After the Secret Wedding Rise of My Queen

Chapter 235 Isabel Plays Coquettishly on Xander Isabel looked up and caught Richie's surprised and disbelieving stare.

"What's wrong? Is the nYolkie strange?" she asked.

Richie continued to look at her, his mind replaying a memory of a young girl's voice.

"Richard, look at this puppy's yellow fur. Let's nit Yolkie!" Yolkie. Isabel had used the sname.

"Hey, what's going on? Even if my nchoice isn't great, you don't need to look atlike that," Isabel said, eyeing him suspiciously.

"No, it's not that," Richie replied, snapping back to reality. His gaze softened as he looked at her. "Yolkie... It's a good name. It sounds nice." Isabel smiled. "Of course, I cup with it." "How did you cup with such a name?" Richie asked curiously.

"I used to love eating yolks when I was a kid," she said.

"You also loved yolks as a kid?" Richie asked in surprise.

"Huh? Who else likes yolks?" Richie paused briefly, holding back the words that almost slipped out.

"Just an old friend," he finally said.

Isabel had a hunch it might be Leslie, but she decided not to bring it up.

She continued petting Yolkie and said, "Your fur feels so soft and smooth. From now on, I'm your owner!" The puppy seemed to understand, wagging its tail and licking her hand.

"That tickles!" Isabel giggled.

Richie stood nearby, silently watching. The sight of Isabel playing with Yolkie reminded him of the tLeslie had discovered the puppy when they were kids. There were so many similarities between Isabel and Leslie.

If Leslie were still alive, Richie was certain they would have been close friends.

After finishing Richie's treatment, Isabel brought Yolkie back to the villa.

"What the heck! Why did you bring a dog back? Take it away!" Samuel exclaimed, standing firmly at the doorway to block her entry.

"Why not? Do you dislike dogs?" she asked curiously.

"Not me. It's Xander. You'd better return it before he sees it!" Samuel warned.

"Does Xander hate dogs?" Isabel asked, surprised.

Right then, Xander stepped out of his study. His expression brightened at the sight of Isabel's radiant face, but it shifted quickly when his eyes fell on Yolkie in her arms. Ignoring Samuel, Isabel walked straight toward Xander with Yolkie.

"Xander, why don't you like dogs? They're so cute! Look at this one. I named it Yolkie. Isn't it adorable? Its eyes even look like tiny black beads," Isabel said as she gently moved Yolkie's front paws. Xander frowned and instinctively stepped back, keeping a noticeable distance from her and the puppy.

Isabel blinked at him, puzzled. Was he truly so opposed to dogs? "I promised Yolkie that I'd be its owner," she said earnestly. "Even if it's just a dog, I can't break my word." Worried that Xander might disagree, Isabel widened her eyes, fluttering her long lashes in an almost playful manner.

This softer, coquettish side of her was something Xander rarely experienced.

He had caught glimpses of it before-mostly when she was tipsy, which had always stirred something within him. Normally, though, she only acted cute around Reggie, with a sweet tone and endearing expressions, none of which were ever aimed at him.

But now, Xander was the one on the receiving end, and there was no way he could turn her down.

"Alright, you can keep the dog if you want," he said at last.

Isabel had been hoping to hear those words.

"Thank you, Xander! You're so kind!" she said, her face lighting up with happiness.

Just then, Samuel's shocked voice broke the moment.

"Xander! Are you crazy? You're allergic to dogs, and you're letting her keep one in the house? There should be a limit to how much you can spoil her!" Startled by Samuel's outburst, Isabel turned toward Xander. "Are you truly allergic to dogs?" As she spoke, memories of Xander's earlier reaction when she approached him with Yolkie cback to her. His behavior had already answered her question. "Then why did you still letkeep it?" she muttered, her lips forming a slight pout and a trace of sadness appearing in her eyes.

Samuel's words echoed in her mind. Even if Xander wanted to indulge her, that was going too far.

Why was he always so good to her? At first, she hadn't felt guilty about it-they had a mutual understanding, each gaining something from their arrangement.

But now, with every kind gesture he made, her guilt grew heavier.

"As long as it makes you happy, it's fine," Xander replied, reaching out to pat her head.

Isabel stepped back quickly. "Can you please take better care of yourself? If you have a serious allergic reaction, your mom will accuseof trying to harm you. Fine, I'll let my friend take care of Yolkie for now." After sthought, she decided Richie was the best choice. Since they'd found Yolkie together, the puppy was already comfortable with him. The only question was whether he would agree.

That night, Isabel messaged Richie to explain the situation. To her relief, he agreed right away, putting her at ease.

On Wednesday afternoon, Isabel cooked Reggie's favorite dish and personally delivered it to him.

As she arrived at the entrance to I.Z. Corporation, she noticed a familiar car parked nearby.

Instead of getting out, she lowered her car window to take a closer look.

A moment later, she saw Colin step out of the car, followed by Lillian, who was heavily disguised.

"What are they doing here?" Isabel wondered as she watched them.

Colin began speaking to Lillian seriously, "Even though I.Z.

Corporation is a new company, it's growing rapidly thanks to the support of Miracle Healer. Securing a long-term partnership with them would be a significant advantage for us."

"Absolutely! Practically everyone I know-my artist friends, colleagues, and even myself-is using their m skincare products now. They truly work!" Lilian said, her admiration evident. "One of my friends used to have terrible acne scars. After trying I.Z's acne treatment, her skin becsmooth and flawless. It's incredible what Miracle Healer has created!"

"If this momentum continues, I.Z. Corporation could easily rise to becone of Solaria's top m companies in the next few years, Golin added. "We need to establish a connection with them before it's too late." Upon hearing their conversation, Isabel immediately realized what they were after. She opened her car door and stepped out, catching their attention. "Isabel?" Lillian exclaimed in surprise, her eyes widening. Colin, equally startled, turned to look at her.

Isabel smiled sarcastically.

"You should turn around and leave.

Everyone in Solaria is aware that I.Z. Corporation has an incredibly promising future. Countless

companies are eager to collaborate with them. As a mid-tier aristocratic family, what makes you thi think I.Z.

Corporation would consider partnering with you?"