In His Grasp: A Mafia Romance

Chapter 46: Chloe Wants to Have a Private Chat

Isabella's first reaction upon receiving the money from Emanuele was shock, followed by confusion, and then the realization that she couldn't accept this money.

"Emanuele, this money is yours. I can't accept it," she said. She couldn't take such a significant amount of money without a clear reason, especially when she didn't know where it came from or how many people might have suffered for it. Besides, she wouldn't feel at ease spending it.

"I've never taken back something I've given," Emanuele told Isabella. "Consider it for buying some supplements for your health. You look quite pale and fragile. Eat well."

Emanuele reached out and pinched Isabella's cheek. He couldn't help but notice how smooth her skin was, as silky as milk, making him want to touch it again.

His grip was a bit firm, and when he let go, it left a red mark on Isabella's cheek. It was a successful attempt to kindle the fire of anger in her eyes. Emanuele couldn't help but laugh and left the room before Isabella could confront him.

Isabella watched Emanuele's departure, grumbled, and sighed as she rubbed the slightly sore spot on her face. This man was indeed rough. She decided she wouldn't feel safe keeping all that money. She would keep a portion for herself and donate the rest to various charitable projects. She could consider it a good deed done for Emanuele.

"Did that witch come to Chicago already? And you've met her? Isabella, where is she? I want to rip her apart!" Evelyn angrily exclaimed during their lunch break.

Isabella had told Evelyn about Chloe's arrival in Chicago during their lunchtime break.

"Calm down!" Isabella quickly tried to soothe Evelyn.

"I don't need to calm down," Evelyn said in anger. She had heard about some of the things Chloe had done to Isabella, not everything but enough to make her furious. "Damn, maybe you should tell your stepbrother about this. I hear he's nice to you."

Emanuele had taken care of her when she was seriously ill, hadn't he? Hearing Evelyn's suggestion, Isabella felt somewhat uncomfortable.

"I think that might not be a good idea," she hesitated. If Emanuele found out, he might use it against her and threaten her whenever he pleased, making her life even more complicated.

"So what should we do then?" Evelyn looked at Isabella. "You can't be a coward. You need to stand up. Otherwise, she'll keep controlling you."

Forever? Isabella thought. Hopefully not.

She felt less frightened of Chloe than she used to, but seeing her after so long made her a bit uneasy. She was confident she could handle Chloe.

"It's not that I think, Isabella, why would she suddenly come to Chicago out of the blue? Could it be that she's interested in Emanuele?" Evelyn suddenly thought and felt like a genius for coming up with the idea.

"Why didn't she come to Chicago in all these years, but suddenly, after your mother's remarriage, she shows up?" Isabella couldn't make sense of Chloe's motives.

"You mustn't let Emanuele be with her, Isabella. Otherwise, she might poison his ears, and you'd be in big trouble," Evelyn warned.

She didn't know much about the world of the mafia, but she knew they could be as ruthless as crushing an ant. Once Chloe, that nasty woman, got close to Emanuele, and if she instigated him to torment Isabella, it would be a disaster.

"They probably won't be together," Isabella thought, recalling Emanuele's attitude toward Chloe at the dinner. She didn't believe they would be together. Maybe... they wouldn't be together?

That evening, before leaving work, Isabella received a message from Chloe, asking her to go shopping together.

Her body trembled uncontrollably. Evelyn took Isabella's phone, looked at the message, and with a mocking smile, sent a reply to Chloe: "Sorry, I'm busy!"

Then she handed the phone back to Isabella. She wanted to say something more direct like, "Get lost, you bitch!" But she was afraid it would cause trouble for Isabella. The current Isabella couldn't match Chloe in a fight.

After Evelyn sent the message, Isabella was concerned that Chloe might get angry as a result.

Indeed, soon after, Chloe started frantically calling her. Isabella felt like throwing the phone away to escape the incessant calls.

Evelyn patted Isabella's shoulder, indicating that she should relax. "I'd love to help you block her number, but I know you won't do it." Isabella couldn't bring herself to do it, and she feared it would only make Chloe angrier.

She felt she couldn't handle Chloe's wrath at this moment.

On the other end of the phone, Chloe was infuriated that Isabella had refused to answer her calls. How dare she defy her?

Why did she think she could escape her control just because she no longer lived in her house?

Chloe couldn't help but sneer. She needed to make Isabella understand who her master was. What a despicable person she was, even daring to defy her master's orders. Very well!

Eventually, after three or four calls, Chloe gave up trying to reach Isabella. This relieved Isabella.

"Never mind all that, Isabella. Come on, let's go out for dinner," Evelyn decided to take Isabella to a restaurant to help her relax.

Isabella didn't want to take the lead, as she felt she was not strong enough at the moment. She believed that she could take on Chloe, but she also realized that her strength wasn't enough. When Isabella returned to her top-tier apartment, she was met with an unexpected visitor at her doorstep - Chloe.

Chloe stared at Isabella with seemingly friendly eyes. "Since you didn't want to go shopping with me, I decided to come to you. Your mother told me your address."

Isabella's pupils trembled. Why wouldn't Chloe ever leave her alone?

"Let's go, Isabella, into your apartment. I have a lot to say to you," Chloe said. She also noticed the bodyguard accompanying Isabella. She knew she had to be alone with Isabella for this conversation to happen.

No, Isabella thought. She didn't want to be alone with Chloe. She was certain Chloe would find ways to punish her, just like she used to. However, despite her resistance, her actions seemed well-trained, and she subconsciously opened the door to let Chloe in.