alright, let's eat."

Then the doorbell rang again.

The three of them exchanged looks, wondering if anyone else was invited, but Isabella shook her head.

"I'll get it," Ivan said, getting up.

The guy outside was tall enough that Ivan could see his face without even opening the door. Even though Ivan had never met him, he recognized him right away, "George?"

George raised an eyebrow, "You must be Ivan."

"What are you doing here?" Ivan asked, clearly not happy.

George, on the other hand, kept his cool. His years of experience had taught him to play it smart.

George smiled slightly, "Just here for a meal."

"Mr. Spencer, you came all the way from Stellar City to Riverside City just for a meal?" Ivan's tone dripped with sarcasm.

George nodded seriously, "Yep."

"Who is it?" Isabella asked, stepping out of the room. She froze when she saw George, wondering why he was here again.

"Isabella, get back inside," Ivan ordered.

Isabella didn't budge, her eyes locked on George, who was staring right back at her, even though she was still wearing an apron.

"Isabella!" Ivan turned around and pulled her back into the room.

George, unfazed, punched in the code on the lock, easily pushing the door open and strolling in.

Seeing George follow them in, Ivan lost it and started shoving him, "How can you just barge in? Is this your house? How'd you get the code? Get out now, or I won't be so nice."

The tension was thick.

Isabella didn't know much about George's temperament, but she knew he wasn't someone to mess with. If things got ugly, it wouldn't be worth it.

"Ivan, chill out," Isabella said, pulling Ivan back, worried he might get hurt.

It wasn't out of concern for George, but fear of his power.

"It's just a meal. No need to get all worked up," George said, his eyes landing on Isabella. "Come here, Isabella."

As Isabella hesitated, Marlowe stepped in front of her, "If I'm not mistaken, you're Isabella's ex-husband, right? Got some unfinished business or something? Mr. Spencer, just spit it out. Isabella's a bit timid, don't scare her."

"Scare her?" George chuckled, "You don't get it. I'm the one who's always been on the losing end."

That was hard to believe for anyone.

Isabella didn't want to cause trouble for everyone because of her, so she stepped forward to George and said, "You got something to say to me? Let's find a quiet place to talk."

"Alright," George agreed.

Isabella led George to the bedroom next door and closed the door. Before she could say anything, he grabbed her and kissed her roughly. She was disgusted and slapped him.

George rubbed his jaw, and Isabella, a bit scared, backed away.

"George, you kissed me first, so you deserved that slap," Isabella stammered.

Seeing George stay silent, Isabella slipped out from under his arm and hid in the corner, "Did you come to see me for something?"

George, with his hands in his pockets, walked to the window and looked back at her, saying, "Isabella, I haven't signed the divorce papers yet. You're still my wife. You ran away from home, and you have the nerve to ask why I'm here?"

"That's your problem if you haven't signed. What does it have to do with me?" Isabella shot back, her voice shaky.

"I just wanted to remind you that until I sign the divorce papers, we're still married. If you date other men or get involved with them, you know what the consequences will be."

That sounded more like a threat.

Isabella was furious and glared at him, "Then why don't you hurry up and sign? That way, you can openly sleep with other women, and I can openly date. Isn't that right?"

"You wish. Openly date? With who? That Ivan outside? Or that Bethany?" George laughed derisively, "Isabella, if you dare, I'll break your legs."

"George, are you insane? I haven't done anything to betray you. Have you ever thought about why I wanted a divorce? It's because in our marriage, I can't see your loyalty, your honesty, your commitment. I can't see any hope," Isabella shouted.