In His Grasp: A Mafia Romance

Chapter 137: Encountering Clark Again

Grazia and Rocco's engagement banquet was relatively simple, attended by their closest friends and family. Sophia and Leo also returned the day before.

Watching Grazia and Rocco holding hands, Isabella felt a heaviness in her heart. Emanuele was busy with socializing, leaving Isabella sitting in a corner, sipping champagne. Perhaps Grazia and Rocco would genuinely be happy together. At least, at this moment, when Rocco spoke to Grazia, his eyes held a gentle smile, appearing genuinely tender. After the second glass of champagne, Isabella felt discomfort in her stomach. It dawned on her that she hadn't eaten tonight, and drinking on an empty stomach was making her uneasy.

A burning sensation spread in her stomach, causing pain. Grazia noticed Isabella and left Rocco to approach her, "Isabella, are you okay? You look a bit pale."

"I'm fine," Isabella replied, her gaze fixed on Grazia's face, noticing a hint of weariness beneath her makeup.

Grazia wasn't as happy as she pretended to be.

"Grazia, I genuinely wish you happiness," Isabella said.

"I'll be fine. Just like you and Emanuele, no one believed in you at first, but now it's all good," Grazia smiled at Isabella.

Is it really good? It's just a façade.

Isabella once thought marrying Emanuele would bring happiness, but he repeatedly reminded her that their relationship was just a game. He desired her body, so he chose her, but he didn't love her. This realization made Isabella gradually lose the will to love Emanuele; she didn't want to be a loser in their game.

However, she didn't want Grazia to worry, so she kept these thoughts to herself.

"I can see that Rocco is much gentler than the last time we met. He's taking good care of you tonight," Isabella remarked.

"Thank you," Grazia smiled.

After Grazia left, Isabella sat for a while, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. She found a restroom and rushed in to vomit.

She emptied her stomach, even bringing up bile, relieving some discomfort. Weakly leaning on the sink, she turned on the tap, splashing water on her face to regain some clarity.

Her body still trembled, was she getting sick? Isabella stared at her pale reflection in the mirror, feeling a bit dazed.

After a brief moment in the restroom, when Isabella felt she could manage, she slowly walked out.

As she entered the banquet hall, her hand was grabbed by someone.

"Where did you go? You missed the announcement."

Looking at the tall man in front of her, Isabella whispered, "I just went to the restroom."

She had no strength to struggle. Even the thought of leaning into Emanuele's arms crossed her mind. She didn't understand why her body suddenly felt so weak.

Was it because she had been too worried lately? Did her physical discomfort result from emotional stress?

Her body was like this-no illnesses on ordinary days, but once her mood soured, serious physical problems would arise.

Previously, when Chloe tormented her to the brink of insanity, she felt the same way. Now that Chloe was gone, she thought nothing could affect her anymore. But then, this happened.

"Your face looks very pale, Isabella. I'll take you to see a doctor," Emanuele said, frowning with concern.

Isabella shook her head, "I'm fine. I don't need to see a doctor. I'm just too worried about Grazia."

Emanuele's gray-brown eyes stared intensely at Isabella, filled with anger, and his face grew somewhat grim. "Isabella, do you not trust Grazia, or do you not trust me? Even in an arranged marriage, I wouldn't just find any man for Grazia to marry. Rocco is a good man, loyal, gentle, though somewhat suspicious. But as long as you're by his side, he'll do everything to protect her. He's powerful, and with Grazia around, she won't face the dangers here in Chicago."

He felt angry that Isabella's concern for Grazia led to her physical discomfort.

Isabella was torn between belief and doubt. Grazia was her second-best friend, after Evelyn, and she genuinely wanted her to be happy.

Soon, someone else approached Emanuele for a conversation. Isabella recognized him as Isidoro, the head of the Mexican Mafia.

"My men just informed me that they've got information on Frederick."

"Let's talk over there," Emanuele said to Isidoro.

He glanced at Isabella, "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine."

After instructing Tony to take care of Isabella, Emanuele left. Isabella knew Emanuele had important matters to attend to. The person Isidoro mentioned, she recalled, was the Sicilian mob boss Emanuele had been looking for?

Isabella remained seated in the corner, this time opting for water instead of alcohol.

The banquet was coming to an end.

"Hey, Isabella, long time no see!" A sunny voice came from beside her, making it feel like a delightful sunbath on the beach.

Isabella turned to see Clark.

It had indeed been a long time since they last met, not since the time they almost got married. Isabella nodded at him. She genuinely liked this sunny guy-more like the fondness between friends. Emanuele had mentioned they were both clerics, heads of criminal organizations, part of an organization formed to maintain peace between the world's major crime syndicates.

Clark was the head of the Canadian Mafia. However, you couldn't tell from him that he was a crime boss. He seemed so sunny and cheerful, giving off the vibe of a gentleman from some reputable family.

In reality, the Campbell family had gradually whitewashed their image, establishing the Campbell Group. Clark was the public face of the group, a young and successful CEO who had even appeared in a few mainstream interviews.

The company seemed entirely legitimate, with many employees graduating from respectable universities. However, behind the scenes, they used the company's facade to launder money discreetly.

"I suppose I should address you as Mrs. Lombardi now," Clark teased Isabella.

"Don't say such things. It's been so long; what have you been up to?"

She hadn't seen Clark during Emanuele's birthday banquet.

"Why are you so concerned about me? Don't let your husband find out," Clark joked.

He hadn't been around because he went back to Canada; there were some issues with the company that needed his urgent attention.

Isabella shrugged, taking a sip of water. She didn't think Emanuele would be jealous just because she cared about Clark. After all, he didn't have any romantic feelings for her.

"But, Isabella, you've become even more beautiful after all this time. Looks like Emanuele spoils you a lot."

"Don't tease me. We even had an argument."

"How come? I'm serious. Why did you quarrel with Emanuele?" Clark was genuinely curious. He wasn't joking; he did find Isabella more attractive.

Before, Isabella was a lively young girl, full of youthful vigor. Now, alongside that youthfulness, she had gained a touch of femininity and a noble sense of solemnity.

Her refined demeanor was more captivating to Clark, but unfortunately, she was now Emanuele's woman.