Chapter 3 Encounter

Five years later, in Okmore.

Wans International Hotel.

A large-scale event was held tonight in the glass room of the back garden of the hotel. GL Group had organized a lavish banquet to welcome the return of the son of Lambert family who had studied abroad for four years, as well as to congratulate him for taking over the company.

Even if it was raining heavily, it couldn't stop their enthusiasm and excitement from holding the event.

It was almost eight o'clock. All the guests had arrived, and they were waiting for the man of the hour.

Shoving away the wet hair from her face, Isabella tilted her head and glanced at the hotel signboard before rushing in to take shelter from the rain. She came to attend a friend's birthday party, but she got out of the taxi in advance because of the traffic jam.

However, the rainstorm that came without any prior notice had made her a mess. Her wet clothes clung to her body, and her black eye shadow was smudged as if she had dark circles under her eyes.

At the same time, a low-key, black luxury car stopped in front of the hotel. Opening the umbrella, the driver got out of the car and trotted to the rear door.

A pair of brand new black leather shoes stepped onto the exquisite red carpet. Then, a young and charming man came into view, taking people's breath away. Despite the rain, his stunning appearance still managed to capture their attention.

Isabella was no exception.

She froze as if someone had nailed her to the ground.

The next moment, their eyes locked.

Isabella stared at him. It had been five years since they last met. She remembered he always wore white casual shirts back then, but now, he was dressed in formal apparel.

He had become more mature, and his expression was indifferent plus serious. There were hints of iciness in his deep-set eyes, and what was more, his aura was incomparably imposing and domineering.

Two to three buttons on his white dress shirt were unbuttoned, and his coat was draped casually on his arm. The black suit pants accentuated his long legs, while the pair of handmade leather shoes complemented his nobility.

He was wearing a set of high-end customized clothes.

It was him, the Claud Lambert that she hadn't met for a long time.

Their encounter came after five years, in the downpour, where the woman was drenched in the rain while Claud wasn't wet at all. His assistant was holding a black umbrella for him.

When their gazes met, Isabella gritted her teeth and suppressed her trembles. However, the man was calm instead. His eyes gently swept past her.

Right then, a familiar voice floated to her ears. "Isabella, are you okay?"

The man in a blue striped polo shirt stood in front of Isabella and blocked Claud's view from her.

Isabella's face was as pale as a ghost. Her lips quivered as she looked up at Norris. After recomposing herself, she answered in a hoarse voice, "I'm fine."

Norris Carter, was her current boyfriend.

Closing his umbrella, he dropped his coat over her body. "Why didn't you bring an umbrella with you? Or even drive? Thank God, I'm nearby."

He had rushed over as soon as he received her call earlier.

"Thanks." Isabella lowered her head.

The steady footsteps came closer. Dropping her gaze, she could only see the pair of black leather shoes. He seemed like he had slowed down, or so she thought.

Norris' gentle voice pierced through the invisible connection between them. "I've got a room in the hotel. Let me take you there."

Isabella was speechless.

No! It wasn't like that. Norris just wanted her to change out of her soaking wet clothes! Isabella felt really upset, afraid that Claud would misunderstand the situation.

Lifting her head all of a sudden, she glanced to the side.

However, the man had already walked past her. And the next second, he was surrounded by the high-ups who had been waiting for him for a long time.

She smiled bitterly. What was she expecting?

"Isabella?" Norris sensed something was wrong with her. He touched her forehead and asked, "You're having a fever? Doesn't seem like it."

She shook her head. "I'm fine. Let's go to the room. I want to take a hot shower."

"Okay, let me bring you there first. Then, I'll go back and get you some fresh clothes."

"All right, thanks."

They went up to the 22nd floor together. Isabella walked into the bathroom, and Norris made his leave only when he heard the sound of the running water.

As she stood under the shower head, warm water gushed down her cheeks. Her eyes shut tightly.

The scene of their encounter was everywhere in her mind.

Tears streamed down from the corners of her eyes. Isabella bit her lower lip. She didn't want to cry. However, only moments later, she could no longer hold it in and wept at last.

Norris came back with a set of fresh clothes and other things she might need. "It's still raining out there. I couldn't seem to hail a taxi and I saw your car keys on the kitchen counter, so I drove your car here." He handed her the bag of clothes and the car keys. "I have to go now. Are you gonna be okay on your own?" Isabella nodded weakly and waved him goodbye.

Because of the heavy rain, Isabella was late by almost an hour. When she arrived, there were more than twenty people in the private room already. Everyone around seemed to know one another.

"Isabella, you're finally here!"

"We're all waiting for you. Hurry up. Guzzle up three glasses of liquor as a punishment!"

"How can three glasses be enough? Everyone knows that she can drink a lot!" An unfriendly tone of a lady came through and silenced the surrounding area for a short moment.

Seeing that it was Frieda, Isabella wasn't surprised.

It was expected to see her tonight. After all, the people present were the rich kids from Okmore.

Frieda was obviously mocking her. Isabella had a low tolerance for alcohol. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that she could get drunk after drinking just a glass of liquor.

Five years back, Isabella went abroad, but she had to return three years ago because of her study.

During this period, she met and fought with Frieda many times. They were known to be on bad terms with one another. It wasn't anything shocking for the people to witness such a scene at the party.

They were just confused. They had heard about it that Frieda hated Isabella and always went against her, but nobody seemed to know where her hostility came from. In the beginning, Isabella chose to endure it. However, when she returned from abroad, Frieda was making things more and more difficult for her, and so she started to fight back every time she saw Frieda.

The one who held the birthday party was bold enough to invite both of them to the same event.

One was the noble daughter of the McCoy family, and the other was the little princess of the Lambert family. Wasn't the host afraid that these two people could tear down the private room if they got themselves into a heated argument?

As expected, Isabella retorted at that instant, "Frieda, stop talking nonsense. No one will regard you as a mute if you keep your mouth shut for like five minutes! So just shut up!"

Frieda's cheeks flushed with anger. Knowing that she couldn't win against Isabella, she tried to irritate her instead. "My brother, your ex-boyfriend has come back. Did you know that?"

Isabella gave her gift to the host and toasted the birthday girl calmly.

Putting down the glass, she flashed a smile laced with contempt and sarcasm. "Whether he's back or otherwise, it's none of my business. We broke up a long time ago. His whereabouts now has nothing to do with me."

"You'll know later whether it has got something to do with you," Frieda said with an evil grin.

Her sinister smile sent shivers down Isabella's spine, and she instantly became vigilant.

Isabella lost the game after joining shortly. At the same time, she came to understand what was meant by Frieda earlier.

"What is the punishment?" she asked.

She had drunk nearly a quarter of the bottle of liquor. If they continued to make her drink, she'd ring someone up in advance to come over and rescue her.

There was a moment of silence in the private room. The birthday girl next to her then replied, "Losers would have to either spend three days alone with one of the opposite-sex partners present today or to call their exes to confess their love."