The Billionaire's Pretend Wife (Isabella)
Chapter 17 Seventeen

Isabelle came to her feet when Jason got to their table, and so did Seth beside her.

"Good afternoon. Ms Cruz," he greeted. "How is your first day going?"

"Good afternoon, Mr Del Mundo," she replied, smiling at him. "Good so far."

"Are you having any problems? Is anyone giving you a hard time?" he asked, a serious look on his face.

His serious expression and firm words surprised Isabelle a little. Sure, he had been so helpful during the interview process so it shouldn't be a surprise, but he sounded very concerned. His manner implied that he was concerned in her not just because she was an employee, but almost as if he had a personal investment in her.

Before she could assure him that she wasn't having any trouble at all, Seth spoke to him. "You don't need to worry about that, Mr Del Mundo. If Ms Cruz runs into any problems, I'll help her through." Jason turned to Seth and noticed how he hovered over Isabelle, as though protectively. He cleared his throat and looked between the two. "Do you two know each other?"

Seth nodded. "Yes. We were friends in college."

"Oh," he muttered. He figured that was good, the fact that Isabelle had a senior employee who she was familiar with. It also helped that this time round, it was someone who had good intentions unlike Ann.

"Seth has been showing me around," Isabelle informed him, looking up at Seth with a soft smile. "I think with him around, I'll get used to the company quickly." She looked back at Jason. "Thank you for your concern, sir." Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FɪndNøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Of course," he replied. "I'm relieved that you're settling in well. I've got to get going now. I'll see you two around."

As Jason left and walked away from the two, he couldn't help but take a single glance back. The way Seth hovered over her, the way he insisted on looking out for her, the way he looked at her...

It was so clear that the man was besotted with her. Not only that, but he was already getting close to her. Jason couldn't help but wonder what the CEO would think of this situation.

It was the CEO who had instructed Jason to take care of Isabelle and to help her through any problems she might encounter. Hell, he was the one who had personally brought up the issue about Ann's malpractice and ordered Jason to investigate thoroughly. There was no doubt in his mind that Mr Garcia was personally interested in Ms Cruz. Surely, he wouldn't be happy to hear about the close relationship between the two.

***

"Is there anything else?" Jacob asked, his eyes fixed on the entrance of the company building ahead. His car was parked at the corner of the street, and from there, he could see people who walked in and out of the building. He had just come from a meeting with Jason, who was sitting with him in the backseat of his car.

Before Jason could answer, his eyes landed on a couple of people coming out of the building. He recognised Isabelle right away, but what really caught his eyes was the man beside her. She was smiling brightly at him as they talked. After taking a few steps, they came to a stop and carried on their conversation.

Who on earth was that? Why was he standing so close to her?

"That is Seth Holding," Jason said from beside him.

Finally, Jacob drew his gaze from the two. "What?"

"The man with Ms Cruz. His name is Seth Holding, and he's the head designer of team one. Apparently, they used to go to college together. I met them this morning and assured Ms Cruz to come to me in case of any trouble, but Seth said that he would look after her."

Look after her? Jacob fumed as his eyes went back to the two-who were still talking and smiling at each other! Who was he to look after her? An ex-boyfriend?

"I got the feeling that Seth is pursuing her," Jason continued. "Thought you'd like to know that."

Jacob turned back to Jason and clenched his jaw. "Why would I?"

Jason looked uncertain for a second, but he proceeded, "Well, since you asked me to look out for her, I thought that you were interested in her and-"

"My personal affairs are none of your business," Jacob warned him, feeling himself get angrier by the second. "Just do what you're told. Do not meddle." "Yes, sir. I apologise."

Reaching for the door, Jacob opened it and stepped out of the car. His eyes immediately sought out Isabelle. He saw that she had separated with her coworker and was walking away from the building. Taking long determined strides, he went after her.

After saying goodbye to Seth, Isabelle headed towards the alley next to the building to avoid the busy street and get to the bus stop faster. The day had been a success, and she had a strong feeling that she was going to enjoy working at the Larson Group a lot.

It helped to have Seth around-

"Honey?"

She jumped and clutched her chest with her hand when out of nowhere someone patted her back and whispered the word to her ear. Before she could scream in terror or run away, she realised it was Jacob who had approached her from behind.

Her initial scare was replaced by embarrassment when she recalled the word he had just used to address her, and the way he had touched her. Looking around to make sure no one had witnessed that, she whispered, "Why did you call me that? We are in public!"

"Can't I call you honey?" he asked, an infuriating smirk taking up his lower face. "You're my wife, aren't you?"

Isabelle was too stunned to reply.

"Besides, you do remember that we are supposed to act like a real couple in public, right?" he reminded her. He reached out and took her bag, then took her hand in his before she could protest. "I can carry that by myself," she told him, trying to reach for her bag.

"What kind of husband would I be if I let my wife carry her bag?" His eyebrows drew together and he leaned in, getting close to her face.

Isabelle's breath caught in her throat at his sudden move. She wasn't even over the shock of him showing up out of nowhere, and now he was being unpredictable...

"Why are you looking at me like that? Am I ruining your plans with that man you were talking to?" He tilted his head. "Maybe you were planning on going to the bar with him?"

Isabelle blinked. What? What was he...

Seth. He had seen her talking to Seth outside the company building. But why was he suddenly making such accusations?

Angered, she snatched her hand out of his grip forcefully. "What?"

He leaned back, his face adopting a stern look. "I saw you two looking all comfy with each other. Who is he...your lover?"

His condescending tone and the way he was looking at her made her anger boil over, and she didn't think twice before pulling her leg back and kicking him in the shin. "He is not. And no, I don't have any plans to go anywhere with him!"

What was with him and accusing her of being promiscuous? He had done it on their wedding night, and now he was doing it again! Was talking to another man such an improper thing in his eyes? Or did he think so lowly of her that he imagined she readily slept with any man she was close to?

"That man was Seth Holding," she explained, fighting the urge to walk away and leave him to whatever thoughts he was having of her. "He was my senior in college, and I found out today that he works at the Larson Group too. We used to be friends and he was kind enough to show me around and introduce me to my new coworkers. That's all there is to our relationship."

His eyes narrowed at her. "Is that so?"

"Yes," she insisted. "I also think he is the one who helped me with the interview. Since he knew me in college, he must have known about Ann's grudge against me. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have gotten this job." She folded her arms across her chest and gave him a stubborn glare. "Next time, think twice before making baseless accusations."

Sᴇarch the FindNovel.net website on G𝘰𝘰gle to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.