The Billionaire's Pretend Wife (Isabella)
Chapter 83 Eighty Three

After the call, Jason left the hospital and headed for the company. Grace had gotten back to him and reported that Isabelle was waiting for him.

When he got to the office, he found her waiting at his reception.

She stood up when she saw him, gave him an hesitant look-probably because he looked worn out because he hadn't had time to freshen up-and then said, "Good morning, sir. My director said that you wanted to see me."

Jason nodded, noting that she looked subdued. Approaching her, he said, "I heard that you want to resign."

Her eyes widened in surprise, and then she nodded. "Yes."

He sighed and combed his fingers through his hair. "Look, I don't know what happened when you talked things over with Jacob, but he needs you right now."

Isabelle's face creased into a frown. "What? You know Jacob?"

Jason paused, now thoroughly confused. If she already knew that Jacob was also Logan Larson, then surely, she would make the connection? Unless...

Unless she didn't know?

Had Jacob not gotten around to telling her the truth? Why had she given back her ring, then?

If Jacob was yet to tell her his real identity, Jason wasn't going to make that mistake. Jacob had warned him to not even think of telling her. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

He cleared his throat and shook his head. "Sorry, did I say Jacob?" He made a show of rubbing his eyes. "I must be really out of it. I've had quite a busy night, I can't think straight. Jacob is the name of some client who gave me a lot of headache yesterday. I meant to ask whether the people at Green Leaf are still making things difficult for you. We need you for this project." He paused and shook his head again. "You know what? Why don't you wait here a little more? I'll see you in my office in about five minutes."

"Okay," she replied.

Before turning away, he gave her a smile. "Do you know someone named Jacob?"

She nodded, her gaze dropping to the ground. "Oh, yeah. That's my husband's name."

"Oh, you are married? You're not wearing a ring."

"I misplaced it," she replied, still not looking at him. Did she, really? Would Kevin know what the hell had gone on between the two?

"Alright, give me a few minutes," he said, and then went into his office. He made a beeline for the bathroom connected to his office and had a quick shower. He kept a spare suit in the office, so he changed into it.

When he emerged from the bathroom, he looked much better. Taking out his phone, he dialled Kevin's number.

When Kevin received the call, he asked him, "Do you know anything about what happened between Jacob and his wife yesterday?"

"They had an argument, I think" Kevin replied. "Jacob spent the entire day looking for her all over the city. He had me watch their apartment, and she showed up around seven o'clock. When he got into the accident, he was going to the apartment to see her."

Jason cursed and paced. So they had indeed argued. But Isabelle still didn't know about Jacob's true identity. What on earth was going on?

"Okay, thank you," Jason told him and hung up.

Pocketing his phone, he headed to the door and opened it. Stepping outside, he asked Isabelle to join him. A minute later, she was sitting on the other side of his desk. "Why do you want to resign, Ms Cruz?"

"I'm moving away from the city," she replied, "so I can't keep my job here."

She was moving?

"Oh, that's sad to hear, since you are one of our best designers, and we would like to keep you around for a long time. Are you moving with your family?"

Just because he couldn't outright reveal Jacob's identity didn't mean he couldn't try to find out what the hell was going on with the two.

Isabelle blinked, as if not expecting his question. Finally, she said, "Yes."

"Oh. With your husband?"

She shifted on her seat and looked away. "Yeah."

That was definitely a lie. She didn't know that her so-called husband was lying in a hospital bed, fighting for his life. Would Jacob really punish him if he told her the truth in a situation like this?

"I understand," he said, "but you do know that you are currently part of a very important project, right?"

She nodded, her eyes coming back to him. "Yes. I'll try to finish it during the remaining three weeks."

"What if it takes longer?" he asked.

She hesitated. And then, "I'm sure there is someone who can take over from me."

He rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. "I'm afraid it's not as easy as that. The client might not like it if we change the designer in charge in the middle of the project."

She frowned. "I'll do my best to finish it as soon as possible, then." And then she perked up. "And if I can't, I'm sure I can do so virtually."

One thing was clear, she was determined to leave the city. To get away from Jacob.

"In that case, I can't force you to stay if you don't want to, but do think about it."

She nodded, and he noticed she didn't promise to think about it.

Jacob, Jacob, what did you do this time?

"That's all, then...oh. You also asked for a two-day leave."

"Yes, uh, I lost a family member yesterday. I have to arrange her funeral."

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. When is the wake? The company would like to support you in any way we can."

She shook her head and lowered her gaze. "I...uh, it's going to be private."

"Oh," he said, nodding. "Regardless, here at the Larson Group, we support our bereaved employees, so I'll make sure you receive the necessary support."

For this one thing, he knew exactly what Jacob would do. In secret or not, he would pay all of the funeral expenses. Jason was going to do that on his behalf, under the guise of company support. Sure, the company did give condolence money to bereaved employees, but not enough to pay for a whole-ass funeral and burial.

"Are you sure you don't need more leave days?" he asked.

"No, two are enough, because I also have the weekend. I want to resume work as soon as possible so I can tie up my projects on time."

"Okay, alright," he said. "That will be all, then. If there's anything else, I'll contact you. You may leave."

"Thank you," she told him, and then walked out of his office.

As soon as she was gone, he went on his banking app and opened his account.

Jacob had better wake up soon, because he was about to owe him several thousand dollars.

A few minutes after he completed the transaction, his secretary appeared at his door. "Sir, Ms Cruz is back to see you."

"Let her in," he said, wondering why she was back.

Isabelle walked back into the office, looking worried, her phone in her hand. "Sir, I think you've made a mistake," she said, hesitantly holding her phone out to him.

He came from behind his desk and looked at her phone. On the screen was a message alerting her that she had received money from him.

"I don't think I have," he told her. "That's the company support I mentioned."

She shook her head. "You sent ten thousand dollars."

"Yes."

She blinked. "I...ten thousand dollars?"

He nodded.

She gulped and withdrew her phone. "I don't think I can accept this."

"Why not? It's company policy, and you're our employee."

"But I'm quitting, and I haven't been around for long, and-"

"Trust me, the Larson Group is not going to miss ten thousand dollars."

And she needed it.

She blinked rapidly. "I don't know what to say-"

He almost gave her a comforting pat on the shoulder, but then remembered how she had asked him whether he had feelings for her. And Jacob's threats. "Just give your loved one a proper send-off," he told her.

"I will," she said, passing a finger below her eye to catch a tear. "I didn't think I could..." she took a shuddering breath. "Now I can. I'm really grateful. I thought-"

"Hey, it's okay. You don't need to say anything."

She nodded, and then looked him in the eyes. "Thank you."

The look in her eyes tore his usually unbothered heart. Maybe this was really not the time to tell her of Jacob's accident.

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