After the Secret Wedding Rise of My Queen

Chapter 253 What the Hell?! Isabel, It's You?!

Oh no! Isabel sucked in a sharp breath, her widened eyes fixed on the shiny leather shoe that had suddenly intruded into her hiding space.

The polished leather and sleek design immediately gave her a clear idea of who owned this shoe. She recognized it in an instant.

Gulp. Isabel swallowed nervously, staying motionless as she remained crouched under the table. She strained her ears to catch the conversation happening above her, silently praying they'd leave soon. Staying in this cramped position was torturous, not just for her but also for the babies in her belly.

"Richard, when you have time, come visit me at my place," Ivana said. As she spoke, her gaze drifted toward the kitchen. She had been to Richard's house twice now, and neither time had she seen any household staff. It was clear that Richard lived alone, cooking and managing everything by himself.

He was such a thoughtful and independent young man-his self-sufficiency made her heart ache for him.

Why are they still talking? Isabel was growing anxious. Her legs were starting to go numb.

Ordinarily, she could endure far worse. Even though her current physical fitness couldn't compare to what it was in her past life, her endurance had been ingrained in her soul through countless trials.

But this was different. She wasn't just looking out for herself anymore; the babies in her belly made her situation far more complicated.

Sweat slowly trickled down from Isabel's temple as her discomfort grew.

Are they seriously planning to stay for dinner? she worried. What if they start cooking here?

Just as Isabel's head began to ache from overthinking, Xander's sharp gaze flicked toward the vegetables on the table.

Did Richard buy all this food? he wondered.

Ivana noticed it too. "Richard, were you planning to cook for yourself?"

Richard's brows furrowed slightly at the question. Isabel was still hiding under the table, and if this conversation continued, he was afraid she wouldn't last much longer.

"Yes, I've always cooked for myself," he replied.

He needed to come up with a good excuse to get Ivana and the others to leave.

But what excuse could he use?

Ivana stood up suddenly, grabbing the groceries from the table. Looking at Richard, she said, "Forget cooking tonight. I will make dinner for you instead."

"What?" Richard blurted out in shock.

Under the table, Isabel cursed internally, What the hell!

Richard's reaction didn't arouse Ivana's suspicion. She smiled warmly and continued, "Don't tell me you forgot that I know how to cook? When you and Leslie were kids, you two often came over to my house. Leslie especially loved my cooking and would even refuse to leave, saying she wanted to live with us."

Richard wasn't listening anymore. His mind was preoccupied, trying to figure out how to politely but firmly get Ivana to leave.

"Mom, I'll help you," Samuel said, standing up.

"Good, you can be my sous chef." Ivana handed the groceries over to Samuel.

Isabel's heart was racing faster and faster. Are they treating this house like their own now? How are they so shameless?!

At that moment, Isabel saw Yolkie strutting out of the kitchen.

"Wait a second. Doesn't this dog look exactly like the one Isabel brought over that day?" Samuel remarked.

The moment Samuel spoke, Xander's attention was immediately drawn to the dog. Isabel, on the other hand, felt her nerves stretch to their breaking point.

Her eyes widened as she watched Yolkie slowly approach. Don't come over here. Please, for the love of everything, don't come over!

Xander's gaze locked on Yolkie, scanning him from head to tail. The resemblance wasn't just striking-it was identical.

Could it be? Xander wondered. When Isabel said she was giving Yolkie to a friend, was she talking about Richard? But that didn't make sense. Their relationship wasn't supposed to be that close... right?

It was probably just a dog of the same breed.

Samuel crouched down and studied Yolkie for a few seconds before muttering, "It really does look like Yolkie."

As if on cue, Yolkie tilted his head and wagged his tail at Samuel.

"Wait, what?" Samuel blinked.

He then hesitated for a moment before calling out tentatively, "Yolkie?"

Hearing his name, Yolkie jumped up excitedly, his tail wagging furiously.

Yolkie wasn't the type to wag his tail for just anyone. But he had seen Samuel before, so he naturally behaved familiarly.

This interaction sent waves of suspicion through both Samuel and Xander, while Isabel's headache intensified.

Samuel raised his head to look at Richard. "Is his name also Yolkie?"

Richard thought back to when Isabel had dropped Yolkie off, explaining that Xander was allergic to dogs, so she was temporarily leaving him in Richard's care.

"Uh..." Richard began, but before he could finish crafting his excuse, Yolkie suddenly bounded toward the table.

It dove underneath her, showering Isabel with enthusiastic licks and nuzzles, its tail whipping back and forth with the joyous abandon of a conductor leading a symphony. "Shoo, shoo!" Isabel whispered, unable to hold back her frustration.

The moment she spoke, every pair of eyes in the room turned toward the table.

Samuel wasted no time. He grabbed the tablecloth and yanked it up.

"What the h*ll!" Samuel exclaimed, unable to contain himself. "Isabel?! Wh-what the-how are you here?!"

The instant Xander had heard the sound from under the table, he had already recognized the voice as Isabel's.

And sure enough-it was her. But

why was Isabel hiding under the

table in Richard's house? Why was she even here in the first place? And why had she left Yolkie with

sw neveln

Richard? Were they really that close?

As question after question popped into his mind, Xander's expression darkened like a brewing storm, so grim it seemed like the air itself might freeze over.

Realizing there was no point in hiding anymore, Isabel decided to crawl out from under the table. Besides, her legs had completely gone numb, and she couldn't stay down there any longer.

Fine, if it's come to this, I'll just deal with it head-on, she thought.

Careful to avoid the overpowering aura emanating from Xander, Isabel instinctively moved closer to Richard as she climbed to her feet.

"Ah-" she gasped as her legs buckled beneath her.

Richard reacted instantly, catching her before she fell. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice full of concern.

"I'm fine," Isabel replied. "I just stayed crouched too long, and my legs fell asleep."

Xander's narrowed eyes zeroed in on Richard's hand, which was still resting on Isabel's shoulder. His thin lips pressed into a grim line, and his icy demeanor radiated an aura of pure destruction.

Samuel clicked his tongue in disbelief as he stared at Isabel and Richard standing so close together.

His thoughts were racing. I always knew Isabel didn't have feelings for my brother, but could it be because of Richard? Does Isabel actually like Richard? Is that why she keeps rejecting Xander? Stealing a glance at Xander, Samuel shuddered inwardly. Oh boy. Things are about to get ugly.

Xander took a step forward, closing the distance between himself and Isabel. "What's your relationship with him?" he asked coldly.

The jealousy in his tone was unmistakable, and Isabel immediately caught on.

"We're just friends," she replied quickly.

Xander's dark eyes bore into hers, his voice even lower now. "Then let me ask you this-what's our relationship?"

Isabel opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, Xander's voice cut in again.

"Tell him. Tell him what our relationship is."

Following his line of sight, Isabel

saw Xander glaring at Richard, his eyes icy enough to freeze over. That look... he was staring at Richard like he was a rival, a mortal enemy The chill in his gaze was so intense it felt like it could manifest as actual ice daggers.